SPOONER, Wis. -- After many years of liberal antlerless deer hunting opportunities in northern Wisconsin, wildlife officials say gun hunters who plan on getting out in northern deer management units this fall need to carefully check the status of the areas.

In most cases, they will not be able to use the free herd control antlerless permits they receive with their license as they have in recent years.

It will be an "old-fashioned" buck-only gun-deer season in many northern units this year, said Mike Zeckmeister, WDNR Northern Region wildlife supervisor. Hunters and last year's cool winter brought the units within or below management goals, Zeckmeister said.

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