Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 10.01

Current through April 29, 2024

Section NR 10.01 - Open and closed seasons

A closed season is established year-round for each species of wild animal named in this section, except during the specified open season. Seasons open to legal hunting and trapping apply to the entire locality described, except as otherwise provided in ch. NR 11. Whenever open and closed season areas are defined by highways, the boundary shall be the highway center line. No person may hunt, take, catch, or kill any animal specified in this section except during the specified open season.

(1) MIGRATORY GAME BIRDS. In accordance with this section, the department may annually select migratory bird season dates and bag limits established in pars. (b) and (L) using the procedures established in par. (a):

(a)Bag limits. The department shall utilize the following procedures in applying a bag limit under this section:

1. 'Notice.' The department shall prepare and distribute a notice of its proposed annual migratory bird season dates and bag limit selections. The notice shall be published as a class 1 notice under ch. 985, Stats., in the official state newspaper. The notice shall include a description of the zone or zones affected, the species affected, the proposed annual selections, and the date the annual selections will take effect. The notice shall invite the public to submit written comments and indicate that a public information meeting will be held on the alternate limit if requested in writing within 10 days after the notice is published.

2. 'Determination.' In consideration of facts and information available to it, including comments received from the public, the department shall finalize its annual migratory bird season dates and bag limit selections. The annual selections shall take effect upon the issuance of an order of the secretary and publication in the official state newspaper.

(b)Migratory game bird seasons. The department shall, in accordance with the procedures established in par. (a), annually select migratory bird season dates from the following options:

1. When the U.S. fish and wildlife service establishes that Wisconsin may have a 30-day season for all species of wild ducks the season dates shall be as established in par. (d).

2. When the U.S. fish and wildlife service establishes that Wisconsin may have a 45-day season for all species of wild ducks the season dates shall be as established in par. (e).

3. When the U.S. fish and wildlife service establishes that Wisconsin may have a 60-day season for all species of wild ducks the season dates shall be as established in par. (f).

4. For all other species of migratory birds, season dates shall be as established in Table (1).

Table (1)

Kind of Animal	Locality	Season Dates
(c) Teal species.	Entire state	September 1 - September 9
(d) All species of wild duck, coot and merganser.	1. Northern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the first Saturday in October and continuing for 30 consecutive days.
	2. Southern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the first Saturday in October and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopening for the remainder of the 30-day season.
	3. Open Water zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 15 and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopening for the remainder of the 30-day season.
(e) All species of wild duck, coot and merganser.	1. Northern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 24 and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopening for the remainder of the 45-day season.
	2. Southern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the first Saturday in October and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopens for the remainder of the 45-day season.
	3. Open Water zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 15 and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopening for remainder of the 45-day season.
(f) All species of wild duck, coot and merganser.	1. Northern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 24 and continuing for 60 consecutive days.
	2. Southern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 1 and continuing for 9 days, followed by a 5-day closure and then reopening for 51 consecutive days.
	3. Open Water zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 15 and continuing for 60 consecutive days.
(g) Canada geese and its subspecies, Snow, or blue and Ross' geese.	Entire state	September 1-15
(h) All species of wild geese.	1. Northern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning September 16 and continuing for 92 consecutive days.
	2. Southern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on September 16 and continuing until the 5-day closure in the southern duck zone hunting season in par. (b), then reopening at the end of the 5 day closure and continuing until the closure of the southern duck zone hunting season in par. (b), and then reopening on the third Saturday in December and continuing for a season total of 92 days.
	3. Mississippi River zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Beginning on September 16 and continuing until the 5-day closure in the southern duck zone hunting season in par. (b), then reopening at the end of the 5 day closure and continuing until the closure of the southern duck zone hunting season in par. (b), and then reopening on third Saturday in December and continuing for a season total of 92 days.
(i) Mourning dove	Entire state	September 1 - November 29
(j) Woodcock	Entire state	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 22 and continuing for 45 days.
(k) Sora and Virginia Rail and Snipe	Entire state	September 1 - November 9.

(L)Migratory bird daily bag limit and possession limit:

1. `Possession limit.' The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit through the entire season except opening day when it is the same as the daily bag limit and the second day when it is twice the daily bag limit.

2. `Daily bag limits.' The bag limit for migratory birds is zero for all species. Following the procedures established in par. (a), the secretary may annually select a bag limit for each species of migratory bird that is equal to the maximum allowable bag limit established by the U.S. fish and wildlife service, except that for the following species the bag limit shall be selected as provided below:

a. Canada Geese and its subspecies: 5 during the season established in par. (g), 3 during the seasons established in par. (h), except the bag limit is 5 in the Southern and Mississippi River zones beginning on December 16 th until the close of the season.

(m)Falconry special season. Any person possessing a valid falconry permit and hunting license shall be restricted to the following migratory game bird seasons and bag limits:

Kind of Animal	Locality	Open season (all dates inclusive)	Daily Bag Limit
1. All species of wild ducks, mergansers, and coots.	Northern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Concurrent with the open youth waterfowl hunt in par. (n) and open northern zone regular duck season in par. (d), (e), or (f). Reopening on the second Friday in January and continuing to not exceed 45 days.	3 in aggregate with those species listed under subd. 2.
	Southern zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Concurrent with the open youth waterfowl hunt in par. (n) and open northern zone regular duck season in par. (d), (e), or (f). Reopening on the second Friday in January and continuing to not exceed 45 days.	3 in aggregate with those species listed under subd. 2.
	Mississippi River zone as established in s. NR 10.32.	Concurrent with the open youth waterfowl hunt in par. (n) and open northern zone regular duck season in par. (d), (e), or (f). Reopening on the first or second Friday in January and continuing to not exceed 45 days.	3 in aggregate with those species listed under subd. 2.
2. Gallinules, Sora rail, Virginia rail, common snipe, and woodcock.	Entire state.	Sept. 1 - Dec. 16	3 in aggregate with those species listed under subd. 1.
3. Geese	Within the zones and subzones established in s. NR 10.31.	Concurrent with the open season for geese established in par. (h) for each zone or subzone.	As established in par. (L).

4. The possession limit is three times the daily bag limit through the entire season except opening day when it is the same as the daily bag limit and the second day when it is twice the daily bag limit.

(n)Special youth waterfowl hunt event. Persons under the age of 16 may hunt all species of wild duck, mergansers, geese, coots, common gallinules, Sora and Virginia rails, and snipe statewide for 2 consecutive days starting on the Saturday before the beginning of the open season established for the northern duck zone by sub. (1). Approvals under ch. 29, Stats., are not required pursuant to s. 29.197 (2), Stats. Registration in the harvest information program under s. NR 10.12 (11) is required. Daily bag limits are those selected by the secretary under par. (L) and all other waterfowl hunting regulations apply. Hunters shall be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older and be in compliance with s. 29.592 or 29.593, Stats. One adult may not accompany more than 2 hunters and pursuant to s. 29.592, Stats., not more than one of the 2 hunters may be age 10 or 11 or be a person who does not possess a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591, Stats., or its equivalent from another state, country, or province.

(2) GAME BIRDS.

Table (2)

Kind of animal and locality	Open season (all dates inclusive)	Limit
(a) Ruffed grouse
1. Zone A as established under s. NR 10.33.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	Daily bag 5; possession 15
2. Zone B as established under s. NR 10.33.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing through December 8	Daily bag 2; possession 6
4. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	Daily bag 2; possession 6
(b) Sharp-tailed grouse 1. All game management units as described in s. NR 10.285 for which a sharp-tailed grouse harvest quota has been established under s. NR 10.26.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing for 23 consecutive days.	One sharp-tailed grouse per carcass tag issued. The possession limit corresponds t o t he n umber of carcass tags issued
Note: Reporting cards are available at most DNR license outlets within the areas open to sharp-tailed grouse hunting.
4. Reporting requirements. Each person possessing a sharp-tailed grouse hunt reporting card shall complete and submit the reporting card to the department within 5 days after the close of the season.
(c) Pheasants
1. Cocks only
a. In all counties of the state except the properties specified in subds. 1. b. and 2. and s. NR 10.24.	Early season-Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing for 2 consecutive days Late season-Beginning on the day immediately after the season described above and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	Daily bag 1; possession 2 Daily bag 2; possession 6
b. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff and Mirror Lake state parks	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	Daily bag 2; possession 6
2. Cocks and hens - Within the following named properties as posted with department signs: a. Avoca (Iowa county) b. Scuppernong (Waukesha county) c. C.D. "Buzz" Besadny fish and wildlife area (Kewaunee county) d. Pine River (Richland county) e. Vernon (Waukesha county) f. Boscobel unit of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (Grant county) g. Kickapoo valley reserve (Vernon county) h. Kettle Moraine state forest (Waukesha county) i. Tom Lawin wildlife area (Chippewa county) j. Sand Creek fishery area (Monroe county)	Same as in subd. 1. a.	Same as in subd. 1. a.
8. Pheasant stamp. No person may hunt pheasants in the pheasant management zones defined in s. NR 10.001 (21m), without a valid state pheasant stamp approval required under s. 29.191, Stats., unless the person is carrying a valid conservation patron license, senior citizen recreation card, free military small game license or first year hunter education certificate.
Note: Special rules for the Bong state recreation area are established in s. NR 10.24.
(d) Gray (Hungarian) partridge
1. In all counties of the state except in the areas listed in subd. 2.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	Daily bag 3; possession 9
2. Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties.	None	None
(e) Bobwhite quail
1. In all counties of the state except in the parks listed in subd. 2.	Beginning on Saturday nearest October 17 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing for 54 consecutive days.	Daily bag 5; possession 15
2. Governor Dodge, Mirror Lake, and Mill Bluff state parks.	Beginning on November 1 to the close of the season listed in subd. 1.	Daily bag 5; possession 15
(f) Wild turkey.
1. All wild turkey hunting zones as described in s. NR 10.29, excluding state parks, for which a quota has been established under s. NR 10.25 (5).	Spring seasons beginning on the third Wednesday in April and continuing Wednesday through Tuesday of the following week for 6 consecutive 7-day time periods, except on Ft. McCoy military reservation where the season continues for 40 consecutive days.	The bag limit is one male or bearded turkey for each wild turkey harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.25.
2. All wild turkey hunting zones as described in s. NR 10.29 and the Mill Bluff state park portion of zone 1, excluding all other state parks, for which a quota has been established under s. NR 10.25 (5).	Fall season beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the Friday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving holiday.	The bag limit is one male or one female turkey for each wild turkey harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.25.
3. Wild turkey hunting zones 1-5, as described in s. NR 10.29 and the Mill Bluff state park portion of zone 1, excluding all other state parks, for which a quota has been established under s. NR 10.25 (5).	Fall season reopening on the Saturday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving holiday and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6th.	The bag limit is one male or one female turkey for each wild turkey harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.25.
Note: Glacial Heritage Area state park lands may be leased to another unit of government for management purposes and access permits to hunt turkeys on those lands would be obtained from that unit of government.
4. Youth turkey hunt.
a. Persons under the age of 16 years of age who possess a valid wild turkey harvest authorization issued for the current license year, and all necessary ch. 29, Stats., approvals may hunt turkeys for 2 consecutive days starting on the Saturday immediately preceding the beginning of the spring turkey hunting season established in subd. 1. in the turkey management zone for which the harvest authorization was issued. The bag limit is one male or bearded turkey for each wild turkey harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.25, except that no hunter may harvest more than one turkey during this season. Hunters shall be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older and comply with s. 29.592, Stats. One adult may not accompany more than 2 hunters and pursuant to s. 29.592, Stats., not more than one of the 2 hunters may be age 10 or 11, or be a person who does not possess a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591, Stats., or its equivalent from another state, country or province. All other spring turkey hunting regulations apply.
b. A youth who does not successfully harvest a turkey during the 2-day youth hunt established in subd. 4. a. may use their harvest authorization during the time period and in the zone for which the harvest authorization was issued.
(g) Crow
1. Statewide except in the parks listed in subd. 2.	Beginning on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and continuing for 124 days.	Daily bag 15; possession 45
2. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff and Mirror Lake state parks.	Beginning on Nov. 1 and continuing through the Thursday immediately preceding the gun deer season for Zone A in sub. (3) (e).	Daily bag 15; possession 45

(3) UPLAND GAME ANIMALS.

Table (3)

Kind of animal and locality	Open season (all dates inclusive)	Limit
(a) Gray and fox squirrels
1. In all counties of the state except in the parks listed in subd. 2.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the last day in February.	Daily bag (total of both species) 5; possession 15
2. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff, and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	Daily bag (total of both species) 5; possession 15
(b) Raccoon (resident hunting and trapping) In all counties of the state	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing through February 15.	None
(bm) Raccoon (non-resident hunting and trapping) In all counties of the state	Beginning on the Saturday nearest November 1 and continuing through February 15.	None
(bt) Raccoon (state park resident and non-resident hunting) Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff, and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	None
(c) Cottontail, jackrabbit and snowshoe hare
1. Snowshoe hare
a. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff, and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	None
b. In all other parts of the state.	All year	None
2. Cottontail
a. All that part of Wisconsin lying north of U. S. highway 10 from Prescott to Waupaca and state highway 54 from Waupaca to Algoma	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the last day in February.	Daily bag 3; possession 9
b. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff, and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	Daily bag 3; possession 9
d. In all other parts of the state	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 at 9:00 a.m. and continuing through the last day in February.	Daily bag 3; possession 9
3. Jackrabbit In all counties of the state	None	0
(d) Bobcat (wildcat; hunting and trapping)
1. Statewide	Two permit periods: The Saturday nearest Oct. 17 - Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 - Jan. 31.	One per season as authorized by the appropriate permit
(e) Gun deer season except as established in par. (ex).
1. a. All that part of the state not otherwise listed in subds. 2. to 5.	Firearm season beginning on the Saturday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving Day holiday and continuing for 9 consecutive days.	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
b. All that part of the state not otherwise listed in subds. 2. to 4.	Firearm season beginning on the second Thursday following the Thanksgiving Day holiday and continuing for 4 consecutive days.	One antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
2. State parks, trails and forests. State parks, trails, and forests are open during the seasons and subject to the same bag limit listed in subd. 1 except as established in subd. 2., and except that no person may hunt deer on the state-owned portions of state parks, trails and recreation areas in locations and at times when the department has determined that prohibiting hunting is necessary pursuant to s. 29.089 (1m) (b), Stats. Portions of state properties may also be posted as closed to hunting. No person may use a firearm, other than a muzzleloading firearm, to hunt deer within the boundaries of Perrot, High Cliff, Peninsula, Rib Mountain, Harrington Beach, Kohler-Andrae, and Wildcat Mountain state parks, and the Loew Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine state forest
a. Perrot, High Cliff and Peninsula state parks and the Loew Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine state forest.	Muzzleloading firearm season beginning on the Saturday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving Day holiday and continuing for 9 consecutive days.	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
b. Rib Mountain, Harrington Beach, Kohler-Andrae and Wildcat Mountain state parks.	Muzzleloading firearm season beginning on the Saturday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving Day holiday and continuing for 19 consecutive days.	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
c. Buckhorn state park in the area east of 19th avenue, north of county HWY G, and north of 31st street.	Firearm seasons listed in subd. 1., the muzzle-loader season established in par. (es) 1., and the youth hunt in par. (ev).	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless deer harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
3. Federal properties
a. Fort McCoy military reservation in Monroe county and Volk Field military facility in Juneau county.	Firearm season type as established by military permit and approved by the department by August 1 annually.	Sex and type of deer is as specified on permit issued by military facility.
Note: The department does not issue deer hunting permits for the Fort McCoy and Volk Field military facilities. Hunters must apply directly to these facilities for a deer hunting permit and are limited to the type of deer specified on the permit.
4. Menominee county	Firearm season type as established by the Menominee tribe for tribal members only.	As established by the Menominee tribe.
5. Metropolitan deer management subunits as described under s. NR 10.28 (2).	Firearm season beginning on the Saturday immediately preceding the Thanksgiving holiday and continuing for 19 consecutive days.	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
(em) Archery deer season except as established in s. NR 10.01 (3) (ex).
1. All that part of the state not otherwise listed in subds. 2. to 4.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104, except that no person may harvest a buck in an area of the state where an antlerless only firearm deer hunting season established under par. (e) or (ex) is open.
2. Federal properties.
a. Fort McCoy military reservation in Monroe county and Volk Field military facility in Juneau county.	As established by military permit and approved by the department by August 1 annually.	Sex and type of deer is as specified on permit issued by military facility.
Note: The department does not issue deer hunting permits for the Fort McCoy and Volk Field military facilities. Hunters must apply directly to these facilities for a deer hunting permit and are limited to the type of deer specified on the permit.
b. Federally owned portions of the Apostle Islands.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through September 30 and November 1 through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One deer for each deer harvest authorization as described under s. NR 10.104 (15) (a) and (b). Additional deer may be taken pursuant to s. NR 10.104 (15) (d).
3. Metropolitan deer management subunits
a. Metropolitan deer management subunits as described under s. NR 10.28 (2).	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through January 31.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104, except that no person may harvest a buck in an area of the state where an antlerless only firearm deer hunting season established under par. (e) is open.
4. State parks, trails, forests and recreation areas. State parks, trails and forests are open during the seasons and subject to the same bag limit listed in subd. 1. except as established in subd. 4., and except that no person may hunt deer on the state-owned portions of state parks, trails, forests and recreation areas in locations and at times when the department has determined that prohibiting hunting is necessary pursuant to s. 29.089 (1m) (b), Stats. Portions of properties may also be posted closed to hunting.
a. Buckhorn state park	During the archery deer season described in subd. 1.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
b. Big Bay, Blue Mound, Governor Dodge, and Tower Hill state parks.	Beginning on Oct. 15 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104, except that no person may harvest a buck in an area of the state where an antlerless only firearm deer hunting season established under par. (e) is open.
Note: When purchasing an archer license, a person who has already been issued a license authorizing deer hunting with a crossbow will not receive the archery buck deer harvest authorization described in this paragraph or an antlerless deer harvest authorization valid in farmland zones. A person may use any harvest authorization issued with a license authorizing hunting deer with a crossbow during the crossbow deer season established in par. (ep) under the authority of a valid archer license during the archery season established in this paragraph.
(ep) Crossbow deer season except as established in s. NR 10.01 (3) (ex).
1. All that part of the state not otherwise listed in subds. 2. to 4.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104, except that no person may harvest a buck in an area of the state where an antlerless only firearm deer hunting season established under par. (e) or (ex) is open.
2. Federal properties.
a. Fort McCoy military reservation in Monroe county and Volk Field military facility in Juneau county.	As established by military permit and approved by the department by August 1 annually.	Sex and type of deer is as specified on permit issued by military facility.
Note: The department does not issue deer hunting permits for the Fort McCoy and Volk Field military facilities. Hunters must apply directly to these facilities for a deer hunting permit and are limited to the type of deer specified on the permit.
b. Federally owned portions of the Apostle Islands.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through September 30 and November 1 through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One deer for each deer harvest authorization as described under s. NR 10.104 (15) (a) and (b). Additional deer may be taken pursuant to s. NR 10.104 (15) (d).
3. Metropolitan deer management subunits described under s. NR 10.28 (2).	Beginning on the Saturday nearest September 15 and continuing through January 31.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104, except that no person may harvest a buck in an area of the state where an antlerless only firearm deer hunting season established under par. (e) is open.
4. State parks, trails, forests and recreation areas. State parks, trails and forests are open during the seasons and subject to the same bag limit listed in subd. 1. except as established in subd. par. a. to c., and except that no person may hunt deer on the state-owned portions of state parks, trails, forests and recreation areas in locations and at times when the department has determined that prohibiting hunting is necessary pursuant to s. 29.089 (1m) (b), Stats. Portions of properties may also be posted as closed to hunting.
a. Buckhorn state park	During the archery deer season described in subd. 1.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
b. Big Bay, Blue Mound, Governor Dodge, and Tower Hill state parks.	Beginning on October 15 and continuing for the remainder of the archery deer season described in subd. 1.	One buck deer for each archery buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorizations issued under s. NR 10.104.
Note: When purchasing a crossbow license, a person who has already been issued a license authorizing deer hunting with a bow and arrow will not receive the buck deer harvest authorization described in this paragraph or an antlerless deer harvest authorization valid in farmland zones. A person may use any harvest authorization issued with a license authorizing hunting deer with a bow and arrow during the season established in par. (em) under the authority of a valid crossbow license during the crossbow season established in this paragraph.
(es) Muzzleloader deer season except as established in s NR 10.01 (3) (ex).
1. All that part of the state not otherwise listed in subd. 2., except for metropolitan deer management subunits established in s. NR 10.28 (2).	Beginning on the Monday immediately following the Thanksgiving Day holiday and continuing for 10 consecutive days.	One buck deer for each gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antler-less deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104.
2. Federally owned portions of the Apostle Islands.	Muzzleloading firearm season October 1-31.	One buck for each harvest authorization as described under s. NR 10.104 (15) (c). Additional deer may be taken pursuant to s. NR 10.104 (15) (d).
(ev) Special youth gun deer hunt event. Persons under 16 years of age may hunt deer with a firearm for 2 consecutive days beginning on the Saturday nearest October 8 in all deer management units, except state parks other than Buckhorn State Park. No person may hunt deer with any firearm other than a muzzleloading firearm at the Loew Lake Unit of the Kettle Moraine state forest. The bag limit is one buck deer with a gun buck deer harvest authorization and one antlerless deer for each antlerless harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104. No person may hunt unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older and in compliance with s. 29.592, Stats. No parent or guardian may knowingly permit a person under 16 years of age to hunt unless accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. No adult may accompany more than 2 hunters and pursuant to s. 29.592, Stats., not more than one of the 2 hunters may be age 10 or 11, or be a person who does not possess a certificate of accomplishment under s. 29.591, Stats., or its equivalent from another state, country or province. All other hunting regulations apply. Blaze orange requirements under s. 29.301 (2), Stats., apply to all hunters on these days except waterfowl hunters.
(ex) Deer season framework modifications. The department may modify the deer hunting seasons and bag limits established in this subsection upon approval of the board and the issuance of an order of the secretary and publication in the official state newspaper. 1. The department may modify the bag limits for a deer season in the following ways: a. The bag limit shall be one antlerless deer for each antlerless deer harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.104 for all archery, crossbow, or firearm deer seasons. No person may harvest any buck deer except as authorized by ss. 29.173 (2) (b), Stats., and 29.193 (2) (cr) 1. and 4., Stats. b. The department may modify the deer hunting season dates and bag limit in a farmland zone by establishing that the firearm season reopens on December 24 and continues through January 1. Only antlerless deer may be harvested. c. The department may modify the archer and crossbow season dates so that those seasons continue through January 31 in a farmland zone unit where it has also modified the season dates as established under subd. 2
(f) Fox, all species
1. Statewide except as provided in subd. 2.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing through February 15.	None
2. Governor Dodge, Mill Bluff and Mirror Lake state parks.	Nov. 1 - Dec. 15.	None
(g) Black bear (gun and bow seasons).
1. Those portions of bear management zones A, B and D as described in s. NR 10.30 where the use of dogs for bear hunting is authorized as described in s. NR 10.10 (1) (b).	With aid of dogs only, beginning on the first Wednesday following Labor Day and continuing for 28 consecutive days in odd-numbered years and beginning on the second Wednesday following Labor Day for 28 days in even-numbered years.	One adult bear per permit issued under s. NR 10.102.
	All methods not utilizing the aid of dogs, beginning on the first Wednesday following Labor Day and continuing for 28 consecutive days in even-numbered years and beginning on the second Wednesday following Labor Day for 28 days in odd-numbered years.	One adult bear per permit issued under s. NR 10.102.
2. Those portions of bear management zones A, B, C, D, E and F as described in s. NR 10.30 where the use of dogs for bear hunting is prohibited as described in s. NR 10.10 (1) (b).	All methods not utilizing the aid of dogs, beginning on the first Wednesday following Labor Day and continuing for 35 consecutive days.	One adult bear per permit issued under s. NR 10.102.
(h) Coyote
1. Hunting
a. Statewide	All year.	None
2. Trapping
a. North zone-All that part of Wisconsin north of state highway 64	Concurrent with the fox season established in par. (f) 1.	None
b. South zone-All that part of Wisconsin south of state highway 64	Concurrent with the fox season established in par. (f) 2.	None
(i) Elk (gun and bow seasons).
1. The elk management zones established in s. NR 10.37	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 15 and continuing for 30 consecutive days, when the department determines, based on scientific metrics, that the local elk population can sustain a hunting season. Beginning the second Thursday in December and continuing for 9 consecutive days, when the department determines, based on scientific metrics, that the local elk population can sustain a hunting season.	One bull elk or antlerless elk as authorized by antlerless elk tag in s. NR 10.111 (5) (c).

(4) FURBEARING ANIMALS.

Table (4)

Kind of animal and locality	Open season (all dates inclusive)	Limit
(a) Muskrat trapping.
1. The Northern Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Beginning on October 18, if that date falls on Saturday, or on the first Saturday following October 18, whichever comes first, and continuing through April 15.	None
2. The Central Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Beginning on October 25, if that date falls on Saturday, or on the first Saturday following October 25, whichever comes first, and continuing through March 22.	None
3. The Southern Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Beginning on November 1, if that date falls on Saturday, or on the first Saturday following November 1, whichever comes first, and continuing through March 15.	None
4. The Mississippi River Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Beginning on the second Monday in November and continuing through the Sunday nearest March 7.	None
(b) Incidental take of muskrats and raccoons. During the closed seasons for muskrats and raccoons, licensed trappers may retain for salvage any muskrats and raccoons taken incidentally while trapping for beaver in the portions of the state open to beaver trapping as described in par. (c).
(c) Beaver trapping.
1. Zone A as described in s. NR 10.35.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest November 4 and continuing through April 30.	None
2. Zone B as described in s. NR 10.35.	Beginning on Saturday nearest November 4 and continuing through April 30.	None
3. Zone C as described in s. NR 10.35.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest November 4 and continuing through March 31.	None
4. Zone D as described in s. NR 10.35.	Beginning on the day following the close of the open season for ducks as established under sub. (1) (d) 2., (e) 2., or (f) 2. and continuing through March 15.	None
(d) Otter trapping.
1. Northern zone as described in s. NR 10.36.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest November 4 and continuing through April 30.	One otter for each harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.145.
3. Southern zone as described in s. NR 10.36.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest November 4 and continuing through March 31.	One otter for each harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.145.
(dm) Fisher trapping.
1. North zone as described in s. NR 10.38.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One fisher for each harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.145.
2. South zone as described in s. NR 10.38.	Beginning on the Saturday nearest October 17 and continuing through the Sunday nearest January 6.	One fisher for each harvest authorization issued under s. NR 10.145.
(e) Mink trapping.
1. The Northern Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Concurrent with the muskrat season established in par. (a) 1.	None
2. The Central Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Concurrent with the muskrat season established in par. (a) 2.	None
3. The Southern Zone as described in s. NR 10.39	Concurrent with the muskrat season established in par. (a) 3.	None
4. The Mississippi River Zone as described in s. NR 10.39.	Concurrent with the muskrat season established in par. (a) 4.	None

Wis. Admin. Code Department of Natural Resources NR 10.01

Amended by, CR 09-024: am. (2) (f) 4. a., (3) (d), (e) 2., (ed) 1. b., (et) 2. and (ev) Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; CR 09-042: r. and recr. (1) (b), (g), and (u), am. (1) (v) Register June 2010 No. 654, eff. 7-1-10; CR 10-020: r. (1) (g) 1. d., i., 2. c., h., 3. c., h., 4. c. and h., am. (2) (f) 3., (3) (e) 2. b., (es) 3., cr. (3) (e) 2. i. and (et) 1. cv., r. and recr. (3) (f) Register October 2010 No. 658, eff. 2-1-11, except (1) (g) and (3) (e) 2. i., eff. 11-1-10; EmR1033: emerg. r. and recr. (1) (b), (g), (u), am. (1) (v), eff. 9-1-10; CR 10-051: am. (3) (e) 1. e., 2. b., (ed) 1. a., (em) 4. b., r. (3) (ef) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-066: r. and recr. (1) (b), (g), (u), am. (1) (v) Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11; CR 11-007: am. (2) (f) 1. to 3., (3) (e) 1. b., 2. b., (em) 1., (es) 3., (i) 1., Register October 2011 No. 670, eff. 11-1-11; CR 11-032: r. and recr. (1) (b), (g), (u), am. (1) (v) Register August 2012 No. 680, eff. 9-1-12; CR 12-031: am. (3) (d) 1. Register July 2013 No. 691, eff. 8-1-13; CR 13-021: r. (2) (c) 3. to 7., am. (3) (e), (et) 1., (ev) Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; EmR1313: emerg. r. and recr. (1) (b) to (u), am. (1) (v), eff. 9-6-13; CR 13-052: r. and recr. (1) (b) to (u), am. (1) (v) Register March 2014 No. 699, eff. 4-1-14; CR 13-021: r. and recr. (4) (a), (e) Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; CR 13-067: am. (3) (d) 1, r. (3) (d) 2., r. and recr. (3) (i) 1. Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; CR 13-108: r. (2) (f) 3., am. (2) (g) 2. Register August 2014 No. 704, eff. 9-1-14; EmR1405: emerg. r. (3) (ed), r. and recr. (3) (em), am. (3) (es) 1., r. (3) (es) 2., 3., (et), am. (3) (ev), eff. 2-25-14; EmR1420: emerg. cr. (3) (ep), eff. 9-12-14; CR 13-071: am. (2) (b) 1., r. and recr. (3) (e), r. (3) (ed), r. and recr. (3) (em), cr. (3) (ep), am. (3) (es) 1., r. (3) (es) 2., 3., (et), am. (3) (ev), cr. (3) (ex), am. (4) (dm) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (3) (e), (ep) (title) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 7., Stats., Register July 2015 No. 715; CR 15-024: am. (2) (a), (c) 1., (d) 1., (e), (f) 2., (g), (3) (a), (c) 2. Register November 2015 No. 719, eff. 2-1-16; CR 15-024: am. (2) (f) 1., Register November 2015 No. 719, eff. 6-1-16; CR 15-052 cr. (1) (a), am. (1) (b), (g) 1., d., cr. (1) (g) 1. dm., am. (1) (g) 1. e., 2., d., 3., r. (1) (g) 4., am. (1) (h), (u) 1., 3. Register January 2016 No. 721; CR 16-037: r. (3) (e) 2. d. Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17; EmR1715: emerg. am. (1) (b), (g) 1. d., dm., eff. 8-19-17; CR 17-027: am. (1) (b), (g) 1. d., dm. Register December 2017 No. 744, eff. 1-1-18; correction in (1) (g) 1. dm. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register December 2017 No. 744, eff. 1/1/2018

Amended by, CR 17-013: am. (2) (c) 1. a., (d) 1., (f) 2., cr. (3) (ex) 3., r. and recr. (4) (dm), Register February 2018 No. 746 eff. 3-1-18; corrections in (3) (ex) 3. and (4) (dm) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2018; CR 17-013: r. (4) (d) 2., Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 4/1/2018

Amended by, CR 18-005: am. (3) (e) 3. b., 5., (em) 3. a., r. and recr. (3) (ep) 3. Register September 2018 No. 753, eff. 10/1/2018

Amended by, EmR1902: emerg. r. and recr. (2) (f), (3) (e), (em), (ep), (es), (ev), (ex) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: r. and recr. (2) (f), (3) (e), (em), (ep), (es), (ev), (ex) Register Septemer 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; corection in (2) (f), (3) (e) 2. (intro.), c., 5., (em) 1., 3. a., 4., (ep) 1., 3., 4., (es) (title), (ex) (intro.), 1. made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction in numbering in (3) (ex) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 1., Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10/1/2019

Amended by, CR 18-010: am. Table (3) (i) 1. Register October 2019 No. 766, eff. 11/1/2019

Amended by, EmR 1914: emerg. am. (1) (a), (b), (b), (g) 1. a. to c., r. (1) (g) 1. d., dm., am. (1) (g) 1. e., 2. a., b., r. (1) (g) 2. c., am. (1) (g) 3. a., b., r. (1) (g) 3. c., am. (1) (u), eff. 9-5-19; CR 19-017: am. (4) (b), r. and recr. (4) (d) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20 for (4) (b) and 5-1-20 for (4) (d); correction in (4) (d) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; CR 19-068: am. (1) (a), (b), (g) 1. a. to c., r. (1) (g) 1. d., dm., am. (1) (g) 1. e., 2. a., b., r. (1) (g) 2. c., am. (1) (g) 2. d., 3. a., b., r. (1) (g) 3. c., am. (1) (g) 3. d., (u) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2/1/2020

Amended by, correction in (Removal of effective date notes) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register April 2020 No. 772, eff. 5/1/2020

Amended by, CR 19-133: am. (3) (g) 2. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 3-1-21; correction in (3) (e) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2020 No. 774; CR 19-146: am. (1) (intro.), (3) (h) 1. Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7/1/2020

Amended by, CR 19-131 am. (2) (a) Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8/1/2020

Amended by, CR 20-087: am. (4) (dm) Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9/1/2021

Amended by, EmR 2122: emerg. am. (1) (b), (c), cr. (1) (d), am. (1) (e), (f) 1., (g) 1. c., e., 2. b., d., 3. b., d., (v), eff. 8-20-21; CR 21-069: am. (1) (b), (c), cr. (1) (d), am. (1) (e), (f) 1., (g) 1. c., e., 2. b., d., 3. b., d., (v), (4) (c) Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5-1-22; correction in (1) (b), (e), (g) 1. c. made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction of numbering in (1) (b) made under s. 13.92(4) (b) 1., Stats., Register April 2022 No. 796, eff. 5/1/2022

Amended by, CR 21-078: am. (3) (a) 1., r. and recr. (4) (a), (e) Register July 2022 No. 799, eff. 8/1/2022.

Amended by, CR 23-025: am. (2) (f) 3., 4. a., r. (3) (c) 2. c. Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24; EmR2311: emerg. am. (1) (b), (g) 1. c., e., 2. d., 3. d. eff. 8-15-23; CR 23-048: r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (g) 1., (4) (c) 4. Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24; creation of (1) (a) (title), (L) 1. (title) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and s. 35.17 correction in (1) (L) 2. (intro.), a., (m) 1., (n), (2) (g) 1., (4) (c) 4. Register February 2024 No. 819, eff. 4/1/2024

The history below shows all changes to s. NR 10.01 published commencing January 1, 2010. For a complete history of s. NR 10.01 from January 2, 1956 through December 31, 2009, see the note following s. NR 10.74.