Wisconsin Hunting Regulations, Fall 2026-Spring 2027
The Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations are now available for hunters to look through. In addition to this web version of the regulations, a print copy is available at most license agent locations. Both versions contain the same information.
To use the online regulations, you must first choose a Section or click the "View All Regulations" button to see everything. You may then choose a Subsection to narrow your search and then press the View Regulation button to display the regulatory information you selected. If you'd like to see all info related to a section, select the first option ("-") to see everything under that section. You may also press Reset for a brand new search.
Please be aware that hunters are responsible for reading and following all the hunting regulations. Regulations that apply to all species are found within the "General Hunting" and "Licensing Requirements" sections, meanwhile species-specific regulations are found in the respective species sections.
Pheasant
*Be aware that the general hunting regulations also apply, in addition to the species-specific regulations below. Read the info in the General and Licensing Requirements section in the Wisconsin Hunting Regulations.
General Pheasant Regulations
- During transportation from the field, the head or one fully feathered wing must remain attached to any pheasant carcass that was dressed in the field.
- Shooting hours begin at 9 a.m. on the first day of pheasant season. Visit the DNR's Calculating Shooting Hours webpage to find the shooting hours for the other days in the season.
Pheasant Hunting Noon Closure Areas
Shooting hours deviate from standard times within the boundaries of the properties below. Pheasant hours for these properties close at noon on weekdays from October–Nov. 3. For more information, visit the DNR's Pheasant Hunting webpage.
- Allenton Wildlife Area (Washington County)
- Brooklyn Wildlife Area. (Dane, Green)
- C.D. “Buzz” Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area (Kewaunee)
- Dunnville Wildlife Area (Dunn)
- Eldorado Marsh Wildlife Area (Fond Du Lac)
- Goose Lake Wildlife Area (Dane)
- Grand River Wildlife Area (Green Lake, Marquette)
- Holland Wildlife Area (Brown)
- Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area (Dodge)
- Jackson Marsh Wildlife Area (Washington)
- Killsnake Wildlife Area (Calumet and Manitowoc)
- Mazomanie Unit, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway (Dane)
- Mud Lake Wildlife Area (Dodge)
- Mud Lake Wildlife Area (Columbia)
- New Munster Wildlife Area (Kenosha)
- Nichols Creek Wildlife Area (Sheboygan)
- Pine Island Wildlife Area (Columbia, Sauk)
- Theresa Wildlife Area (Dodge and Washington)
- Tichigan Wildlife Area (Racine)
- Vernon Wildlife Area (Waukesha)
- White River Wildlife Area (Green Lake, Marquette)
Note: After Oct. 18, daily shooting hours close at 2 p.m. for all species at Richard Bong State Recreation Area, except that normal shooting hours apply while hunting waterfowl south of State Hwy. 142 or while archery deer hunting.
Hen and Rooster Hunting Area Regulation (Applicable on Hen and Rooster Areas Only)
The daily bag limit on hen and rooster hunting areas is one pheasant daily on the first Saturday and Sunday of the season, and two pheasants daily from the first Monday through the remainder of the season. Possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.
For more information, visit the DNR's Pheasant Hunting webpage.
The following properties are hen and rooster hunting areas:
- Avoca Unit, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway (Iowa County)
- Boscobel Unit, Lower Wisconsin State Riverway (Grant)
- C.D. “Buzz” Besadny Fish and Wildlife Area (Kewaunee)
- Tom Lawin Wildlife Area (Chippewa County)
- Vernon Wildlife Area (Waukesha)
- Southern Unit/Scuppernong, Kettle Moraine State Forest (Waukesha)
- Kickapoo Valley Reserve (Vernon)
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area (visit the Richard Bong State Recreation Area webpage for more information)
- Sand Creek Fishery Area (Monroe)
Ruffed Grouse
Ruffed Grouse Management Zones
Small Game Season Dates and Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Bag | Area | Dates (except as noted) |
| Squirrels: gray and fox | 5 | Statewide | Sept. 12- Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Snowshoe hare | Unlimited | Statewide | Year-round open season |
| Cottontail rabbit | 3 | Northern Zone (North of U.S. Hwy. 10 to Waupaca and north of State Hwy. 54 to Algoma) | Sept. 12-Feb. 28, 2027 |
| Cottontail rabbit | 3 | South Zone (South of U.S. Hwy. 10 to Waupaca and south of State Hwy. 54 to Algoma) | Oct. 17 (9 a.m.)-Feb. 28, 2027 |
Licensing Requirements
Licenses/Stamps/Permits
What You Need to Hunt Small Game:
A small game hunting license is required. See the Landowner Exceptions webpage for details and exceptions for qualified individuals and landowners.
Small Game Regulations
*Be aware that the general hunting regulations also apply, in addition to the species-specific regulations below. Read the info in the General and Licensing Requirements section in the Wisconsin Hunting Regulations.
Small Game
- Possession limits: Three times the daily bag limit.
- Possession and sale: The tails, skins and skulls of lawfully taken squirrels may be bought and sold if severed from the rest of the carcass. Carcasses and skins of rabbits and hares can be sold but only during their open season.
It is illegal to bait any small game (including coyote and bobcat) for the purpose of hunting.
Highly Visible Clothing Requirement
Hunters of unprotected species are exempt from the blaze clothing requirement if hunting 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise.