Regulations change. Always confirm with the official state fish and wildlife agency before you hunt or fish. This site is an unofficial index, not legal advice. Each fact shows its source and the date we last read it.
Wisconsin: 2026 deer seasons, resident license fees and official links
Run by: Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR). Below are the deer season dates and resident license fees we could read on official pages (regulation year 2026). This state is newly added and coverage is partial.
Deer seasons
| Season type | Zone / unit | Dates (inclusive) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archery/crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 | Closes Jan 31, 2027 in metro sub-units and in DMUs with an extended archery/crossbow season. |
| Gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities | Participating properties | Oct 3, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Youth and disabled hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 to Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Gun deer (nine-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | Metro sub-unit dates are Nov 21 to Dec 9. All weapon types allowed. |
| Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 to Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Antlerless-only | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | All weapon types; only antlerless deer. |
| Antlerless-only holiday hunt | Select Farmland Zone counties only | Dec 24, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027 | See the Deer Season Structure map for counties. |
Source: Wisconsin DNR: Deer Season Dates and Bag Limits (2026). Last verified Oct 17, 2026. Dates can vary by zone, unit or land type; check the official page for your location.
Selected resident license fees
| License (resident) | Fee | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gun deer license, resident | $24.00 | Archery and crossbow licenses are also $24 on the same page. | Official page |
| Small game hunting license, resident | $18.00 | Official page | |
| Annual fishing license, resident | $20.00 | Listed as 'Fishing, Annual' in the resident license catalog; first-time buyers pay $5 (same page). | Official page |
Fees are copied from the official page linked in each row, last verified Oct 17, 2026. Fees, agent fees and online fees change; confirm before you buy.
Good to know
- Bag limit: unless otherwise noted, one buck per unused buck harvest authorization valid statewide and one antlerless deer per unused antlerless authorization for the zone, DMU and land type. Bow buck authorizations are weapon-specific.
Source: Wisconsin DNR: deer season dates and bag limits. Last verified Oct 17, 2026. - First-time buyers, youth 11 and younger, and those who have not hunted in 10 years can qualify for reduced-fee hunting licenses (see the official fee page).
Source: Wisconsin DNR: license fees. Last verified Oct 17, 2026.
Not yet researched
Turkey, bear and waterfowl dates beyond what is on the official dates page; fishing seasons; Sunday hunting; hunter orange rules; license validity period.