March 21
| Bonus Spring Turkey harvest authorizations on Sale: HOW MANY ARE LEFT?
| The Bonus turkey harvest authorizations are on sale for all zones and time periods that still have permits remaining. Customers may still purchase one permit per day until the season ends or a zone/time period becomes sold out. 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 2026 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 to participate. Once a time period is over, Harvest Authorizations for that time period will no longer be available for purchase. NOTE: The turkey license/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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May 31
| Elk Application Deadline
| Customers have until 11:59pm on May 31 to apply. The application product will be removed from GoWild after that. Those who applied earlier in the year can still make changes until the May 31 deadline. Customers can make the change online or by calling the DNR Call Center at 1-888-936-7463. SELECT HERE to visit the Permit Applications page.
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July 1
| Federal Duck Stamp available
| You will provide a temporary receipt for the customer while the stamp will be sent via US Mail. Youth under 16 do not need state or Federal waterfowl stamps. IMPORTANT: Voids can only be done same day. SELECT HERE for more info. |
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August 1
| Application deadline for Bobcat, fisher, and upriver sturgeon | Customers have until 11:59pm on August 1 to apply. The application products will be removed from GoWild after that. Those who applied earlier in the year can make changes to the unit they selected until the August 1 deadline. Customers can make the change online or by calling the DNR Call Center at 1-888-936-7463. SELECT HERE to visit the Permit Applications page. |
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September 1-15
| Early Goose Season - Statewide
| Hunters must purchase a $3 Early Goose permit in addition to Small Game license and HIP survey. Federal & State duck stamps are required only for hunters age 16 or over.
SELECT HERE to see the Migratory Bird license guide.
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September 9
| Bear Season opens
| The Class A Bear Carcass Tag will only show up for bear drawing permit winners. Find it under the Hunt/Trap Tab. Once the tag is selected, the bear license will be available as an add-on. SELECT HERE for more detailed information on the bear hunting page.
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September 12
| Archery Deer, Crossbow Deer, and Fall Turkey seasons open
| Hunters who wish to hunt with both traditional bow and crossbow will need both the Archery Deer and Crossbow Deer licenses. They can purchase one of them at regular price and purchase the "upgrade' to use the other weapon for an additional $3. No additional carcass tags are issued with an upgrade license.
Note: There is a new buyer Archery, but no new buyer Crossbow. There is a special product for those who qualify for the new buyer Archery. It allows them to purchase both licenses for $8 total ($5 for the New Buyer Archery plus $3 crossbow upgrade). SELECT HERE for more info on reduced rate licenses.
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October 10-11
| Youth Gun Deer Hunt
| Youth hunters purchase gun deer license which is good for all gun seasons. Any unfilled harvest authorizations after the 2-day hunt may be used during the remaining gun deer seasons.
- Non-Resident Gun Hunters: Non-Resident Youth should purchase a JR Nonresident Sports license, which includes gun deer, small game and fishing.
- Non-Resident Archery Hunters: Non-resident youth planning to Archery hunt should purchase a JR Nonresident Patron license, which includes archery & gun deer, small game, fishing and more.
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October 3-11
| Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities
| To participate, hunters must purchase a regular Gun Deer License. There is no special disabled deer hunting license for this hunt. Instead, hunters must obtain a free disability hunting permit from DNR, and carry it with their deer license when hunting. The hunt is statewide, but only on sponsered properties throughout the state. Hunters should go online at dnr.wi.gov to see the properties available to hunt. |
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October 31
| Deadline to purchase Lake Winnebago Sturgeon Spearing License
| SELECT HERE for instructions how to sell it. This deadline does not apply to persons who win in the drawing for an Upriver Sturgeon tag.
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Nov 21-29
| Gun Deer Season
| Hunters require a Gun Deer License, which includes a statewide buck harvest authorization and the option for free farmland (zone 2) antlerless harvest authorizations. Licenses may be sold during the season. Note: Under the Lessor Weapon law, a hunter may hunt with a bow or crossbow under the authority of a gun deer license, but only during a deer firearm season. |
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Nov 30 - Dec 9
| Muzzleloader Deer Season
| Gun hunting is allowed with a muzzloader only during this season. There is no special muzzleloader deer license. Hunters will need a regular gun deer license and may use their unused gun buck tag, or any unused antlerless tags. Archery and crossbow hunting are still allowed and proceed as normal during this season. |
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December 10
| Deadline for Spring turkey and Bear applications
| The deadline to purchase is 11:59pm on Dec 10. The application products will be removed from Go Wild after that time. If an application does not show for a customer before the deadline, they may have already purchased it earlier in the year. Check their active products and points to confirm.
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December 10-13
| Statewide Antlerless-Only Hunt
| A statewide antlerless only deer hunt for all weapon types. Hunters will need a regular gun deer license and may use any unused antlerless harvest authorizations. Archery and crossbow hunting is allowed during this season, but is also limited to antlerless only during these four days. |
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Dec 24 - Jan 1, 2027
| Antlerless only Holiday Deer Hunt
| An antlerless only deer hunt in participating counties. Hunters may use any unused antlerless harvest authorization that is assigned to one of these counties, or may purchase bonus harvest authorizations for those counties, if still available. SELECT HERE for the map of participating counties.- Hunting in one of the participating counties: Both gun and archery hunting are allowed, and only antlerless deer may be taken by all weapons.
- Hunting outside the participating counties: Gun hunting not allowed. Archery hunting resumes as normal with both buck and antlerless.
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