Deer hunters with disabilities are encouraged to sign up for a sponsored hunt before Sept. 1 deadline

Contact(s): Eric Canania, DNR assistant big game ecologist, 608- 264-6023

MADISON -- Eligible hunters who are interested in participating in the 2017 gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities are encouraged to contact a land sponsor to sign up for a hunt before the Sept. 1 hunter participation deadline.

As of the June 1, 2017 sponsor application deadline, 70 landowners have enrolled over 80,000 acres of land (an increase from 2016) across 42 counties for the October 7-15 hunt. For a complete list of 2017 sponsors, visit dnr.wi.gov and search keywords "disabled deer hunt."

"We are thrilled with the number of sponsors that are willing to provide opportunities for our hunters," said assistant big game ecologist Maggie Stewart. "Giving hunters access to over 80,000 acres of land is instrumental in making this unique opportunity a success and for continuing Wisconsin's deer hunting tradition."

Hunters or assistants should contact sponsors directly to sign up for a hunt. Hunters will be asked to provide their name, contact information, and DNR customer ID number. To be eligible, hunters must possess a valid Class A, Class B long-term permit that allows shooting from a vehicle or Class C or D disabled hunting permit. As in the past, eligible hunters must also possess a gun deer license.

Certain enrolled properties are able to accommodate more hunters than others, and smaller properties may only be able to allow the minimum number of three hunters. Interested hunters are advised to contact potential sponsors as early as possible to determine if space is available.

For more general information regarding deer hunting in Wisconsin, search keyword "deer."