Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations

2026 Deer Hunting Seasons

*Archery/crossbow season closes on Jan. 31, 2027, in metro sub-units and in DMUs with extended archery/crossbow season. See the Deer Season Structure map for participating counties.

**See the Deer Season Structure Map.

Bag Limits

Unless otherwise specified under “Special Instructions" (above), the bag limit for all seasons is one buck deer per unused buck deer harvest authorization valid statewide and one antlerless deer per unused antlerless deer harvest authorization valid for use in the specified zone, deer management unit (DMU) and land type (public access or private). Bow buck deer harvest authorizations are weapon-specific. For example, you may not use a rifle to fill your bow buck harvest authorization, even during the firearm gun deer season. Junior antlerless deer harvest authorizations are valid statewide.

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.

Deer Management Units and Season Structure

2026 Farmland Zone Antlerless Harvest Authorizations Per License

Participating Counties For The Holiday Hunt and Extended Archery Seasons

Register That Deer- It's Required!

Register your deer through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. All registration is electronic.

• Register online: (fastest and easiest method): gamereg.wi.gov.
• Register by phone: 1-844-426-3734 (1-844-GAMEREG) (available 24 hours). When prompted, use the numbers on your phone keypad to spell the first three letters of the county. For example, for Adams County, enter A-D-A by pressing “232.”
• Register in person: Find a station that offers a phone or computer for registration at dnr.wi.gov and search “registration stations.”

Have your deer harvest authorization number available to enter at the start of the registration process.

You will receive a 10-character confirmation number for your records once your deer has been successfully registered. For white-tailed deer, all confirmation numbers begin with “W” and are issued in the format W12-345-6789.

To learn more about GameReg, visit the GameReg - Electronic Game Registration webpage. 

Deer Carcass Transportation Regulations

Movement of a CWD-positive carcass can be a risk for the introduction and spread of CWD if not disposed of properly. The safest option for disposal is to ensure the waste ends up in a landfill. During the hunting season, deer carcass waste disposal dumpsters are available statewide. Visit the DNR's Carcass Movement, Processing and Disposal webpage for the most current carcass transportation restrictions.

Many states and provinces restrict the importation of cervid carcasses. Hunters should check the regulations of their home state or province, of the state or province in which they will be hunting and of the states or provinces through which they will be traveling. For more information, visit the CWD Alliance website.

Quartering Your Deer

Hunters may divide a deer to facilitate removal of the carcass from the field. Only one deer that has been quartered may be stored or transported at a time prior to registration, but quartered deer can be transported with other intact deer. Non-edible parts of the deer may be left in the field after quartering.