Plenty of hunting, trapping still open

Madison — While the rifle and muzzleloader deer seasons have drawn to a close, a number of hunting and trapping opportunities are still available this fall and winter.

Whether hunters prefer large game, small game, waterfowl or gamebirds, Wisconsin has something for everyone. Hunting and trapping provide a way for families to put local, lean protein on their tables while aiding the DNR in important species management efforts.

Hunters and trappers should consult the 2022 combined rules and regulations and season dates and DNR deadlines web page before heading out.

Deer

Archery and crossbow: Now through Jan. 8, 2023, but with an extended archery and crossbow season through Jan. 31, 2023, in certain counties (see regulations for list of open units).

The statewide four-day antlerless-only hunt closed Dec. 11, but the antlerless-only holiday hunt will run Dec. 24 through Jan. 1, 2023. No bucks may be shot during the holiday hunt, which is open only in select farmland (Zone 2) counties. See Page 12 of combined hunting regulations for valid counties.

Hunters
may use any unfilled antlerless harvest authorizations, but they must
be used in the zone, county and land type designated on the harvest
authorization.

Hunters
may consider donating any extra deer to families in need through the
DNR’s deer donation program. More information regarding hunts offered in
each county and an interactive deer map are available on the DNR
website.

Migratory waterfowl

Hunting in the new open-water duck zone remains open through Dec. 13.

The coot – yes, coot – season runs the same as that of the duck zone being hunted.

Hunting in the northern goose zone runs through Dec. 16; the southern goose zone is open Dec. 18 through Jan. 3, 2023.

Hunting in the Mississippi River goose zone is open now through Jan. 3, 2023.

Fall turkey

Turkey hunting in zones 1 through 5 continues through Jan. 8, 2023. Zone 6 and Zone 7 are now closed.

Small game

Cottontail rabbit: Northern Zone, now through Feb. 28, 2023; Southern Zone, now through Feb. 28, 2023.

Squirrels (gray and fox, statewide): Now through Feb. 28, 2023.

Hunting protected species, such as badgers, jackrabbits, moose, and flying squirrels are prohibited.

Other game birds

Pheasant (statewide): Now through Jan. 8, 2023.

Ruffed grouse: Zone A, Now through Jan. 8, 2023; Zone B, closed Dec. 8.

Crow (statewide): Jan. 18, 2023, through Mar. 20, 2023.

Hungarian partridge (statewide except in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties): Now through Jan. 8, 2023.

Other opportunities

Coyote hunting is open year-round, but check trapping regulations for trapping season.

Fox (red and gray) hunting season runs now through Feb. 15, 2023.

Bobcat
hunting is split into two periods. The first period is open now through
Dec. 25. The second period opens Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 31,
2023.

Raccoon hunting season is now open for residents and nonresidents and continues through Feb. 15, 2023.

For trapping seasons on fox, beaver, mink, muskrat, bobcat, fisher, otter, and raccoon, please see the trapping regulations.