Wisconsin Cuts Pheasant Stocking Ahead of 2026 Hunting Season
DNR plans to release about 65,000 pheasants this fall, 10,000 fewer than its recent target, while the statewide season opens October 17
Wisconsin
Nine Wolves Removed in Northern Wisconsin After Repeated Human-Safety Encounters
The Price County pack was trapped and euthanized after wolves became increasingly accustomed to people and nonlethal deterrents failed, marking Wisconsin’s first official lethal wolf removal since federal protections returned in 2022
Wisconsin EHD Outbreak Surges Past 1,500 Suspected Deer Cases as Hunting Season Begins
Wisconsin’s largest recorded EHD outbreak has expanded across five southeastern counties, with more than 1,500 sick or dead deer now reported as archery and crossbow hunters head into the field.
Wisconsin Deputy Charged After Youth Turkey Hunt Shooting Injures Father and 7-Year-Old Son
A Racine County sheriff’s deputy faces four felony charges after prosecutors say he allowed his 3-year-old daughter to pull the trigger on a shotgun aimed at what he believed was a turkey during Wisconsin’s 2026 youth hunt. Two nearby hunters were hit, including a 7-year-old boy who suffered serious head injuries.
EHD Outbreak Killing Deer in Wisconsin as Hunting Seasons Approach
More than 100 suspected deer deaths have been reported in southeastern Wisconsin, with wildlife officials warning the 2026 outbreak could become one of the state’s largest on record.
Wisconsin Hunting Dogs Continue to Fall Victim to Wolves as Long-Running Conflict Intensifies
Recent wolf attacks on hunting dogs have renewed debate over wolf management, hunter safety, and the growing challenges of balancing conservation with Wisconsin’s outdoor traditions.
Wisconsin DNR Accepting Applications for 2026 Learn to Hunt Deer Program at Sandhill Wildlife Area
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 Elk Numbers Hit Record High as May 31 Application Deadline Approaches
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.
No Wisconsin Sharp-Tailed Grouse Hunt Expected in 2026: Why the Season May Be Paused Again
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.
Wisconsin Youth Turkey Hunt Incident Leaves Two Injured, Raises Questions About Mentored Hunting Safety
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.
Wisconsin DNR Releases 2025 CWD Testing Results from Deer Hunting Season
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.
Wisconsin Opens 2026 Elk Season Applications March 1 with Expanded Quotas, Format Changes
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.
Wisconsin 2026–27 Seasons Now Live in Hunterizer App Ahead of License Year Start
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.
Wisconsin Assembly Passes Sandhill Crane Hunt Bill, Sending Debate to the Senate
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.
Wisconsin Releases 2026 Bear Permit Drawing Results — Hunters Should Check Go Wild Accounts Now
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 Approves Record Number of Bear Hunting Licenses for Upcoming Fall Season
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.
Could Wisconsin Soon Legalize Sandhill Crane Hunting? What Hunters Need to Know in 2026
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.
Wisconsin Wraps Up 2025 Elk Hunting Season
The 2025 elk hunting season in Wisconsin concluded on December 19, with 13 hunters selected from over 26,000 applicants successfully harvesting a total of seven bulls and five antlerless elk across two managed ranges. The DNR reported that the hunt met its harvest objectives, particularly in the Black River Elk Range, where nearly all license holders were successful. Applications for the 2026 elk hunting season will open on March 1, 2026.
Hunterizer.com launches “Seasons” App
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. (now supports California, Georgia, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin). Built to simplify the confusing patchwork of hunting regulations, …
Hunting on Wisconsin’s Nature Conservancy Lands: What You Need to Know
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 …
Wisconsin DNR Seeks Landowners to Host 2025 Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities
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 …
First Time in the Field? Wisconsin’s Learn to Hunt Deer Program Might Be the Ticket
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 …
What Wisconsin Hunters Said: 2025 Spring Hearing Results
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 …
Wisconsin’s Hunting and Fishing Licenses: What to Know About the Proposed Price Increases
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 …