*The dates and rules have been updated for the latest 2025-2026 season!
Wisconsin has lots of great natural things to see and do. Every year, lots of people come here to hunt, fish, hike and learn about nature. It is one of the top destinations for hunters looking to catch white-tailed deer.
In this comprehensive guide, we have collected the latest season dates, regulations, and insights about Wisconsin deer hunting, ensuring you’re well-prepared for a successful season.
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Season
Archery and Crossbow Season: Sept. 13, 2025 – Jan. 4, 2026
Extended Archery and Crossbow Season: Sept. 13 – Jan. 31, 2026
4-Day Antlerless-only: Dec. 11 – 14, 2025
Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt: Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2026
Youth Deer Hunt: Oct. 11 – 12, 2025
Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities: Oct. 4 – 12, 2025
Gun Season: Nov. 22 – Dec. 30, 2025
Muzzleloader Season: Dec. 1 – 10, 2025
The bag limit for all deer seasons is one buck and one antlerless deer.
Wisconsin Deer Hunting License
| Deer Hunting | Resident | Non-resident |
| Gun deer license | $24 | $200 |
| Junior gun deer license | $20 | $36 |
| Archery license | $24 | $165 |
| Crossbow license | $24 | $165 |
| Junior crossbow license | $20 | $77 |
| Archery or crossbow upgrade | $3 | |
| Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations | $12 | $20 |
| Mentored gun deer, archery or crossbow (11 years old or under) | $7 | |
If you were born on or after January 1, 1973, you’ll need to provide one of the following documents to buy a hunting license:
- Your Wisconsin hunter education certificate
- Proof of a hunter safety course from another state, province, or country that’s recognized by the department
- A previous year’s Wisconsin hunting license with your hunter safety number printed on it
- Proof that you completed basic training in the US Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard.
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Hours
Hunting hours differ depending on the time of year and location. Such as, in the Northern and Southern Areas of Zone A, the shooting hours for deer hunting are 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset.
If you are hunting in other zones, based on the hunting hours of zone A, you can add the zone-specific minutes to get the opening and closing times for the specific area where you plan to hunt.
ZONE B: +4 min
ZONE C: +8 min
ZONE D: +12 min
ZONE E: +16 min
ZONE F: +20 min
Hunters can check the specific hunting hours according to the state they live in as follows:
Northern Area Deer Shooting Hours PDF
Southern Area Deer Shooting Hours PDF
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations
License Requirements
To hunt deer in Wisconsin deer season, there are a few things that you will need. You’ll need a gun deer license if you want to use a firearm to hunt deer, or an archery license if you want to use a bow and arrow.
If you want to use a crossbow, you’ll need a crossbow license too. And, you’ll need a valid unfilled harvest authorization, which you can get after you’ve purchased an upgrade if you have an archery or crossbow license and want to use both weapon types.
Illegal Actions
Hunters can use any type of ammo other than arrows, bolts, or bullets that expand when they hit an animal. They can also use air guns to hunt deer or elk.
It’s illegal to take or possess an animal that someone else has legally hunted without their permission.
Dogs can be used to follow a blood trail to find a wounded animal, but they can’t kill any wild animals.
In some counties, it’s illegal to hunt deer over bait or feed material. Don’t place deer feed at a site that bears or elk are known to use.
While deer baits cannot be used, you can use scents to attract deer by odor.
Safety Regulations
Make sure at least half of your clothing above the waist is blaze orange or pink during firearm deer seasons. Also, remember to cover your head with something that’s at least half blaze orange or pink. It’s important to be visible to other hunters and to help prevent accidents.
Four basic T-A-B-K firearm safety rules to remember:
1. Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
2. Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, not towards anything you don’t want to shoot.
3. Be sure what you’re shooting at and what’s beyond it.
4. Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot.
Harvest Registration
You can hunt deer wearing tracking collars or ear tags, but you need to call 608-935-1940 and leave a message with the ear tag numbers or collar number and your contact information after harvest.
You are required to register your deer through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. You can register online or by phone.
Except for the deer, if you want to hunt other game animals in Wisconsin, here is the 2025 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Season pdf for downloading and checking in time.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for some exciting deer hunting adventures in Wisconsin in 2024, you’ve come to the right place! Wisconsin offers a well-regulated and rewarding hunting experience with specific dates, regulations, and licensing requirements.
Check out our guide for all the details you need to know to make your hunting trip a success. Make sure to stay informed and prepared to make the most of your time in the woods this year!
2 comments
rrrrr
why does the wisconsin gun deer season start on a monday this year and end on a tuesday?
LynnAuthor
Hi there! In Wisconsin, the deer rut season usually takes place in early November. Deer are more active during the time, thus making it the best time for hunting. Please note that the season dates are subject to change, please keep updated with our post or check the official website for detailed info.