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.

Section

Subsection

Health Advisories (Lead, PFAS And CWD)

Chronic Wasting Disease

Hunters Help Monitor CWD and Reduce Risk of Spread

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease which has been found in wild deer and captive deer/elk in Wisconsin. It is caused by a misfolded protein (prion) and is always fatal. It can be spread through direct animal to animal contact, or even through the environment contaminated with bodily fluids or infected tissue from decomposed carcass parts.

Hunters can help monitor CWD and reduce risk of spread by:

Continuing to hunt, especially in areas where CWD has been detected.
Properly disposing of their deer carcass waste.
Following baiting and feeding rules and choosing not to bait deer where it is allowed.
Having their deer tested for CWD in priority sampling areas.

To learn more, visit the DNR's CWD webpage.

Venison: What Hunters Should Know

Cooking does not deactivate CWD prions. CWD prions can be found in the muscle tissue in late-stage deer with the disease.

There have been no reported cases of CWD in people. As a precaution, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommends that venison from deer harvested in CWD affected areas not be consumed or distributed to others until test results show that CWD was not detected in the harvested animal.

For additional recommendations on the safe handling of venison, visit the DNR's Carcass Movement, Processing and Disposal webpage.

Use GoWild to Submit Your CWD Sampling Data Online

Save time by using the online CWD form. Find a link to the form in your registration confirmation email or in your Go Wild harvest history when submitting your sample at a CWD sampling location. Submitting your deer for CWD sampling does not fulfill the registration requirements. Register first, then submit for sampling.

Looking For Carcass Disposal or CWD Sampling Locations?

Visit the DNR's Sampling for CWD webpage to find a map of these resources. Some locations will have both sampling and disposal available.

Check Your Deer's CWD Test Results

Check your deer’s CWD test results online! Log into your Go Wild account and navigate to your harvest history, or visit the DNR's CWD Test Results webpage.

Consumption Advisory for Deer Harvested Within a 5-Mile Radius of the Town of Stella in Oneida County

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued a PFAS-based consumption advisory for deer harvested in this area: do not consume more than one meal per month of muscle tissue (venison) and do not eat liver.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways. These chemicals are known to accumulate in the human body, posing several risks to human health including certain cancers, liver damage and decreased fertility.

Potential Lead in Venison

Lead is toxic to humans, even in very low amounts. Children under 6 years old and pregnant women face the highest risk of health problems if exposed. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommends using caution when consuming venison harvested with lead ammunition. For more information, visit the DNR's Safely Eating Venison webpage.

Health Advisories (PFAS PCBs)

Other Important Information

Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS): To prevent the spread of VHS, a viral disease that affects fish, water must be drained from all boats, boat trailers and equipment immediately after exiting the water and before leaving the bank or shore of all waters statewide.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): The virus was detected in many species of waterfowl this year. HPAI does not pose a food safety risk. However, recommendation for hunters in light of the presence of this virus are available on the DNR's Waterfowl Hunting webpage.

Bird Bands: If you obtain a bird band, visit the USGS' Banded Bird Encounter Reporting webpage to report the date and location of recovery and to receive information on your banded bird.

Importation: For information regarding the importation of migratory game birds killed in another country, hunters should consult 50 CFR 20.61 § 20.66. A copy can be obtained from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service by contacting 5600 American Blvd. West, Suite 990, Bloomington, MN 55437-1458, call 612-713-5320 or visit fws.gov.

Health Advisories

Contaminants such as PCBs and mercury build up in the body over time. Health problems linked to PCBs and mercury range from effects like poor balance or problems with memory, to a slight increase in your risk of a more serious disease like diabetes or cancer. Health professionals recommend limiting your exposure to PCBs and mercury in your diet as much as possible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration standard for PCBs in poultry is 3 parts per million calculated on a fat basis.

PFAS are a group of human-made chemicals used for decades in numerous products. These contaminants have made their way into the environment in a variety of ways. These chemicals are known to accumulate in the human body, posing several risks to human health, including certain cancers, liver damage and decreased fertility.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has issued the following health advice to protect you from exposure to PFAS, PCBs and mercury in waterfowl taken in the following areas:

Lower Green Bay from Longtail Point across to Point au Sable and south to the mouth of the Fox River	Mallards: Do Not Eat
Green Bay from the city of Marinette across to Sturgeon Bay and south to Longtail Point	Mallards: 1 meal per month Wood ducks: 1 meal per week
Lower Fox River from Lake Winnebago at Neenah and Menasha downstream, including Little Lake Butte des Morts, to the northeast city limits of Kaukauna	Remove all skin and visible fat prior to cooking dabbling ducks using these waters.
Lower Fox River from the De Pere Dam to the river’s mouth at Green Bay and lower Green Bay south of a line from Point Sauble west to the west shore of Green Bay	Consumption of dabbling ducks should be limited to 1 meal/week for children and women of child-bearing years.
Sheboygan River from Sheboygan Falls downstream to the river’s mouth at Lake Michigan	Remove all skin and visible fat prior to cooking Canada geese using the Sheboygan River.
Sheboygan Harbor	No one should eat lesser scaup (bluebills) using this water.
Milwaukee River from Highway 167 (Thiensville) upstream to Lime Kiln Dam at Grafton and Cedar Creek from the Milwaukee River up to Bridge Road in the Village of Cedarburg	No one should eat mallard ducks using this water.
Milwaukee Harbor	No one should eat black ducks, mallards, ruddy ducks or any diving ducks using this water.
Waters in the City of Cedarburg	No one should eat Canada geese using these waters.
Whitewater Lake and Rice Lake, Walworth County	Consumption of Canada geese should be limited to one meal per month.