Local check in numbers down after deer season

The November firearm season for deer hunting ran from Saturday, Nov. 11 and concluded on Sunday, Nov. 19.
Ron Schoenberger with Laker’s Bait and Tackle and Angie West with Wauneta Crossroads both saw decreases in check in numbers from this years’ rifle deer season.
At the close of the season on Sunday 276 deer had been checked in at the two establishments compared to 398 last year.
Schoenberger and West said they have seen a lot of 4X4 and 5X5 bucks come in.
Schoenberger said the number of deer checked in at Laker’s were down 75 from last year, but they brought in 136 this year and 94 were mule deer and 42 were white tail.  The sexes of the deer taken were 113 bucks and 23 does, he said.  13 deer were harvested at the Enders State Recreational Area.
Some of the hunters reported they were not seeing bucks with does, so it is possible the rut has not started yet this year, he said.
There were many familiar faces from across the region and state that checked in deer, as well as hunters from at least eight different states.  Deer were checked in by hunters from Pennsylvania to California and Minnesota to Texas.
Some of the out of state hunters have family here or they own land, he said.
West said the number of deer that checked into Wauneta Crossroads this year was 140 compared to 187 last year.
Wauneta Crossroads Big Buck Contest started Tuesday, Nov. 21.  Winners will be chosen Nov. 30 based on Facebook likes.
The Crossroads gun raffle, with proceeds going to local hunter education programs, had its drawing with the winners being Rick Driscall winning the Savage 6.5; Kashlyn Castillo winning the Savage .243; and Rod Petsch winning the Ruger .380.
Kaden Dorn of Wauneta checked in Wauneta Crossroads first deer of the season with a 5x6 mule deer.
Parker Terryberry of Imperial checked in Laker’s Bait and Tackle first deer with a 7x5 mule deer.