Wisconsin Hunting Regulations, Fall 2026-Spring 2027

What You Need To Hunt Deer

• Gun deer license, to harvest deer with a firearm or airgun; or
• Archery license, to harvest deer with a bow and arrow; or
• Crossbow license, to harvest deer with a crossbow and arrow; and
• A valid, unfilled harvest authorization.

Note: The purchase of upgrade is required with either an archery or crossbow license in order to use both weapon types.

Harvest Authorizations

Harvest authorizations are issued with each deer hunting license. The number and types of harvest authorizations issued with a deer hunting license may vary based on where in the state you are hunting. Some harvest authorizations are valid only during certain open seasons or when hunting in certain locations. Each harvest authorization allows the harvest of a single deer of the type specified. The following information outlines the types of harvest authorizations and weapon you may use to fill them, along with where and when they are valid.

Buck Harvest Authorizations

Gun Buck Deer Harvest Authorization

• Issued with a gun deer license and valid in any DMU statewide.
• Authorizes the harvest of one buck deer with any legal weapon type.
• Valid during any firearm deer season except in any DMU where an antlerless-only hunt is taking place. (Visit the Armed Forces Privileges webpage for military exceptions and the Special Hunts webpage for disabled hunters).

Bow Buck Deer Harvest Authorization

• Issued with an archery or crossbow license and valid in any DMU statewide.
• Authorizes the harvest of one buck deer by bow or crossbow depending on the license purchased.
• Valid during an open archery or crossbow season, except in any DMU where an antlerless-only hunt is taking place.

Antlerless Harvest Authorizations

Junior Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorization

• Issued to hunters ages 17 and younger with each gun or archery license.
• Valid for taking one antlerless deer in any DMU statewide.
• May be used during any open deer season with the weapon authorized by that license.
• May be filled ONLY by the authorization holder.

Farmland Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorization

• One or more may be included with the purchase of an archery/crossbow and/or gun deer license depending on your selected DMU.
• Authorizes the harvest of one antlerless deer per authorization.
• Specific to the DMU and land type (public-access or private land) specified by the hunter at the time of purchase. (Visit the Armed Forces Privileges webpage for military exceptions and the Special Hunts webpage for disabled hunters).
• May be filled with any weapon during any season with the correct license for the method of harvest and season.

Bonus Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorizations

• Sold on a first-come, first-served basis with a purchase limit of one per person per day.
• Authorizes the harvest of one antlerless deer per authorization.
• Valid only in the zone, DMU and land type (public-access or private) specified on the authorization.
• May be filled with any weapon during any season with the correct license for the method of harvest and season.

Metro Sub-Unit Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorizations

• Available in select metro sub-units. Issued upon request at no cost with the purchase of an archery/crossbow or gun deer license.
• Bonus authorizations may also be available for purchase in select metro sub-units and land types.
• Only valid within the metro sub-unit boundaries, within the DMU selected and on the land type (public-access or private) specified on the harvest authorization.
• For detailed maps, visit the Deer Hunting webpage and click the “DMUs” tab.

Replacement Authorizations for CWD-Positive Deer

Any hunter who harvests a deer that tests positive for CWD during a regular season will be issued a replacement deer harvest authorization through the hunter’s Go Wild account. The harvest authorization will be valid for the remainder of the current hunting season as well as the following hunting season. If the harvest was an antlered deer, a statewide buck harvest authorization will be issued. If the harvest was an antlerless deer, an either-sex authorization valid in the same unit and land type will be issued.

Licenses/Stamps/Harvest Authorizations

What You Need To Hunt Turkey:

• Spring turkey hunting license, if hunting in spring.
• Fall turkey license, if hunting in fall.
• Wild turkey stamp (valid for spring and fall).
• An unfilled turkey harvest authorization valid for the season, period and zone you are hunting.

Note: A person is considered to be hunting turkey if they possess a firearm, airgun, crossbow or bow and arrow and turkey decoys or a turkey call during an open turkey season.

What You Need To Hunt Bear:

• A Class A bear license (See the Forms of Proof webpage for more information).
• A paper carcass tag.
• No license is required for a person to bait bear for hunting or training purposes, to train a dog to track or trail bear or to assist a licensed bear hunter in hunting bear by tracking or trailing bear.

Licenses, Stamps And Permits

To Lawfully Hunt Migratory Game Birds, You Must Obtain And Carry With You:

• A small game license
• A Wisconsin Waterfowl stamp if hunting waterfowl
• A Federal Migratory Bird Stamp if hunting waterfowl. Either a physical or digital stamp is acceptable

Note: Neither the state nor federal stamps are required if under the age of 16 or hunting coot, common gallinule, rails, mourning dove or woodcock.
A Canada Goose Permit, if hunting Canada geese in either the early or regular Canada goose season.
All required license stamps and permits may be purchased through Go Wild. See the Forms of Proof webpage for more information. 

Licenses/Stamps/Permits

What You Need To Hunt Upland Game Birds:

• Small game license
• Pheasant stamp if hunting pheasant
• Sharp-tailed grouse permit if hunting sharp-tailed grouse