Wisconsin Hunting Calendar - Season Dates
 
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Deer

2015 seasons
Archery and Crossbow Sept. 12 - Jan. 3, 2016
Youth deer hunt Oct. 10 - 11
Gun Nov. 21 - 29
Muzzleloader Nov. 30 - Dec. 9
December 4-day antlerless hunt Dec. 10 - 13
Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities Oct. 3 - 11
All dates are subject to change through a rule making or a legislative process. Please check the 2015 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for a complete set of dates and unit designations.

Bear

Application deadline for bear permits is always December 10.

2015 seasons
Zone C where dogs are not permitted
Sept. 9 - Oct. 13
  • with aid of bait
  • with all other legal methods not using dogs
All other zones where dogs are permitted
Sept. 9 - 15
  • with aid of dogs only
Sept. 16 - Oct. 6
  • with aid of dogs
  • with aid of bait
  • with all other legal methods
Oct. 7 - 13
  • with aid of bait
  • with all other legal methods not utilizing dogs
Check the bear hunting regulations for a complete set of rules.

Migratory birds

2015 seasons
Early goose season Statewide Sept. 1 - 15
Early teal season Statewide Sept. 1 - 7
Woodcock Statewide Sept. 19 - Nov. 2
Mourning dove Statewide Sept. 1 - Nov. 29
Season dates for waterfowl vary annually. Duck and regular season goose regulations will not be available until August after the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board meeting.
Check the migratory game bird regulations for a complete set of rules.

Wild turkey

Application deadline for turkey permits is always December 10 for spring and August 1 for fall.

2015 seasons
Youth turkey hunt April 11 - 12
Spring
Period A April 15 - 21
Period B April 22 - 28
Period C April 29 - May 5
Period D May 6 - 12
Period E May 13 - 19
Period F May 20 - 26
Fall
Statewide Sept. 12 - Nov. 19
Zones 1-5 Nov. 30 - Dec. 31

Small mammals

2015 seasons
Cottontail rabbit
Northern zone Sept. 12 - Feb. 29, 2016
Southern zone Oct. 17 (noon)- Feb. 29, 2016
Squirrels (gray and fox)
Statewide Sept. 12 - Jan. 31, 2016
Hunting protected species, such as badger, woodchuck, jackrabbit, moose and flying squirrel is prohibited.
Check the small game hunting regulations for a complete set of rules.

Other game birds

2015 seasons
Pheasant Statewide Oct. 17 (noon) - Dec. 31
Bobwhite quail Statewide Oct. 17 (noon) - Dec. 9
Ruffed grouse
Zone A Sept. 12 - Jan. 31, 2016
Zone B Oct. 17 - Dec. 8
Sharp-tailed grouse Season is under review.
Hungarian partridge Statewide (closed in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties) Oct. 17 (noon) - Dec. 31
Crow
Statewide Jan. 24 - Mar. 20
Sept. 12 - Nov. 19
Check the regulations for a complete set of rules.

Furbearers

Application deadline for bobcat, fisher and otter permits is always August 1.

2015 seasons
Coyote
Hunting Continuous open season
Trapping See coyote trapping seasons.
Fox, red and gray
Hunting Oct. 17 - Feb. 15, 2016
Trapping See fox trapping seasons.
Beaver See beaver trapping seasons.
Mink See mink trapping seasons.
Muskrat See muskrat trapping seasons.
Bobcat
Hunting
Period 1 - Oct. 17 - Dec. 25
Period 2 - Dec. 26 - Jan. 31, 2016
Trapping See bobcat trapping seasons.
Fisher See fisher trapping seasons.
Otter See otter trapping seasons.
Raccoon
Resident Oct. 17 - Feb. 15, 2016
Non-resident Oct. 31 - Feb. 15, 2016
Trapping See raccoon trapping seasons.
Opossum, skunk, weasel and snowshoe hare No season limits, bag limits, size limits or possession limits, but a license is required.
Check the regulations for a complete set of rules.

 

WDNR