JANESVILLE — As hunters head out for Wisconsin’s 9-Day Gun Deer Season, Rock County Sheriff Tory Knudson would like to remind hunters to review and think about firearm safety every time they go out.

About one third of all hunting incidents are self-inflicted injuries. Hunters can help prevent these injuries from occurring by reviewing and following the four basic rules of firearms safety:

T = Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.

A = Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.

B = Be certain of your target and what’s beyond it.

K = Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

Additional safety tips include:

• If a law enforcement officer approaches you, point your muzzle in a safe direction and follow the officer’s instructions.

• A hunter’s zone-of-fire changes with every step, it is important to remain alert and aware of your companions’ locations at all times.

• A rifle/shotgun scope should never be used as a binocular.

• While outdoors during gun deer season, it is important to wear bright clothing, such as blaze orange or pink, even if you are not hunting, so others can easily see you.

• Lastly, remember hunting is a privilege and can be taken if hunters fail to act responsibly.

For further safety tips and the 2019 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations, visit https://dnr.wi.gov/.

Wisconsin DNR Asks Hunters to Shoot Wild Pigs

MADISON — Hunters are fanning out across Wisconsin for the nine-day firearm deer season, which got underway over the weekend.

As they pursue a successful hunt, state officials want hunters to keep an eye out for an invasive animal. Wild pigs, also known as feral hogs, can spread diseases, as well as damage crops and wildlife as they search for food.

They’ve caused serious problems in other states, mainly in the southern U.S. Liz Tanner, a wildlife biologist with the Department of Natural Resources, said while it hasn’t been a big problem here, some sightings have been reported this fall.

“Occasionally, we do get feral-pig-type sighting reports, and they typically turn out to be domestic pigs that have escaped confinement,” Tanner said. “And so, we’re aware of some domestic pigs that may be on the landscape right now, and we’re really hoping that hunters can help us eradicate those pigs.”

The Wisconsin DNR considers the hogs unprotected wild animals, with no closed hunting season or harvest limit. Landowners can shoot them without a license, and anyone else can do the same with a small-game license.

A hog is considered wild if it’s been on the loose for more than seven days. If it is killed before that window closes, the hunter could be held responsible for the cost of the animal.

Tanner said in 2002, Wisconsin hunters played a large role in containing a feral pig population in Crawford County. She said they hope hunters will answer the call again.

“We’re hoping to be able keep the population from establishing,” she said. “That way, we don’t have to deal with the kind of issues that other states, like Texas, are apparently dealing with.”

In Texas, state officials say the wild pig population is estimated to be between 3 million and 5 million, and has spread to about 90% of the counties in the state.