Important Reminder On Remaining Firearm Deer Hunting Seasons In Wisconsin

At the conclusion of Wisconsin's 2025 nine-day gun deer hunt, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources quickly shared preliminary data regarding license sales, harvest registrations, and hunting incident numbers, which sadly included a fatality.

Overall, the DNR said that its preliminary figures indicated that the number of deer hunters in Wisconsin slightly decreased compared to 2024.

However, they also stated that the sales of deer hunting licenses and harvest authorizations would continue throughout the remaining deer hunting seasons, and they encourage all hunters to take advantage of those late-season firearm hunting opportunities.

Late-Season Firearm Deer Hunting Seasons In Wisconsin

The following late-season firearm deer hunting opportunities remain:

• Muzzleloader: Now through December 10
• Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt: December 11 through December 14
• Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt: December 24 through January 1, 2026, in select Farmland Zone units.

It's important to note that Wisconsin hunters are allowed to use any unfilled antlerless harvest authorization during any of the remaining hunts, but the authorization must be used in the zone, county, and land type designated on the harvest authorization.

Furthermore, only antlerless deer may be harvested during the statewide antlerless-only and antlerless-only holiday hunts, regardless of weapon type.

Wisconsin’s archery and crossbow seasons will remain open statewide through January 4, 2026; however, these seasons extend until January 31, 2026, in metro sub-units and certain deer management units.

The DNR adds that there have been changes to the deer management units across the state, so hunters are encouraged to review the hunting regulations and refer to the season structure map on page 11 for information about extended seasons in the area they hunt.

Deer Harvest Registration

The DNR reminds hunters that all harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. The fastest and most convenient way to register your deer is through the GameReg system. The system will prompt hunters to answer a series of questions. The unique harvest authorization number associated with each permit is required.

Hunters have three options to register their deer:

• Online through GameReg
• By phone at 1-844-426-3734
• Electronically at a participating in-person registration station

SEE NOW: People In Wisconsin Are Now Warned Not To Travel To These Locations

Proper registration provides accurate harvest data for DNR wildlife managers and County Deer Advisory Councils for the management of deer in Wisconsin.

Lastly, DNR reminds hunters to always follow the four rules of firearm safety, TAB-K, as it's crucial for safe and successful hunting:

• T - Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• A - Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• B - Be certain of your target, what’s before it, and what’s beyond it.
• K - Keep your finger outside your trigger guard until you are safe to shoot.

Learn more about safe hunting in Wisconsin and register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Hunting Safety webpage.

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