Wisconsin offers diverse hunting opportunities throughout the year. Knowing the season dates and regulations for each species is important for a successful and legal hunt. This guide covers the primary hunting seasons in Wisconsin.
White-Tailed Deer Hunting Season
Deer hunting is a significant tradition in Wisconsin. Seasons vary by weapon type and deer management units.
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery | September 13, 2025 | January 4, 2026 | Archery and crossbow season. Bows and crossbows permitted. Runs before, during, and after gun season. |
| General Gun | November 22, 2025 | November 30, 2025 | Wisconsin's famous 9-day gun deer season. A major cultural tradition. All legal firearms permitted. |
| Muzzleloader | December 1, 2025 | December 10, 2025 | Muzzleloader-only season. Follows the 9-day gun season. |
| Youth Gun | October 11, 2025 | October 12, 2025 | Youth gun deer hunt. Hunters 10-17 years old with licensed adult mentor. |
| Antlerless Only | December 11, 2025 | December 14, 2025 | Antlerless-only holiday hunt. Open in designated farmland deer management units. |
| Statewide Antlerless | October 16, 2025 | October 19, 2025 | Four-day antlerless-only gun hunt in farmland zones. |
Archery and Crossbow Season:
This season typically runs September 13, 2025 through January 4, 2026, with a break during the gun deer season. This long season offers flexibility for hunters favoring bowhunting.
Youth Deer Hunt: A special two-day youth hunt usually occurs in early October. This hunt is for licensed hunters aged 10-15. It is a mentored opportunity for young hunters.
Gun Deer Season: The gun deer season is the most popular hunt. It typically starts . This is a statewide season.
Muzzleloader Season: This season (December 1, 2025 through December 10, 2025) usually follows the gun deer season, often lasting for 10 days. Muzzleloaders offer a unique challenge for deer hunters.
Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt: Some years include an antlerless-only hunt in late December, often after the muzzleloader season. This helps manage deer populations.
Holiday Hunt: A limited holiday hunt may occur in select zones in late December and early January. This provides an additional opportunity for hunters.
Always check the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Deer Hunting Regulations for specific dates, unit boundaries, antler point restrictions, and antlerless tag availability 1.
Black Bear Hunting Season
Black bear hunting in Wisconsin is managed through a quota system. Permits are allocated via a drawing system. It can take several years to draw a tag.
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | September 3, 2025 | October 8, 2025 | Bear season by permit only. Zone-based quota system with multiple time periods. Bait and hounds permitted. |
Bear Hunting Zones: Wisconsin is divided into several bear management zones. Season dates vary by zone.
Training Period: A bear dog training period typically begins in early July.
Season Dates: Bear hunting seasons usually start . Dates depend on the zone and whether you are hunting with or without the aid of dogs.
- Zone A, B, D: Often start with hunters using bait or other methods, followed by hunters using dogs.
- Zone C: May have a later start date.
Successful bear hunters must register their bear. Refer to the Wisconsin DNR Black Bear Hunting Regulations for critical application deadlines and zone-specific information 2.
Wild Turkey Hunting Season
Wisconsin’s wild turkey season is divided into multiple periods. Tags are issued through a lottery system for specific zones and time periods, or purchased over the counter later.
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | April 16, 2026 | May 27, 2026 | Spring turkey season with six one-week time periods. Bearded turkeys only. Shotgun and archery. |
| Spring Youth | April 11, 2026 | April 12, 2026 | Youth spring turkey hunt. Hunters 10-15 with licensed adult mentor. |
| Fall | October 15, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | Fall turkey season. Either sex. Designated zones only. |
Spring Turkey Season:
The spring season typically runs April 16, 2026 through May 27, 2026. It is divided into six separate time periods, A through F. Hunters apply for a specific zone and period.
Fall Turkey Season: The fall season usually runs approximately October 15, 2025 through December 31, 2025, coinciding with some deer seasons. Fall tags are generally more readily available.
Hunters must possess a valid turkey license and a Carcass Tag for their specific period and zone. Review the Wisconsin DNR Wild Turkey Hunting Regulations for detailed zone maps and application procedures 3.
Waterfowl Hunting Season
Waterfowl hunting in Wisconsin includes ducks, geese, and other migratory birds. Seasons are set based on federal frameworks and state surveys.
| Season Type | Opens | Closes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Teal | September 1, 2025 | September 14, 2025 | Early teal season. Teal only. Non-toxic shot required. |
| North Zone | September 27, 2025 | November 25, 2025 | Duck season north zone. Follows federal frameworks. |
| South Zone | October 4, 2025 | December 7, 2025 | Duck season south zone. Follows federal frameworks. Mississippi River zone has separate dates. |
Early Canada Goose Season: This season often begins in early September. It helps manage local goose populations before the main migration.
Regular Duck and Goose Seasons: The state is divided into different zones (e.g., Northern, Southern, Mississippi River). Season dates vary by zone.
- Northern Zone: Usually opens in late September.
- Southern Zone: Often opens in early October.
- Mississippi River Zone: Dates follow specific federal guidelines.
Youth Waterfowl Hunt: A special two-day youth waterfowl hunt occurs in September, prior to the regular season opener.
Hunters need a Wisconsin hunting license, a Wisconsin waterfowl stamp, and a federal duck stamp. Federal HIP (Harvest Information Program) registration is also required. Consult the Wisconsin DNR Waterfowl Hunting Regulations for zone boundaries, daily bag limits, and shooting hours 4.
Small Game Hunting Season
Wisconsin offers extensive small game hunting opportunities.
Rabbit and Squirrel:
Seasons typically open in mid-September and run through late February. Both cottontail rabbits and gray squirrels are common.
Ruffed Grouse: The season generally runs in the northern zone. The southern zone season may close earlier.
Pheasant: Pheasant season usually opens . Hunting often occurs on public lands stocked with pheasants and on private lands with permission.
Coyote and Fox: Coyote hunting is open year-round with no bag limit. Fox hunting seasons usually open in mid-October and run through February.
Other Furbearers: Seasons for bobcat, otter, badger, and other furbearers are often managed through quotas and specific trapping or hunting regulations.
Always verify specific dates, bag limits, and regulations for each small game species with the Wisconsin DNR Small Game Hunting Regulations 5.
Licensing
| License/Permit | Residency | Fee | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Gun Deer License | Resident | $24.00 | gun deer hunting |
| Resident Archery Deer License | Resident | $24.00 | archery deer hunting |
| Resident Small Game License | Resident | $20.00 | small game hunting |
| Non-Resident Gun Deer License | Nonresident | $160.00 | gun deer hunting |
| Non-Resident Archery Deer License | Nonresident | $160.00 | archery deer hunting |
| Non-Resident Small Game License | Nonresident | $85.00 | small game hunting |
| Resident Bear License | Resident | $49.00 | bear hunting |
| Non-Resident Bear License | Nonresident | $251.00 | bear hunting |
| Resident Turkey License | Resident | $15.00 | turkey hunting |
| Non-Resident Turkey License | Nonresident | $60.00 | turkey hunting |
| Youth Hunting License (Resident) | Resident | $7.00 | small game hunting |
| Resident Bonus Antlerless Deer Tag | Resident | $12.00 | antlerless deer |
| Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp | All | $7.00 | waterfowl hunting |
| Wisconsin Pheasant Stamp | All | $7.00 | pheasant hunting |
| Federal Duck Stamp | All | $25.00 | waterfowl hunting |
Planning Your Wisconsin Hunt
Preparation is key for any hunting trip.
- Regulations: Always check the current year’s Wisconsin DNR hunting regulation pamphlets. Regulations can change annually.
- Licensing: Ensure you have the correct licenses, stamps, and permits for your target species.
- Hunter Education: If you were born on or after January 1, 1973, you must complete a hunter education course to hunt in Wisconsin.
- Public vs. Private Land: Know where you plan to hunt. Obtain permission for private land.
- Safety: Practice firearm safety, wear blaze orange when required, and inform someone of your hunting plans.
Wisconsin offers a rich hunting heritage and diverse opportunities. Plan thoroughly and hunt responsibly.
Check state regulations with the Wisconsin DNR
Last verified: February 13, 2026 — Official sourceMore Wisconsin Hunting Resources
- Wisconsin hunting regulations
- How to get a Wisconsin hunting license
- Public and private land access in Wisconsin
- Hunting locations in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Deer Hunting. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/deer ↩︎
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Bear Hunting. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/bear ↩︎
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Turkey Hunting. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/turkey ↩︎
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Waterfowl Hunting. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/waterfowl ↩︎
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Small Game Hunting. https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/smallgame ↩︎
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