New and aspiring deer hunters have until July 1 to apply for a mentored hunting experience at one of Wisconsin’s premier wildlife properties.
Wisconsin hunters have just days left to apply for one of the state’s most coveted hunting opportunities. As the May 31 elk application deadline nears, new data shows Wisconsin’s elk population has reached a record high, leading to the largest elk harvest quota in state history for the 2026 season.
After a rare return in 2025, Wisconsin’s sharp-tailed grouse hunt appears likely headed back to the sidelines in 2026. The state’s fragile sharptail recovery remains a conservation balancing act, with hunting only possible when bird numbers can support it.
A 3-year-old hunter, guided by an adult mentor, accidentally shot two individuals after a turkey misidentification at Honey Creek Wildlife Area. The incident is under investigation and is already prompting discussion among Wisconsin hunters about safety and mentorship standards.
More than 17,000 deer were tested statewide during the 2025 hunting seasons, with over 2,000 confirmed cases of chronic wasting disease. Most detections occurred in southern Wisconsin, though new cases continue to appear in additional counties across the state.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that the application period for the 2026 elk season opens March 1 and includes new subunit licensing, expanded quotas, and a continuous October–December season. Hunters must choose among specific hunting units or unit groups, with separate bull and antlerless drawings shaping opportunities across both elk management zones.
With the new license year opening April 1, Wisconsin hunters can now view updated season dates for deer, elk, bear, turkey, small game, game birds, and more inside the Hunterizer app. Additional opportunities will be added as the state releases further details.
Lawmakers advanced a proposal to establish Wisconsin’s first sandhill crane hunting season, citing crop damage and growing bird populations. The measure has drawn sharp reactions from hunters, farmers, and conservation groups as it moves to the State Senate for consideration.
Drawing results are now live in Go Wild accounts, with nearly 15,000 bear permits issued statewide. Competition remains fierce in Zones A and B, while southern zones offered improved odds for 2026.
Wisconsin bear hunters will see expanded opportunity this fall after state wildlife officials approved a record number of bear hunting licenses. The move reflects strong hunter demand and ongoing efforts to manage a healthy black bear population across the state.
For the first time, Wisconsin could authorize a regulated sandhill crane hunting season. Lawmakers say the proposal would give hunters new opportunity while addressing crop damage, but the path forward remains uncertain as debate continues in Madison.
Hunterizer, a leader in hunting regulation tools and public land access, proudly announces the release of the Hunterizer—a powerful new tool for understanding when hunting seasons are open across the U.S. (currently encompasses CA, MT, TX, PA, and WI, with more states coming soon). Built to simplify the confusing patchwork of hunting regulations, the Hunterizer …
If you’ve ever glassed a distant ridgeline on public land and thought, I wonder what’s over that next draw, you’re not alone. Finding new ground to hunt is half the challenge – and the thrill. In Wisconsin, there’s now more of it, thanks to an unexpected ally: The Nature Conservancy. Yep, the same group known …
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is once again calling on landowners to step up and make a difference—this time, by opening their land to hunters with disabilities during the 2025 Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities. The special hunt will run from October 4–12, 2025, and it’s part of a long-standing tradition …
There’s a lot to be said for learning by doing, especially when it comes to deer hunting. And if you’re new to the tradition or know someone who is, Wisconsin’s 2025 Learn to Hunt Deer program at Sandhill Wildlife Area is shaping up to be one of the best places to start. This isn’t just …
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) just released the public input results from the 2025 Spring Hearing. Over 9,000 people took part, casting votes online and in person on a range of topics that matter to hunters, anglers, and conservationists across the state. These hearings are a long-standing Wisconsin …
Gov. Tony Evers included a notable change in his 2025-27 state budget proposal: raising Wisconsin hunting and fishing license fees. Alongside plans for education, taxes, and even supporting the Packers’ NFL Draft efforts, the governor also addressed funding for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). It’s the first significant proposal to raise resident license fees …
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