Official Stats From The 2025 Deer Hunting Opener In Wisconsin

The opening weekend for the 2025 gun deer hunting season in Wisconsin has come and gone, and now the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is crunching the numbers on what occurred over the weekend and has now released its preliminary report.

The DNR tracked harvest and license sales totals for the opening weekend, which began on November 22, along with reported gun incidents. Sadly, a fatality was reported this year.

Below are details are the preliminary details, which were recently released to the public by the DNR.

Preliminary 2025 License Sales Data

The DNR says that preliminary figures indicate that the number of gun deer hunters in Wisconsin stayed nearly constant compared to 2024.

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As of 11:59 p.m. Sunday, November 23, sales for deer hunting privileges (which include gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron, and sports licenses) reached 777,843, down 0.03% from the same time last year. Of those, 538,865 were for gun privileges only (which include gun, conservation patron, and sports licenses).

The DNR adds that final license sales figures will be available in January, at which time its staff will perform a thorough analysis and interpretation.

Preliminary Deer Registration Totals And Outlook

Hunters registered a total of 90,671 deer statewide during the opening weekend of the 2025 gun deer hunt, compared to 87,248 registered for the same period in 2024. This is a 3.9% increase from a year ago and 1.1% below the 5-year average.

Hunters registered a total of 48,748 antlered deer on opening weekend, compared to 48,063 in 2024, a 1.4% increase. The antlerless harvest was 41,923, which is up 7% from last year.

The DNR notes that the conditions for the opening weekend were overall favorable for hunters. Mornings were cool and quiet, with gusty winds reported in some areas of western Wisconsin in the afternoon. The only factors that might have impacted deer sightings were a lack of snow cover and warmer temperatures in the afternoons across the southern half of the state.

Hunters did report bucks still on the move in search of does across the state. However, for the most part, breeding activity, which can enhance daytime deer movement, declined noticeably in the days leading up to the weekend.

Overall, opening day action was described as average to somewhat better than average. Sunday was generally quiet, with comfortable weather resulting in less hunter and deer movement.

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The DNR anticipates very good conditions for the second weekend, with snow in the forecast for northern Wisconsin during the week, along with some very high winds, but the colder temperatures will keep snow cover in place.

Opening Weekend Reported Hunting Incidents

As of November 25, when this preliminary report was released, the DNR had received the following reports involving firearm-involved hunting incidents on the opening day of the 2025 nine-day gun deer season:

Fond du Lac County, Oakfield Township: On November 22, in the evening hours, a 24-year-old male deer hunter was a victim of a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. The victim was found deceased several hours after the close of hunting hours by family on private property. Preliminary investigation reflects the victim was in a tree, gun deer hunting from a saddle stand, when the unintentional discharge of their firearm occurred. Investigation pending.
Grant County, North Lancaster Township: On November 22, in the afternoon hours, a 57-year-old male was a victim of a gunshot to his buttock while walking to a field to go deer hunting. The victim was transported to the hospital and treated for injury. Investigation pending.

By comparison, during the 2024 nine-day gun deer season, the DNR had reported one firearm-involved hunting incident resulting in injury.

The DNR took this opportunity to remind 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.

Hunters Encouraged To Donate Deer To Fight Food Insecurity In Wisconsin

Lastly, the DNR encourages hunters to donate Wisconsin-harvested deer through the Deer Donation Program. This program helps stock food pantries and supports residents in need throughout the state. Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed November as Wild Game Meat Donation Month in Wisconsin, so Wisconsinites are asked to help feed their communities this hunting season if they're able.

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