Fall Hunting Forecasts

Bear Fall Forecast

Wisconsin is home to one of the largest populations of black bears in the country, currently estimated to be around 24,000 strong and sharing the land with people across two-thirds of the state. Wisconsin’s bear population also continues to expand southward, with bear sightings becoming more frequent across southern Wisconsin. Careful and regulated public harvest of bears is the primary tool used to help keep bear numbers in balance with available habitat across the state. More focused strategies are used to address local issues, such as nuisance complaints and agricultural damage. This science-based management program has allowed Wisconsin’s bear population to thrive, provides quality bear hunting opportunities and helps address conflicts between humans and bears.

Bear hunting provides a unique and exciting outdoor experience with family and friends. Hunting also plays a critical role in black bear research. The samples hunters provide from each harvested bear provide critical data used to monitor and ensure the health of Wisconsin’s bear population into the future. Anyone wishing to hunt bear must apply for one of a limited number of bear licenses distributed each year through a lottery system.  

Interest in bear hunting continues to increase both here in Wisconsin and across much of North America. This year, over 34,000 people applied for one of the 15,245 bear licenses available. Nearly 106,000 more people opted to purchase a preference point to improve their chances to draw a license in a future lottery. With over 140,000 people applying for a license or purchasing a preference point this year, demand for licenses remains strong, resulting in hunters in Zones A and B waiting over 10 years before receiving a license to hunt bear in those areas.

Bear Hunting Forecast

The 15,245 licenses awarded for the upcoming bear season represent the most bear licenses ever issued in Wisconsin since the modern license lottery system was established in 1986. Most of the increase in license issuance is in the southern portions of bear range (bear management zones C, E and F), where hunter success rates remain relatively low and bear populations are growing. This license increase is intended to modestly increase harvest and allow abundant hunting opportunity. The DNR will also continue to survey bear hunters and collect data on hunter experiences and satisfaction to monitor whether hunter crowding issues may develop. Fortunately, bear hunter surveys in recent years consistently indicate hunter crowding is an infrequent issue for most hunters. Across the state, about 80% of bear hunters report little to no issue with competition or interference from other bear hunters.

Bear populations and hunting opportunities remain abundant across the forested areas of northern Wisconsin as well. Top bear producing counties in recent years include Marinette, Sawyer, Rusk, Price, Washburn and Bayfield. Bear hunter surveys reveal a majority of hunters rate their overall bear hunting experience as ‘average quality’ or higher; this is especially true for hunters in Zones A and B, where three out of four hunters rate the season at average or above. Similarly, the majority of bear hunters across zones A, B, C and D report seeing a bear while actively hunting, whereas about one in three hunters report seeing a bear while actively hunting in zones E and F.  

A significant driver of bear hunting success is how much natural food is available on the landscape in a given year. When natural food sources such as berries and acorns are abundant, bears key in on these food sources, and hunter baits tend to become less attractive. Similarly, hunters in areas with agricultural crops, like corn, often must compete with these broadly available food sources. These scenarios can result in a drop in hunter success rates. Natural food availability varies every year and depends upon numerous factors, including local weather conditions experienced during the spring and summer. Nevertheless, while hunting bears is far from easy, those who are diligent in their scouting and preparation efforts should have a quality chance at success this fall.  

Setting Wisconsin's Bear Hunting Seasons 

The state’s Black Bear Management Plan guides the development of each year’s bear harvest quotas. We consider scientific bear population data as well as regional data on bear nuisance complaints, agricultural damage, hunter satisfaction, hunter crowding, hunter success rates and bear health data. Using regional data helps us set population objectives by management zone, including whether to increase, maintain or decrease the bear population in each zone, and then determine harvest quotas to meet those population objectives. From there, we determine the number of licenses based on the quota and average hunter success rates. All bears taken must be registered with the DNR so important data can be collected.

Wisconsin state law allows bear hunters to use four hunting techniques to pursue bear depending upon location in the state and time of the season. These include stalking and hunting bear without the aid of bait or dogs, using bait as an attractant, hunting with the aid of dogs and the use of bait and dogs. On average, about one in three bear hunters successfully harvest a bear in Wisconsin. In Zones A and B, which cover much of the northern forest, success rates have traditionally been higher, with an average of two in three bear hunters harvesting a bear in recent years.

Hunters who wish to apply for the fall 2027 bear hunting season or for a preference point toward future seasons have until Dec. 10, 2026, to do so. Applications can be made at any authorized license agent, DNR service center or online through Go Wild. Hunters can review the latest bear license lottery results to assist in making their plans.  

Black Bear Season Dates

Damage Program Offers Private Land Access For Bear Hunters   

Bear license holders may hunt on private land enrolled in Wisconsin’s Wildlife Damage Program with landowner permission. Through the program, hunters get access to private hunting grounds, and producers get relief from lost agricultural crops due to bears.  

For more information on the program requirements or to find private land open to public access, visit the DNR’s Damage Permit Hunting Access webpage. We update the page frequently as additional agriculture producers enroll in the program, so be sure to check back often.

2026 Black Bear Season Drawing Summary

2025 Black Bear Harvest Summary

Here's a reminder of how the 2025 black bear season went:

Migratory Bird Fall Forecast

Spring waterfowl surveys indicated stable population numbers and habitat conditions for migratory birds, meaning Wisconsin waterfowl hunters should be excited about the 2026 season.

Scaup Bag Limit Restriction  

Based on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)’s season framework, there will continue to be a scaup bag limit of one scaup per day for 15 days and two scaup per day for 45 days.

Waterfowl Hunters Expo

For those interested in waterfowl, the DNR is once again partnering to host the Waterfowl Hunters Expo on Aug. 19 and 20, 2026, at the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh. The expo will feature hands-on exhibits for attendees to see the latest outdoor products, as well as presentations from industry experts, habitat managers and waterfowl scientists.

The event is family and dog-friendly, setting the stage for hunters to come together and experience everything waterfowl. More information is available on the Waterfowl Hunters Expo website. 

2026 Migratory Bird Season Dates

Duck Forecast

We expect another great season for duck hunters in Wisconsin. The Northern Zone will continue to open one week earlier than the Southern Zone to provide better opportunity for our northern hunters during early migration efforts and before the winter freeze.

The Open Water Zone will continue to open two weeks later than the Southern Zone to allow for later hunting opportunities on Lake Michigan. Make sure to check the season dates before you head out into the field.

The 2025 continental duck population estimate was 34 million birds, similar to the 2024 population estimate and 4% lower than the long-term average. The DNR was able to conduct its spring breeding waterfowl survey in 2026, and Wisconsin’s breeding duck population estimate was 571,460 birds, a 1% increase from the 2025 estimate, still above the long-term average (1973-2026). The 2026 USFWS breeding population estimates are not available until the end of August.

Mallards are the most abundant duck in Wisconsin and make up 30% of the state’s total duck harvest. Their 2025 USFWS continental population estimates were similar compared to their 2024 numbers and are 17% below the long-term average. The Wisconsin 2026 mallard breeding population estimate is 162,894 birds, 5% higher compared to 2025 but still lower than the long-term average.

Wood duck populations are up 6% compared to last year, and populations remain above the long-term average. Together, mallards, wood ducks, blue-winged teal and green-winged teal make up about 70% of game waterfowl in Wisconsin this fall.

Woodcock Forecast

The woodcock population in Wisconsin remains stable. Though we have seen long-term declines at the national and regional levels, Wisconsin has seen an increase in the 10-year trend based on estimates produced by the USFWS.

About 16,000 woodcock hunters enter the field each fall in Wisconsin, harvesting roughly 40,000 birds.  

Wisconsin remains a top-ranked state in the country for woodcock harvest. For the best chance of finding woodcock, check the DNR’s FFLIGHT Tool and head to the northern forests.

Goose Forecast

The U.S. boasts a goose population in the millions, and Wisconsin’s resident goose population continues to remain abundant. This fall, Wisconsin’s roughly 40,000 goose hunters can expect another strong season with excellent hunting opportunities.

The 2026 population estimate of 122,922 for Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese is slightly lower than 2025’s estimate but still remains higher than the long-term average.

The goose season will run for 92 days and will include two splits in the Southern zone, allowing for an open season over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Mississippi River Zone will revert back to its historic dates, which open concurrent with the duck season, split with the duck season and then continue through December into early January.

The Southern Zone will have an increase to the bag limit during the Holiday Hunt portion of the season. The bag limit will be three geese per day for the first portion of the season and five geese per day during the portion of the season that is open from Dec. 19 to Jan. 2, 2027. This increase in bag limit will provide increased opportunity during a time of the year when additional harvest focuses primarily on Wisconsin’s resident Canada geese.

Mourning Dove Forecast

Estimates from the USFWS indicate that hunters harvested over 16 million mourning doves nationally during the 2024-25 seasons. In Wisconsin, mourning dove hunting is a relatively new opportunity for hunters.

For new and seasoned dove hunters alike, state-planted dove fields can be a great option for finding birds and having a successful hunt. Across Wisconsin, field staff have been hard at work, planting fields of food crops for mourning doves. Find fields with FFLIGHT. 

Upland Bird Fall Forecast

With the fall seasons nearly here, upland game bird hunters can expect plenty of opportunity to hunt birds across the state.

So far, the 2026 nesting and brood-rearing season has been above average, coupled with a mild winter. The DNR expects good numbers of turkeys, pheasants and ruffed grouse throughout habitats suitable for each of these species.

2026 Season Dates

Turkey Forecast  

The DNR issued 85,976 fall turkey harvest authorizations in 2025, and hunters registered 3,964 harvested birds. This harvest was a 8.7% decrease from 2024.

The success rate of hunters in fall 2025 was 7.6%, up from 5.4% success rate in 2024. Turkey Management Zones 1 and 3 saw a moderate increase in harvest levels from 2024, while Turkey Management Zone 2 saw a slight decrease. The full harvest report and a zone map are available on the DNR website.

Fall turkey hunters receive one harvest authorization with the purchase of their fall turkey license or Conservation Patron license. Bonus turkey harvest authorizations go on sale Aug. 15.

Ruffed Grouse Forecast

Due to their strong reliance on specific habitat, the loss of early successional forests have challenged grouse populations nationwide. We are fortunate to still have a healthy and abundant grouse population in Wisconsin, mostly in the northern third of the state.

2026 drumming surveys showed an 11% statewide decline in abundance, from 2025. The largest year-to-year declines were in the driftless and central forest areas of the state. This decline was anticipated as the grouse population follows a 10-year cycle, with low points typically occurring in years that end in 4, 5 or 6. The DNR didn't see these declines in recent years due to ideal, dry, nesting and brooding conditions in 2023 and 2024.

More information on ruffed grouse biology, history and habitat management can be found in the 2020-2030 Ruffed Grouse Management Plan.

Pheasant Forecast

The spring ring-necked pheasant crowing survey was completed in 2026. The 2026 pheasant crowing survey indicated pheasant numbers decreased slightly from 2025 but is still higher than the 5-year average of 0.56 pheasants per stop. Wisconsin's northwest counties saw the highest numbers of pheasants detected.

The State Game Farm has been working tirelessly amid budgetary concerns to provide stocking levels that provide adequate opportunities for pheasant hunters. Amid budget concerns, however, the stocking levels will be reduced by 10,000 birds for a total of 65,000 pheasants in 2026.

Enrollment in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has declined significantly in Wisconsin. CRP pays landowners to retire their cropland for 10-15 years and plant permanent cover like grass or trees. A long-term decline in stable grassland cover across the state has contributed to a decline in ring-necked pheasant populations.

Daily pheasant shooting hours close at noon at the following properties:

• Allenton Wildlife Area (W.A.) | Washington County
• Brooklyn W.A. | Dane and Green
• C.D. “Buzz” Besadny Fish and W.A. | Kewaunee
• Dunnville W.A. | Dunn
• Eldorado Marsh W.A. | Fond Du Lac
• Goose Lake W.A. | Dane
• Grand River W.A. | Green Lake and Marquette
• Holland W.A. | Brown
• Horicon W.A. | Dodge
• Jackson Marsh W.A. | Washington
• Killsnake W.A. | Calumet and Manitowoc
• Mazomanie Unit of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway | Dane
• Mud Lake W.A. | Dodge
• Mud Lake W.A. | Columbia
• New Munster W.A. | Kenosha
• Nichols Creek W.A. | Sheboygan
• Pine Island W.A. | Columbia and Sauk
• Theresa W.A. | Dodge and Washington
• Tichigan W.A. | Racine
• Vernon W.A. | Waukesha
• White River W.A. | Green Lake and Marquette

Sharp-tailed Grouse Forecast

The sharp-tailed grouse hunting season will be closed for 2026. Permits and applications will not be available or accepted this year. 

The Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee uses a variety of population metrics to make a recommendation about a potential hunting season. They use several metrics, including the spring lek surveys, nesting success, winter survivability and habitat data.  

Each of the four previous years have indicated an increase in the sharp-tailed grouse population; however, the committee evaluated the 2026 data and recommended to not hold a hunting season.  

It’s important to note that populations of grouse species do typically have natural variability. The 22% decline in lek survey indices seen this year is within the range of natural variability we’d expect, but the committee decided to recommend forgoing a season this year. Although fall permits will not be issued this year, sharp-tailed grouse will retain their status as a game species, per state law.

As a reminder, a limited hunting season was held in 2025 with 12 permits awarded for state hunters in Zone 10 (the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area). The hunt resulted in five sharp-tailed grouse harvested from this zone.  

Sharp-tailed grouse populations have grown in recent years, thanks, in large part, to significant habitat restoration efforts that have occurred in core areas of northwest Wisconsin. DNR managers and conservation partners expect the dip in the 2026 population estimate to be short-lived and continue to focus on long-term recovery and habitat management efforts that will increase population persistence across their primary range. 

For more information on sharp-tailed grouse, please visit the DNR's Sharp-tailed Grouse Management webpage.

Furbearer Fall Forecast

Wisconsin is home to 20 furbearer species, many of which have been historically hunted or trapped for their fur. Eighteen of these species maintain breeding populations in the state, with the exception of the nomadic lynx or rare spotted skunk. Today, many of these species maintain populations abundant enough in Wisconsin for sustainable harvest by hunting and trapping.

Some species, like raccoons, coyotes, foxes and bobcats, can be both hunted and trapped, while others, like fisher, mink, muskrat, beaver and river otter, may only be trapped. The 2026 Trapping Regulations contain a full list of which species can be hunted or trapped.

Those hoping to trap fisher or hunt/trap bobcats must receive a permit through an annual application process. The deadline to apply is Aug. 1. Fisher and bobcat drawing results will be available in mid-August.

As a reminder, trapping seasons may close before the listed closing date if the harvest quota for a specific species is reached in a particular zone. Any closures will be announced on the DNR’s Trapping webpage, so please check the webpage periodically. Call the DNR trapping hotline at 855- 299-9653 if you still have questions.

New in 2026, certain types of technology can now be used to fulfill trap checking requirements. The new regulations address the increased interest in using technology while still ensuring animal welfare. The DNR will continue to review and adjust the use of technology as needed. See the 2026 Trapping Regulations for more details.

2026 Season Dates

• Coyote Hunting | Year-round
• Coyote Trapping | Oct. 17 to Feb. 15, 2027
• Fox (Red & Gray) | Oct. 17 to Feb. 15, 2027  
• Bobcat Period 1 | Oct. 17 to Dec. 25, 2026
• Bobcat Period 2 | Dec. 26 to Jan. 31, 2027
• Racoon Resident | Oct. 17 to Feb. 15, 2027
• Racoon Non-Resident | Oct. 31 to Feb. 15, 2027
• Fisher | Oct. 17 to Jan. 3, 2027
• Otter North Zone | Nov. 7 to April 30, 2027  
• Otter South Zone | Nov. 7 to March 31, 2027
• Beaver Zones A & B | Nov. 7 to April 30, 2027  
• Beaver Zone C | Nov. 7 to March 31, 2027
• Beaver Zone D | Dec. 7 to March 15, 2027
• Mink/Muskrat North Zone | Oct. 24 to April 15, 2027
• Mink/Muskrat Central Zone | Oct. 31 to March 22, 2027
• Mink/Muskrat South Zone | Nov. 7 to March 15, 2027  
• Mink/Muskrat Miss. River | Nov. 9 to March 7, 2027

Fisher Forecast

Wisconsin manages fisher using a limited draw and harvest quota system. Fisher trapping is divided into a northern and a southern zone, with separate permit and quota levels for each zone. The map below shows the boundary between the two zones. There is no longer a physical pelt tag mailed to applicants who are successful in the annual drawing for fisher.

Fisher were reintroduced to Wisconsin in the 1950s. By the 1980s, their population had rebounded enough to have a limited harvest.  The fisher population continues to fluctuate but remains stable.  

Historically, most of the fisher harvest occurred in the northernmost counties of Wisconsin, reflective of their distribution. However, the harvest distribution has shifted slightly southward over the past couple decades.

This southward population shift isn’t unique to Wisconsin. Surrounding states have also reported declining population numbers in some of their northern regions, while simultaneously seeing population increases in their central forests and agricultural land. Some states have reported an even further southward expansion of fisher populations.

Otter Forecast

River otters can be found on all Wisconsin waterways. Their presence is an indication of a healthy aquatic ecosystem, and seeing them in our urban waterways is a good sign. Otters may travel many miles by water and are occasionally seen traveling great distances over dry land.

In Wisconsin, otters are monitored through multiple data sources, including harvest distribution and surveys. The most recent harvest data, as well as information from the DNR’s river otter bridge survey, indicate a robust river otter population throughout the state.

Winter is the best time to look for otter signs. Their distinctive dot-dot-dash tracking pattern is easily identifiable in the snow. Local populations will vary across the state, but the otter population looks healthy overall.

Contact your local DNR wildlife biologist if you are experiencing nuisance issues with river otters.

Bobcat Forecast

*Special Note: This year, the DNR will collect a section of the lower jaw from all bobcat harvested during time period 2. Prior to certification, the lower jaw must be removed and placed in a plastic bag with the jaw tag. The remainder of the carcass can be used for personal use or properly discarded.

Bobcat are widespread and maintain a healthy breeding population throughout the state of Wisconsin. However, due to their secretive nature, bobcat are difficult to monitor. The DNR has concluded work on a bobcat collaring project to monitor these cats in the state. Information from this study, along with other population data, helps improve the state’s bobcat population management strategy by providing a better understanding of the population structure and distribution in the southern zone. It also allowed for another hunting and trapping opportunity for those in the southern zone.

Interest in harvesting bobcats has increased over the last five years. Bobcat, like fisher, are managed using a limited draw and harvest quota system. A record number of hunters and trappers, 35,399 in total, applied for a bobcat permit or preference points during the 2025 application period.