Nov. 21-29: When Wisconsin’s 2026-27 Nine-Day Gun Deer Season Runs
November 7, 2026
Deer hunting season in Wisconsin 2026-27 stretches across nearly five months, starting with the archery and crossbow opener on September 12, 2026. The best-known stretch is the nine-day gun season, which runs November 21 through 29, the Saturday before Thanksgiving through the Sunday after.
That is the headline, but the details trip people up every year. Metro sub-units get longer seasons, some counties get a holiday antlerless hunt, and your tag decides what you can legally shoot on any given day.
This article walks you through each season, who it applies to, and the rules that govern how you hunt, tag and transport a deer. Always confirm unit-level details with the Wisconsin season dates summary and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) before you head out.
Deer Hunting Season Dates in Wisconsin 2026-27
Wisconsin’s season is built in layers. Archery and crossbow open first, the youth and disabled hunts follow in October, and the November gun season anchors the calendar. Muzzleloader and antlerless-only hunts close out the year.
| Season | 2026-27 Dates | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Archery and crossbow | Sept. 12, 2026 to Jan. 3, 2027 | Statewide |
| Extended archery and crossbow | Sept. 12, 2026 to Jan. 31, 2027 | Metro sub-units and designated counties |
| Gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities | Oct. 3 to 11, 2026 | Participating properties |
| Youth deer hunt | Oct. 10 to 11, 2026 | Statewide |
| Nine-day gun season | Nov. 21 to 29, 2026 | Statewide |
| Metro sub-unit gun season | Nov. 21 to Dec. 9, 2026 | Metro sub-units |
| Muzzleloader | Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, 2026 | Statewide |
| December antlerless-only hunt | Dec. 10 to 13, 2026 | Statewide |
| Antlerless-only holiday hunt | Dec. 24, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027 | Select Farmland Zone units |
These dates match across OutdoorHub’s 2026 season rundown and Hunterizer’s Wisconsin date table, both of which cite the DNR calendar.
Archery and Crossbow Deer Season in Wisconsin
Archery and crossbow share one season in Wisconsin. It carries the longest footprint of any Wisconsin deer opportunity, opening September 12 and continuing through January 3, 2027, across most of the state.
In metro sub-units and counties with extended seasons, archery deer season runs Sep 12, 2026 through Jan 31, 2027. The DNR’s Deer Season Structure map shows which units qualify, so check it against your hunting spot rather than assuming your county is included.
Archery and crossbow hunters can stay in the woods while the gun, muzzleloader and antlerless-only seasons run. During firearm seasons, wear the required blaze orange or pink, even with a bow in hand.
Muzzleloader Deer Season in Wisconsin
The muzzleloader season is a clean 10-day window. It runs November 30 through December 9 statewide, picking up immediately after the nine-day gun season closes.
Because it starts the day after the gun season ends, you can switch from a rifle or shotgun to a muzzleloader without losing a day in the field. Pressure drops sharply after Thanksgiving weekend, and deer that survived the opener often move more freely.
The season overlaps the extended gun window in metro sub-units, which stays open through December 9.
Firearm Deer Season in Wisconsin (Rifle and Shotgun)
The nine-day gun season is the main event. The core gun deer season runs November 21 through 29 statewide. The 2026 opener falls on Saturday, November 21, and the season closes on Sunday, November 29.
In metro sub-units, firearm dates extend from November 21 through December 9. Those units overlay standard deer management units, so a spot near a larger city may follow a different calendar than the county around it.
All legal firearm types are allowed during the nine-day season, which includes rifles and shotguns. Check your unit for any local weapon restrictions before you go.
Pro Tip: Before opening day, look up your exact hunting spot on the DNR’s Deer Season Structure map. Metro sub-unit status changes your gun, archery and antlerless dates.
Youth and Disabled Hunter Deer Seasons in Wisconsin
Two early-fall hunts come before the general seasons. The 2026 Youth Deer Hunt falls on October 10 and 11, run statewide as a youth and disabled hunt.
The separate gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities runs October 3 through 11, 2026, but it applies to participating properties and is not a statewide season. Eligibility rules and approved properties are set by the DNR, so confirm your status and your hunting location before the hunt.
Youth hunters must still follow the safety and supervision rules that apply to their age. The DNR’s youth hunting pages list those requirements.
Antlerless, Late and Holiday Deer Seasons in Wisconsin
Wisconsin closes the year with two antlerless-only hunts. The statewide antlerless-only season runs December 10 through 13. Only antlerless deer may be taken, and you must use an antlerless harvest authorization, not your buck tag.
The holiday hunt follows from December 24, 2026 to January 1, 2027. It applies to select Farmland Zone counties only, with all weapon types allowed.
Extended archery and crossbow hunting also continues in designated units through January 31, 2027. Together, these late options give hunters in southern and farmland units the longest runway in the state.
Wisconsin Deer Hunting Zones, Units and Counties
Wisconsin manages deer by deer management unit (DMU), and each unit belongs to a broader zone such as Farmland or Forest. Your zone and unit affect antlerless authorizations, season length and the holiday hunt.
Metro sub-units sit on top of standard DMUs and can carry different season dates, especially for archery and late antlerless hunts. Counties with an extended archery or holiday hunt are marked on the DNR’s annual Deer Season Structure map.
- Check your DMU before buying authorizations.
- Confirm whether your property falls in a metro sub-unit.
- Look up your county’s CWD status and baiting rules.
Deer Bag Limits in Wisconsin
Wisconsin does not use a single statewide limit. As of 2026, your bag limit is controlled by how many valid harvest authorizations you hold for a given unit, weapon, and season.
In practice, you take one buck per buck authorization and one antlerless deer per antlerless authorization. Bonus antlerless authorizations are issued by unit and land type, so the number you can fill depends on where you hunt.
You must use an antlerless authorization during antlerless-only hunts. Your buck tag is not valid on those dates.
Antler Point Restrictions and Buck Rules in Wisconsin
Statewide, Wisconsin defines a buck as a deer with at least one antler 3 inches or longer. A deer that does not meet that standard is treated as antlerless and requires an antlerless authorization.
Some units or properties may carry additional buck rules. Check the DNR’s unit regulations before you hunt, especially on public land and enrolled private land.
Know the difference before you pull the trigger. Tagging a button buck or short-antlered deer with the wrong authorization is a common mistake.
Common Mistake: Using a buck tag on a deer that qualifies as antlerless, or the reverse. Confirm which authorization applies before you shoot, not after.
Deer Hunting License, Tag and Permit Requirements in Wisconsin
You need a valid deer hunting license and the matching harvest authorizations for the season you plan to hunt. Licenses are sold through the DNR’s Go Wild system, which also issues bonus antlerless authorizations by unit, zone and land type.
Hunters born on or after January 1, 1973 generally need to show hunter education certification before buying a license. The DNR sets license fees each year, so check its pricing page rather than relying on a third-party figure.
- Deer license for the weapon season you plan to hunt
- Buck authorization for each buck you want to take
- Antlerless authorizations for units where you plan to harvest does
- Proof of hunter education, if required
Nonresident Deer Hunting in Wisconsin
Nonresidents can hunt deer in Wisconsin with the appropriate nonresident license and authorizations. The same season dates, unit boundaries and CWD rules apply to you as to residents.
Nonresident fees are higher and set by the DNR. Look them up on the DNR license page before you travel, and buy through Go Wild so your authorizations are on file.
Plan your lodging early for the nine-day season. Rural motels and cabins in northern and central units fill up well ahead of November 21.
Where to Hunt Deer in Wisconsin: Public and Private Land
Wisconsin offers a mix of state forests, county forests, wildlife areas and enrolled private land open to public hunting. Northern forest units give you big blocks of accessible ground, while southern farmland units are mostly private.
On public land, pressure peaks on opening weekend. Walk in past the first parking area and you will often find quieter timber.
On private land, always get permission first. For related rules in the state, see our guide on whether feeding deer is illegal in Wisconsin.
Hunting Deer on Your Own Property in Wisconsin
Landowners hunting their own property still need the correct license, harvest authorizations and registration. Owning the land does not exempt you from season dates or bag rules.
Bonus antlerless authorizations are issued by unit and land type, so private-land hunters in Farmland units often have access to more doe tags. Check your unit’s allocation before the season.
Baiting and feeding rules also apply on your own land. Baiting and feeding deer are banned in most Wisconsin counties because of CWD detections.
Blaze Orange, Shooting Hours and Legal Methods in Wisconsin
During firearm seasons, you must wear blaze orange or pink. Blaze orange or pink applies because it is a firearm season. Archery hunters should wear it too whenever a gun season is open.
Shooting hours run from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset. Wisconsin’s closing margin is 20 minutes, not the half hour most states use.
- Archery and crossbow: September 12 onward
- Firearms: rifles and shotguns during the nine-day season
- Muzzleloader: November 30 to December 9
Confirm legal calibers, shot types and unit-specific method limits in the DNR regulations.
Sunday Deer Hunting in Wisconsin
Sunday hunting is allowed for deer in Wisconsin, and it matters in 2026. The nine-day gun season closes on Sunday, November 29, so hunters get the full final weekend.
That Sunday is also the last day before muzzleloader-only hunting starts on Monday, November 30. Deer movement often picks up on the final morning as hunting pressure fades.
Standard shooting hours and blaze orange rules apply on Sundays just as they do on any other day.
Chronic Wasting Disease Rules for Deer Hunters in Wisconsin
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) shapes several Wisconsin rules. Baiting and feeding are banned in most counties, and county status changes as CWD is found, so check the DNR baiting and feeding map before you hunt.
The DNR offers CWD testing for harvested deer, and hunters in affected counties should take advantage of it. Testing tells you whether the meat is safe to eat and helps the state track the disease.
Carcass transport and disposal rules can also apply in CWD-affected areas. Follow the DNR’s guidance on moving carcass parts and disposing of waste.
Deer Harvest Reporting, Tagging and Transport in Wisconsin
Every harvested deer must be registered. Wisconsin uses GameReg, and every deer must be registered through GameReg by 5 p.m. on the day after harvest, so register right away rather than waiting.
Attach your carcass tag to the deer as required and keep it with the animal during transport. Save your confirmation number for your records.
- Tag the deer immediately after harvest.
- Register through GameReg before the deadline.
- Keep your confirmation number with your license.
- Follow CWD carcass rules if you hunt in an affected county.
Best Time to Hunt Deer in Wisconsin
The rut peaks in early November, in the heart of archery season. Gun season then opens November 21. A GPS study cited by Trail Pro Intel tracked 188 collared bucks in southwest Wisconsin and put peak rut movement in late October and early November.
For bow hunters, the first week of November is prime. For gun hunters, opening morning and the final Sunday are the two most productive windows.
Late-season hunters should look at the December antlerless-only hunt and the holiday hunt in farmland units. For other Wisconsin seasons, see our guides to bear hunting season in Wisconsin, turkey hunting season in Wisconsin and pheasant hunting season in Wisconsin.
Waterfowl and small game hunters can also check goose hunting season in Wisconsin, dove hunting season in Wisconsin and rabbit hunting season in Wisconsin.