September 14, 2026
There is something about September in Price County that tells you hunting season has arrived.
Cooler mornings settle over the Northwoods, leaves begin their slow change to fall color, and trucks start appearing along forest roads before sunrise. Hunting camps are coming back to life, bows are being pulled out of storage and bird dogs are ready to get back into the woods.
For hunters, this is one of the best times of the year to be in Price County.
Several of Wisconsin’s major fall hunting seasons opened Saturday, September 12, including archery and crossbow deer, ruffed grouse in Zone A, fall turkey, gray and fox squirrel, and cottontail rabbit in the Northern Zone. And that’s only the beginning, with more hunting opportunities opening throughout September.
Whether you’re heading to a familiar hunting camp, introducing someone to the outdoors for the first time or looking for a new piece of public land to explore, there’s plenty happening in the woods this fall.
Archery & Crossbow Deer Season is Underway
Wisconsin’s 2026 archery and crossbow deer season opened September 12 and runs through January 3, 2027, with extended seasons continuing later in certain areas of the state.
For many hunters, September means getting into the woods long before Wisconsin’s traditional nine-day gun deer season arrives November 21.
Wisconsin continues to be known for its white-tailed deer hunting, and the DNR provides current season dates, regulations, harvest information and other resources online.
Wisconsin DNR Deer Hunting Information
Grouse Season Returns to the Northwoods
If walking a quiet forest trail behind a bird dog sounds more appealing than sitting in a tree stand, September also marks the return of ruffed grouse season.
Price County is in Ruffed Grouse Zone A, where the 2026 season runs from September 12 through January 3, 2027.
The mix of young forest, timberland and miles of backroads found throughout northern Wisconsin makes grouse hunting another great way to spend a fall day in the woods.
And grouse hunters won’t be alone for long. Woodcock season opens September 19 and runs through November 2, giving upland hunters another reason to explore the Northwoods this fall.
Wisconsin DNR Small Game Hunting Information
Fall Turkey, Rabbit & Squirrel
Big game may get much of the attention, but there are plenty of other opportunities to hunt Price County this fall.
Wisconsin’s fall turkey season opened September 12 and continues through January 3, 2027. Gray and fox squirrel season is also underway, running through February 28, 2027, along with Northern Zone cottontail rabbit season.
These seasons can be a great reason to explore new areas of the county and can also provide an opportunity to introduce younger or newer hunters to Wisconsin’s hunting traditions.
Waterfowl Season is Coming Up
September hunting opportunities continue to grow as the month goes on.
The regular Northern Goose Zone opens September 16, followed by Youth Waterfowl Weekend September 19–20 and the Northern Duck Zone opener on September 26.
Hunters planning a waterfowl trip should check current DNR regulations, shooting hours, zones and bag limits before heading out.
Wisconsin DNR 2026 Hunting Season Dates
Find Public Hunting Land in Price County
One of the great things about hunting in Price County is the opportunity to explore public land.
The Price County Forest is open for regulated hunting, with the exception of developed high-use areas such as county parks and campgrounds. County rules also apply to hunting stands, elevated stands and other activities on county forest property.
Even better, Price County provides hunters with online maps specifically designed to help find their way around the County Forest.
The county’s Hunting on Price County Forest Land page includes Price County Forest hunting maps, a Forest Road Use Map and information about county rules for tree stands, elevated devices and ground blinds.
Price County Forest Hunting Maps & Information
Hunters using the County Forest should also pay attention to road access. The Price County Forest Road Use Map identifies county forest land, state land, U.S. Forest Service land, non-motorized areas and which woods roads are open to different types of motorized vehicles.
Price County Forest Road Use Map
The Wisconsin DNR also maintains its own statewide Public Access Lands resources for hunters looking for additional places to explore. The DNR specifically recommends using these resources when planning a hunt on public property.
Know Before You Go
Before heading into the woods, take a few minutes to check the regulations for the species you’re pursuing.
The Wisconsin DNR has released its Fall 2026–Spring 2027 Hunting Regulations, including a new online version that allows hunters to filter information and more quickly find regulations for individual species. Printed regulations are also available.
2026–2027 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations
Hunters should verify season dates, shooting hours, licensing requirements, harvest authorizations, registration requirements and any rules that apply to the particular property they’re hunting.
And, of course, keep safety at the center of every trip. Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, always point the muzzle in a safe direction, be certain of your target and what lies beyond it, and keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you’re ready to shoot.
Make a Weekend of It in Price County
A hunting trip doesn’t have to end when you walk out of the woods.
Grab breakfast before sunrise, stop for dinner after a day in the woods, pick up supplies from a local business or turn an early morning hunt into an entire weekend in the Northwoods.
From Phillips and Park Falls to Prentice, Ogema, Fifield and the small communities in between, fall is a great time to explore Price County.
The temperatures are getting cooler. The leaves are changing. Hunting seasons are opening.
It’s time to get back into the woods.
And whether you come home with a trophy buck, a limit of birds, a story about the one that got away or somehow manage to catch the biggest fish while you’re here, we’d love to see what you find in Price County.
Enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy the Northwoods. Enjoy Price County.