Submitted by Jeff Pritzl, DNR Deer Program Specialist
MADISON, WI – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds deer hunters that although the 2024 nine-day gun deer season is now behind us, additional harvest opportunities remain available throughout the late fall and early winter.
Late Season Firearm Hunting Opportunities: Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt – Dec. 12-15. Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt – Dec. 24-Jan. 1, 2025, in select Farmland Zone units.
Hunters may use any unfilled antlerless harvest authorization during any of these hunts, but the authorization must be used in the zone, county and land type designated on the harvest authorization. Only antlerless deer may be harvested during the statewide antlerless-only and antlerless-only holiday hunts, regardless of weapon type.
Wisconsin’s archery and crossbow seasons remain open statewide through Jan. 5, 2025. These seasons extend until Jan. 31, 2025, in metro subunits and certain deer management units. Hunters should double-check the hunting regulations and refer to the season structure map on page 11 for information about the area they hunt.
Deer Harvest Registration — All harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. The fastest and most convenient way to register your deer is through the GameReg system. The system will prompt hunters to answer a series of questions. The unique harvest authorization number associated with each permit is required.
- Hunters have three options to register their deer: Online through GameReg. By phone at 1-844-426-3734. Electronically at a participating in-person registration station.
Proper registration provides accurate harvest data for DNR wildlife managers and County Deer Advisory Councils for the management of deer in Wisconsin.
Hunter Resources — The DNR also reminds hunters of online resources available on the DNR’s Online Deer Camp, including hunting regulations, shooting hours and other resources. Additionally, hunters can find public lands open to hunting using the DNR’s Public Access Lands webpage.
Hunter Safety — It’s important for all hunters to do their part to keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by following the TAB-K firearm safety rules: 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 your trigger guard until safe to shoot.
Additionally, any time a firearm deer season is taking place, at least 50% of all hunters’ clothing above the waist must be blaze orange or pink. This requirement includes archery hunters and small game hunters. Waterfowl hunters are exempt from this rule.
Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey Remains Open — The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey remains open until all deer seasons have ended. Wildlife managers ask hunters to submit a report of what they observe during their time in the field. This information provides valuable data to improve population estimates for Wisconsin’s deer herd and other species.
