The city deer hunt is on again for the 2015-2016 bow season. Due to a large herd and complaints from residents, the Rhinelander City Council has renewed the hunt, beginning Thursday, September 17.

The bow season in the city limits will run until November 21, 2015. It will be closed during the regular Gun and Muzzleloader season and re-open on December 10, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

Individuals interested in bow hunting deer within the city limits must register at the City Administrator’s office at 135 S. Stevens Street, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Application forms will be provided for both hunters as well as city landowners who wish to have their property hunted.

*All hunters must hunt from a stand elevated at least 6 feet off the ground.

*Bow hunters must have a valid State of Wisconsin bow license and must bring their backtag upon application for the program. Hunters and hunting properties that were authorized in past years are not automatically re-registered and those interested in participating have to complete a new application for this year’s hunting season.
*Hunters must agree to a short waiting period after submitting an application to allow the Rhinelander Police Department to perform a criminal background check. Upon approval hunters will be admitted to the program.

The State of Wisconsin has awarded the City of Rhinelander antlerless deer permits. Therefore permits issued by the city are for antlerless deer only. Antlered deer may only be hunted and harvested if the hunter has his or her own WIDNR issued buck tag.

The city will issue antlerless deer permits one at a time to hunters who have been admitted to the program. Hunters must notify the City Administrator’s office within 48 hours to report a harvested a deer. Call 715-365-8600 and speak with Val Foley, Mary Stoll or Kathy Johnson. This will allow the city to maintain up-to-date harvest counts. In addition, every hunter must stop by City Hall after the deer is obtained for a metal carcass tag provided by the WIDNR. Hunters will need that tag number to properly e-register the deer online –or they may call the DNR Deer Registration number (844-426-3734) to register the deer.

Once hunters have filled the permits, they may be issued another permit to obtain another deer. Registering someone else’s deer is not allowed, nor is asking someone else to register it for you.

Wild Instincts, 4621 Apperson Drive will take any deer killed and not wanted. Call 715-490-2727.