Wisconsin's DNR is reporting a 2.5% drop in hunting license sales from this point a year ago.
In the week leading up to opening day in 2017, the state sold more than 794,000 licenses. In the week leading up to Saturday's opening day, that number is just north of 774,000.
The decline continues a trend seen in recent years.
However, Brown County reported the highest sales of any county, and the state is reporting an increase in mentored license sales compared to last year.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum says a decline in hunting and the license fees it generates is threatening key conservation funding here in Wisconsin.
The report says a vast majority of the state's fish and wildlife budget comes from licenses and taxes.
The forum says lawmakers should now consider spending cuts and ways to maintain existing license revenues such as adjusting fees, reducing discounts, or re-engaging inactive hunters.
