As we know about that Wisconsin and it’s diverse cultural festival, landscape and their thriving wildlife standards it shows as a heaven for hunters who seeking adventures. As the season change, so do the opportunities for hunters who engage with nature and provide contribution to the states conservative efforts. The states hunting season is deeply ingrained in its cultural fabric, offering a unique experience for outdoor enthusiastic.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently released the hunting regulations for the 2023-2024 hunting season. This post will provide an overview of when each major hunting season runs in Wisconsin, including seasons for deer, waterfowl, bear, small game and other species.
Table of Contents
Deer Hunting Seasons
The nine-day gun deer season each November allows hunters to pursue whitetail bucks with high-powered firearms. Dense woods and farmlands across the state see significant deer movement as rutting season peaks. Harvesting a mature buck is a rite of passage for many Wisconsin hunters during this high-pressure period.
Archers have the luxury of a much longer pursuit of deer from September into the new year. Patience, camouflage and expertise with a compound bow or recurve are tested. Hitting an vital organ on a deer amid thick foliage takes immense skill. But those who master bow hunting are often rewarded with solo encounters of bucks in their natural woodland domain without competition from gunshots.
One of the most popular hunting seasons in Wisconsin is deer hunting. The DNR sets specific seasons depending on firearms, archery or muzzle-loaders.
Gun Deer Season
Gun deer season, also referred to as nine-day gun deer season, runs from November 18-26, 2023. Gun deer hunting is only permitted during these nine consecutive days within the statewide season.
Archery Deer Season
Archery deer hunting runs earlier in the fall, from September 16, 2023 through January 8, 2024. Archers can hunt deer during this extended season frame.
Muzzle-loader Season
The muzzleloader season provides a transitional period using authentic blackpowder rifles and pistols as temperatures start dipping. Tracking blood trails of wounded deer through snowy trails poses a unique challenge compared to other seasons. Those willing to brave the cold with an antique weapon may find bachelor groups of bucks before winter.
The muzzle-loader deer hunting season runs from November 27 through December 3, 2023. Only muzzle-loading firearms may be used to hunt deer during this period.
Late-Winter Antlerless & Holiday Hunt
There is an additional late-winter antlerless-only deer hunt from January 13-15, 2024 as well as a holiday hunt running December 23, 2023 through January 1, 2024 where either-sex deer may be taken.
The late antlerless season enables reducing browsing pressures on regenerating forest vegetation that deer feast upon. Since antlered bucks are off-limits, doe harvesting aids sustaining the urban-rural deer population balance desired. The holiday season that permits either sex deer serves as a bonus for redeeming unused tags or participating in traditional meals among family and friends.
More season dates and regulations can be found on the Wisconsin DNR website.
Waterfowl Hunting Seasons
Waterfowl hunting is another popular autumn activity in Wisconsin. The DNR sets waterfowl seasons as follows:
Duck Season
The duck hunting season starts in the north zone on October 7, 2023 and runs through December 3, 2023. The south zone duck season begins on October 14, 2023 and continues through December 10, 2023. Duck hunting is intensely popular among Wisconsin sportsmen, with mallards, wood ducks and teal being prime targets. The northern zone accommodates migrating waterfowl arriving earlier by cool lakes and rivers. Wetland-rich regions like the Horicon Marsh see avid daily movements of waterfowls pursuing their Daily bag limit.
Goose Season
The goose hunting seasons vary by zone and species. The regular Canada goose season runs from October 7 through December 3, 2023 in the north zone and October 14 through December 10, 2023 in the south zone.
The Brant and light goose seasons begin on October 7, 2023 and run through December 31, 2023 statewide.
Canada goose season allows harvesting a plentiful resident population that grazes crops. But extended opportunities exist for light geese and brant migrating in longer windows.Snow geese can be hunted into late winter across the state when congregating in huge numbers.Non-toxic shot regulations protect other wildlife and the environment.
More regulations around bag and possession limits can be found on the DNR website.
Furbearer & Small Game Seasons
In addition to popular big game seasons, Wisconsin also has seasons for hunting fur-bearing mammals and small game:
Bear Season
The Wisconsin black bear hunting season spans from August 28 through November 15, 2023 with a both-methods zone running until November 25, 2023.
Furbearers
Trapping seasons for fur bearing mammals like fox, coyote, raccoon and bobcat run from late October/early November through the end of January or February 2024 depending on the species.
Small Game
Small game seasons include rabbits (snowshoe hare) from October 14, 2023 to February 15, 2024, pheasant from October 14, 2023 to January 8, 2024, ruffed grouse from October 14, 2023 to January 8, 2024 and more.
Conclusion
In summary, the Wisconsin DNR has established comprehensive hunting seasons spanning late summer through winter for popular game such as deer, waterfowl, bear and small game. Be sure to check the DNR website or purchasing a hunting and trapping regulation handbook for specific details on dates, limits, licenses and rules for the 2023-2024 seasons. Proper planning will help ensure safe and enjoyable hunting adventures.
All hunting season dates and regulations mentioned were gathered from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources website. Their site provides the most up to date information for planning hunts in Wisconsin each year. With many exciting seasons to look forward to, get ready for hunting in the Badger State!
As the final leaves fall and winter’s chill sets in, Wisconsin’s hunting season leaves more than footprints in the snow; it leaves an enduring mark on the cultural fabric of the state. It is a celebration of tradition, a commitment to conservation, and a testament to the profound connection between humans and the wild. As hunters gear up for the next season, the echoes of rifle shots and the rustle of leaves will continue to resonate, weaving the ongoing saga of Wisconsin’s hunting heritage.