You can expect to see hunters entering the woods beginning Saturday, when deer hunting season opens for archery and crossbow hunters. It kicks off a period of more than four months during which hunters can harvest deer. Based on recommendations from county deer advisory councils, hunters are eligible for additional antlerless tags in Door and Kewaunee counties when they purchase their licenses. The archery and crossbow season runs through Jan. 31.
Other opportunities include the gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities Oct. 3-11, the youth deer hunt Oct. 10-11, the traditional gun deer season Nov. 21-29, the muzzleloader season Nov. 30-Dec. 9, and the antlerless-only holiday hunt Dec. 24-Jan. 1. With hunters entering the woods, DNR Warden Chris Kratcha wants hunters to think about safety, especially when setting up their tree stands.
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must complete a hunter education course and have a hunter education safety certificate on file to purchase a hunting license in Wisconsin unless they are hunting under the hunting mentorship program or have successfully completed and can provide proof of basic military training. You can find course information on the DNR website.
