Wisconsin DNR shares what hunters can expect ahead of the gun deer season

Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season is just over a week away, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is giving hunters an idea of what to expect this year.

During a media briefing Thursday, DNR Deer and Elk Program Specialist Steve Burns said another mild winter has helped set the stage for the upcoming season.

“Last winter was again considered mild in consideration to deer population impact, and that was reflected in strong fawn to doe observations collected earlier this year,” Burns said. “Last year, 16 DMUs in the state had their highest buck harvest ever. By and large, hunters can expect to see herd densities across the state similar to what they saw in 2025.”

However, Burns said deer densities can vary across the state.

“I encourage any hunter who has struggled to find deer in previous years to stay flexible and be open to trying new locations,” he said.

Another factor that could affect this year's hunt is the later start to the nine-day season.

Burns said the later start puts hunters farther away from the peak of the deer mating season, when deer tend to be more active during the day.

If November's warmer temperatures continue, hunters may also see less of the cold weather and snow cover that typically improve hunting conditions.

“The silver lining in that is that a warmer gun season, hunters may be able to spend increased time in the field,” he said. “In fact, it might be the perfect opportunity to get younger or older hunters into the woods along with you.”

As opening day approaches, the DNR is also reminding hunters to review the 2026 deer management unit maps.

Last year, units in the Northern and Central Forest Zones were converted from county-based to habitat-based units. There were also boundary changes between the Central Farmland and Northern Forest Zones.

Wisconsin's nine-day gun deer season will take place Nov. 21 - Nov. 29.