Happy Hunting
Rome, Wisconsin has an incredible array of natural resources - native prairies, vast green forests of pine, oak savannas, marshy ponds, bountiful lakes, and prehistoric sand dunes.
Each year, thousands of people make the most of what nature has provided as they fish, hike, bike, boat, ski, bird watch, and a thousand other things, making Rome one of the most “outdoorsy” places in the country.
It’s no secret that one of the most popular outdoor activities is hunting. Wisconsin’s waterfowl hunters are some of the nation's most dedicated and involved conservationists. Small game hunters, the same thing. And white-tailed deer - Wisconsinites can’t get enough.
Hunting white-tailed deer in Wisconsin is, in a lot of ways, a right of passage. Often a sacred tradition spanning generations. And though it’s not for everybody, Wisconsin ranks high among the states with the highest number of deer hunters - behind only Texas and Pennsylvania - even though our population ranks 20th.
Makes sense, though. Wisconsin has both an abundant herd and a reputation for producing some of the largest bucks in the world. In fact, Wisconsin is the undisputed champion, reigning supreme with more entries in the Boone & Crockett record books than any other state. B&C is the number one source for promoting conservation and management of wildlife and hunting activity across North America.
But deer aren’t the only game in town. Wisconsinites also love their wild turkeys, ranking among the top three states here too. Interestingly though, Wisconsin had long been a sleeper state for turkey hunting. But in 1976, a mere 334 birds were brought up from Missouri, and through proper conservation efforts, the flock flourished and expanded their range. As they propagated, they were trapped and transplanted elsewhere, virtually everywhere, across the state. Bringing us to today where it is estimated that there are more than 350,000 turkeys roaming the fields and prairies of Wisconsin. Again, ranking third in the country.
Small game is another category favored by Wisconsin hunters, including upland game birds (woodcock and grouse), migratory game birds (geese, ducks, and doves), and small game mammals and furbearers (rabbit, weasel, and raccoon).
If you’re a hunter, you get it. Hunting is cathartic. If you’re one of those people who live for the sport. Readying your equipment well before the seasons open. Buying your licenses as soon as they’re made available, and rehashing memories from past hunts eager to make new ones, you get it.
And you already know that hunting isn’t just for fun. It has important and necessary benefits to our society, economy, and environmental landscape, like;
Wildlife Conservation - Hunting helps to control animal populations and fund conservation efforts through licensing and fees.
Exercise - Hunting typically involves some form of exercise, which obviously has health benefits.
Food Supply - Hunting feeds many people well beyond the hunt with processed meats that are frozen, smoked, and canned.
Economics - Hunting generates jobs and income in the production and sale of hunting equipment, accessories and gear, food and clothing, even transportation, automobiles and gasoline.
Mental Health - Hunting encourages mindfulness, positive mental wellbeing, and offers the opportunity to quiet your mind and simply reflect.
Interpersonal Relationships - Hunting can help strengthen interpersonal relationships, often intergenerational.
Almost 700,000 Wisconsinites enjoy the sport of hunting. That’s almost 12% of the population. That’s a lot. With that many hunters, where can someone who doesn’t own their own acreage take part in such a popular, outdoor sport?
Well, that’s too big of a question to answer here. So the best place to start is on the Department of Natural Resources website. It is the primary resource in the state to answer questions like, when to hunt - it's different for all game. Where to hunt - that too is different. Licensing, tags, fees, regulations, education, safety, what to wear, and a whole lot more.
Other sources of information include Travel Wisconsin, The Nature Conservancy, and numerous other websites like Huntwise, and Wisconsin Outdoorsman. In fact, a quick Google search will lead you to dozens of informational websites. Even retail websites like Cabela’s, Scheels, and Dunham’s in Stevens Point have an abundant amount of information for the beginner all the way up to the professional hunter.
So, with that, there’s nothing more to say except dress warm, wear your blaze orange, be safe, and happy hunting.
Written by: Lydell Capritta
