Rhinelander will implement its own deer hunt again this year.
After the public complained about a large city deer herd, the city council approved a bow-and-arrow only hunt in 2006.
The hunt coincides with Wisconsin's archery deer season. Bow hunters must have a valid bow license and must bring their carcass tag upon applying for the program . There are several other things to note before hunting may begin.
The city council Monday approved another hunt this fall as council member Steve Sauer describes the process:
“…Every property that is to be hunted must be inspected. Every hunter that wants to hunt must be approved through the police chief. There is also a stipulation we would like to add to this that the hunt is suspended on October 31…”
Other dates were added for the suspension of archery to take deer, centering on the November gun deer and muzzle-loader seasons, from November 17 through December 5.
Hunters harvested 157 deer during the city hunt from 2006 through 2009. By 2009, that number had dropped to 18, prompting a decision not to hold the hunt in 2010. In 2011 and 2012 there were shortened hunts. In the 2015 citywide deer hunt, 16 deer were reported killed by the 42 hunters. Only three deer were harvested in the city during 2016 when 27 hunters registered.
