Seasons

• Individuals are only allowed to hunt deer during a designated season. Seasons are outlined by the DNR according to the hunting method. Bow hunting is the earliest season and the longest in duration. It typically starts in mid-September and runs until the first week of January, with the exception of one week in November when it is not allowed. The firearm and muzzle loader seasons starts in late November. There is also a youth deer hunt on one weekend in October. The statewide antlerless deer hunt is on one weekend in December.
  
  

Regulations

• Deer hunting regulations are extensive and meant to protect the safety of hunters and effectively carry out the deer population control program. Hunters should keep abreast of harvest limits, tagging, registration, baiting, feeding, education, boundary and license requirements. For example, all hunters must be able to present a hunter education certificate, the previous year's Wisconsin hunter's license or proof of having successfully completed military basic training.
  
  

Hunting Areas

• Wisconsin hunting areas are classified as state-owned, federal, tribal or private. Each type of land has its own regulations. According to the DNR, the most common places to hunt are state wildlife areas. Nearly every county includes one. There also are nearly 50 state parks that allow hunting. Residents involved in the Wisconsin Damage and Abatement Claims Program (WDACP) may be able to provide managed or open hunting access during open season or through the agricultural damage shooting permit program.
  
  

Special Hunts

• Wisconsin offers two special hunts--a youth deer hunt and a deer hunt for disabled people. The youth hunt is designed to help children ages 10 to 15 gain experience without the presence other firearm hunters. Two days are set aside in October each year for the youth hunt. The disabled hunt also takes place in October. Hunters with disabilities must have a valid Class A, long-term Class B or Class C permit that outlines possible restrictions, such as being able to shoot from a vehicle.
  
  

Deer Donation Program

• Wisconsin hunters donated nearly 70,000 deer between 2000 and 2009 to be used by a variety of charitable organizations, such as Hunt for the Hungry and Target Hunger. Hunters who wish to participate in the effort can donate any legally harvested deer taken outside of a Chronic Wasting Disease Zone. Hunters must make arrangements with one of 140 meat processors who work with the program to donate a deer.