MADISON, WI (WTAQ) - Deer hunters should not be surprised to see more women in the woods, when the nine-day gun season opens on Saturday. The state DNR said about 53,000 women had hunting licenses in 2010, around eight-percent of the statewide total. Hunting coordinator Keith Warnke says the number of female hunters has grown steadily in recent years. It was around 46,000 back in 2003. Warnke says family, friends, and fun are the things that motivate hunters -- and more of the family is included when wives, girlfriends, and daughters take part. The increase in female hunters comes at a time when the total number of hunters is dropping. About 15,000 fewer licenses were issued last year than in 2009.