``Near ideal opening day'' in Wisconsin

2008 Opening Day Deer Hunting Report MADISON – Cold, but nearly ideal hunting conditions – except for a lack of tracking snow in most of the state – greeted hunters for the opening of the 2008 Wisconsin regular nine-day deer hunting season. Temperatures were below zero in northern Wisconsin when the season opened at 30 minutes before sunrise Saturday. But temperatures warmed throughout the day and most areas of the state reported it was a near ideal opening day. People working at many places that register deer for the Department of Natural Resources reported that throughout the day activity was slower than normal, likely because, with the cold weather, there was no need to rush in to register deer to preserve the meat. Deer could be left hanging at deer camps, allowing hunters to stay in the field. Many stations reported that they expected to be swamped with registration activity after sunset.