MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday that this year’s gun deer season will open later this month.
The nine-day season is set to begin Nov. 22 and end Nov. 30.
The DNR emphasized that there may be fewer deer out and on the move than in years where the season opened earlier.
Officials also announced that Deer Management Units will look different this year.
DMUs in Northern Forest Management Zones have been converted from county-based units to habitat-based units. Forest Zone DMUs are also now referred to by a number, and this number or name of your DMU will be required when requesting antlerless permits. To find which DMU you are hunting in, click here.
Also important to note is that all harvested deer must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered. Registration can be completed through GameReg, by phone at 1-844-426-3734, or at an electronic in-person registration station.
The DNR also stressed the importance of knowing your target, as elk tend to move out of the elk management zones during the fall breeding season. Elk taken without a tag could result in a fine or revocation of your hunting license.
Wisconsinites out for the hunt are required to wear blaze orange or fluorescent pink for at least 50% of their clothing above the waist.
Hunters are reminded to follow the four basic rules of firearm safety, also known as TAB-K. According to the DNR, these are (their words):
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 and beyond it. K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, is required through the Mentored Hunting Law to have a hunter education certificate in order to purchase a hunting license.
Finally, hunters are encouraged to participate in the Deer Donation Program to help fellow Wisconsinites who are struggling with food insecurity amid the government shutdown.
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