Oh Deer!-11/19/2024

Wisconsin is a nationally recognized state for hunting white-tailed deer with an abundant herd and a proven reputation for producing some of the largest bucks in the world.

As of midnight on Nov. 18, 2024, year-to-date sales for gun, bow, crossbow, sports and patron licenses reached 560,256. Of that total, 205,075 are for gun privileges only.

Season Forecast 

With this year’s season starting further removed from the peak of breeding activity, fewer deer may be on the move relative to recent years with earlier openers. Still, there is reason for optimism, as other factors like colder temperatures and snow cover could still create excellent deer hunting conditions. Furthermore, last year’s mild winter means fawn production and antler development will likely be better than in recent years.

What You Need To Participate

• Buy your licenses – see what you need for resident and nonresident hunting licenses.
• Review season dates, hunting hours, how to register deer, CWD information and where to hunt on the DNR’s Deer Hunting webpage.
• If you have questions about regulations or specific public lands, call the DNR’s customer service staff or email DNRPress@wisconsin.gov. These staff have access to experts throughout the agency to make sure you get the information you need.

Register Your Harvest

All harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered. Hunters will need the unique harvest authorization number associated with each permit. Proper registration provides accurate harvest data for DNR wildlife managers and County Deer Advisory Councils for the management of Wisconsin’s deer herd.

The three options to register a deer are:

• Online with GameReg
• By phone at 1-844-426-3734
• Electronically at a participating in-person registration station

Hunt Safely

It’s important for all hunters to do their part and keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by following the four basic rules of firearm safety, TAB-K:

• T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• B – Be certain of your target, what’s before it and what’s beyond it.
• K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot. 

Hunters must ensure at least 50% of outer clothing above the waist is blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Hats or head coverings, if worn, must also be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Faded or stained clothing is unsafe and should be replaced.

Additionally, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law. Learn more about safe hunting in Wisconsin and register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Outdoor Skills webpage.

More Hunting Opportunities

• Wisconsin’s 2024 muzzleloader season takes place Dec. 2-11 statewide.
• The statewide antlerless hunt takes place Dec. 12-15, and many counties have an antlerless-only holiday hunt. See the 2024 Hunting Regulations for a map of the counties that provide these additional hunting opportunities.
• Check the DNR’s Events Calendar for upcoming Learn to Hunt programs to continue your education throughout the winter.

Mobile-Friendly Hunter Resources

The DNR’s Online Deer Camp is a one-stop shop for everything a hunter needs to know before heading out this season. It contains helpful links and information regarding purchasing a license, regulations, shooting hours, public land maps and more.

We love to hear stories of new hunters getting out in the field. Send your stories to DNRPress@wisconsin.gov.

Good luck, stay safe and have fun this season!