Hunting Seasons & Licensing · WI
Wisconsin Hunting Seasons & Licensing
2025–2026 SeasonWisconsin has a deep hunting culture, with over 600,000 licensed deer hunters making the November gun deer season one of the largest organized hunts in the world. The state offers excellent white-tailed deer, turkey, waterfowl, and small game hunting across a mix of public and private land. Wisconsin has been at the forefront of CWD management, with extensive testing and management zones that affect hunting regulations in many counties.
Dates shown are for the 2025–2026 season based on the most recent published regulations. Always verify current dates with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before hunting.
Season Dates by Game Type
Big Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed Deer | Archery/Crossbow | Sep 13 – Jan 4, 2026 | 1 buck + bonus antlerless tags available | Bow and arrow, crossbow |
| White-tailed Deer | Gun | Nov 22 – Nov 30, 2025 | 1 buck + bonus antlerless tags | Rifle, shotgun, handgun, muzzleloader |
| White-tailed Deer | Muzzleloader | Dec 1 – Dec 10, 2025 | 1 deer (antlerless in most units) | Muzzleloader only |
| Black Bear | General | Sep 3 – Oct 7, 2025 | 1 bear per year | Rifle, shotgun, bow, muzzleloader |
White-tailed Deer (Archery/Crossbow): Continuous season except during 9-day gun season
White-tailed Deer (Gun): CWD zones have mandatory testing and additional antlerless tags
Black Bear (General): Permit required by drawing. Baiting and hound hunting permitted in designated zones.
Turkey
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wild Turkey | Spring | Apr 16 – May 27, 2026 | 1 bearded turkey per period | Shotgun, bow |
| Wild Turkey | Fall | Sep 13 – Nov 21, 2025 | 1 turkey either sex | Shotgun, bow, rifle |
Wild Turkey (Spring): Six time periods — assigned by drawing
Wild Turkey (Fall): Select zones only
Upland Game Birds
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ring-necked Pheasant | General | Oct 18 – Dec 31, 2025 | 2 daily (roosters only) / 5 possession | Shotgun |
| Ruffed Grouse | General | Sep 13 – Jan 4, 2026 | 5 daily / 10 possession | Shotgun |
Waterfowl
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ducks | General | Varies by zone — Sep through Nov | 6 daily (species-specific limits) | Shotgun (non-toxic shot required) |
Ducks (General): Federal duck stamp + HIP required
Small Game
| Species | Season | Dates | Bag Limit | Methods |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottontail Rabbit | General | Oct 18 – Feb 28, 2026 | 3 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
| Fox/Gray Squirrel | General | Sep 13 – Jan 31, 2026 | 5 daily | Rifle, shotgun, handgun |
Licensing
| License Type | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Gun Deer License | $24 | — |
| Resident Archery/Crossbow License | $24 | — |
| Non-Resident Gun Deer License | $160 | — |
| Non-Resident Archery License | $160 | — |
| Youth Deer License (under 12) | Free | Mentored hunting program |
| Senior License (65+) | Reduced fees | — |
| Turkey License | $15 (resident) / $60 (non-resident) | — |
| Small Game License | $18 (resident) / $85 (non-resident) | — |
Tags, Draws & Lotteries
Wisconsin deer tags are generally available over the counter for the gun and archery seasons. Bonus antlerless tags are available in many counties and are often unlimited in CWD management zones. Bear permits are issued through a preference point drawing — wait times can exceed 5 years for popular zones. Spring turkey permits are allocated through a random drawing across six time periods. Applications are typically due in December for spring turkey and bear.
Harvest Reporting
Wisconsin requires mandatory GameReg electronic registration for all deer, bear, and turkey harvested. Registration must be completed by 5:00 PM the day after harvest through the online system or by phone. CWD testing is strongly encouraged statewide and mandatory in designated CWD Affected Areas. Testing is free through WDNR sampling stations.
Wisconsin Wildlife Resources
- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources — Hunting Home →
- Current Hunting Regulations →
- Hunter Education →
- Violation Hotline: WDNR Tip Line: 1-800-847-9367
- USFWS Waterfowl Frameworks →
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only. Season dates, bag limits, license fees, and regulations shown here are based on the most recently published data from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and may not reflect last-minute changes, emergency closures, or special regulations. Always verify current regulations directly with your state wildlife agency before hunting. FirearmSelect does not provide legal advice and is not responsible for actions taken based on this information.