Hunting in Wisconsin typically begins in the fall, attracting hunters from all over the state. The Badger State is a hunter’s paradise, with chances for everything from large game like deer and bear to small game like turkey and waterfowl, with highlights like the early teal in September, the deer period in November, and the waterfowl in December.
Information on complete game schedule, application due dates, and other pertinent restrictions will be provided in this section. Having a successful outdoor trip requires preparation, so be sure you have all the necessary equipment and permits.
Hunters may enjoy the states rich wildlife and superb opportunities throughout the year. It has excellent whitetail deer, bear, turkey, and ducks. Cottontail rabbits, foxes, bobcats, and skunks are also targeted. However, the state has disabled and youth game. Hunters may choose a game that suits their needs. One must first understand the regulations, limits, and safety precautions to hunt legally and securely.
Deer
Season
Dates
Archery and Crossbow
Sept. 14 – Jan. 5, 2025
Archery and Crossbow (Metro Sub-units and counties with extended archery seasons)
Sept. 14 – Jan. 31, 2025
Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities
Oct. 5 – 13, 2024
Youth deer hunt
Oct. 5 – 6, 2024
Gun
Nov. 23 – Dec. 1, 2024
Muzzleloader
Dec. 2 – 11, 2024
December 4-Day Antlerless-Only Hunt
Dec. 12 – 15, 2024
Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt
Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2025
Note:
*During the designated antlerless-only hunts, no bucks may be taken.
**Counties and metro subdivisions having extended archery. Check the map to see which counties have longer archery.
Skunk, Opossum, Weasel, Snowshoe Hare, Porcupine and Woodchucks
These species may be hunted with a valid license; however there are no limitations, bag limits, size limits, or possession limits. To protect the environment and ensure the availability of resources in the future, responsible and sustainable practices should still be followed.
Upland Game Birds
Ruffed Grouse
Zones
A
Sept. 14 – Jan. 5, 2025
B
Oct. 19 – Dec. 8, 2024
Quail
All State
Oct. 19 (9 a.m.) – Dec. 11, 2024
Pheasant
Statewide
Oct. 19 (9 a.m.) – Jan. 5, 2025
Hungarian partridge
Oct. 19 (9 a.m.) – Jan. 5, 2025
Closed in Clark, Marathon, and Taylor counties
Migratory Birds
Species
Start Date
End Date
Early Teal
Sept. 1
Sept. 9
Early Goose
Sept. 1
Sept. 15
Rail (Virginia, Sora)
Sept. 1
Snipe
Common Gallinule
Mourning Dove
Sept. 1
Nov. 29
Youth Waterfowl
Sept. 14
Sept. 15
Woodcock
Sept. 21
Nov. 4
Northern Duck Zone
Sept. 21
Nov. 19
Southern Duck Zone
Sept. 28
Oct. 6
Southern Duck Zone
Oct. 12
Dec. 1
Open Water Duck Zone
Oct. 12
Dec. 10
Coot
Same as duck season for each zone
Northern Goose Zone
Sept. 16
Dec. 16
Southern Goose Zone
Sept. 16
Oct. 6
Southern Goose Zone
Oct. 12
Dec. 1
Southern Goose Zone
Dec. 21
Jan. 9, 2025
Mississippi River Goose Zone
Sept. 16
Oct. 6
Mississippi River Goose Zone
Oct. 12
Dec. 1
Mississippi River Goose Zone
Dec. 21
Jan. 9, 2025
Falconry
Species
Start Date
End Date
Geese
The dates of the normal goose season are same.
Rail (Virginia, Sora), Snipe, Common Gallinule & Woodcock
Sept. 1
Dec. 4
Early Teal
Sept. 1
Sept. 9
Ducks, Mergansers & Coots
Sept. 14
Sept. 15
Jan. 10, 2025
Feb. 14, 2025
Ducks, Mergansers & Coots (South Zone)
Sept. 28
Oct. 6
Ducks, Mergansers & Coots (South Zone)
Oct. 12
Dec. 1
Ducks, Mergansers & Coots (Open Water Zone)
Oct. 12
Dec. 10
Ducks, Mergansers & Coots (North Zone)
Sept. 21
Nov. 19
Note:
There is a daily bag restriction of three migratory game birds, regardless of how many you shoot at once, with the exception of the maximum number of Canada geese allowed in your hunting area during the shooting season.
The maximum number of bags an individual may hold at any one time is three times the daily limit.
Deadlines for Permit Application
Permit Application
Deadlines
Bobcat
1-Aug
Bear
10-Dec
Elk
31-May
Fisher
1-Aug
Sharp-tailed Grouse*
31-Aug
Spring Turkey
10-Dec
Drawing Schedule
Drawings
Timings
Elk
Early Jun
Bobcat
Mid-Sept
Fisher
Mid-Sept
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Sept
Spring Turkey
Late Jan
Bear
Early Feb
Regulations
Hunting is prohibited without a valid license and the necessary stamps.
All turkey harvests must be reported to authorities.
Shotguns and muzzle-loading shotguns, crossbows and bow and arrows are some of the permitted weapons and tactics.
When on a wild turkey hunt, you can’t utilize any kind of artificially-produced or amplified bird calls or noises.
During the fall turkey, using dogs to hunt wild turkeys is permitted.
No use of electronic or live decoys to attract wild turkeys is allowed.
A valid license, stamp, and harvest permit for turkeys are required to possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow during the spring.
The drawing for the harvest permits for turkeys uses a cumulative preference approach.
There are restrictions on the use of vehicles, such as drones, for the taking of migratory game birds.
Waterfowl, coots, and mourning doves cannot be hunted with the use of bait.
Certain bodies of water mandate a minimum hunting distance from land.
Particular bodies of water require the use of blind anchors.
For certain bodies of water, daily blind removal is required.
When shooting from shore to shore is practicable in a small stream, jumping shots from a non-motorized boat is permitted.
Taking ducks, coots, or mourning doves using bait is prohibited.
Hunting is permitted over fields that have recently been harvested or planted as part of a legitimate agricultural operation.
Mourning doves may be legally hunted in areas where agricultural crops or wildlife feeding plots have been manipulated.
After a crop has been harvested and the grain or seed has been taken from the field, it is against the law to distribute or disperse the crop in any way.
The Youth Waterfowl Hunt is open only to those who have not yet reached their fifteenth birthday.
The only kind of waterfowl that adults guiding young hunters are allowed to take is geese.
Under the Harvest Information Program (HIP), young hunters are expected to report their catches.
License charges
Harvest permits and licenses can be bought at a number of shops and establishments spread out over the state. Licenses for residents and non-residents are offered; fees vary according on residency, season, bag method, and special designations.
It normally begins in September and ends in January; however, this varies depending on the kind of wildlife being pursued. The early teal in September, for deer it starts in September and the waterfowls in November.
What types of games can I hunt in Wisconsin?
Deer, bear, wolves, turkey, small mammals, game birds, and furbearers are just some of the animals you may go for.
Are there any safety regulations in Wisconsin?
During weapon season, hunters must cover at least half of their bodies in bright orange or neon pink. It’s also against the law to hunt or fire a weapon within fifty feet of a public road or one hundred yards of a public building or private residence. Drones cannot be used to help track the game.
Do I need a hunting license to hunt in Wisconsin?
Yes, a hunting license is required, which can be bought either online or from a licensed provider.
Are there any hunting seasons specific to youth in Wisconsin?
Young hunters may participate in the Youth Waterfowl Hunt if they are 15 or under. Participants must be accompanied by an adult mentor aged 18 or older and may collect any authorized species of waterfowl, including geese.
John Lewis, the passionate founder of HuntingSeasons.org, is committed to promoting responsible hunting and a profound love for the wilderness. With years of expertise, his platform serves as a reliable guide for hunting enthusiasts, advocating ethical practices and nature preservation.
Wisconsin archery opener appears to be on Sunday instead of the traditional Saturday. ????
Opening day for archery is September 16 which is a Saturday.