Possession and Transportation of Firearms and Airguns

How do the laws with possession and transportation of firearms and airguns, including concealed carry weapons (CCW), affect me as a hunter, trapper, recreational vehicle operator or user of DNR lands?

Transportation of firearms and airguns

Is it true that firearms and airguns do not have to be unloaded or enclosed in a case when in or on a vehicle?

Historically, Wisconsin laws required all firearms to be unloaded and completely enclosed in a case when in or on a vehicle. Legislation enacted in 2011 relaxed these requirements. It is now legal to place, possess or transport uncased handguns, airguns and long guns, such as rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders. in or on a vehicle (including a snowmobile UTV or ATV) or a motorboat. It is illegal to possess or transport any "concealed" long gun within reach of any person in the vehicle. Unless the handgun is in possession of a person with a CCW license, it is illegal to possess or transport a concealed handgun within the reach of any person in the vehicle.

There are some differences between handguns, long guns and airguns in regards to being unloaded. Handguns and airguns may be loaded and placed, possessed or transported loaded in or on a vehicle or motorboat. While they do not have to be in a case, long guns must be unloaded when placed, possessed or transported in a vehicle.

A loaded long gun can only be placed or possessed on the top or exterior of a stationary vehicle. Additionally, it is important to be aware that unlike handguns, it is illegal to actually load any long gun (rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders) while the firearm or person loading it is still inside the vehicle. All long guns must be outside a motorized vehicle before a person may load the firearm. Once loaded, a long gun can be set down on or against the exterior of a stationary vehicle but must be unloaded before the firearm is placed inside or is transported in or on the vehicle. Long guns must also be unloaded before they may be placed, possessed or transported in a motorboat with the motor running.

Shining deer or other wildlife

If I have a concealed carry license, or I am a qualified law enforcement officer or qualified former law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a concealed handgun under the federal law known as HR 218, can I now possess this handgun while shining deer or other wild animals for viewing purposes?: No, unless you are a qualified law enforcement officer or qualified former law enforcement officer carrying a handgun pursuant to federal law known as HR 218. The laws for carrying concealed weapons, as well as the transportation of handguns, did not make any changes to the shining restrictions. It is illegal to shine for wild animals while in possession of any bow, crossbow or firearm, even if the firearm is a handgun possessed by a person who has a CCW license. While shining wild animals, it is illegal for a qualified current or former law enforcement officer to possess any firearm other than a handgun of the type with which they qualified and is listed on their certification card. It also continues to be illegal for any person to shine wild animals between the hours of 10p.m. and the following 7a.m. from September 15 through December 31, even if a person does not possess any firearm, bow or crossbow. Additional local county restrictions may also apply.

Possession of firearms and airguns in state wildlife refuge areas and state fish hatcheries

If I have a CCW license, or I am a qualified former law enforcement officer, can I now carry a loaded and uncased firearm in a wildlife refuge or state fish hatchery where firearms and airguns are normally required to be unloaded and encased?: Wisconsin law requires firearms and airguns to be unloaded and encased when in a state wildlife refuge or state fish hatchery. However, a person with a CCW license is allowed to possess a handgun which is loaded and uncased (concealed or unconcealed) in a wildlife refuge or state fish hatchery. A qualified former law enforcement officer may possess the type of handgun with which they qualified and is indicated on their certification card, loaded and uncased (concealed or unconcealed) in a wildlife refuge or state fish hatchery. However, these exemptions do not allow such persons to hunt or discharge their firearm in the refuge or hatchery, nor do these exemptions allow a person to bring a firearm inside state owned buildings on these properties which are posted with signs that provide notice that firearms are not allowed in the building.

Possession of firearms and airguns in state parks

If I have a CCW license, or I am a qualified former law enforcement officer, can I carry a loaded and uncased firearm in a Wisconsin state park?: A person with a CCW license is allowed to possess a handgun which is loaded and uncased (concealed or unconcealed), and a qualified former law enforcement officer may possess the type of firearm with which they qualified and is indicated on their certification card, loaded and uncased (concealed or unconcealed) in a Wisconsin state park. However, this exemption does not allow such person to hunt or discharge their firearm in the state park, nor does it allow a person to bring the firearm inside state owned buildings on these properties which are posted with signs that provide notice that firearms are not allowed in the building.

Age for possessing or hunting with a handgun

At what age may a person go armed with a handgun, hunt with a handgun and what species may be hunted with a handgun?: A person must still be at least age 21 to purchase a handgun from a firearms dealer, and age 18 to possess or hunt with a handgun. It is a violation of federal law to hunt any migratory game bird (ducks, geese, coots, etc.) with a handgun. All other wildlife species may be hunted with handguns that are of inherent design or used in such a manner as to be reasonably capable of reducing the target wild animal to possession.

Carrying a concealed firearm while hunting

If I am at least 18 years old and can legally hunt with a handgun, can I also carry that handgun concealed under my jacket or in a backpack while I am hunting?: A person who is at least age 21 and who holds a CCW license, is also able to possess a concealed handgun while hunting. In addition, a person who owns, leases or is the legal occupant of land and who is at least age 18, is allowed to possess a concealed handgun while hunting on those lands without the need for a CCW license. It continues to be illegal to possess a concealed long gun.

Possession of firearms and airguns on DNR lands in certain counties, state forests and recreational areas

What are the restrictions on possessing a loaded or uncased firearm or airgun on DNR owned lands in those counties or DNR properties where it is illegal to possess a loaded, uncased firearm or airgun when not engaged in lawful hunting, at a designated range or engaged in a permitted dog trial or training?

There are no regulations requiring firearms or airguns to be enclosed in a case on any DNR lands other than state wildlife refuges and state fish hatcheries as noted above. It is illegal to discharge a firearm or airgun in state parks, state recreation areas, state natural areas or state trails established on railroad grades unless engaged in lawful hunting or at a designated range or engaged in a dog trial or training activity under a permit. Individuals with a CCW license and qualified former law enforcement officers possessing proper ID and their firearm certificate can possess loaded (concealed or unconcealed) handguns.

On other DNR lands, such as normal public hunting grounds, which are located in Brown, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du lac, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties or on state forest lands in the Kettle Moraine or Point Beach state forests or state recreational areas, it is generally illegal to discharge a firearm or airgun unless engaged in lawful hunting or at a designated range or engaged in a dog trial or training activity under a permit.

How do I obtain a duplicate hunter education certificate?

Should your Wisconsin safety education certificate become lost or destroyed, you may obtain another copy in one of three ways:

Print yourself from your Go Wild account online at GoWild.WI.Gov. Once logged into your account and at your homepage, click on "Manage Safety Education" in the Safety Education section, and then click the "Reprint Certificates" button to print for free;
Visit a DNR Service Center; or
Call the DNR Call Center at 1-888-936-7463 for assistance.

What if I took hunter education in another state or country?

The law which establishes that certification under the Wisconsin hunter education program is one of the acceptable types of training required to obtain a CCW license also states that a substantially similar program that is established by another state, country or province and that is recognized by the Wisconsin DNR would also qualify. The DNR currently recognizes the hunter education programs established by all other states, and some countries and provinces. If you completed a hunter education program in another state, country or province, and need to get a duplicate copy of your certification, you must contact that state, country or province.

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