Jan 1
| ACH sweep notice
| Due to the final week of the calendar year, the ACH sweep on your account will be "split" into two separate sweeps, both occuring on January 9. Add these two sweeps together for the full amount.
- Sales from Dec 30-31 will have a separate sweep on Jan 9
- Sales from Jan 1-5 will have a separate sweep on Jan 9
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Jan 5-31
| Extended Archery Deer Season (select deer management units only)
| The regular archery season closes on January X, but there is an extention to the archery/crossbow season for select units across the state. Hunters are allowed to use their archery or crossbow licenses and any unused harvest authorizations to hunt in those select units. SELECT HERE for the map of participating extended archery units. |
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Jan 17-18
| Free Fishing Weekend
| Both residents and nonresidents may fish in Wisconsin waters without a license or trout stamp during these two days.
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Feb 14
| Sturgeon Spearing season begins
| Sturgeon Spearing season begins on Lakes Winnebago, Poygan, Winnecone & Butte des Morts. The season will conclude in 16 days or until any of the pre-determined harvest caps are reached for each lake.
Note: The deadline to purchase a Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing license was October 31, 20XX. There is no purchase deadline for the Upriver sturgeon spearing license (if awarded a permit).
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March 1
| 2026 Licenses go on sale
| The 2026 licenses go on sale March 1, one month before the new license year starts on April 1. A 2026 license is valid immediately after purchase. NOTE: The 2025 licenses are still valid until March 31, 2026.
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Early March
| Farmland antlerless harvest authorizations are not yet issued with deer license
| Purchasing a 2026 deer license early in the year will include the license and one buck harvest authorization. The Farmland antlerless permits are not yet issued with a deer license but will be available sometime in Mid-summer. Customers may redeem those antlerless permits later for free either online or at a DNR Service Center. They may also select and obtain them from a license agent for a $2 processing fee.
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March 16
| Bonus Spring Turkey harvest authorizations on Sale: HOW MANY ARE LEFT?
Monday, March 16: Zone 1 only Tuesday, March 17: Zone 2 only Wednesday, March 18: Zone 3 only Thursday, March 19: Zone 4 only Friday, March 20: Zones 5, 6 and 7 only Saturday, March 21: All Zones with permits remaining
| The Bonus harvest authorizations will not show up on your Go Wild terminal until exactly 10am each sale day. The first week of sales are organized so that each zone is sold on a specific day (see schedule to the left). Once that week is completed, the remaining permits will go on sale for any zones that still have them.
Customers must be in person during the sale and cannot purchase for anyone else, except parents/guardians my purchase for minor children. TIP: Recommend customers purchase any other licenses before the 10am sale starts. this will free up more time to sell the bonus turkey harvest authorizations once the sale begins.
SELECT HERE for sales instructions, or SELECT HERE to go to the Turkey information page. |
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April 1
| 2026 Licenses are required.
| 2026 licenses are required to be carried on this date. A 2026 license purchased prior to April 1 is valid immediately after purchase.
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April 11-12
| Spring Turkey Youth Hunt
| Spring Turkey permits issued for ANY spring 20XX time period may be used, but youth hunters are limited to the turkey management ZONE stated on their permit. A youth who does not fill their permit during the 2-day youth hunt may use it during the regular season in the time and unit specified.
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April 15 - May 26
| Spring Turkey Season
- Period A: April 15–21
- Period B: April 22–28
- Period C: April 29 - May 5
- Period D: May 6-12
- Period E: May 13-19
- Period F: May 20-26
| Turkey hunters need a turkey license, stamp and harvest authorization. The turkey license and stamp is included in a Patron license.
SELECT HERE to visit the Turkey page for more info.
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May 2
| Open Water Fishing Season opens
| The first Saturday in May is the opener for general open water fishing season. Hook and line fishing for many fish species on many Wisconsin waters begins on that day. However, to better manage Wisconsin fisheries, season dates are often specific to the species of fish as well as the water body. Customers should check their regulations.
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