MADISON, WI (AP)-- Wisconsin's gun deer license sales are lagging dramatically behind last year's pace.
Department of Natural Resources data shows hunters had purchased 565,663 licenses as of Monday. That's down about 11,175 licenses from the same point last year.
DNR Secretary Cathy Stepp told reporters during a conference call Tuesday previewing the gun deer season that deep snow in northern Wisconsin may be discouraging hunters in that region from getting out this year.
She also speculated that hunters may have decided to participate in the state's new crossbow season and forego the traditional gun season. She pointed out, too, that many hunters wait until the last few days before the season opens to purchase their licenses.
Wisconsin's nine-day gun season begins Saturday.