HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the state of Wisconsin to hunt any game animal. There are a variety of license types available depending on your age, residency status, and what type of game you plan to hunt.  

Resident License

Resident licenses are available to individuals who are residents of the state – a resident is any person who has lived within the state for 30 days or longer. A resident license is required for any person 10 years of age or older who hunts any game within the state. There are various types of resident licenses available depending on the hunter’s age, the type of firearm being used, and the type of game being hunted.

NON-RESIDENT LICENSES

Nonresident licenses are available to residents of other states or provinces who wish to hunt within the state of Wisconsin. A license is required for any nonresident 10 years of age or older. The type of license or permit required will vary depending on the game animal being hunted, the license holders age, and the type of firearm being used. 

Non Residents who are attending a high school or university within the state, or who are an active member of the armed forces who are stationed in Wisconsin should contact a DNR Service Center for more information on the required license types. 

OTHER LICENSE TYPES

Seniors license types are available for those 65 years of age or older for small game hunting. 

Additionally, a disability license type is available for both residents and nonresidents who are eligible. 

Additional license types may be required within the state depending on the type of game animal being hunted, the type of firearm being used, and where the person is hunting. 

GAME SPECIES

Wisconsin offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. Various landscapes including hardwood forests, grassland and the boreal forest merge within the state providing numerous habitats for the state’s wide variety of game animals. In addition the state is known as a hotspot for white-tailed deer.  

Game species in Wisconsin include: 

• Big game including white-tailed deer, bear, and turkey.
• Small game including rabbit and squirrel
• Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, mourning dove, coot, moorhen, rails, snipe, and woodcock. 
• Furbearers including coyote, fox, beaver, mink, muskrat, fisher, and raccoon among others. 

NON-GAME SPECIES

The Wisconsin DNR defines nongame species as “all birds, mammals, and other terrestrial vertebrates which usually have no open season for hunting for trapping.” Threatened and endangered species are also included in this category. 

Nongame species within the state include various types of mammals, birds, and amphibians including snakes, bats, cougar, elk, eagles, cricket frogs, martens, and whooping cranes. 

Some of these species are also endangered or threatened. It is unlawful to take any endangered, threatened, or protected species. These animals include the gray wolf, flying squirrel, various species of bat, and marten – just to name a few from an ever-growing list. 

Taking any non-game species for commercial purposes, such as sale, bartwer or exchange is unlawful in the state, and may result in heavy fines. 

Hunters should also note that additional caution should be taken when hunting armadillo and they may carry leprosy.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Wisconsin, and have become a threat to native wildlife. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically have no natural predators which can result in rapid spread and population growth. This in turn can seriously harm the state’s lands and waters, and can be detrimental to the health and population numbers of a variety of the state’s native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Wisconsin include Asian lady beetle, mute swan, water hyacinth, and beech marten, among many others. 

In order to protect Wisconsin’s native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species within the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For information on how to report various types of invasive species in Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin DNR Invasive Species webpage.

PRIVATE LAND

Much of the land in Wisconsin is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow state hunting regulations as well as any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and property of the landowner at all times. 

Hunters within the state may also hunt within some Managed Forest Law (MFL) and Forest Crop Law (FCL) Lands. Specific regulations may apply within these areas. For more information on hunting within MFL or FCL lands, visit the Wisconsin DNR website. 

PUBLIC LAND

There are 6 million acres of public lands within the state of Wisconsin, many of which are open to hunting. Some of these lands include designated wildlife areas, natural areas, state forests, and federally managed lands. Hunters should note that public lands may be open to multiple types of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, bicycling, bird watching, horseback riding, fishing, paddling and more. Before heading to a public recreation area for hunting, be sure to check that the space is open to hunting activities. 

The Wisconsin DNR offers an easy way to find a public hunting area near you. Hunters, and other recreational lands users can visit the Wisconsin DNR Explore Outdoors page, enter their county, preferred activity, property type, or property name, and filter for a list of spaces that match their requirements. 

VOLUNTARY PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has partnered with and provides financial incentive to private landowners who open their properties to public hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife observation. 

The participation of these landowners provides access to thousands of acres of private lands to hunters however, the continued access to these lands relies upon the continued participation of landowners. For this reason, landowner properties must be respected and all rules and regulations must be followed by hunters to ensure that these lands remain open to the public, 

For more information on the Voluntary Public Access Program, of if you’re interested in participating as a landowner, visit the Wisconsin DNR Voluntary Public Access Program webpage. 

What Are Wildlife Management Areas?

Wildlife areas in Wisconsin offer a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. These activities include hunting, fishing, trapping. Additionally, designated spaces within these areas may also permit camping, cycling, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Dog training for hunting purposes may also be permitted in some areas. 

WMA Regulations

Various regulations may apply within designated wildlife areas, depending on the county, region, and which activities are permitted. Some example of regulations the may apply within these areas include:

• ATV and other off-road vehicle restrictions
• Camping restrictions
• Hunting restrictions within certain ares, which may be designated to other recreational activities