If you like big bucks (white-tail bucks, that is) and the potential to add a bear to your hunting trophies, Wisconsin is the place to hunt. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to hunt turkey in the spring and fall.
Wisconsin also now offers a small elk herd and the opportunity to hunt these animals. The state has become an excellent place to plan a destination hunt or to get out more often and hunt more varieties of animal species throughout the year.
So, whether you live in the state or we’ve just enticed you to plan a hunting trip to Wisconsin this year, you’ll want to know the bag limits and season dates for the game you hunt.
The HuntWise team has done much of the research for you in this guide! So, keep reading to learn what you need to know about Wisconsin hunting seasons.
Updated February 26, 2026.
Why Do Hunters Hunt in Wisconsin?
We mentioned that one of the biggest reasons people hunt in Wisconsin is the abundance of big bucks. Many consider the state to be a premier location for whitetail hunting. The state is also well-known for excellent turkey and upland bird hunting.
And, if you’re a trophy hunter, the challenge of bringing home a Wisconsin elk or a bear could be the hunt that should be on your calendar this year.
Where Should I Hunt?
With land formed by glaciers thousands of years ago, Wisconsin’s terrain is diverse. It’s not all cornfields and prairie lands. Depending on the species you hunt, you’ll also travel through farmlands and forests.
The State is divided into five specific regions:
Northern Highland
Lake Superior Lowland
Central Plain
Western Upland
Eastern Ridges and Lowland
The state offers 6 million acres of public access land for hunting, including streams and waterfalls. With so much acreage, you’ll want to narrow down the locations best suited for finding the game you’re after.
Whether you’ve hunted in Wisconsin as a resident or you’re planning your first hunt there this year, HuntWise maps and features can help you gain an advantage over game and other hunters.
When Can I Hunt?
A bear or elk hunt could be the adventure of a lifetime, so start planning as soon as you can! Make sure you know the open season dates and regulations.
Below, we’ve compiled the latest Wisconsin hunting information to help you plan—but just remember that information can change from year to year and even throughout the season. Make sure you check official websites for hunting in Wisconsin to confirm the latest details as you plan your hunting excursions this year.
Deer Hunting Wisconsin
Archery and Crossbow:
September 12, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Metro Sub-units: September 12, 2026 – Januray 31, 2027
Youth: October 10 – 11, 2026
Gun (Hunters with Disabilities): October 3 – 11, 2026
Gun: November 21 – 29, 2026
Muzzleloader: November 30 – December 9, 2026
Statewide Antlerless-Only: December 10 – 13, 2026
Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt: December 24, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Turkey
Spring and Fall turkey hunting is managed by Wisconsin turkey zones.
Note for 2026, there is now one single continuous season. This eliminates the split season from prior years.
Archery, Crossbow, Firearm: October 17 – December 13, 2026
Bear
Bear hunting is managed by zones, the use of bait, and hunting with or without dogs. For the latest details, check the bear hunting guidelines from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR).
Zones A, B, D (dogs allowed):
September 9 – 15, 2026 (with aid of bait, no dogs)
September 16 – October 6, 2026 (with the aid of dogs and bait)
October 7 – 13, 2026 (with the aid of dogs only)
Zones C, E, F (no dogs):
September 9 – October 13, 2026 (with aid of bait, no dogs)
Migratory Birds
Early Goose (Statewide): September 1 – 15, 2025
Northern Zone: September 16 – December 16, 2025
Southern Zone and Mississippi River Goose Zones: September 16 – October 6, October 12 – December 1, and December 21, 2025 – January 9, 2026
Early Teal (Statewide): September 1 – 9, 2025
Duck and Coot:
Northern Zone: September 27 – November 25, 2025
Southern Zone: October 4 – 12 and October 18 – December 7, 2025
What Do I Need to Know About Wisconsin Hunting Regulations and Licenses?
All hunters need a license to hunt in Wisconsin, and licenses vary based on the species you hunt, your age, hunting with a firearm vs. a bow, and other factors. You may also need permits or stamps, depending on what you hunt.
Some species—like elk, bobcat, spring turkey, and bear—require a successful draw for legal hunting. Wisconsin also offers a preference point system that can be applied to some species.
What Are the Bag Limits for the Wisconsin Hunting Seasons?
How many deer, game birds, or bears can you bring home this season? To comply with Wisconsin regulations for legal hunting, follow the bag limits for everything you hunt throughout the year.
Deer
1 buck deer per harvest authorization, 1 antlerless deer per unused antlerless authorization
Pheasant
1 rooster per day (opening weekend), 2 roosters per day (remainder of the season)
Turkey
1 turkey (Fall)
1 bearded or male per hunter (Youth Season)
1 bearded or male per harvest authorization (Spring)
Bobwhite Quail
5 per day (3x daily in possession)
Ducks
6 per day (3x daily in possession)
Ruffed Grouse
5 per day, 3x daily in possession (Zone A)
2 per day, 3x daily in possession (Zone B)
Coots
15 per day (3x daily in possession)
Sharp-tailed Grouse
TBD
Mourning and White-Winged Dove
15 per day (3x daily in possession)
Raccoon
No limit
Early Teal
6 per day (3x daily in possession)
Fox
No limit
Gallinules
15 per day (3x daily in possession)
Bobcat
1 per permit
Woodcock
3 per day (3x daily in possession)
Coyote
No limit
Snipe
8 per day (3x daily in possession)
Early Goose
5 Canada, 20 Snow, Blue, or Ross (3x daily in possession)
Bear
1 per carcass tag
Regular Goose (North Zone):
3 Canada, 20 Snow, Blue, or Ross, 1 Brant, 1 Greater White-Fronted per day (3x daily in possession)
Elk
1 bull elk per elk carcass tag
Regular Goose (Southern and Mississippi River Zone
3 Canada per day (first portion of the season), 5 per day (Holiday hunt) (3x daily in possession)
Visit the WDNR website for more information about bag limits, other species we didn’t mention, and hunting regulations.
What Else Do I Need Before I Can Hunt?
If you were born on or after January 1, 1973, Wisconsin requires you to take a state-approved hunter education course before getting a hunting license. However, hunters who have not completed a hunter safety course (specifically, young hunters) can hunt under the Mentorship program.
You’ll also want the best gear for your hunts, whether you’re after whitetail, ducks, or a big bear. As a HuntWise subscriber, you benefit from discounts on gear through our partners with the potential to save hundreds on gear like binoculars, calls, clothing, spotting scopes, hunting knives, and more.
Tag Out with HuntWise During the Wisconsin Hunting Seasons
We hope this resource is helpful to you as you plan your Wisconsin hunting seasons this year! We know it’s a lot of information, so be sure to check back here or reference the official Wisconsin websites for the latest details.
Your HuntWise app also provides access to the latest hunting information for Wisconsin. It’s the best hunting tool for helping you plan, scout, share information with friends, and stay up to date on season dates and regulations before heading out for your first hunt of the year.
The app gives you access to multiple map layers for scouting hunt areas (including DNR-managed lands, County Boundaries, and County Forests for Wisconsin),real-time animal behavior predictors, privatelandowner boundaries and contact information, and idealwind and weather forecasting.
If you haven’t hunted with HuntWise yet, it’s time to improve your chances of success with the ultimate hunting tool! Download the app and enjoy access—free for your first week!
Content and season dates reviewed and updated February 26, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
We have answers to the common questions about the Wisconsin hunting seasons!
Q: What animals can you hunt year-round in Wisconsin?
A: In Wisconsin, certain species can be hunted year-round, including rough fish (like carp) and some small nuisance species such as coyotes (with a valid license). Most game animals (like deer, turkey, and bear) have regulated seasons set by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Q: Can I hunt on my own land without a license in Wisconsin?
A: No, you can't hunt on your own land without a license in Wisconsin. In most cases, you still need a valid Wisconsin hunting license, even on land you own. Some limited exceptions apply (for example, certain small game or agricultural damage situations), but generally, land ownership does not replace licensing requirements.
Q: Can a game warden come on private property in Wisconsin?
A: Yes, a game warden can come on private property in Wisconsin. Conservation wardens with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources have the authority to enter private property (without a warrant in many situations) to enforce hunting and natural resource laws.
Q: Can you bait deer on private land in Wisconsin?
A: Legal deer baiting in Wisconsin depends on the county. Deer baiting and feeding are restricted or prohibited in many counties due to chronic wasting disease (CWD) concerns. Regulations change, so you should always check current rules with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources before baiting.
Q: What happens if you shoot a deer and it runs onto private property?
A: If you shoot a deer and it runs onto private property, you must get permission from the landowner before entering private property to retrieve it. Entering without permission could result in trespassing charges—even if the deer was legally shot elsewhere. Use HuntWise to find information to contact a landowner and help you be mindful of private land boundaries.
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