Department of Natural Resources: Announces Changes for 2022 Hunting Season

MADISON, Wisconsin. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that the combined 2022 Wisconsin Hunting Regulations booklet is now available online and will soon be available at license agents and open service centers throughout the state.

As in previous years, the combined regulations booklet brings together season dates, shooting times and regulations in one convenient document. The 2022 Wisconsin Harvest Regulations are also available online and will soon be available in print statewide as well.

This year, there are some changes to the regulations for hunting waterfowl in open water. Hunters can now hunt in the open waters of the Great Lakes, Green Bay, and Big Green Lake as long as they are a minimum of 500 feet from shore.

Additionally, the 2022-23 squirrel season will now close on February 28, 2023, instead of the last day of January.

Deer hunters across the state will get their first chance to enjoy the woods with the opening of the 2022 archery and crossbow deer seasons, taking place simultaneously across the state from September 17 to January 8, 2022. 2023. The archery and crossbow seasons are extended until January 31, 2023, in metropolitan subunits. Many counties will offer the antlerless-only holiday hunt between the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Additional antlerless deer harvest authorizations are still available for purchase in some counties. Check the DNR website for availability.

The 2022 deer season schedule is as follows:

  • Gun Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities: October 1-9
  • Youth Deer Hunt: October 8-9
  • Gun Deer Hunt: November 19-27
  • Muzzleloader: November 28 to December 2. 7
  • Statewide Antlerless Hunt: December 8-11
  • Holiday hunting in the farmland area: from December 24 to January 1. 1, 2023

The Hunting Regulations brochure summarizes the Wisconsin hunting laws most relevant to hunters. For additional hunting and trapping laws, see chapter 29 of the Wisconsin State Statutes or see chapter 10 of the DNR Administrative Code.

For more information on hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR website.

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