Wisconsin Mortality Study: Hunters Kill More Bucks Than Anything Else

May 02, 2013

By Scott Bestul

This winter I was fortunate to tag along with a team of researchers as they captured bucks in northern Wisconsin. One focus of the research is to find mortality causes for bucks in two separate areas: the east-central counties of the state (mixed farmland and timber) and the “big woods” habitat of the northern counties.

We captured 10 deer that day. Four were fitted with telemetry collars, and will be tracked weekly until they die. The study is slated to end in 2015 but there is already some great information available. I talked to research biologist Jared Duquette about some of the most interesting data they’ve accumulated.

- Hunters kill more bucks than anything else: This isn’t shocking news, but if you’re tempted to think predators, vehicles, winter, or other factors are taking “your” deer, forget it. In the northern study area, hunters were the greatest mortality source for collared bucks (65 percent for adult bucks and 52 percent of the yearlings). In the eastern area, which has higher hunter densities, the numbers were even higher (86% for adult bucks, 82% for yearlings).

- Bucks are tough: Duquette told me about two different bucks that are true survivors. One, nicknamed “Sick Boy,” was captured two winters ago in the northern study area. Though severely wounded by a firearm, Sick Boy was fitted with a collar and tracked. Researchers didn’t feel he’d make it through the winter, but he’s still alive. Another buck died shortly after capture. Post-mortem examination revealed an old arrow wound that had completely collapsed one lung; the other lung exhibited only 40 percent function. The buck had lived for nearly a year after that near-fatal shot.

- Wounding loss: Duquette noted that 14 bucks have succumbed to wounding loss (shot by a hunter but not recovered). Thirteen of the bucks were wounded by firearm, one with a bow. Duquette says nearly all these bucks were in the central study area, where hunters routinely pass immature deer. “Are hunters taking long, or low-percentage, shots at bucks because they’re large? It’s all speculation, but it’s very interesting,” he says.

I’ll offer more updates on this fascinating study as they become available.

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from Bioguy01 wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Interesting info...wish they had GPS collars though.

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from the Preacher wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

I applaud FandS for publishing this article. Our culture of sportsman has been reacting from so many attacks in the last few decades that we so seldom point the finger at ourselves, Even when it is obvious.

If we really are going to be the stewards of nature that we claim to be, we must look at honest issues. We are the most important voice in conservation because money talks, no other outdoor activity contribute nearly as much funds to conservation. All this blame on coyotes and wolves isnt winning us any friends and it isnt doing anything for the future of the sport.

Whats the issue, how can we fix it.?? We all want more animals.

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from TedFK wrote 6 weeks 1 day ago

Noteably missing from this article, are the reasons the other deer were killed. Sure 50-60% were killed by hunters.... Whats the breakdown for the other 40%?

Wounding loss with a firearm is unacceptable. If you can't make a clean kill, don't take the shot.

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from dave63go wrote 6 weeks 19 hours ago

Interesting article indeed. I agree with TedFK - please share the details of the other 40%. Also - I'm sorry to read so many of these deer were wounded by hunters. Many more than I would have guessed in a sample this size. Let's be sure and try for the clean kill, fellow hunters - I hate to think of the agony this fine animals had to endure.