The quest to reduce Wisconsin’s estimated 1.5 million deer herd begins Saturday with the start of bowhunting season.

The Department of Natural Resources is continuing its effort to reduce the deer population by maintaining “Earn-A-Buck” zones, which require hunters to shoot a doe before harvesting a buck. In Monroe County, hunters in zones 72 and 59C are governed by EAB rules.

Don Roscovius, owner of Rosco’s Live Bait in Tomah, said sales of bowhunting permits have been normal this year.

“People are getting lined up to do the hunt,” Roscovius said. “I don’t think are sales are reflecting any increase or decrease.”

He said the DNR has been late about sending tags to sportsmen who have already satisfied the EAB requirement. He said any hunter who hasn’t received the tag should contact the DNR.

Hunters can satisfy their EAB requirement for the 9-day gun season in November during the bow season or any other special season.

“It doesn’t matter what weapon you use to harvest it,” Roscovius said.

Rosco’s Live Bait will serve as a registration station. Roscovius said he’ll also register deer after hours to prevent spoilage in the warm weather. Temperatures for the opening day are expected to reach the mid-70s.

Hunters should see plenty of deer.

“In all areas of the state, with the exception of a number of units in the north, deer are plentiful,” said Jason Fleener, a Department of Natural Resource wildlife biologist.

Last year’s winter was severe in some units in the north central part of the state, according to Fleener. Historically, that level of severity usually results in a reduction of about 20 percent in fawn-doe ratios.

In addition to the early bow-deer season opener on Saturday, fall wild turkey and ruffed grouse seasons also open.

Fleener advises bow hunters to plan their hunt according to the particular unit being hunted. EAB units are found primarily in the southwest and southeast parts of the state.

The early archery deer season runs from Saturday, Sept. 13, through Nov. 20. The late season starts on Dec. 1 and runs to Jan. 4, 2009.

Archery harvest in all CWD, EAB and most Herd Control units are restricted to antlerless-only between Oct. 16-19, and in all units statewide Dec. 11-14, except non-quota units and most state parks. Bow hunters are reminded to wear blaze orange any time a gun deer season is in effect, including the statewide Oct. 11-12 youth gun deer hunt.