Wisconsin’s nine-day gun deer season is set for November 22–30, 2025. Wisconsin DNR+2Wisconsin DNR+2
This season remains a hallmark of Wisconsin’s outdoor traditions and wildlife management efforts.
Licenses, season structure & changes
- The statewide gun deer season opens Saturday, November 22 and closes Sunday, November 30.
- Hunters using archery or cross-bow still have the season starting September 13 and running into early January 2026.
- A youth deer hunt is scheduled for October 11–12, 2025.
- The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) notes that several Deer Management Units (DMUs) have changed for 2025, particularly in northern forest zones where habitat-based units now replace county-based units.
Safety remains the top priority
Each year the DNR reminds hunters that the most important goal is for everyone to return home safely. Wisconsin’s firearm deer season has become much safer over the decades thanks to hunter education, improved equipment, and required high-visibility clothing.
During any open statewide firearm deer season, hunters must wear at least 50 percent blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, and any hats or hoods must also be at least 50 percent blaze orange or fluorescent pink. These rules apply to most gun hunting situations and are strongly recommended for anyone sharing the woods with hunters.
The DNR continues to promote the four basic rules of firearm safety:
- Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
- Never point a firearm at anything you do not intend to shoot.
- Be sure of your target and what is beyond it.
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
Deer season and the Wisconsin way of life
Deer season is a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s outdoor culture and a key part of the state’s broader tourism picture. In recent years, tourism as a whole has generated more than $25 billion in economic impact annually for Wisconsin, with outdoor recreation and hunting playing a significant role in that record-breaking growth. industry.travelwisconsin.com+1
From small-town diners serving pre-dawn breakfasts to local sporting goods stores, motels, and gas stations, communities across the state feel the boost as hunters gear up for opening morning.
What hunters should do now
- Check the 2025 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons brochure and verify all regulations for your county and DMU.
- Confirm licence and tag requirements through the DNR’s Go Wild portal.
- Verify permission for private lands and review public land access rules in advance.
- Inspect your equipment, sight in your firearm, test your tree stand, and refresh your safety knowledge.
- Consider mentoring a new hunter—keeping the tradition strong benefits local communities and wildlife management alike.
Planning for 2026
Although 2026 may feel a long way off, many hunters plan their vacation days, cabin rentals, and family traditions months in advance. As the season approaches, the DNR will release the official 2026 deer regulations, including final season dates, county-by-county antlerless quotas, deer management unit maps, CWD testing locations, and any updates to safety or equipment rules.
Hunters are encouraged to:
- Watch for the annual Wisconsin deer hunting regulations booklet and DNR news releases.
- Check for local ordinances and private-land permission well before opening day.
- Sight in firearms, inspect tree stands, and review safe hunting practices.
- Consider mentoring a new hunter to help keep the tradition strong.