WAUSHARA COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – As the first weekend of Deer Hunt 2024 wraps up, a traditional way to register deer is returning to a Waushara County bar and restaurant.
Mr. Ed’s Place in Wild Rose offers an alternative to the electronic registration method.
“Now that the word is out, on social media, and just word of mouth, and from last year, there’s more people showing up. We’re hoping to get a lot more people here,” said Dave Algrem, Waushara Archers President
Dave Algrem is the current president of the Waushara Archers, and also a retired Department of Natural Resources Conservation Warden.
“One of the most fun that we had during opening weekend, was coming to registration stations, and then seeing all the people helping them register deer. It was just one of the main parts of deer gun hunting,” he said.
On Saturday morning, Dennis Urban appeared with a six point buck and the story behind the hunt.
About ten to seven, I saw something moving, and it start stared working its way toward me, about 50 yards out. I watched him for about five minutes, and I hesitated, and I thought I could be maybe something a little bit bigger, but I thought, you know, I better take it. And I had a good clean shot, at him, so I took it, and it’s kind of nice,” said Dennis Urban, Waushara County.
A few minutes later, Jeanna La Follette arrived with a nine-point buck she shot on property nearby.
“I think it’s fun to take it here, yes. And we’re friends with the owners, so it’s nice to see them, see everybody,” said Jeanna La Follette, Waushara County.
“I think it’s a wonderful idea. It gives us a chance to see other deer. It keeps people honest too. I think that they should go back to that myself personally. Being able to go out and meet with other people, is really cool,” said Urban.
The registration station visit includes a method to check the age of the deer, and a test for Chronic Wasting Disease. The DNR implemented electronic registration in 2015. Wardens say the system is here to stay, but,
“If anybody is interested in doing this, have them contact their local conservation or wildlife biologist, and see if they can come up with some volunteers, because the DNR do not get paid to do this anymore, but if they can get some volunteers and want to do this in their own county, they can,” said Algrem.
Deer hunting continues, with the season wrapping up on Sunday, December 1.
