Hunting and trapping seasons

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of several hunting and trapping seasons in October 2026.
There are six dates throughout October when seasons open, so hunters are encouraged to double-check the hunting season dates and trapping season dates and confirm that they have acquired all necessary licenses and stamps before heading into the field.

Oct. 3
• Duck (Southern Zone)
• Coot (Southern Zone)

• Goose (Mississippi Goose Zone)
• Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities (sponsored properties only Oct. 3-9)
• Falconry: Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots (Southern Zone)

Oct. 7
• Bear (Zones A, B, and D: where dogs are permitted, with the aid of dogs, no other methods)

Oct. 10
• Youth Gun Deer Hunt (statewide Oct. 10-11)
• Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities (statewide Oct. 10-11)

Oct. 17
• Duck (Open Water Zone)

• Cottontail Rabbit (Southern Zone, opens at 9 a.m.)
• Pheasant (opens at 9 a.m.)
• Ruffed Grouse (Zone B)
• Hungarian Partridge (opens at 9 a.m., closed in Clark, Marathon, and Taylor counties)
• Bobwhite Quail (opens at 9 a.m.)
• Bobcat (Period 1, hunting and trapping)
• Coyote (trapping)
• Fisher (trapping)
• Raccoon (resident, hunting and trapping)
• Fox (hunting and trapping)
• Falconry: Ducks, Mergansers, and Coots (Open Water Zone)

Oct. 24
• Mink (Northern Zone, trapping only)
• Muskrat (Northern Zone, trapping only)

Oct. 31

• Mink (Central Zone, trapping only)
• Muskrat (Central Zone, trapping only)
• Raccoon (nonresident, hunting and trapping)

The DNR also reminds hunters of mobile-friendly online resources, including regulations, season dates, hunting hours, pheasant stocking information, and more, available on the DNR’s Hunting or Trapping webpages or the online regulations. Hunters and trappers can also find a wealth of information in the DNR’s Fall Hunting Forecasts on its website.
A list of public lands open to hunting is available on the Public Access Lands webpage. This web resource lets hunters plan their next adventure from the comfort of their home.

Hunters using a firearm should do their part to keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by following these TAB-K firearm safety rules:
T — Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
A — Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
B — Be certain of your target, what’s before it and what’s beyond it.
K — Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law. Information on safe hunting and hunter education course registration is available on the DNR’s Hunting Safety webpage.
All first-time trappers must complete an approved trapper education course unless trapping under the youth supervised option, mentored trapping program, or other exemptions. Experienced trappers teach this comprehensive course that covers basic trapping skills, including legal methods, regulations, safety, and ethics.
The DNR also reminds hunters to always check the current consumption advisories on the DNR’s Consumption Advisories webpage before going out into the field. To find all of the referenced pages, go to dnr.wisconsin.gov.