Counties

In a press release last week, the Wisconsin Department of Nat- ural Resources (DNR) announced they received notification from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection that a farm-raised deer on a deer farm in Eau Claire County tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). The positive detection comes from the Town of Fairchild in southeastern Eau Claire County, within 10 miles of the Clark and Jackson County borders.

State law requires that the Wisconsin DNR enact a ban on feeding and baiting of deer in counties or portions of counties within a 10-mile radius of a farm-raised or free-roaming domestic or wild animal that tests positive for CWD or tuberculosis. As a result, the DNR will renew the baiting and feeding ban in Eau Claire County for three years and enact two-year baiting and feeding bans in Jackson and Clark counties effective Dec. 13, 2021.

The DNR also announced last week that a wild deer harvested during the 9-day gun deer season in Vilas County tested positive for CWD. Baiting and feeding bans are now in effect for 56 Wisconsin counties.

Time to Think Ice Fishing

Temperatures have fallen into the teens and single digits with cooler temperatures on the way. It's time to have the ice fish – ing gear ready! A number of people ventured on to the ice on local lakes this past weekend. As a matter of fact, I saw a four-wheeler on Otter Lake this past Sunday. If venturing out on the ice this week, remember to use caution and be safe.

DNR Releases Harvest Results of Muzzleloader and Antlerless Deer Hunting Seasons

The DNR released harvest results of the recent 2021 muzzleloader and antlerless deer hunting seasons last week.

In the local area, Chippewa County hunters registered 117 muzzleloader season deer; 52 antlered and 65 antlerless. For the four day antlerless season, Chippewa County hunters registered a total of 150 antlerless deer.

Clark County registered 191 muzzleloader season deer; 69 antlered and 102 antlerless. For the antlerless four day season, Clark County hunters registered 322 antlerless deer.

Taylor County registered 119 muzzleloader season deer; 64 antlered and 55 antlerless. For the four day antlerless season, Taylor County hunters registered 129 antlerless deer.

Eau Claire County registered 74 muzzleloader season deer; 26 antlered and 48 antlerless. For the antlerless four day season; Eau Claire County hunters registered 86 deer.

Statewide, muzzleloader hunters registered 6,569 deer; 2,917 antlered and 3,652 antlerless. Statewide, four day antlerless season hunters registered a total of 8,263 deer.

The DNR also released numbers for the statewide deer harvest to date, including all seasons. Throughout the 2021 deer seasons 288,718 total deer have been harvested; 149,327 antlered and 139,391 antlerless.

With holiday season deer hunts and extended archery deer hunts to be held in a few counties, it appears to be a stretch to attain a statewide 2021 yearly deer harvest of 300,000.

Tracks and Trails will be taking a break during the holiday season. I’d like to wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and joyous New Year!