Louie's Wild Game Processing

09/29/2026

There are less than two weeks left before Wisconsin’s 2026 Youth Deer Hunt. Who’s excited?

The youth hunt is a great opportunity for new hunters (age 15 and younger) to learn hunting techniques, bond with family and friends and develop a connection to nature. This year’s youth hunt will be held Oct. 10-11. This timing provides youth hunters a chance to learn before deer are pressured by the traditional 9-day gun season. Both Wisconsin residents and nonresidents may participate in the youth hunt.

Reminder: The youth hunt is an open fi***rm season, so all hunters (except waterfowl hunters) are required to wear blaze orange during the youth hunt, even if you aren’t using a fi***rm or are hunting other species.

If you are a hunter, consider mentoring a youth in your life and share the experience and tradition of deer hunting. Learn more about mentoring and the youth hunt itself on the DNR Youth Hunt webpage: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/youth

09/28/2026

Since the DNR’s Deer Donation Program began in 2000, hunters have donated more than 100,000 deer, totaling over 4 million pounds of ground venison, to help Wisconsinites in need.

Wisconsin has a network of venison donation partners, including county land and water conservation departments, food pantries, charitable organizations, USDA-Wildlife Services and participating meat processors, who all help implement and administer the program.

Deer harvested outside Wisconsin cannot be donated. Wisconsin Department of Health Services requires deer harvested in certain counties to be tested for chronic wasting disease (CWD) before or at the time of donation.

Hunters interested in donating a Wisconsin-harvested deer to the DNR’s Deer Donation Program should follow these steps:

1. Field dress the deer. Please handle the carcass as if it were destined for your own plate. A couple of bags of ice placed in the cavity will help preserve the carcass in warm weather.

2. Register the deer through GameReg. Please note the registration confirmation number and keep it on hand when dropping off the deer. If your deer was harvested from one of a county that requires CWD testing, please ensure you complete the required CWD testing before or at the time of donation. An up-to-date list and map can be found on the Deer Donation Program webpage.

3. Call ahead. Contact a participating processor before dropping off the deer to make sure they have space to accept it. More processors may be added later in the season, so check back if you don’t see one currently in your area.

4. Bring the deer to the processor. If donating a deer being tested for CWD, inform the processor and provide the CWD barcode number. The processor will not distribute the deer until the results are known.

Hunters and non-hunters may also support the Deer Donation Program through a monetary donation in person at any Wisconsin hunting license sales location or online through their Go Wild account.

Visit Wisconsin’s Deer Donation Program webpage to learn more about the program: https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/donation

09/19/2026

09/16/2026

Did you know that 4.1% of the meat consumed in Wisconsin comes from wild game? Ducks, white-tailed deer, squirrels, wild turkeys and black bears were recently reported to provide over 41 million person-days of protein in one year (that's protein for 112,328 Wisconsinites per day!).

If you get the chance to try some wild game, take the opportunity. It's healthy, delicious, locally sourced and has a low impact on natural habitats. Hunting is scientifically managed and regulated by law, so there's no risk of over-harvesting through legal hunting.

Photo Credit: National Deer Association

09/11/2026

09/11/2026

Bob Shea
Archery Bear 🐻
156 # Dressed
Sawyer County

09/11/2026

Bow opener forecast

Northwest WISCO will be turning cooler this weekend as a fall-like airmass settles in. Meanwhile, T'Storms appears likely tomorrow evening with dry conditions expected Saturday & Sunday. Here is your 'NORTHWOODS' outlook. It is brought to you by: Louie's Finer Meats, Inc. www.louiesfinermeats.com In Cumberland & Comstock, WI