Wisconsin
Smith: Hunters tallying high marks in Wisconsin’s 2025 deer seasons
Deer hunters in Wisconsin had one of their best seasons in years, according to Department of Natural Resources data.
As of Jan. 27, hunters registered 338,685 white-tailed deer in the 2025-26 Wisconsin hunting seasons.
The preliminary total included 165,614 antlered deer, or bucks, and 173,071 antlerless deer, mostly adult females and fawns.
The total does not include deer taken on agricultural damage tags, the tribal harvest, in the Deer Management Assistance Program, vehicle-killed deer or at Ft. McCoy.
The Jan. 27 data also do not reflect the entire deer hunting year, which in some management units featured late bow seasons through Jan. 31.
Final data will be available in the coming weeks and likely add about 6,000 deer, mostly antlerless taken through the ag damage program, to the total.
But even with some numbers outstanding, the Badger State’s 2025-26 deer seasons are notable in several respects.
The total harvest is on track to be about 4% higher than the previous year and the highest since 2012, when 368,313 deer were registered, according to DNR data.
And remember the 2025-26 deer seasons included a lackluster nine-day gun hunt (the largest portion of the annual deer harvest). The Nov. 22-30, 2025 gun season resulted in 183,094 deer registered, a drop of 4% from the previous year.
A heavy snowstorm hit much of the state late in the nine-day season and likely reduced hunter effort.
But other portions of the 2025-26 Wisconsin deer hunting seasons more than took up the slack.
It started in October when 8,480 deer were registered in the youth hunt (a year-over-year increase of 15%) and picked up again in December with the muzzleloader season with 11,910 deer (48% higher than 2024), four-day December antlerless season with 10,590 deer (28% higher) and holiday antlerless deer hunt with 11,277 deer (47% higher).
Continuing a trend since 2014, the crossbow deer kill of 70,047 (43,006 bucks and 27,041 antlerless) is up 10% from last year.
And the archery (vertical bow) deer harvest actually reversed a long-term trend and increased this season. As of Jan. 27 the total was 41,459 (25,701 bucks and 15,758 antlerless), a 7% year-over-year increase.
“We know it’s not true everywhere, but for good chunks of the state, it’s the good old days (for deer hunters),” said Ryan Haffele, DNR acting deer specialist. “It’s a positive trend, and this year tells us about the depth and breadth of our seasons.”
One of the biggest points in the statewide pile of data is this: the 2025-26 buck kill of 165,614 is 14th highest on record and the most since 2007.
That’s saying something especially since the number of deer hunters has dropped by 116,640 (or 16%) in the last 25 years, according to the DNR.
It’s a continuation of last year, when 13 Wisconsin counties set buck kill records. The DNR will be able to make comparisons of those data from the 2025-26 deer seasons in the coming weeks.
It also bears mentioning this year’s buck harvest occurred in an era when deer hunters are more selective and more apt to pass up a shot at an antlered deer than ever.
Even with those caveats, many still consider buck kill a loose correlate for the deer population.
That association held up for the 2025-26 deer seasons.
The DNR estimated the state herd at 1.82 million deer following the 2024-25 hunting seasons, a slight year-over-year increase and highest on record. The herd has especially swelled in the agricultural zones since 2011 when the Legislature prohibited the Earn-A-Buck regulation and the early antlerless gun season.
Both the southern and central farmland zones had record high deer populations prior to the 2025 season, according to the DNR. And those estimates come at a time when chronic wasting disease is increasing in prevalence and likely causing localized declines in deer numbers in some southern counties, according to the DNR.
The contemporary “tool box” of Wisconsin hunting regulations lacks a device even remotely capable of reaching the antlerless harvest goals in the agricultural zones. The DNR and County Deer Advisory Councils can set the number but the deer kill consistently falls short.
The statewide deer population also got a bump from two consecutive mild winters, which primarily benefitted deer in the northern forest and central forest zones.
Keith McCaffery, 86, of Rhinelander, who spent his 37-year DNR career working on deer and is arguably the most respected deer biologist alive in the Upper Midwest, told me before the 2025 seasons that Wisconsin “hunters this fall could be taking to the field with more deer than anytime in recorded history.”
In addition to being a lifelong Wisconsin deer hunter, McCaffery has been involved in deer population monitoring and management for most of his life, including through the period of highest deer kills. The 2025-26 registration data has only supported his claim about the possible number of deer available to hunters this year.
Of course deer population estimates have margins of error. Biologists stress looking at the trend as opposed to an absolute number. The leading indicators point to a higher deer population in Wisconsin this year.
One can only guess how much higher the deer kill would have been this year if the same number of hunters had gone afield with the same effort, attitudes, access and regulations as they did in 2000 when the record Wisconsin harvest of 615,293 deer was set.
But that’s a good debate topic for the local watering hole or deer camp.
The realities of the 2025-26 seasons are getting entered in the books.
What else made this year stand out? Hunters in the later seasons, especially the muzzleloader, December antlerless and holiday hunts, enjoyed snow on the landscape statewide, said Jeff Pritzl, recently retired DNR deer specialist.
“That hasn’t been true many years,” Pritzl said. “And it also showed hunters were still willing to get out there and work on filling tags late in the year.”
Pritzl pointed to the antlerless deer harvest of 173,071, a 5% year-over-year increase, as another bright spot from this year’s preliminary numbers. And as referenced earlier, the antlerless kill will be slightly higher in the final tally but will still fall short of harvest goals.
My own hunting seasons once again exceeded the expectations of a kid who grew up in southeastern Wisconsin with very few deer.
I saw lots of deer on each outing this year, primarily in Waukesha and Waupaca counties. I registered three, all adult does, and all in keeping with my and the landowners’ goals. I kept two for family consumption and donated one.
I let eight antlered deer pass while waiting for a doe on opening day of the nine-day gun season in Waupaca County.
Most important, my season included making new friends and having new experiences in the field while helping, at least in a modest way, to address extremely high deer numbers in a couple locations.
The final 2025-26 Wisconsin deer hunting statistics will be released in the coming weeks and months. Haffele, the DNR’s acting deer specialist, is planning to give a presentation on the deer harvest data at the Feb. 25 Natural Resources Board meeting in Madison.
If you hunted deer this year, I hope your season was safe and successful. If you care to share your stories or photos with me and potentially other readers in future articles, please email me at psmith@jrn.com.
The search for a pet kangaroo that escaped from its home outside of Necedah has captured media attention across the country.
Chesney is a 16-month-old kangaroo owned by Debbie Marlund, who operates Sunshine Farm Petting Zoo. He and his brother Kenny live in Marlund’s home, along with her five labradors, and often visit the residents of nursing homes and senior centers in the region.
“Chesney actually sleeps in bed with me every night,” Marlund said. “They’re both home bodies. They do get plenty of outside time when it’s nice. They don’t particularly care for cold weather.”
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The kangaroo was in his outdoor enclosure Wednesday morning when he was spooked by an unfamiliar dog and escaped. He’s been spotted multiple times in the area around his home but has so far evaded several attempts to catch him.
News of the search has been picked up by several TV news stations, including as far away as Seattle, and even made a British-based publication.
Marlund said she has not stopped searching for Chesney since Wednesday morning.
“I have been asking neighbors to let me go on their property and walk trails, walk paths, and get close to the vicinity,” said Marlund, adding that friends have been driving local roads to make sure he isn’t spotted leaving the area.
Colton Johnson of Midwest Aerial Drone Services has also aided in the search using a drone and thermal camera.
He often uses the equipment to search for lost pets but said tracking a kangaroo is more difficult because of its speed.
“It’s hard to keep up with him,” Johnson said. “He slipped us last night, but we’re going to head back out there tonight and see if we can get eyes on him.”
Johnson said there have been plenty of people in the area showing up to try to get a look at Chesney. But he urged residents to avoid going after the kangaroo because it could drive the scared animal further into the wooded area.
Marlund asked locals to keep an eye out for Chesney and report any sightings.
“He’s not going to come to a stranger, he’s too spooked,” she said. “But I think it is beneficial for people who are staying in the area or driving by to keep their eye out.”
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If you’re looking to make reservations for an Easter meal, check out these Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants.
WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Calendars are quickly filling up with Easter services, egg hunts, photos with bunnies and brunch plans.
If cooking isn’t your thing, or you’ve been too busy to plan and cook this year, you have options in the Wisconsin Rapids area. Several local restaurants and businesses have you covered with all of your favorite Easter treats.
The following Wisconsin Rapids-area restaurants and businesses will be offering Easter breakfast, brunch or dinner.
- Branding Iron Supper Club will offer an Easter Dinner from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 5 at 9721 State 13 S. in Saratoga. The Easter menu includes a ham dinner, a prime rib dinner, Branding Iron’s full menu, salad bar and a fresh fruit mimosa bar. The Easter Bunny will also visit from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Reservations are available at 715-325-8102.
- Lake Arrowhead Association will host an Easter Brunch Buffet from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. April 5 at Lake Arrowhead, 1195 Apache Lane in Rome. The menu will include a variety of options including a carving station for prime rib and smoked ham, mahi mahi with a Korean glaze, sliced pork loin, chicken Alfredo, chicken tenders, mac & cheese, french fries, baby red potatoes, carrots, a build-your-own omelet station, biscuits and gravy, french toast sticks, pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit, vegetables and more. Reservations are required, including a $25 non-refundable deposit to reserve a spot and can be made at 715-325-2915 or banquets@lakearrowheadgolf.com or events@lakearrowheadgolf.com.
- Nekoosa Court will host an Easter Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. April 4 at Nekoosa Court, 145 N. Cedar St. in Nekoosa. Breakfast will include all-you-can-eat eggs, sausage, pancakes and beverages with an Easter Egg Hunt to follow.
- Olympic II will host Easter Weekend Specials from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 4 and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 5 at 2520 Eighth St. S. in Wisconsin Rapids. The Easter specials include a breakfast special of an 8-ounce New York strip steak and eggs, hashbrowns and toast, as well as a tenderloin and jumbo shrimp dish, a roast turkey and ham combo, chicken breast and four shrimp, ham steak, roast chicken and roast turkey. Reservations and orders for takeout can be placed at 715-424-4744.
- Quality Foods is offering a complete Heat & Serve Easter Dinner, including a ham dinner for eight people with off-the-bone ham, mashed potatoes and beef gravy or eight three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, homemade stuffing, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and eight slices of cheesecake. The store also will offer an Easter prime rib dinner for four, including prime rib, four three-cheese twice-baked potatoes, Hawaiian rolls, green bean casserole and cheesecake while supplies last at 1021 W. Grand Ave. and 1811 Baker Drive in Wisconsin Rapids. Orders must be placed by April 1 at 715-423-8350 for Baker Drive and at 715-423-9750 for West Grand Avenue. Orders must be picked up by noon April 5.
- Slice of Heaven Bakery will host a free Easter dinner from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 5 at 1158 Snow Pass in Rome. Guests can eat at the event or order for takeout. Reservations are not needed, but those who need a delivery should contact rebeccalacount@gmail.com or call 608-449-0702.
- The Whitney will offer an Easter Breakfast Buffet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 at Hotel Mead Resorts & Convention Centers, 451 E. Grand Ave. in Wisconsin Rapids. Hot dishes include pancakes, pumpkin spice pancakes, french toast casserole, cheesy hashbrown casserole, quiche, frittatas, breakfast burritos, scrambled eggs, poached eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, breakfast sandwiches, eggs Benedict, biscuits and gravy and chicken and wild rice soup. Cold dishes include a yogurt bar, fruit skewers, deviled eggs, muffins, cranberry bread, croissants, biscuits and an English muffin. Desserts include fruit pie, carrot cake, peach cobbler and coffee cake. The buffet is available by reservation only at 715-423-1500.
Want to add your business to the list? Please email cshuda@usatodayco.com with the name of your restaurant, your Easter hours, what your Easter menu will include, and whether reservations are required.
March continues on the ice as Dartmouth Big Green takes on Wisconsin Badgers in a regional semifinal matchup in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Hockey Tournament.
MORE: How to live stream NCAA men’s hockey tournament 2026: TV channel, schedule
How to Watch Wisconsin vs Dartmouth
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Date: Thursday, March 26, 2026
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Wisconsin enters the tournament as one of the more complete teams in the field, combining strong defensive structure with high-end offensive talent. The Badgers have leaned on forward Cruz Lucius, a dynamic scorer capable of creating chances in transition, along with Kirsten Simms, who has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the season. On the blue line, Wisconsin’s physicality and ability to limit quality scoring chances have made it a difficult matchup.
Dartmouth arrives as a disciplined and well-coached group that thrives on structure and goaltending. The Big Green will look to slow the game down and rely on key contributors like John Fusco and Cade Webber to control play in their own zone while generating offense through efficient puck movement.
This matchup will likely come down to pace and execution. Wisconsin prefers to push tempo and create scoring opportunities off the rush, while Dartmouth will aim to keep things tight, limit mistakes, and capitalize on special teams opportunities.
Fans can watch the NCAA hockey tournament across the ESPN family of networks, with games airing on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU, while select matchups stream exclusively on ESPN+.
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