Gun deer season begins Nov. 18, earlier start could mean more success

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The opening of the gun deer season is just over two weeks away. 

Every year, more than a half-million hunters take to the Wisconsin woods with the hopes of harvesting a deer. 

While deer numbers are trending down this year, Jeff Pritzl with the Wisconsin DNR says the earlier season this year could help make those in the woods more successful. 

"This is going to be the best opportunity with the gun season to have the opening weekend earlier and closer to the rut, and next year in 2024 it's going to fall back essentially a week which usually has a 10 to 15 percent negative effect on total harvest," said Jeff Pritzl, with the Wisconsin DNR. 

Hunters who did harvest a deer have the option to have their deer tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) however, it is not required by the DNR.

Opening day of gun deer season is Nov. 18.