New Hunters: Give The Gun Deer Season A Try
Wisconsin’s gun deer seasons are a great time to gain field experience after taking a Learn to Hunt program.
Have you taken a Learn to Hunt program? Your next step is to get out there and hunt during the regular season! Wisconsin’s gun deer seasons provide a great opportunity to learn and gain valuable field experience.
What Do 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.
Tips For A Successful Gun Season
- Plan your hunt in advance by contacting friends or family members who hunt deer and sharing your interest in potentially joining them. If you have time, do a scouting mission that doubles as a pre-season dry run.
- Get familiar with your firearm and the equipment you will be using by spending time at the shooting range. Getting proficient and comfortable with your firearm will help when you are ready to pull the trigger on a deer.
- Prepare your equipment in advance so you aren’t rushing at the last minute. Sharpen knives, update flashlight batteries, locate blaze orange clothes and check your tree stand, including that safety harness.
- Think about what you will do with the deer after you harvest one.
- The hour after the sun rises and the hour before the sun sets are the magic hours, but with many people in the woods, deer can be on the move throughout the day. If you have to relocate or have a time-related setback to your plan, there’s still a good chance you could see deer throughout the day, particularly on the opening weekend.
- Be flexible, stay positive and remember that many people are working around each other during the nine-day gun season. Be communicative, particularly with the goals of staying safe and having a positive experience for all parties.
- Report hunting violations by calling or texting the DNR Tip Line at 1-800-847-9367.
- A harvest isn’t what makes a successful hunt – be proud of trying something new.
After The Nine-Day Gun Deer Season:
- 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 additional hunting opportunities.
- Check the DNR Events page for upcoming Learn to Hunt programs to continue your education throughout the winter.
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! |