WISCONSIN — Wisconsin's gun deer hunting season starts in less than a month on Nov. 23.

What You Need To Know

  • Gun deer hunting season runs Nov. 23-Dec. 1

  • Hunting hours depend on where you live in the state

  • Wisconsin is nationally recognized as a premier state for hunting white-tailed deer

According to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wisconsin is nationally recognized as one of the country’s premier states for hunting white-tailed deer, with an abundant herd and a reputation for producing some of the largest bucks in the world.

DNR Deer Program Specialist Jeff Pritzl said there about 600,000 deer hunters in Wisconsin, and about 50,000 of them come from outside the state for the gun deer hunt.

“We’ve got hunters that come to Wisconsin every year from all 50 states and over a dozen foreign countries even," he said.

Pritzl said the DNR uses the season to manage deer populations across the state. He said if density gets too high, it may cause issues.

“We use the hunting season as a way to try to reach a balance of deer density on the landscape," he said.

Over 400,000 licenses for gun, bow, crossbow and more have been sold in the state so far.

The DNR said this season is further removed from the "peak of breeding activity," meaning there may be fewer deer compared to recent years with earlier starts. However, the DNR said it's still hopeful that snow cover or colder temperatures could create good conditions.

All harvested deer during the gun deer hunt season must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. Hunters can find more information, here.

Hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 must have a hunter education certification to get a license.

Wisconsin’s gun deer hunting season ends Dec. 1, 2024.

Watch the full interview above.

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