Sep 9, 2026

Wisconsin deer hunters should find plenty of opportunities when the fall hunting season gets underway, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

DNR Deer Specialist Derek Johnson said deer populations remain strong across much of the state following another relatively mild winter.

“Right now our herd numbers are looking very strong throughout much of the state with a third mildish winter again for most of the state,” Johnson said. “Numbers and reproduction are looking good. Winter survival is looking good. We really expect, barring conditions during the season, things to look good as far as deer numbers out there.”Audio Player

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Johnson said hunters should pay close attention to food sources as the season progresses, including red oak acorn crops that can influence deer movement and activity.

As archery season opens, DNR officials are also emphasizing hunter safety, particularly when using tree stands.

Hunter Education Administrator Renee Thok said tree stand accidents remain one of the most preventable causes of hunting injuries.

“Always wear a full-body harness, also known as a fall arrest system,” Thok said. “Make sure to connect your tether line and keep your tether line short. The tether line is designed to keep you in your seat and not to catch you after you fall. Always have three points of contact while climbing into and out of your tree stand.”Audio Player

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The DNR is also reminding hunters to follow basic firearm and archery safety practices throughout the season.

Meanwhile, the agency is continuing efforts to monitor and track Chronic Wasting Disease, or CWD, in Wisconsin’s deer herd.

Herd Health Specialist Erin Larson said hunters statewide will have access to testing services during the season.

“So no matter where a hunter harvests a deer, you’ll be able to get it tested,” Larson said. “However, we do have priority areas that we are especially interested in getting additional samples from. So those priority areas are around newer detections of wild or farm-raised deer, primarily in the central and northern parts of the state.”Audio Player

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Hunters can locate testing sites and learn more about CWD monitoring through the DNR’s online mapping tools at dnr.wisconsin.gov.

WRN Daily: Deer Archery Season Approaching – Wisconsin Radio Network

Stay safe and enjoy the hunt this fallPhoto credit: Wisconsin DNR

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds deer hunters that the archery and crossbow seasons open this Saturday, Sept. 12, and run through Sunday, Jan. 3, 2027. (*Archery/crossbow seasons will continue through Jan. 31, 2027 in select Metro subunits and select Farmland Zone counties.)

As hunters head out to the woods, be sure to make safety the number one priority and always use a harness, haul line and maintain three points of contact when getting in and out of a tree stand.

The DNR also reminds hunters that there were updates to several Deer Management Units (DMUs) in 2025. Refer to the updated Season Structure and Management Zone maps to see if the unit you hunt in has changed. Hunters will need to know their management zone and DMU number/county when purchasing an authorization/license and registering their deer.

Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations remain available in many units. Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations may be filled using any weapon type during the appropriate season with the appropriate license but must be filled in the designated zone, unit and land type (public or private).

The 2026 Deer Forecast provides chronic wasting disease (CWD) program updates, volunteer opportunities and district forecasts.

For more information on how to purchase a deer license, finding places to hunt and other hunting programs, please visit the DNR’s Deer Hunting webpage.

Around 95% of the funding for the DNR’s Bureau of Wildlife Management comes from the fees from hunting, trapping and fishing licenses and a federal tax on weapon and ammunition purchases. These funds directly support wildlife population surveys, habitat restoration projects, wildlife disease monitoring efforts, running of the hunting and trapping seasons, and the maintenance for 650,000 acres of public land managed for hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation activities. Thank you to everyone who purchases a license each year and supports wildlife management in Wisconsin.

Archery And Crossbow Deer Hunting Seasons To Open Sept. 12 | Wisconsin DNR