WISCONSIN — Archery and crossbow deer hunting is back in the Badger State starting this weekend.

The seasons open Sept. 14. Both run through Jan. 5, 2025. However, there are a few exceptions in 35 counties and metro subunits, where seasons extend through Jan. 31, 2025. You can find information on that here.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources said the early archery and crossbow seasons “are great opportunities for hunters to harvest antlerless deer before they change their patterns and experience additional hunting pressure during the gun deer season.”

The DNR said there are bonus antlerless harvest authorizations available in many counties.

Officials said any deer that are harvested must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after recovery at GameReg online or at a participating registration station.

Ahead of the seasons, the DNR shared the following safety tips for hunters:

• Practice TAB-K (Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, Be certain of your target, Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot)
• Always wear a safety harness in a tree stand
• Use three points of contact when going into or out of the stand
• Use a haul line to bring unloaded bow or crossbow into stand
• Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return
• Operate any ATV or UTV soberly and responsibly

Gun deer hunting season doesn’t begin for a couple more months, on Nov. 23. For a full list of season dates and other information, visit the DNR website.