Minocqua • Arbor Vitae • Woodruff
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Northern Wisconsin Hunting

Wisconsin ranks second among all states in the number of resident and non-resident hunters with 895,000 hunters annually. The Northwoods area offers some of the finest hunting in Wisconsin, with hundreds of acres of public forest lands available for gun and archery hunting and trapping. Ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, white-tailed deer, woodcock and wild turkey are the primary game species. Trappers can find beaver, muskrat, otter, raccoon, fisher and mink, as well.

The Northern Highland – American Legion (NH-AL) State Forest provides a variety of game habitat, with diverse forest types that include aspen, birch, oak and pine forests. In fact, more than 50 percent of the NH-AL is high-to moderate-quality deer habitat, and 45 percent is high-to moderate-quality ruffed grouse habitat.

Deer

Hunting

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In Wisconsin, 88% of hunters each year pursue white-tailed deer, making deer hunting one of the most popular types of hunting.  Bow season, Youth deer season, Muzzleloader season, Gun season, and an Antlerless season all provide a number of opportunities for deer hunting in the Northwoods. 

Deer Hunting FAQ

Season Schedule

Archery and Crossbow Sept. 16, 2023- Jan. 7, 2024
Youth deer hunt Oct. 7–8, 2023
Gun Nov. 18–26, 2023
Muzzleloader Nov. 27–Dec. 6, 2023

* make note of shooting hours before heading into the woods. 
For all information on deer hunting in Wisconsin, visit the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Chronic Wasting Disease In Oneida Co.

What to Know & How Hunters Can Help

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer. The Wisconsin DNR strongly encourages hunters to submit adult deer heads for CWD testing. It is very important to further understand CWD in our local area and detect any further infections early.

Properly transporting and disposing of deer carcasses is important to reduce risk of transmitting disease. Wild-deer carcasses and certain parts of carcasses from CWD affected counties can only be moved within CWD affected counties or an adjacent county. 

Even if you don't shoot a deer this season, hunters can be a valuable resource to studying CWD in our area. Contact your local DNR wildlife biologist to report a sick or dead deer. If a biologist is unavailable, call the DNR’s customer service hotline at 1-800-847-9367.

Get Your Deer Tested For Free in Oneida County
 

Other

Seasons

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Other Hunting Seasons

Bear

Zones A, B, D: where dogs are permitted
Sept. 6-12, 2023
  • with aid of dogs only
Sept. 13 - Oct. 3, 2023
  • with aid of dogs
  • with aid of bait
  • with all other legal methods
Oct. 4-10, 2023
  • with aid of bait only
  • with all other legal methods not using dogs

Birds

Youth waterfowl hunt Statewide Sept. 16-17
Early Canada goose
Statewide Sept. 1 - 15
Canada goose Northern zone Sept. 16 - Dec. 16
Ducks
North zone Sept. 23- Nov. 21