Many Hunting Seasons Open Statewide

The leaves have changed color, and the mornings are darker and noticeably crisper than they were just a few weeks ago. For many Wisconsin residents, these changes also signal that it’s hunting season.

The nine-day gun deer season opener is still a few weeks away on Nov. 21, but there are many hunting seasons that are ongoing. Below is a list of many of the seasons that are currently open statewide:

Migratory Birds: waterfowl (Open Water Duck Zone opened Oct. 17), woodcock, mourning dove and snipe
Turkey
Other Game Birds: ruffed grouse, pheasant and Hungarian partridge (opened Oct. 17, closed in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties)
Small Game: cottontail rabbit and squirrel
Deer: archery and crossbow only

For an extensive list of which seasons open and when, please visit the DNR’s Season Dates And Application Deadlines webpage.

Deadline To Purchase Sturgeon Spearing Licenses Approaches

All spearers interested in harvesting a lake sturgeon from Lake Winnebago during the 2027 sturgeon spearing season are reminded to purchase their license before Oct. 31, 2026, as the 2027 Winnebago lake sturgeon spearing season is right around the corner.

All license holders must be a minimum of 12 years old. There are an unlimited number of licenses available for Lake Winnebago, and both residents and nonresidents can purchase a license through the Go Wild system or at any license sales location.

There are a few exceptions to who can purchase their license after the Oct. 31 deadline:

Military personnel home on leave during the spearing season.
Youth who will turn 12 between Nov. 1, 2026, and the last day of the 2027 spearing season.

The Upriver Lakes fishery (lakes Poygan, Butte des Morts and Winneconne) is managed by a preference point system and lottery that is limited to 500 permitted spearers. Successful Upriver Lakes tag applicants have already been notified for the 2027 season and have until the start of the spearing season to purchase a license. As a reminder, successful Upriver Lake tag applicants cannot purchase a tag for Lake Winnebago.

Additional season information can be found on the DNR’s Sturgeon Spearing webpage.

_{Photo Credit: David Nevala}

Submit A Resolution To The Wisconsin Conservation Congress For 2027 Spring Hearings

Wisconsin residents are encouraged to submit ideas as proposed resolutions through Monday, Feb. 8, 2027 at midnight. The Wisconsin Conservation Congress is an independent organization of citizens that advises the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the DNR on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources.

An individual may submit no more than two resolutions per year, and resolutions must meet the following criteria:

The concern must be of statewide impact.
The concern must be practical, achievable and reasonable.
The concern must be within the mission and vision of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

Those interested in submitting a resolution are encouraged to visit the DNR and WCC’s Spring Hearing webpage.

At the close of the submission process, the resolutions will be reviewed and resolutions that meet the necessary criteria will be prepared for the 2027 Spring Hearings. Online and in-person input begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, April 12, 2027, and online input will continue until midnight on Wednesday, April 14, 2027.

For further information or questions, contact Paul Reith, chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress at prodnet@gmail.com or 608-616-0808.

Many Hunting Seasons Open Statewide