Hunt_Content Page_Deer Hunting for Hunters with Disabilities

Deer hunting for hunters with disabilities

Landowner enrollment for the 2025 Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities will open on May 1, 2025.

The outdoors is part of Wisconsin's cultural foundation, which rings true for hunters of every background, regardless of physical ability. To serve outdoor enthusiasts with disabilities, the Wisconsin DNR provides a variety of hunting, fishing and recreational permits designed to help give people with disabilities the opportunity to partake in Wisconsin's abundant natural resources.

For those interested in learning about other outdoor opportunities for people with disabilities, visit the Open the Outdoors webpage.

Learn more about our partners who may be able to assist you with your hunt.

October Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities

Season Dates: Oct. 4-12, 2025

Thanks to generous landowners willing to sponsor hunters with disabilities on their land, the Wisconsin Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities continues to grow. Hunters wishing to participate and landowners wanting to sponsor hunters on their property can learn more below.

Sponsors (Landowners)

Sponsor Application

Landowners who are interested in sponsoring a Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities are required to allow the opportunity for at least three qualified hunters to participate on the property. Sponsors are encouraged to keep the hunter density to at least one hunter per 20 acres of land. Lands with fewer than three participants enrolled or less than 60 acres will be approved by the department on a case-by-case basis. If interested, please review the rules and conditions of conducting a hunt [PDF].

The sponsor sign-up period for the 2025 hunt will open on May 1.

The hunter sign-up period for 2025 will open on July 15. Sponsor contact information will be available on this page so interested hunters can call and reserve locations directly with the landowner. Please contact Brooke VanHandel, DNR assistant deer and elk specialist, via email at Brooke.Vanhandel@wisconsin.gov, or by phone at 608-354-3492 with questions.

Hunters

The hunter sign-up period for 2025 will open on July 15.

To be eligible for the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities, hunters must possess a valid Class A, C, D, or Class B shoot from stationary vehicle permits that are issued longer than one year.

Hunters with one of the above permits should contact a sponsoring landowner before Sept. 15 to participate in the current year's Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities.

Please contact Brooke VanHandel, DNR assistant deer and elk specialist, by email at Brooke.Vanhandel@wisconsin.gov, or by phone at 608-354-3492 with questions.

Using Your Farmland (Zone 2) Harvest Authorizations During The Department-Sponsored Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities

Each deer hunting license purchase includes one or multiple Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless harvest authorizations [PDF].

Hunters who hold a valid Class A, C, D or Class B shoot from stationary vehicle permit that are issued longer than one year:

  • May harvest a buck deer with their gun buck harvest authorization during the department-sponsored disabled gun deer hunt.
  • May use one Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorization in any deer management unit statewide (including buck-only units) when participating in the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities if they hold a gun deer license.
  • May use up to two Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations in any deer management unit statewide (including buck-only units) when participating in the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities, with the purchase of both a gun license and an archery or crossbow license or with the purchase of a Conservation Patron license.
  • The hunter must choose a land type (public/private) when selecting their Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations but do not have to adhere to the land type selection when exercising the above privileges during the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities.

Using Your Class A Or C Disabled Permit During Other Deer Seasons

Hunters who possess a valid Class A or C permit:

  • May harvest a buck deer with their gun buck harvest authorization statewide during any firearm deer season, including antlerless-only seasons (excluding the two-day Youth Gun Deer Hunt, unless under the age of 16).
  • May use one Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorization issued with their gun deer, archery or crossbow license to take an antlerless deer in any unit statewide (including buck-only units).
  • May use up to two Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations to take an antlerless deer in any unit statewide (including buck-only units) with the purchase of both a gun license and an archery or crossbow license or with the purchase of a Conservation Patron license.
  • The hunter must choose a land type (public/private) when selecting their Farmland (Zone 2) antlerless deer harvest authorizations and adhere to the land type selection when participating in other seasons outside the DNR-sponsored Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities.