Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Dept. of Natural Resources: Wisconsin’s 2025 nine-day gun deer season opens Nov. 22
Dept. of Natural Resources: Wisconsin’s 2025 nine-day gun deer season opens Nov. 22
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Madison, Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2025 gun deer season opens on Saturday, Nov. 22, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 30. Similar to last year, this years gun deer season runs later in the month. Fewer deer may be on the move relative to years with earlier openers. However, other factors may create better deer hunting conditions, such as colder temperatures and snow cover. Through Oct. 31, 2025, year-to-date sales for gun, bow, crossbow, sports and patron licenses reached 463,983. Of that total, 137,394 are for gun privileges only, indicating healthy participation by hunters in Wisconsin. It is crucial for hunters to stay informed about changes in the Deer Management Units (DMUs) for the 2025 deer season. For this year, DMUs in the Northern Forest Management Zones have been converted to habitat-based units instead of county-based units. This requires hunters to review the updated maps and clearly know which DMU they will be hunting in, as the Forest Zone DMUs now have numeric identifiers. Knowing this information is essential for requesting antlerless permits. To register a harvested deer, hunters must do so electronically by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered. They will need the unique harvest authorization number assigned to each permit, ensuring accurate management data for the DNR and County Deer Advisory Councils. The registration options include registering by phone at 1-844-426-3734 or electronically at a participating in-person registration station. Hunters have also been reminded to properly identify their targets, especially since elk sometimes stray outside designated management zones during the fall breeding season. Taking any elk without the proper tag may result in fines and revocation of the hunting license. Safety is paramount during the hunting season. The DNR emphasizes the importance of following their four basic rules for firearm safety, known as TAB-K: Treat every firearm as if it is loaded; Always point the muzzle in a safe direction; Be certain of your target and what lies beyond it; Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot. Additionally, hunters are required to wear blaze orange or fluorescent pink clothing, with at least 50% coverage on outer clothing above the waist, to enhance visibility and safety. As a proactive step, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless they are hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law. Interested individuals can learn more about safe hunting practices in Wisconsin and register for hunter education courses via the DNRs Firearm Safety webpage. The DNR also encourages hunters to consider donating harvested deer through the DNRs Deer Donation Program, which supports food pantries and helps provide for residents in need throughout the state. As we approach the 2025 nine-day gun deer season, Wisconsin's hunting community is bracing for a potentially varied experience as weather conditions and DMU changes come into play. This might influence not only the number of deer seen but also the strategies employed by hunters. Each season carries its unique challenges and opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts, and sufficient preparation and awareness stand as crucial components to ensuring a successful outing.