Wis DNR officially approves deer harvest quotas for 2026

The Wisconsin Natural Resources Board officially approved the deer harvest quotas and framework for the upcoming 2026 hunting season during their meeting on June 24, 2026. This announcement from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) sets the stage for a season shaped by local population data and community input.

A significant highlight for the 2026 season is the availability of 272,720 total bonus antlerless harvest authorizations. These permits, which go on sale starting August 17, are offered in addition to the free authorizations typically issued in farmland zones. The distribution of these opportunities varies across Deer Management Units (DMUs) to ensure that harvest levels align with specific local population objectives. This tailored approach allows for more aggressive management where deer populations are high and more conservative measures where numbers are lower.

The DNR developed these season recommendations in close partnership with Citizen Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs), incorporating public feedback to balance ecological goals with hunter interests. Notably, bonus antlerless authorizations will be available in nearly every management unit across the state, with DMU 116 being the sole exception following a specific recommendation from its local council.

Hunters planning to secure additional authorizations can do so through the Go Wild license portal or at physical license sales locations beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 17. The sales rollout will begin with three days of zone-specific availability before all remaining permits open to the general public on Thursday, August 20. Comprehensive resources, including full quota details and season structures, remain available on the DNR’s official hunting webpage.