2018 Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Seasons
Get your regulations faster!
Visit dnr.wi.gov to view and print regulations up to one month before they are available in hard copy. Some
seasons may be subject to change. Consult the hunting regulation pamphlet(s) or dnr.wi.gov before hunting. PUB-WM-153-2018
DEER*
Archery & Crossbow Sept. 15–Jan. 6, 2019
Youth Deer Hunt Oct. 6 & 7
Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters
with Disabilities▲ Oct. 6–14
Gun Nov. 17–25
Muzzleloader Nov. 26–Dec. 5
Statewide Antlerless Hunt Dec. 6–9
Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt Dec. 24–Jan. 1, 2019**
* Please check the 2018 Wisconsin Deer Hunting Regulations for a
complete set of dates and unit designations.
▲ This is not a statewide season. More information is available at dnr.
wi.gov, keyword: “disabled deer hunt”.
**Open only in select Farmland (Zone 2) counties; see 2018 regulations
for open counties.
ELK*
Clam Lake Elk Management Zone
archery, crossbow, firearm Oct. 13–Nov. 11; Dec. 13 – 21
*Licenses awarded through a drawing. Only bull elk may be harvested.
See dnr.wi.gov, keyword “elk” for details.
GAME BIRDS
Pheasant
Statewide Oct. 20 (9 AM)–Jan. 6, 2019
Bobwhite Quail
Statewide Oct. 20 (9 AM)–Dec. 12
Hungarian Partridge
Statewide* Oct. 20 (9 AM)–Jan. 6, 2019
* Closed in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties
Ruffed Grouse
Zone A Sept. 15–Jan. 31, 2019
Zone B Oct. 20–Dec. 8
Sharp-tailed Grouse
Season is under review. Visit dnr.wi.gov for updates.
Crow
Statewide Sept. 15–Nov. 15 &
Jan 18–March 20, 2019
SMALL GAME
Cottontail Rabbit
Northern Zone Sept. 15–Feb. 28, 2019
Southern Zone Oct. 20 (9 AM)–Feb. 28, 2019
Squirrels (Gray and Fox)
Statewide Sept. 15–Jan. 31, 2019
PROTECTED SPECIES
Hunting protected species—such as badger, jackrabbit, moose
and flying squirrel—is prohibited. See the 2018 Small Game
Regulations for more details.
TURKEY
Youth Turkey Hunt Apr. 14 & 15
Open Zones
Spring Period A Apr. 18–24
Period B Apr. 25–May 1
Period C May 2–8
Period D May 9–15
Period E May 16–22
Period F May 23–29
Fall Zones 1-5 Sept. 15–Jan. 6, 2019
Zones 6 & 7 Sept. 15–Nov. 16
BEAR
Zone C where dogs are not permitted:
Sept. 5–Oct. 9
• with aid of bait
• with all other legal methods not using dogs
All other zones where dogs are permitted:
Sept. 5–11
• with aid of bait
• with all other legal methods not using dogs
Sept. 12–Oct. 2
• with aid of dogs
• with aid of bait
• with all other legal methods
Oct. 3–9
• with aid of dogs only
MIGRATORY BIRDS
Early Canada Goose
Statewide Sept. 1–15
Early Teal Season
Statewide Sept. 1–7
Duck Season
Youth Sept. 15 & 16
Northern Zone Sept. 29–Nov. 27
Southern Zone Sept. 29–Oct. 7; Oct. 13–Dec. 2
Mississippi Zone Sept. 29–Oct. 5; Oct. 13–Dec. 4
Regular Goose Season
Exterior Zone–North Sept. 16–Dec. 16
Exterior Zone–South Sept. 16–Oct. 7; Oct. 13–Dec. 2;
Dec. 16 – Jan. 3, 2019
Mississippi Zone Sept. 29–Oct. 5;
Oct. 13–Jan. 3, 2019
Woodcock
Statewide Sept. 22–Nov. 5
Mourning Dove
Statewide Sept. 1–Nov. 29
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs,
services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Chief, Public
Civil Rights, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
This publication is available in alternative format (large print, Braille, etc.) upon request. Please call 608-266-
8204 for more information. Note: If you need technical assistance or more information, call the Accessibility
Coordinator at 608-267-7490 / TTY Access via relay – 711.
For more information…
Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “wildlife.”
For additional questions, contact the DNR Call Center toll-free
1-888-WDNR INFo (1-888-936-7463) • local 608-266-2621
TTY Access via relay – 711
Permit Application Deadlines
Elk May 31
Sharp-tailed Grouse (if permits are offered) August 1
Bobcat August 1
Otter August 1
Fisher August 1
Wolf (only if removed from fed. endangered species list)August 1
Spring Turkey December 10
Bear December 10
Timing of Drawings
Elk Early June
Sharp-tailed Grouse Mid-September
Bobcat Mid-September
Otter Mid-September
Fisher Mid-September
Spring Turkey Late January
Bear Early February
To check your drawing status go to:
dnr.wi.gov
FURBEARERS
Coyote
Hunting Continuous open season.
Trapping Oct. 20–Feb. 15, 2019
Beaver
Trapping Only
Zone A (Northwest) Nov. 3–Apr. 30, 2019
Zone B (Northeast) Nov. 3–Apr. 30, 2019
Zone C (South) Nov. 3–Mar. 31, 2019
Zone D (Mississippi River) Day after duck season closes to
Mar. 15, 2019
Mink and Muskrat
Trapping Only
Statewide Oct. 27–Mar. 10, 2019
Mississippi River Zone Nov.12**–Mar. 10, 2019
**Zone opens either the day after the duck season closes or Nov.
12, whichever occurs first.
Fox (Red and Gray)
Hunting and Trapping Oct. 20–Feb. 15, 2019
Bobcat
Hunting and Trapping – Permits required
Period 1 Oct. 20–Dec. 25
Period 2 Dec. 26–Jan. 31, 2019
Fisher
Trapping Only – Permits required
Various zones Oct. 20–Jan. 6, 2019
Otter
Trapping Only – Permits required
North Zone Nov. 3–Apr. 30, 2019
South Zone Nov. 3–Mar. 31, 2019
Raccoon
Hunting and Trapping
Resident Oct. 20–Feb. 15, 2019
Non-resident Nov. 3–Feb. 15, 2019
Woodchuck, Opossum, Skunk, Weasel and
Snowshoe Hare
No season limits, bag limits, size limits or possession limits, but a
license is required.
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Mentored Hunting Licenses
Adults and youth who have not completed Hunter Education are
eligible to hunt through the Mentored Hunting Program. Visit dnr.
wi.gov, keyword: “mentored hunting” for more information.
Reduced License Fees
Youth ages 11 and younger, first-time hunters and those who
have not hunted in the preceding 10 years are eligible to purchase
hunting licenses at a reduced fee. Resident hunters who recruit
three first-time hunters, trappers or anglers are also eligible for
reduced fees.
Find more information on hunting and
trapping in Wisconsin!
Visit dnr.wi.gov and search keyword “hunt” and “trap” for
season dates, regulations, license and permit requirements,
finding a place to hunt or trap and more.