The Guide to Wisconsin Hunting Seasons 2024

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.    

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 14 – January 5
• Youth: October 5 – 6
• Gun (Hunters with Disabilities): October 5 – 13
• Gun: November 23 – December 1
• Muzzleloader: December 2 – 11
• Statewide Antlerless-Only: December 12 – 15
• Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt: December 24 – January 1

Elk

Elk hunting licenses are awarded by drawing.

• Clam Lake Elk Management Zone (Archery, Crossbow, Firearm): October 12 – November 10 and December 12 – 20

Turkey

Spring and Fall turkey hunting is managed by Wisconsin turkey zones. 

• Youth: April 13 & 14
   
• Spring Open Zones: 
  • Period A: April 17 – 23
  • Period B: April 24 – 30
  • Period C: May 1 – 7
  • Period D: May 8 – 14
  • Period E: May 15 – 21
  • Period F: May 22– 28
     
• Fall Open Zones: 
  • Statewide: September 14 – November 22
  • Zones 1-5: November 23 – January 5

Waterfowl

• Special Early Teal: September 15-30
• Duck, Coot, and Merganser: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31
• Canada Goose: November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 27 – January 31
• White-fronted Goose: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31 
• Snow, Blue, and Ross’s Goose: 
  • Regular: October 26 – November 3, November 23 – December 2, December 10 – 23, and December 17 – January 31 
  • Conservation Order: February 1 – 7 and February 10 – April 25 
• Special Youth: February 8 – 9
• Special Active-Duty Military and Veterans: February 9

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 C, E, F:
  • September 4 – October 8 (with aid of bait, no dogs)
• Zones A, B, D: 
  • September 4 – 10 (with aid of bait, no dogs)
  • September 11 – October 1 (with the aid of dogs and bait)
  • October 2 – 8 (with the aid of dogs only)

Migratory Birds

• Mourning Dove (Statewide): September 11 – November 29
   
• Early Canada Goose (Statewide): September 1 – 15
• Regular Goose: 
  • Northern Zone: September 16 – December 16
  • Southern Zone and Mississippi River Zones: September 16 – October 6, October 12 – December 1, and December 21 – January 9
     
• Early Teal (Statewide): September 1 – 9
   
• Duck: 
  • Youth: September 14 – 15
  • Northern Zone: September 21 – November 19
  • Southern Zone: September 28 – October 6 and October 12 – December 1
  • Open Water Zone: October 12 – December 10
     
• Woodcock (Statewide): September 21 – November 4

Game Birds:

• Pheasant (Statewide): October 19 – January 5
• Bobwhite Quail (Statewide): October 19 – January 5
• Ruffed Grouse: 
  • Zone A: September 14 – January 5
  • Zone B: October 19 – December 8

Small Game:

• Cottontail Rabbit: 
  • Northern Zone: September 14 – February 28
  • Southern Zone: October 19 – February 28
     
• Squirrels (Statewide): September 14 – February 28

Furbearers

• Coyote:
  • Hunting: Year-round
  • Trapping: October 19 – February 15
     
• Fox:
  • Hunting and Trapping: October 19 – February 15
     
• Raccoon:
  • Hunting and Trapping (Resident): October 19 – February 15

Visit the Wisconsin DNR website for more details about these species (and others), including protected species (like wolves). You can also visit the eRegulations pages for Wisconsin hunting Information.

What Do I Need to Know About Hunting 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. 

Hunters can purchase licenses online or in person from an official agent location. 

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. 

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 Arkansas 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, private landowner boundaries and contact information, and ideal wind 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 to every feature – free for a week!