Wisconsin Hunting Seasons 2023-2024 [Update Schedule!]

Wisconsin is a great place for hunters since it has so many different species to choose from. The Badger State is a hunter’s paradise, with seasons for everything from large game like deer and bear to small game like turkey and waterfowl, with highlights like the early teal season in September, the deer hunting season in November, and the waterfowl season in December.

It may be difficult to know where to begin when planning a hunting trip due to the wide variety of seasons, hunting locations, bag restrictions, and laws and regulations that must be considered. Information about Wisconsin’s hunting seasons, application due dates, and other pertinent restrictions will be provided in this section. Having a successful hunting trip in Wisconsin requires preparation, so be sure you have all the necessary equipment and permits.

Wisconsin Hunting Season
Wisconsin Hunting Season

Wisconsin Hunting Seasons

Hunters may enjoy Wisconsin’s rich wildlife and superb hunting conditions throughout the year. Wisconsin has excellent whitetail deer, bear, turkey, and duck hunting. Cottontail rabbits, foxes, bobcats, and skunks are also targeted for hunting. In addition, the state has disabled and youth hunting seasons. Hunters may choose a game that suits their needs. One must first understand the regulations, limits, and safety precautions to hunt legally and securely in Wisconsin.

Deer Season

Bear ZoneHunting Season DatesPermitted Hunting Methods
A, B, DSept 13 – Oct 3With aid of dogs, aid of bait, all other legal methods
A, B, DOct 4 – Oct 10With aid of bait, all other legal methods not using dogs
A, B, DSept 6 – Sept 12With aid of dogs only
C, E, FSept 6 – Oct 10With aid of bait, all other legal methods not using dogs

Wild Turkey Season

WI Wild Turkey SeasonHunting Dates
Spring 2023
Period (A)April 19, 2023–April 25, 2023
Period (B)April 26, 2023–May 2, 2023
Period (C )May 3, 2023–May 9, 2023
Period (D)May 10, 2023–May 16, 2023
Period (E )May 17, 2023–May 23, 2023
Period (F)May 24, 2023–May 30, 2023
2023 Spring Turkey Youth HuntApril 15, 2023–April 16, 2023
Fall 2023
StatewideSept 16, 2023-Nov 17, 2023
Zones 1 - 5Nov 18, 2023–Jan 7, 2024

Note: Find the Zones 1 – 5 Details here

Small Mammals Season

Cotton Rabbit

Cottontail Rabbit SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Northern zone16-Sep-2329-Feb-24
Southern zone14-Oct-23 (9 am)29-Feb-24
Milwaukee CountyYear-roundYear-round

Squirrels Season

Squirrels SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Statewide Squirrels (gray and fox)16-Sep-2329-Feb-24

Note: It is forbidden to hunt some protected species including badgers, jackrabbits, moose, and flying squirrels. You may review the small game hunting regulations for a complete list of requirements.

Furbearers Season

Bobcat Season

Bobcat SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
North and south zones (Period-1)14-Oct-2325-Dec-23
North and south zones (Period-2)26-Dec-2331-Jan-24

Coyote Season

Coyote SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
HuntingYear-roundYear-round
Trapping14-Oct-2315-Feb-24

Fox Season

Fox (red & gray) SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Hunting14-Oct-2315-Feb-24
Trapping14-Oct-2315-Feb-24

Beaver Season

Beaver SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Zone A (northwest)4-Nov-2330-Apr-24
Zone B (northeast)4-Nov-2330-Apr-24
Zone C (south)4-Nov-2331-Mar-24
Zone D (Mississippi River)One day after the end of duck season15-Mar-24

Mink Season

Mink SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Northern Zone21-Oct-2315-Apr-24
Central Zone28-Oct-2327-Mar-24
Southern Zone4-Nov-2315-Mar-24
Mississippi River zone13-Nov-2310-Mar-24

Muskrat Season

Muskrat SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Northern ZoneOctober 21, 2023April 15, 2024
Central ZoneOctober 28, 2023March 27, 2024
Southern ZoneNovember 4, 2023March 15, 2024
Mississippi River zoneNovember 13, 2023March 10, 2024

Fisher Season

Fisher SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
North & South Zones14-Oct-237-Jan-24

Otter Season

Otter SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
North zone4-Nov-2330-Apr-24
South zone4-Nov-2331-Mar-24

Raccoon Season

Raccoon SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Resident14-Oct-2315-Feb-24
Non-resident28-Oct-2315-Feb-24

Skunk, Opossum, Weasel, Snowshoe Hare, Porcupine and Woodchucks

These species may be hunted with a valid license; however there are no season 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.

Other Game Birds

Ruffed Grouse Season

Ruffed Grouse SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Zone A16-Sep-237-Jan-24
Zone B14-Oct-238-Dec-23

Pheasant Season

Pheasant SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Statewide14 Oct, 23 (9 a.m.)7-Jan-24

Hungarian partridge Season

Hungarian partridge SeasonHunting Start DateHunting End Date
Statewide (closed in Clark, Marathon, and Taylor counties)14-Oct-23 (9 a.m.)7-Jan-24

Seasons for Migratory Birds in WI

Migratory BirdSeason Dates & Schedule
(Early Teal)September. 1–9
(Early Goosel)September. 1–15
(Rail (Virginia, Sora)September. 1–November. 9
(Snipel)September. 1–November. 9
(Common Gallinulel)September. 1–November. 9
(Mourning Dovel)September. 1–November. 29
(Youth Waterfowll)September. 17–18
(Woodcockl)September. 24–November. 7
(Northern-Duck Zonel)September. 24–November. 22
(Southern-Duck Zonel)October. 1–9
October. 15–December 4
(Open Water-Duck Zonel)October. 15–December 13
(Cootl)Same as Wild Duck Zone you are Hunting
(Northern Goose -Zonel)September. 16–December 16
(Southern Goose-Zonel)September. 16–October. 9
October. 15–December 4
December 18–January. 3, 2023
(Mississippi River Goose - Zonel)October. 1–9
October. 15–January. 3, 2023

Wisconsin Falconry Season

FALCONRYSeason DatesZonesTimings
Rail (Virginia, Sora), Snipe, Common Gallinule andSeptember. 1–December. 1630 minutes before sunrise until sunset
(Early Teal)September. 1–9Sunrise to Sunset
(Ducks, mergansers and coots)September. 17 and 18; January. 13–February. 17, 2023All Zones30 minutes before sunrise until sunset
October. 1–9South Zone30 minutes before sunrise until sunset
October. 15–December. 430 minutes before sunrise until sunset
October. 15–December. 13Open Water Zone30 minutes before sunrise until sunset
September. 24–November. 22North Zone30 minutes before sunrise until sunset
(Geese)similar to the regular statewide season30 minutes before sunrise until sunset

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.

Seasons for Trapping in Wisconsin

Wisconsin Trapping SeasonsSeason DatesZones
BOBCATOctober. 15 – December. 25, 2022North and south zones, Period 1
December. 26 – Jan. 31, 2023North and south zones, Period 2
FISHEROctober. 15 – Jan. 8, 2023North and South Zones
OTTERNovember. 5 – April 30, 2023North zone
November. 5 – March 31, 2023South zone
COYOTEOctober. 15 – February. 15, 2023
FOXOctober. 15 – February. 15, 2023
BEAVERNovember. 5 – April 30, 2023Zone A-(northwest)
November. 5 – April 30, 2023Zone B-(northeast)
November. 5 – March 31, 2023Zone C-(south)
December. 5 – March 15, 2023Zone D-(Mississippi River)
MINK AND MUSKRATOctober. 22 – April 15, 2023Northern-Zone
October. 29 – March 22, 2023Central-Zone
November. 5 – March 15, 2023Southern-Zone
November. 14 – March 5, 2023Mississippi River-zone
RACCOONOctober. 15 – February. 15, 2023Resident
October. 29 – February. 15, 2023Non-resident

Deadlines for Permit Application

Permit ApplicationDeadlines
Bobcat1-Aug-23
Bear10-Dec-23
Elk31-May-23
Fisher1-Aug-23
Sharp-tailed Grouse*31-Aug-23
Spring Turkey10-Dec-23

Drawing Schedule

DrawingsTimings
Elk Early Jun
Bobcat Mid-Sept
FisherMid-Sept
Sharp-tailed GrouseSept
Spring TurkeyLate Jan
BearEarly Feb

Wisconsin Hunting Regulations

  • In Wisconsin, hunting is prohibited without a valid hunting 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 hunting 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 autumn turkey season, however, using dogs to hunt wild turkeys is permitted.
  • No use of electronic or live decoys to attract wild turkeys is allowed.
  • A valid hunting license, stamp, and harvest permit for turkeys are required to possess a firearm, bow, or crossbow during the spring season.
  • The drawing for the harvest permits for turkeys uses a cumulative preference approach.
  • Hunting migratory game birds requires a small game license, a Wisconsin Waterfowl stamp, and a Federal Migratory Bird Stamp.
  • When going for waterfowl that migrate, you may only use specified firearms and ammunition.
  • Some buildings and vehicles are off-limits to hunters.
  • Certain hunting equipment, such as decoys left in the water unattended or put more than 200 feet from the cover, is forbidden.
  • Only boats powered by paddle, oars, or pole may be used for hunting from the water.
  • There are regulations regarding the placement of waterfowl blinds on state land.
  • 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.
  • Disabled hunters are afforded certain privileges under the law.
  • There are laws and restrictions that must be followed when youths go hunting.
  • 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.
  • Hunting 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.
  • Mentors over the age of 16 who want to hunt geese this season must have a valid Canada Goose Permit for the current hunting season.
  • Under the Harvest Information Program (HIP), young hunters are expected to report their catches.

Wisconsin Hunting 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.

License TypesNon-ResidentsResidents
(Archery)USD 160USD 25
(Crossbow)USD 160USD 25
(Gun Deer)USD 160USD 25
(Small game)USD 85USD 18
(Elk)Not ApplicableUSD 10
(Turkey)USD 60USD 15

For more details on WI Hunting Licenses find at:

https://www.eregulations.com/

https://gowild.wi.gov/

FAQs related to Wisconsin Hunting Seasons

When is Wisconsin's deer hunting season?

The bow season for deer hunting in Wisconsin starts as early as September 18

When does the hunting season start in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin’s hunting season normally begins in September and ends in January; however, this varies depending on the kind of wildlife being pursued. The early teal season in September, the deer hunting season in November and the waterfowl season in December are just a few of the season’s highlights.

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 on a hunting trip in Wisconsin.

Are there any hunting safety regulations in Wisconsin?

Like many other states, Wisconsin has many rules in place to ensure hunters’ safety. 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 during the hunting season, either.

Do I need a hunting license to hunt in Wisconsin?

Yes, a hunting license is required in Wisconsin. A hunting license may be bought either online or from a licensed provider.

Are there any hunting seasons specific to youth in Wisconsin?

Young hunters in Wisconsin 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.

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