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.
Furbearer (Hunting) Season Dates and Bag Limits
| Species | Daily Bag | Area | Dates (except as noted) |
| Raccoons: Resident | Unlimited | Statewide | Oct. 17-Feb. 15, 2027 |
| Raccoons: Nonresidents | Unlimited | Statewide | Oct. 31-Feb. 15, 2027 |
| Fox: Red and Gray | Unlimited | Statewide | Oct. 17-Feb. 15, 2027 |
| Coyote | Unlimited | Statewide | Year-round open hunting season |
| Bobcat | 1 by permit | Northern Zone (North of State Hwy. 64) | Period 1: Oct. 17-Dec. 25 Period 2: Dec. 26- Jan. 31, 2027 |
| Bobcat | 1 by permit | Southern Zone (South of State Hwy. 64) | Period 1: Oct. 17-Dec. 25 Period 2: Dec. 26- Jan. 31, 2027 |
Furbearers Licensing Requirements
What You Need To Hunt Furbearers:
- Resident small game license or non-resident furbearer license.
- Bobcat harvest permit/carcass tag if hunting bobcat.
See the Landowner Exemptions webpage for details and exemptions for qualified individuals and landowners.
Furbearer Hunting 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.
Additional Furbearer Hunting Seasons And Regulations
Possession Limits: Unlimited for the species listed in the Furbearer Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits webpage, except that bobcat may be possessed only under the authority of a valid bobcat permit.
Possession And Sale: Lawfully harvested carcasses and pelts may be sold at any time.
Bobcat
- Immediately upon dispatching a bobcat, the pelt tag must be validated and attached. Validate the tag by slitting the month and date of kill on the tag. Attach the validated pelt tag to the carcass using wire or other similar attachment device and passing it through the animal’s mouth to eye opening, just beneath the skin.
- You must register your harvest with the DNR by 5 p.m. the day after recovery by visiting the website or by calling 844-GAME-REG (844-426-3734) AND you must present your bobcat to an authorized DNR representative for certification no later than seven days after the month of harvest. The bobcat pelt must be separated from the carcass at the time of certification.
- Persons who intend to have a bobcat mounted by a taxidermist may present the bobcat to the department for certification in whole carcass condition without separating the pelt, but shall surrender any part of the bobcat carcass required by the department within 30 days after certification. A bobcat must have a CITES tag sealed to the pelt prior to being transferred to a taxidermist.
- The certification seal must remain attached to the pelt until removed by a fur dresser or taxidermist at time of preparation.
- It is illegal to transfer, give, trade, sell or purchase any bobcat pelt unless it bears a DNR carcass tag and certification seal attached by an authorized DNR representative.
- The bobcat lower jaws from the second period will be retained by the DNR for research purposes. Lower jaws are used to determine age and sex ratios at harvest, which aid in establishing harvest quotas. See the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Trapping Regulations for more information.
- Hunters and trappers must submit a portion of a harvested bobcat’s lower jaw but may retain the top portion of the bobcat skull. Full skulls sent to the DNR will not be returned.
- Night hunting for bobcats is prohibited.
Bobcat Collection for the 2026-2027 Season
This year the department will only be collecting lower jaws of bobcats harvested during the second time period. No jaws or carcasses will be collected from bobcat harvested during the first time period.