Hunting And Outdoor Sports
Wisconsin’s 2025 Nine-Day Gun Deer Season Opens Nov. 22
Wisconsin’s 2025 Nine-Day Gun Deer Season Opens Nov. 22
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✍️By ZRIntel Editorial Team📍Wisconsin
WISCONSIN 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. This year, just like last year, the gun deer season begins later in the month. Its noteworthy that fewer deer may be on the move compared to years with earlier openers, which could influence the overall yield of the hunting season. However, environmental factors could create better hunting conditions this year, particularly colder temperatures and potential snow cover during the season. As of October 31, 2025, year-to-date sales for various hunting licenses, including gun, bow, and crossbow, have reached 463,983. Out of this total, 137,394 licenses are specifically for gun privileges. This indicator of license sales is crucial for state wildlife management and helps address regional deer population management demands. Updates to Deer Management Units (DMUs) have been made for the upcoming season. Specifically, DMUs in the Northern Forest Management Zones have undergone changes from a traditional county-based unit system to a more strategic habitat-based unit system. Hunters should ensure they familiarize themselves with their new DMU location by reviewing updated maps available from the DNR. Additionally, the Forest Zone DMUs will now be identified by numbers. Consequently, having this knowledge is essential for hunters requesting antlerless permits. All harvested deer will need to be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after retrieval. It is critical for hunters to have the unique harvest authorization number linked to their respective permits as this provides valuable data for wildlife managers within the Wisconsin DNR and the County Deer Advisory Councils, facilitating effective management of the deer herd in the state. Hunters are also reminded to maintain accurate target identification during their hunts, especially considering that elk may occasionally stray outside their designated management zones during the fall breeding season. Mistakenly harvesting an elk without a valid tag can lead to hefty fines and revocations of hunting licenses. To aid in this process, hunters are encouraged to use a comparison guide to refine their skills in differentiating between elk and white-tailed deer, which are commonly hunted. Safety remains a top priority, and hunters are urged to participate actively in ensuring Wisconsin remains a safe hunting environment. The four basic rules of firearm safety Treat every firearm as if it is loaded, Always point the muzzle in a safe direction, Be certain of your target, and Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot should always be adhered to diligently. Moreover, hunters must wear outer clothing that is at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, including headgear if worn, to ensure visibility and safety in the woods. Those born on or after January 1, 1973, are required to have completed a hunter education certification in order to purchase their hunting license, unless they are participating under the Mentored Hunting Law. Information regarding safe hunting practices and available courses can be accessed on the Wisconsin DNRs Firearm Safety webpage. Lastly, the DNR encourages hunters to be proactive in supporting their fellow Wisconsinites who might be facing food insecurity. By participating in the DNRs Deer Donation Program, hunters can contribute to stocking food pantries and providing essential support to those in need across the state.