Viewable and printable versions are available:2025 Season Dates and Application DeadlinesDeer2025 SeasonsArchery and Crossbow**No bucks may be harvested during the antlerless-only hunts identified below.Sept. 13 – Jan. 4, 2026Archery and Crossbow *Metro Sub-units and counties with extended archery seasons*See the .Sept. 13 – Jan. 31, 2026Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities: This is not a statewide season. Oct. 4 – 12Youth deer huntOct. 11 – 12GunNov. 22 – 30MuzzleloaderDec. 1 – 10December 4-Day Antlerless-Only HuntDec. 11 – 14Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt*Open only in select Farmland (Zone 2) counties. Please see page 12 of combined hunting regulations for valid counties.Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2026*All dates are subject to change through rulemaking or a legislative process. Please check the for the complete dates and unit designations.BearThe application deadline for bear permits is always Dec. 10, the year before the season.2025 SeasonsNote: Zones A, B, D: where dogs are permittedSept. 3 – 9with the help of dogs onlySept. 10 – 30with the assistance of dogswith the help of baitwith all other legal methodsOct. 1 – 7with the aid of baitwith all other legal methods not using dogsZones C, E, F: where dogs are not permittedSept. 3 – Oct. 7with the help of baitwith all other legal methods not using dogsMigratory Birds2025 SeasonsEarly TealSept. 1 – 9Early GooseSept. 1 – 15Rail (Virginia, Sora)Sept. 1 - Nov. 9SnipeSept. 1 - Nov. 9Common GallinuleSept. 1 - Nov. 9Mourning DoveSept. 1 – Nov. 29Youth WaterfowlSept. 20 – 21WoodcockSept. 20 – Nov. 3Northern Duck ZoneSept. 27 – Nov. 25Southern Duck ZoneOct. 4-12 and Oct. 18-Dec. 7Open Water Duck ZoneOct. 18 – Dec. 16Coot*Same as duck season for each zoneNorthern Goose ZoneSept. 16 – Dec. 16Southern and Mississippi Goose ZonesSept. 16 – Oct. 12, Oct. 18 – Dec. 7, Dec. 20 – Jan. 2, 2026Falconry2025 SeasonsRail (Virginia, Sora), Snipe, Common Gallinule & WoodcockHalf an hour before sunrise to sunsetSept. 1 – Dec. 16Early TealSunrise to SunsetSept 1 – 9Ducks, mergansers & cootsHalf an hour before sunrise to sunsetAll ZonesSept. 20 – 21, Jan. 9, – Feb. 13, 2026South ZoneOct. 4-12, Oct. 18 – Dec. 7Open Water ZoneOct. 18 – Dec. 16North ZoneSept. 27 – Nov. 25GeeseHalf an hour before sunrise to sunset*Same as the regular goose season dates; it depends on the zoneThe total daily bag limit for migratory game birds is 3, singly or in the aggregate, to include not more than the legal limit for Canada geese in the zone/season you are hunting.The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit.Wild TurkeyThe application deadline for spring turkey harvest authorizations is always Dec. 10.2025 Seasons2025 Spring Turkey Youth HuntApril 12 – 13Spring 2025Period AApril 16 – 22Period BApril 23 – 29Period CApril 30- May 6Period DMay 7–13Period EMay 14– 20Period FMay 21 – 27Fall 2025Nov. 22 – Jan. 4, 2026StatewideSept. 13 – Nov. 21Small Game2025 SeasonsCottontail rabbitNorthern zoneSept. 13 – Feb. 28, 2026Southern zoneOct. 18 (9 a.m.) – Feb. 28, 2026Milwaukee CountyYear-roundSquirrels (gray and fox)StatewideSept. 13 – Feb. 28, 2026Hunting protected species like badgers, jackrabbits, moose, and flying squirrels is prohibited.Check the for a complete set of rules.Other Game Birds2025 SeasonsPheasantStatewideOct. 18 (9 a.m.) – Jan. 4, 2026Ruffed grouseZone ASept. 13 – Jan. 4, 2026Zone BOct. 18 – Dec. 8CrowStatewideNov. 22 – March 25, 2026Hungarian partridgeStatewide (closed in Clark, Marathon, and Taylor counties)Oct. 18 (9 a.m.) – Jan. 4, 2026Sharp-tailed grouse2025 season under review Bobwhite quailStatewideOct. 18 (9 a.m.) – Dec. 10Check the for a complete set of rules.FurbearersThe application deadline for bobcat and fisher permits is always Aug. 1. An otter application is no longer required for the season.2025 SeasonsWolfHunting Hunting with the aid of dogs Trapping CoyoteHuntingYear-roundTrappingOct. 18 – Feb. 15, 2026Fox (red and gray)Hunting and TrappingOct. 18 – Feb. 15. 2026Beaver.Mink.Muskrat.BobcatHunting and TrappingPeriod 1: Oct. 18 – Dec. 25Period 2: Dec. 26 – Jan. 31, 2026Fisher. Otter.RaccoonHunting and TrappingResident: Oct. 18 – Feb. 15, 2026Nonresident: Nov. 1 – Feb. 15, 2026, 2025 Seasons; Rail (Virginia, Sora), Snipe, Common Gallinule & Woodcock: Half an hour before sunrise to sunset: Sept. 1 – Dec. 16, If a black bear is near your home or cabin, from a safe location, try to scare the bear away by making loud noises (like clanging pots and pans together) or throwing objects in the bear’s direction. Black bears tend to avoid interactions with people if escape is possible, so make sure it has a clear escape route – never corner a bear..