Game, Fish, and Parks is reporting another successful hunting season.
All hunters and anglers across the state are required to purchase one habitat stamp per year. The GFP license sale year starts on Dec. 15 and runs through the end of May.
Habitat stamp sales are how GFP determines how many hunters and anglers participate in annual hunting or fishing seasons.
Tom Kirschenmann is the Director of Wildlife for GFP. He said there was an overall increase in habitat stamp purchases across the board.
“The breakdown there between residents and nonresidents. On the residents' side, we are ahead of last year at this point in time, nonresidents, very similar as well. Again, when you compare to the last couple of years, I would say we are right on track with where we have been the previous couple years. So most things look good right now,” said Kirschenmann.
Even with increased habitat stamp sales, some hunters fear that the harsh winter had a negative impact on animal populations.
This was also a concern for the GFP commission who questioned Kirschenmann on what wildlife numbers may look like this fall.
Kirschenmann said the outlook for next hunting season is positive.
“Things are looking very good on the landscape, as I just mentioned for pheasant nesting, seeing birds out there. We’ve heard numerous reports of seeing more birds than anticipated, which is all positive. We’re getting many reports right now of fawns being seen across the countryside," said Kirschenmann. "So, with good vegetation growth, good habitat out there, will lead to hopefully a good success in survival of fawns and we’ll have a great fall season as well.”
Wildlife numbers are hard to collect this time of year, but according to GFP, hunters should have no issues harvesting game this fall.
