No fatal firearm hunting incident in 2023 or so far in 2024.

As deer hunting has evolved over generations in Wisconsin, several trends have become clear.

Participation is down. Options, including types of legal equipment, are up.

And arguably the most positive change in modern times: deer hunting in the Badger State is safer than it’s ever been.

Data collected by state officials show how deadly the activity used to be for hunters. For example in 1914, 24 hunters were killed and 26 injured in shooting incidents, and in 1970, 13 hunters were killed.

More: What to know about the Wisconsin gun deer hunting season: Dates, licenses, regulations

But in recent years it’s become rare to have a fatality during the gun deer hunting season, historically the period when most shooting incidents occurred.

In fact, six of the gun seasons in the last decade have passed without a shooting fatality.

With the 2024 Wisconsin gun deer season coming up Nov. 23 to Dec. 1, Department of Natural Resources staff held a media briefing Oct. 30 to present the latest information on the deer herd, season outlook and safety tips.

“Our hunting incidents are on a downward trend over the last five seasons,” said Renee Thok, DNR hunter safety administrator.

More: Wisconsin deer harvest in 2024 trending higher than last year

The improvement in Wisconsin deer hunting safety has its roots in a rule that required hunter education training for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1973, and a blaze orange clothing requirement that started in 1980.

Changes in hunter behavior have helped, too. More hunters now hunt from elevated stands, meaning their shots are directed downward and less likely to strike another hunter. Fewer hunters participate in deer drives, too.

Thok began a list of recommendations with the cardinal rules of hunting safety, also known as TAB-K: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; always point the muzzle in a safe direction; be certain of your target and what’s beyond it; keep your finger out of the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Noting the increased use of tree stands, Thok said it was critical to check on the status of buckles and straps on the hunting platforms and replace any that are worn or damaged. She also said hunters should used a full body safety harness to protect against falls and to use three points of contact (for example, two hands and one foot) when climbing or descending.

In addition, hunters should use a lifeline when going up or down a stand.

Thok also touched on the state’s regulation that requires deer hunters to have at least 50% of outer clothing above the waist in blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Hats or head coverings, if worn, must also be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Faded or stained clothing is unsafe and should be replaced, according to the DNR.

And it’s also smart for non-hunters and their pets to wear highly visible clothing when outdoors during the gun deer season.

If hunters are using an ATV or UTV, Thok issued a reminder to unload firearms before transporting them.

And she urged people to hunt sober.

Smith: Dr. Robert Riepenhoff, son of my predecessor, takes on firearm injuries and deaths

“Be safe, responsible and sober when in the woods,” Thok said. “Impairment at any time either by drugs or alcohol can have tragic consequences.”

In 2023, 11 shooting incidents were recorded across all Wisconsin’s hunting seasons; none was fatal.

And just three of those incidents occurred during the 2023 nine-day gun deer season. They were: a self-inflicted foot injury Nov. 18 to a hunter in Forest County; a woman shot in the thigh Nov. 19 by a hunter who was hunting with permission on her property in Adams County; and a hunter shot in the leg Nov. 24 by another hunter while the two were participating in a deer drive in Taylor County.

The 10-year average is 5.9 shooting incidents during the state’s gun deer season, according to a 2023 DNR report.

So far in 2024 four non-fatal shooting incidents have been recorded in hunting situations, according to the DNR. One was during the spring turkey hunting season, two during waterfowl seasons this fall and one in which a man shot himself in the foot while attempting to kill a raccoon.

Though the trend toward fewer firearm-related incidents is encouraging, safety experts know their job is never done.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law. Learn more about safe hunting in Wisconsin and register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Outdoor Skills webpage.

To learn more about hunting in Wisconsin, including information on hunter education courses, visit dnr.wi.gov.

MADISON, WI– With days away until Election Day, thousands of voters have already submitted their absentee mail-in ballot or have already voted with in-person early voting. Regardless whether you submitted your ballot via absentee or on Election Day, all those votes will be counted.

But how do election officials filter all those ballots by wards and municipalities? Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator, Megan Wolfe says it all comes down to the local level. In a virtual press meeting that took place on Friday, November 1st, Wolfe explained the process to members of the press.

“Wisconsin state law says as municipalities finish their tabulation, they report their unofficial results to their county clerk; and the county clerk posts those unofficial results to their website,” said Wolfe.

Those municipalities will count Election Day ballots first, before opening the submitted absentee ballots and adding those results to the unofficial results. However, all municipalities are not alike in processing absentee ballots according to Wolfe.

“There are about 35 municipalities that utilize what’s called central count for counting their absentee ballots.” Wolfe said. “All the absentees are counted in a central location. Until all those absentee votes are counted for, they will then be added to the municipality and ward where the absentee voter resides.”

When all the county clerks in Wisconsin have submitted their results, the Wisconsin Elections Commission will then announce which candidate has earned Wisconsin’s electoral votes.

If for some reason, the margin of error is too close to count, the WEC will have plans in place for a recount.

“Recounts often happen over Thanksgiving and deer hunting season,” said Wolfe. “And so a lot of times clerks can struggle if they’re not anticipating a recount to staff those and so we want to make sure that everybody is ready and can get the staff they need to be ready in the event if we have one.”

Wolfe also wants to remind people that if they haven’t yet registered to vote for this year’s election, they cannot register on the Sunday or Monday before Election Day, but they can register to vote when the show up to their polling place during Election Day.

“People do need to bring some form of proof on where they live such as a utility bill or a bank statement, something with proof of their current address,” said Wolfe. “And all Wisconsin voters are going to have to show an acceptable photo ID before voting.”

Polls open at 7A.M. on Election Day and close at 8P.M.

Kaleb Johnson and the Iowa Hawkeyes had the Wisconsin Badgers looking for answers on Saturday. Perhaps some answers will come in the grades from the game that have been issued by Pro Football Focus.

There’s almost nothing positive to report from the 42-10 loss — and it’s hard to take your eyes off the abysmal 38.4 overall grade and 30.3 passing grade PFF gave Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke, who finished 15 of 29 for 137 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Locke received a score of 23.9 when under pressure and 27.8 when he wasn’t blitzed. When he was kept clean in the pocket, he still struggled with a 49.7 score.

His offensive line wasn’t good, either, with the exception of left tackle Jack Nelson, who led the Badgers with an 81.8 overall grade aided by an 82.1 run-blocking grade.

The rest of Wisconsin’s offensive line was terrible when blocking for running back Tawee Walker. Center Jake Renfro had a 64.5 run-blocking grade; right tackle Riley Mahlman scored a 63.0; right guard Joe Huber was down at 56.3 and left guard Joe Brunner earned a 55.2.

Starting center Jake Renfro had a 64.5 run-blocking grade; right tackile Riley Mahlman scored a 63.0; right guard Joe Huber was down at 56.3 and left guard Joe Brunner earned a 55.2.

Linebackers Christian Allegro and Jake Chaney had the two best scores for the Badgers, earning scores of 83.9 and 83.7, respectively.

Wisconsin has lost two consecutive games by a combined score of 70-23. At 5-4, they are off this week before hosting No. 1 Oregon at Camp Randall Stadium on Nov. 16.