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Hunting Seasons in Wisconsin 2025: Big Game and Small Game, Licenses, and Regulations Guide Plan your 2025–26 WI hunt with our state‑by‑state guide—season dates, bag limits, licenses, bow & rifle rules, and key game species from whitetail deer to ducks to black bear. Wisconsin’s landscape—from the oak‑lined fields of the Driftless Area to the dense northern forests and expansive marshes of the Great Lakes region—offers year‑round hunts for every style of outdoorsman. In early autumn, you might slip through hardwood ridges for a trophy whitetail deer buck at first light; by late November, flooded marshes brim with ducks and geese under frosty skies. Whether you’re drawing a recurve bow for turkey in oak clearings or shouldering a rifle for the winter bear hunt, this guide lays out Wisconsin’s 2025–26 seasons, bag limits, license details, weapon rules, and game species so you can plan the perfect hunt. What Is There to Hunt in Wisconsin? Wisconsin supports a rich variety of game: Big Game: Whitetail deer, wild turkey, black bear, wolf (limited zones), elk and moose (special permits) Small Game & Upland Birds: Cottontail rabbit, snowshoe hare, gray and fox squirrels, ruffed and sharp‑tailed grouse, bobwhite quail, pheasant Waterfowl & Migratory Birds: Ducks (teal, mallard, wood duck), geese, brant, coots, rails, snipe, mourning dove Furbearers & Predators: Coyote, raccoon, fox, beaver, muskrat, mink, bobcat, otter, fisher Several furbearers—coyote, raccoon, fox, and muskrat—carry no closed season on private land, providing off‑season opportunities and aiding nuisance control. Wisconsin Big Game Hunting Seasons 2025–26 Whitetail Deer Archery & Crossbow: Sept 13 – Jan 4, 2026 (extended to Jan 31 for metro sub‑units) Gun Hunt (Disability): Oct 4 – 12 (select zones) Youth Deer Hunt: Oct 11 – 12 General Gun: Nov 22 – 30 Muzzleloader: Dec 1 – 10 4‑Day Antlerless-Only: Dec 11 – 14 Holiday Antlerless (Zone 2 only): Dec 24 – Jan 1, 2026 Black Bear Zone A, B, D (dogs allowed): Sept 3 – 9 (dogs only); Sept 10 – 30 (all methods) Zone C, E, F (no dogs): Sept 3 – Oct 7 (all methods) Elk & Moose Elk (special permit): Season dates vary by zone; apply Dec 10, 2024 deadline Moose (limited draw): Varies by unit; same application deadline Wisconsin Small Game & Waterfowl Seasons 2025–26 Upland Birds & Small Mammals Cottontail Rabbit: Sept 13 – Feb 28, 2026 (Milwaukee Co. year‑round) Squirrels: Sept 13 – Feb 28, 2026 Ruffed Grouse: Sept 13 – Jan 4, 2026; Sharp‑tailed: dates vary by county Bobwhite Quail & Pheasant: Oct 18 – Jan 4, 2026 (pheasant closed in select counties) Migratory Birds Early Teal: Sept 1 – 9 Early Goose: Sept 1 – 15 Rail, Snipe & Gallinule: Sept 1 – Nov 9 Mourning Dove: Sept 1 – Nov 29 Woodcock: Sept 20 – Nov 3 Youth Waterfowl: Sept 20 – 21 Northern Duck Zone: Sept 27 – Nov 25; Southern & Open‑Water Zones: Oct 4 – Dec 16 Canada Geese Zones: Sept 16 – Dec 16 (North) and split dates South. Bag Limits by Species Whitetail Deer: 1 antlered buck per season; antlerless tags as authorized Black Bear: 1 per permit (some zones allow 2) Turkey: 2 per season (1 per day) Ducks: 3 daily aggregate limit for all migratory birds; Canada goose limits per zone Quail & Rabbits: 15 quail; 10 rabbits daily Squirrels: 10 per day Coyote & Furbearers: No daily limit; season or trapping methods vary License & Tags Information for Wisconsin Hunters (2025–26) All hunters must hold a valid Wisconsin hunting license plus any required permits: Deer & Bear Tags: Over‑the‑counter after drawing system; bear permit application by Dec 10 Elk & Moose Permits: Limited‑entry draw with Dec 10 application deadline HIP Registration & Federal Duck Stamp: Required for all migratory‑bird hunters Hunter Safety Certification: Required for new hunters and youth under 16 Hunting Methods: Bow, Rifle, Muzzleloader Wisconsin authorizes: Archery: Compound, recurve, crossbows during archery seasons Firearms: Center‑fire rifles, shotguns (buckshot & slugs) in gun seasons Muzzleloaders: Dec 1 – 10 deer season; vary by game Trapping & Dogs: Allowed for furbearers and bear (zones A, B, D) under rules Regulations & Resources Stay compliant by consulting Wisconsin DNR regulations: Shooting Hours: Sunrise – sunset for most seasons; half‑hour exceptions for migratory birds Zone Maps & County Extensions: Check extended archery counties map Harvest Reporting: Required for deer, bear, turkey, elk, and moose Season Changes: All dates subject to rulemaking; verify before you hunt Always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Wisconsin DNR website before heading afield to ensure a legal, ethical hunt. Before you head out, always verify season dates, bag limits, and license requirements on the official Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website to stay compliant and ensure a legal, ethical hunt. This guide was created based on information from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR): https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/hunt/dates

Post: 14 July 09:47

Wisconsin Turkey Hunting: Demographics, Associations, Laws and Hunting Seasons. Best Spots and Tactics for Spring and Fall Wisconsin, known as "America's Dairyland," offers an exceptional hunting experience across its diverse landscapes. Spanning 54,158 square miles, the state boasts a remarkable variety of ecosystems that attract hunters from across the nation. The region features over 15 million acres of forestland, comprising 46% of the state's total area, providing ideal habitats for various game species. Notably, Wisconsin's northern forests, covering approximately 30% of the state, create perfect conditions for big game hunting, while its extensive wetlands (nearly 5.3 million acres) support waterfowl populations. The state's unique geographical position, bordered by Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, significantly influences its microclimates and wildlife patterns. Wisconsin's landscape includes distinctive features such as the Driftless Area in the southwest, characterized by its unglaciated terrain and deep valleys, offering challenging yet rewarding hunting grounds. The state's average elevation ranges from 600 to 1,200 feet above sea level, with Timm's Hill standing as the highest point at 1,951 feet. These varied terrains support one of the most diverse wildlife populations in the Midwest. Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reports that the state maintains healthy populations of white-tailed deer, black bears, turkeys, and small game species. The combination of abundant water resources, including more than 15,000 lakes and numerous rivers, creates prime habitats for both terrestrial and aquatic game. This diversity makes Wisconsin particularly attractive to hunters seeking multiple types of game within relatively short distances.Hunter Demographics and Participation With approximately 600,000 licensed hunters annually, Wisconsin ranks among top hunting states. Gun deer licenses account for 571,572 purchases yearly, representing nearly 10% of the population. Resident hunters comprise 65% of participants, with growing female participation now at 15%. Counties like Marathon and Clark show highest per capita hunting license sales, often exceeding 20% of adult male population. Distinctive Hunting Characteristics Wisconsin's hunting landscape requires adaptability across terrains - dense northern forests demand stealth, while open agricultural fields favor long-range shooting. The state's quality-focused harvest management includes a comprehensive antlerless permit system. Weather variability, from Indian summer to harsh winters, demands preparedness, while shared tribal hunting territories add cultural depth to the experience. Game Species and Hunting Types Wisconsin offers diverse hunting opportunities targeting white-tailed deer (1.5 million population), black bears (24,000 population), wild turkeys (350,000 population), and various small game species. Waterfowl hunting thrives along Mississippi River flyway, while furbearer hunting includes coyotes, foxes, and bobcats. The state's elk population, reintroduced in 1995, now numbers around 450 animals. Seasonal Framework and Regulations The nine-day gun deer season runs before Thanksgiving, while archery season extends from September 15 through January 6. Bear hunting operates on a quota system (September-October), and turkey seasons occur in spring and fall. Special youth hunts precede major seasons, and antlerless-only seasons vary by management unit needs. Wisconsin implements mandatory hunter education and electronic licensing systems. Organizations and Traditions Key organizations include the Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association (7,000+ members) and Wisconsin Deer Hunters Association (10,000+ members). Local sportsmen's clubs (about 300 statewide) manage hunting lands and provide mentorship. Unique traditions involve family hunting camps, community wild game feeds, and venison donation programs that have provided over 10 million meals to food pantries. Interesting Facts and Records Wisconsin hunters generated over $20 million annually through excise taxes on hunting equipment. Notable records include harvesting 160,239 deer during 2019's nine-day gun season and holding the record for largest black bear ever harvested in North America (733 pounds in 2011). The state pioneered Quality Deer Management in the 1980s and maintains successful wolf population recovery programs. This condensed overview demonstrates why Wisconsin remains a premier hunting destination, balancing rich traditions with modern conservation practices while offering diverse hunting opportunities across its varied landscapes.

Post: 19 May 14:34

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Post: 14 October 10:06

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