If you’re planning a hunt in the Badger State, one of the first questions you need to answer is, when is deer hunting season in Wisconsin? The answer depends on the type of weapon you plan to use and the specific deer you’re after. Wisconsin offers a long and varied series of seasons, giving hunters plenty of opportunities to get afield. This guide will break down all the key dates, zones, and regulations you need to know for a successful and legal hunt.
When Is Deer Hunting Season In Wisconsin
Wisconsin’s deer hunting season isn’t just one date. It’s a collection of seasons that span from September to January. The main categories are archery, gun, and muzzleloader, each with its own set of rules. The state is also divided into zones, which can have different opening and closing dates. Always, always check the current year’s regulations from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) before you go. They make the final rules.
Understanding Wisconsin’s Deer Management Zones
Before we look at dates, you need to know where you’ll be hunting. Wisconsin uses a system of Deer Management Units (DMUs). These are grouped into larger zones that determine season structure. The two primary zone types are:
- Farmland (Zone 2): This covers the southern two-thirds of the state. It generally has higher deer populations and longer, more liberal seasons.
- Central Forest (Zone 1): This covers the northern forested region. Seasons here can be shorter, with different antlerless quotas.
There’s also a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone. If you hunt in a county within this zone, special rules apply. These often include extra antlerless harvest opportunities and specific carcass movement restrictions. You can find detailed maps on the WDNR website.
2024-2025 Wisconsin Deer Season Dates (Projected)
These dates are based on recent years and are highly likely for the upcoming seasons. However, treat them as a guide and verify with the official WDNR guide when it’s released, usually in the summer.
Archery and Crossbow Seasons
- Archery (Statewide): Opens the Saturday after the second Monday in September. This is typically around September 14-16. It runs continuously through the Sunday after the Thanksgiving holiday (late November), then re-opens from the Monday after Thanksgiving through January 31.
- Crossbow: For most hunters, the crossbow season runs concurrent with the archery season. There is a short, separate season for disabled hunters in early September.
- Remember, you need a separate archery license in addition to your gun license if you plan to hunt both seasons.
Gun Deer Seasons
This is the famous “nine-day gun season” that defines fall for many Wisconsinites. The dates are highly consistent from year to year.
- Regular Gun Deer Season (Statewide): Always opens the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs for nine days, closing the Sunday after Thanksgiving. For 2024, this is projected to be November 23 – December 1.
- Youth Gun Deer Hunt: Held the weekend before the regular gun season. In 2024, this should be October 19-20. This is for hunters aged 10-15.
- Holiday Gun Hunt (CWD Zones only): A four-day season from December 24-27. This is only open in counties within the CWD Management Zone.
Muzzleloader Seasons
- Muzzleloader (Statewide): A 10-day season typically running from the Monday after the regular gun season closes. For 2024, this is projected for December 2-11.
- Holiday Muzzleloader (CWD Zones only): Runs from December 24 through January 1.
Antlerless-Only Hunts
These are critical for managing deer herds in specific areas. They require an antlerless deer carcass tag valid for the specific zone and land type (public/private).
- Farmland Zone (Zone 2) Antlerless-Only Hunt: Usually held in early December, for four days. Dates for 2024 are likely December 12-15.
- Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt: A four-day hunt in late December, often December 19-22. This one can include both farmland and central forest zones depending on that year’s quotas.
How to Get Your Wisconsin Deer Hunting License and Tags
Getting your license is a straightforward process, but you need to understand the steps. Here’s how it works:
- Complete Hunter Education: If you were born on or after January 1, 1973, you must complete a hunter safety course. You can do this online or in a classroom.
- Purchase Your License: Licenses go on sale in March. You can buy them online through the WDNR Go Wild system, at license agents, or at WDNR service centers. You’ll need a base “Conservation Patron” or “Sports” license first.
- Choose Your Deer License: Next, buy a deer hunting license. You must choose between a “Gun” or “Archery” license for your first tag. You can buy the other type as an add-on.
- Apply for Bonus Antlerless Tags: The application period is usually in August. You apply for a bonus antlerless tag for a specific zone and land type. This is a lottery system. If you don’t get drawn in the first round, there are often leftover tags available later.
- Print Your Tags and Carry Them: Once purchased, you must print your paper tags or have them accessible on your mobile device through the Go Wild app. They must be attached to the deer immediately upon harvest.
Essential Regulations Every Hunter Must Know
Knowing the dates is half the battle. Following the rules keeps you legal and ethical.
Tagging and Registration
- Immediate Tagging: As soon as you harvest a deer, you must validate your carcass tag. Cut out the date of harvest and attach the tag to the deer. It must remain attached during transport.
- Electronic Registration: You must register your deer by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. This is done online, by phone, or at an in-person station. You’ll get a unique confirmation number to write on your carcass tag.
- You cannot register a deer for someone else. The hunter who’s tag was used must do it.
Legal Shooting Hours
This is a common area for mistakes. Legal shooting hours are from 20 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset. You can find the exact times for your location on the WDNR website or in the hunting regulations pamphlet. Don’t rely on a weather app; use the official source.
Blaze Orange Requirements
During any gun deer season (including youth, muzzleloader, and antlerless-only hunts), you must wear blaze orange. The minimum is:
- A jacket, vest, or coat of at least 50% blaze orange, visible from all sides, AND
- A hat or head covering of at least 50% blaze orange.
During archery-only seasons, blaze orange is not required unless you are in a tree stand during a gun season for another animal (like turkey).
Planning Your Wisconsin Deer Hunt: A Step-by-Step Checklist
- Pick Your Season and Weapon: Decide if you’re an archery, gun, or muzzleloader hunter. This determines your primary license and your strategy.
- Choose Your Zone and DMU: Scout or research areas. Look at public land options (County forests, state wildlife areas) or secure permission for private land well in advance.
- Buy Licenses and Apply for Tags: Mark the sales and application dates on your calendar. Don’t wait until the last minute.
- Scout Your Area: Get on the ground before the season. Look for signs like rubs, scrapes, trails, and feeding areas. Trail cameras can be a huge help.
- Check Your Gear: Sight in your firearm or bow. Wash your hunting clothes in scent-free detergent. Practice from your tree stand if you use one.
- Plan for Recovery and Transport: Have a drag rope, game bags, and a plan for getting the deer out of the woods. Know where the nearest registration station is, or have your phone ready for electronic registration.
- Review Safety Rules: Tell someone where you’ll be and when you’ll return. Use a haul line for your unloaded gun or bow. Always wear a full-body safety harness in a tree stand.
FAQs About Deer Hunting in Wisconsin
What are the exact dates for deer hunting in Wisconsin?
The core gun season is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving for nine days. Archery runs mid-September to late November, then reopens through January. Exact dates shift slightly each year, so check the WDNR website.
Can I hunt deer with a rifle in Wisconsin?
Yes, rifles are allowed statewide during the gun seasons. There are caliber restrictions, so check the regs. Some shotgun-only areas exist in past years, but these are now very rare.
How many deer can I kill in Wisconsin?
It depends on your tags. With a standard gun or archery license, you get one buck tag. You must apply for or purchase bonus antlerless tags for additional deer, and these are limited by zone.
Do I need to wear orange during bow season?
Not during the archery-only periods. But if any gun season (like turkey in fall) is open at the same time, you must wear orange while in a tree stand. It’s a good safety practice to wear it anytime you’re on public land, regardless.
What is the CWD zone and are there special rules?
The CWD Management Zone includes counties where Chronic Wasting Disease has been found. Rules here often include extra antlerless harvest opportunities to thin the herd. Most importantly, you cannot transport a whole deer carcass out of the zone. You must quarter it and debone the meat first, or take it to a registered processor within the zone.
Final Thoughts on Season Timing and Strategy
Choosing when to hunt is as important as where. The early archery season offers warm weather and deer in summer patterns. The pre-rut in late October is a fantastic time for bowhunters. The nine-day gun season is a classic, with high hunter activity moving deer. The late seasons in December and January are tough but rewarding, with deer focused on winter food sources.
Your success starts with knowing the answer to “when is deer hunting season in Wisconsin?” But it ends with careful planning, respect for the animal, and a dedication to safety. The Wisconsin deer woods are a special place. By understanding the seasons and rules, you set yourself up for a memorable hunt. Good luck, and hunt safe.