Northern Wisconsin seems to be worse. Last year, my son and I didn't see a deer. Granted, we didn't try very hard and for good reason. We have about given up.
My son and I hunt northern WI. We hunt public land southern Douglass and northern Washburn Co's. I'm not sure if we found a pocket of deer over the last 5 years or if the numbers are up. I do know in the area we hunt, it's been bucks only, except for kids 16 and under, for over 5 years.
I have to be honest. It's been fantastic hunting for us. There are enough deer to see actual rut activity. Rubs, scrapes, bucks sparing on trail cam's.
We do hunt northern St. Louis Co in MN as well. It's not been nearly as good. But we get a deer every so often. I seem to get a buck there every 2-3 years or so. I never seem to see the rut sign like we do in WI for some reason. A little bit, but not like we do there.
