More opportunities to hunt in December, January

MADISON - The nine-day gun deer hunt may be over, but hunters can still participate in the muzzleloader season, archery and crossbow seasons and two antlerless-only gun hunts.

The muzzleloader deer season runs from Nov. 27 - Dec. 6 and gives hunters the opportunity to fill any unused deer tag and extend their gun deer season. Thousands of hunters participate in this hunt every year using both primitive and modern muzzleloaders.

The annual statewide four-day, antlerless-only hunt will take place Dec. 7-10. Hunters may fill any unused antlerless tags while hunting in the proper deer management zone, unit and land type specified on the tag.

In addition, the antlerless-only holiday hunt will be offered in 17 farmland units from Dec. 24 - Jan. 1, 2018. These seasons are used at the request of County Deer Advisory Councils and utilized in units with high deer numbers in need of antlerless harvest to slow overall herd growth.

Hunters may fill any unused antlerless tags in their proper deer management zone, county and land type. Any unit where the holiday hunt is not offered will be open for archery and crossbow hunting, and bucks may be taken.

Any legal firearm, crossbow or archery equipment may be used during the statewide antlerless-only and holiday hunts.

Additional opportunities are also available for U.S. Armed Forces members and Class A and C disability permit holders. More information is available in the 2017 regulations. 

The archery and crossbow seasons will remain open through Jan. 7, 2018 statewide.

Metro sub-units have special deer seasons that include the gun deer season to remain open through Dec. 6, while archery and crossbow seasons remains open through Jan. 31, 2018.

All hunters except waterfowl hunters are required to wear blaze orange or blaze pink clothing during any open firearm deer hunt. Other outdoor enthusiasts recreating on public lands are encouraged to wear bright colors for their own safety during these periods.

For more information regarding which hunts may be offered in each county, check out the interactive deer map at keyword "DMU."

CWD sampling

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling is being offered at various locations throughout southern, central and northern Wisconsin including both in-person service as well as self-service options.

Self-service kiosks are 24/7 options for hunters to drop off a deer head to be tested for CWD. The online registration database now includes within the station type option drop down menu the specification of self-service kiosks in available counties.

To find sampling station locations and additional information, search keywords "CWD sampling."

Hunters can search for CWD test results individually or view a summary. Hunters will need a customer ID or CWD sample barcode to search for individual results. For information regarding CWD test results, search keywords "CWD results" on the DNR website.

The cooperation of hunters and private businesses has become increasingly vital to the success of our sampling process. Department staff would like to thank all those who continue to assist with CWD surveillance.

Deer hunter wildlife survey

The Deer Hunter Wildlife Survey will remain active until all deer seasons have ended, and wildlife managers ask that hunters to submit a report of what they saw during their time in the field. This information will provide valuable data pertaining to Wisconsin's deer herd and other species.

For additional information, search keywords "deer hunter wildlife."