WHAT IS A WISCONSIN HUNTER Teaching CERTIFICATE

A Wisconsin Hunter Education Certificate proves that you've obtained the noesis needed to chase safely, responsibly, and ethically, inside the land of Wisconsin. Any person born on or after January 1st, 1973, who hunts inside the state of Wisconsin must obtain a hunter education document.

WHERE Tin can I Get MY WISCONSIN HUNTER EDUCATION Document?

Yous can obtain your Wisconsin Hunter Education Certificate by completing a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved course. Courses can exist taken either online or in-person, depending on your preference.

In-Person (Classroom) Course Option

Traditional classroom courses are available in diverse counties throughout the yr. The classroom class takes a minimum of ten hours to complete and costs $10 per student.

Online Class – xviii years of age or older

Hunters who are xviii years of historic period or older may complete their hunter didactics entirely online through an approved course provider. The online course takes 4-6 hours to consummate, in addition to required quizzes and a final examination. Upon successful completion of the online grade, the educatee volition be issued a Hunter Education Certificate and can go hunting immediately.

Online Class – Nether 18 years of age

Hunters who are less than 18 years of age when they register to complete an online form volition too exist required to complete an in-person field day. Upon successful completion of the online course, students will exist issued a document. The document must exist presented at the field day in order to participate. In one case both the online course and field day have been completed the student will exist issued their Hunter Teaching Certificate.

HOW Erstwhile DO I Take TO Exist TO GET A HUNTER Pedagogy CERTIFICATE IN WISCONSIN?

There is no minimum age to get certified with your Wisconsin Hunter Education Certificate. Every bit of 2017 the minimum hunting age in Wisconsin was eliminated, which means that a child of any age can participate in the sport notwithstanding, in that location are restrictions that apply to youth hunters.

AGE AND SUPERVISION REQUIREMENTS

Hunters who are less than fourteen years of historic period must be supervised by an developed while hunting. Hunters who are 12-13 years of age must obtain a hunter teaching certificate, and be supervised past an developed. Hunters who are 14 years of age or older are permitted to hunt alone as long as they take obtained hunter teaching certification.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO Become MY HUNTER EDUCATION Carte du jour?

Information technology typically takes nearly iv-6  hours to get your Wisconsin Hunter Education Document online. In-person courses typically have a minimum of 10 hours to complete.

Who is exempt from having to obtain a Wisconsin Hunter Education Document?

  • Whatever individual built-in earlier Jan 1, 1973
  • Any person who has completed United states war machine basic training, and provided proof of successful completion to the Wisconsin DNR
  • Any person who has successfully completed an canonical hunter education course from another state, province, or country and has submitted prove to the DNR

What is a mentored hunting programme?

Mentored hunting programs are bachelor to hunters of all ages in the state of Wisconsin who wishes to larn more about the sport.

A mentee can exist:

  • Whatsoever person who is less than 12 years of age, regardless of if they have completed hunter pedagogy
  • A person of any age who has not completed hunter education, and who is not exempt.

A mentor tin can be any person who:

  • Is 18 years of age or older
  • Is the parent or guardian of the mentee, or has permission from mentee'south parent or guardian, unless the mentee is 18 years of age or older
  • Has completed a state-approved hunter education grade or is exempt from the hunter didactics requirements

Is my Wisconsin Hunter Educational activity Certificate valid in other states?

Yes. The Wisconsin Hunter Education Certificate is accepted in all states, provinces, and countries that have mandatory hunter educational activity requirements. Although most regions will have the Wisconsin Hunter Education Document, hunters should ever exist sure to check the rules and regulations of the region where they plan to hunt.

What'southward the divergence between a Hunter Education Certificate and a Hunting License?

A Hunter Didactics Card proves that you've obtained the noesis you need to hunt safely and ethically in Wisconsin, and is different from a Hunting License. The Hunting Licence is like to a allow and is required to chase any game beast inside the land. Different licenses and permits may be required depending on which game fauna is being hunted.

HUNTING LICENSES

A Hunting License is required in the land of Wisconsin to hunt any game creature. There are a diversity of license types bachelor depending on your age, residency condition, and what type of game you lot plan to hunt.

Resident License

Resident licenses are bachelor to individuals who are residents of the land – a resident is whatsoever person who has lived within the state for xxx days or longer. A resident license is required for whatever person 10 years of age or older who hunts any game within the state. There are various types of resident licenses available depending on the hunter'south age, the type of firearm existence used, and the type of game beingness hunted.

Non-RESIDENT LICENSES

Nonresident licenses are available to residents of other states or provinces who wish to chase inside the state of Wisconsin. A license is required for whatever nonresident x years of age or older. The type of license or let required volition vary depending on the game brute being hunted, the license holders historic period, and the blazon of firearm being used.

Not Residents who are attending a high school or university inside the state, or who are an active member of the armed forces who are stationed in Wisconsin should contact a DNR Service Middle for more than information on the required license types.

OTHER LICENSE TYPES

Seniors license types are bachelor for those 65 years of age or older for small game hunting.

Additionally, a disability license blazon is bachelor for both residents and nonresidents who are eligible.

Additional license types may exist required within the state depending on the blazon of game animal beingness hunted, the type of firearm beingness used, and where the person is hunting.

HUNTINGsmart! adult hunter sprite supervising youth hunter

12 & 13 YEARS OF AGE

Hunters who are 12 & 13 years of age must obtain a Hunter Education Certificate to chase legally inside the country. They must also exist supervised by an developed while hunting.

HUNTINGsmart! youth hunter sprites

Less than 14 years of age

All hunters who are less than fourteen years of age must be supervised by an adult while hunting. The supervising adult must be xviii years of age or older and exist certified with their hunter education document or be exempt.

HUNTINGsmart! adult hunter sprites

xiv years of historic period or older

Hunters who are 14 years of age or older, who were born on or subsequently January 1st, 1973, are permitted to hunt unaccompanied, so long as they accept obtained their Hunter Didactics Certification.

HUNTINGsmart! old hunter sprites

EXCEPTIONS

  • Any individual built-in before January 1, 1973
  • Whatsoever person who has completed US armed forces bones training, and provided proof of successful completion to the Wisconsin DNR
  • Any person who has successfully completed an approved hunter education course from another country, province, or country and has submitted prove to the DNR
Hunting license silhouette

Hunting without a license or allow

Up to $1,000

Armadillo silhouette

Unlawful sale of a wild animal

Up to $2,000

Hunting license silhouette

Incorrect tagging of a game animal

Up to $1,000

No elk hunting icon

Hunting or possession of elk during closed season

Upward to $15,000

No dogs icon

Hunting carry with a domestic dog, without the required license

Upwards to $one,000

DO I NEED A HUNTING LICENSE TO HUNT Within THE STATE OF WISCONSIN?

Yes. A Hunting License is different from a Hunter Educational activity Certificate and is required for whatsoever person, of whatsoever historic period who hunts any animate being within the state of Wisconsin. This includes both residents and non-residents. Varying licenses must be purchased and carried depending on the hunter's age, residency, and the type of game being hunted. Certain exceptions may apply depending on the game animal existence hunted. For more data on Wisconsin hunting licenses visit the Wisconsin DNR website.

WHAT ARE THE WISCONSIN TAGGING REQUIREMENTS?

Sure game animals must be tagged and reported electronically after they're taken, including big game animals such every bit deer, bear, and turkey, as well equally sharp-tailed bickering. Tags are typically included with or fastened to the license type when it'south purchased. In Wisconsin, these tags will too include an authorization number which is required in club to register the harvest.  It's important for hunters to empathise the tagging and/or harvest reporting requirements for the game beast they're hunting, and to ensure that the animal is tagged and reported properly.

GameReg Reporting Requirements

In Wisconsin hunters can register harvested deer, conduct, turkey and abrupt-tailed grouse electronically or by phone using the GameReg system. This is an electronic registration system that collects harvest information, and provides hunters with a confirmation number upon submitting their written report.

Hunters may annals for the system online or by phone. Deer and comport hunters may also cull to register in person at an in-person registration station.

How to report:

Online: Hunters can register their harvest online using a computer OR mobile device at gamereg.wi.gov

By Telephone: Telephone call one-844-426-3734 to report a harvest using your telephone.

In-Person: Deer and bear hunters may report their harvest in person equally designation registration stations.

Additional rules and regulations may apply depending on the game creature. For more information on harvest reporting requirements in Wisconsin, visit the Harvest Registration data folio.

WHAT ARE THE HUNTER ORANGE REQUIREMENTS IN WISCONSIN?

All hunters inside the state are required to wearable hunter orange on at least 50% of their outer clothing during any firearms season. This includes any head covering. Waterfowl hunters are exempt from this regulation.

Additionally, the state volition permit camouflage orangish or pinkish, however solid hunter orangish is recommended.

WHAT ARE THE Handbag LIMITS IN WISCONSIN?

Bag limits are imposed on hunters to restrict the number of a particular game fauna that tin can be taken. Purse limits may be daily or seasonal depending on the blazon of creature. Seasonal purse limits restrict the number of a particular game fauna that may be taken by a hunter within the hunting season.

Purse limits may vary annually depending on game species populations. Hunters must sympathise and follow handbag limit restrictions. Violations may issue in fines. For more than data on bag limits visit the Wisconsin DNR Website.

GAME SPECIES

Wisconsin offers a wide variety of game species for all types of hunters. Diverse landscapes including hardwood forests, grassland and the boreal forest merge within the state providing numerous habitats for the state's broad variety of game animals. In addition the state is known as a hotspot for white-tailed deer.

Game species in Wisconsin include:

  • Large game including white-tailed deer, bear, and turkey.
  • Small game including rabbit and squirrel
  • Waterfowl and other migratory game birds including ducks, geese, mourning dove, coot, moorhen, track, snipe, and woodcock.
  • Furbearers including coyote, fox, beaver, mink, muskrat, fisher, and raccoon among others.

NON-GAME SPECIES

The Wisconsin DNR defines nongame species as "all birds, mammals, and other terrestrial vertebrates which ordinarily have no open up flavor for hunting for trapping." Threatened and endangered species are also included in this category.

Nongame species within the country include various types of mammals, birds, and amphibians including snakes, bats, cougar, elk, eagles, cricket frogs, martens, and whooping cranes.

Some of these species are besides endangered or threatened. Information technology is unlawful to take whatsoever endangered, threatened, or protected species. These animals include the grey wolf, flying squirrel, various species of bat, and marten – just to proper name a few from an always-growing list.

Taking any not-game species for commercial purposes, such every bit sale, bartwer or exchange is unlawful in the state, and may result in heavy fines.

Hunters should as well note that additional caution should exist taken when hunting armadillo and they may carry leprosy.

INVASIVE SPECIES

Invasive animals and other pests have been introduced to the United States, including the State or Wisconsin, and have become a threat to native wild fauna. These animals, plants, fish, and invertebrates typically accept no natural predators which tin result in rapid spread and population growth. This in plow can seriously impairment the state's lands and waters, and tin be detrimental to the wellness and population numbers of a variety of the land'south native plants and animals. Some common invasive species in Wisconsin include Asian lady protrude, mute swan, h2o hyacinth, and beech marten, amongst many others.

In order to protect Wisconsin'southward native plants and animals, invasive species must be controlled and eradicated. Anyone who encounters or suspects that they have encountered an invasive species inside the state is encouraged to report the sighting so that it can be monitored and controlled. For data on how to report various types of invasive species in Wisconsin visit the Wisconsin DNR Invasive Species webpage.

Whitetail deer illustration

Deer

Deer seasons in Wisconsin are broken downwards by firearm blazon and by Deer Management Unit (DMU). Seasons dates vary depending on the DMU and the type of firearm being used. The season typically begins in September and ends in January. Seasons include firearms, archery and crossbow, youth, muzzleloader, and antlerless seasons.
Learn more well-nigh hunting deer in Wisconsin.

Black bear illustration

Bear

Comport seasons are organized by type of firearm, and by "zone". The season typically begins in September and ends in October. Hunter should note that baiting and regulations for hunting with dogs vary depending on the flavor date and the zone.
Learn more nigh hunting acquit in Wisconsin.

Small game illustration

Small Game & Game Birds

There are several pocket-size game and game birds to chase in the Country including pheasant, grouse, partridge, quail, dove, snipe, rail, woodcock, squirrels, rabbit,  hare, and more than. Seasons dates for small game types vary depending on the game animal. Seasons for small game animals typically brainstorm in September and Oct, catastrophe in Dec or January.
Larn more near hunting small game in Wisconsin.

Waterfowl illustration

Private Country

Much of the land in Wisconsin is privately owned. Hunters can typically freely take game animals hunted on their own private property, or may seek permission from a landowner to hunt on private property. Hunters who wish to take game on privately owned land must follow country hunting regulations as well every bit any regulations specified by the landowner. Hunters must ensure they respect the rights and belongings of the landowner at all times.

Hunters within the land may also hunt within some Managed Woods Law (MFL) and Woods Ingather Law (FCL) Lands. Specific regulations may apply within these areas. For more than information on hunting within MFL or FCL lands, visit the Wisconsin DNR website.

PUBLIC LAND

There are 6 million acres of public lands within the state of Wisconsin, many of which are open up to hunting. Some of these lands include designated wild animals areas, natural areas, land forests, and federally managed lands. Hunters should annotation that public lands may exist open up to multiple types of outdoor recreational activities including hiking, bicycling, bird watching, horseback riding, line-fishing, paddling and more than. Before heading to a public recreation area for hunting, be sure to bank check that the space is open up to hunting activities.

The Wisconsin DNR offers an easy way to observe a public hunting area well-nigh you. Hunters, and other recreational lands users can visit the Wisconsin DNR Explore Outdoors folio, enter their canton, preferred activeness, property type, or holding proper name, and filter for a list of spaces that match their requirements.

VOLUNTARY PUBLIC Admission Program

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has partnered with and provides financial incentive to private landowners who open their properties to public hunting, line-fishing, trapping, and wildlife observation.

The participation of these landowners provides access to thousands of acres of individual lands to hunters withal, the connected access to these lands relies upon the connected participation of landowners. For this reason, landowner backdrop must be respected and all rules and regulations must be followed by hunters to ensure that these lands remain open up to the public,

For more than information on the Voluntary Public Access Programme, of if you lot're interested in participating as a landowner, visit the Wisconsin DNR Voluntary Public Access Program webpage.

Wildlife Areas

What Are Wild animals Management Areas?

Wildlife areas in Wisconsin offer a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. These activities include hunting, line-fishing, trapping. Additionally, designated spaces within these areas may as well let camping, cycling, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Dog training for hunting purposes may as well be permitted in some areas.

WMA Regulations

Diverse regulations may apply within designated wild animals areas, depending on the county, region, and which activities are permitted. Some example of regulations the may apply inside these areas include:

  • ATV and other off-road vehicle restrictions
  • Camping restrictions
  • Hunting restrictions within certain ares, which may be designated to other recreational activities

The Badger State. Set and rarin' to go.

Wisconsin is known for its deer hunting. In fact, the state is known beyond the Usa as 'premier deer hunting country'. If you're in search of the summit spot in the state – head to Buffalo County where the region'south deer have made the Boone and Crocket record books near 100 times. Just due east of Buffalo County hunters will find another deer hot spot in Trempealeau County, habitation to the Borst Valley Wild fauna Expanse. Borst Valley is known for it'due south deer hunting but also boasts high-quality pheasant and turkey hunting.

In addition to deer, the state besides offers enough of black bear, turkey, waterfowl, upland game, and small game hunting. The land, once once again, holds multiple Boone and Crockett records for monster black bear takes. Obtaining a black bear tag in the state's elevation regions can take some time, but once you've got i you'll be able to have full advantage. Hunters in search of black conduct hunting opportunities should focus their attention in the northern role of the country – top counties include Bayfield, Price, Rusk, Marinette, and Langlade.

Turkey hunting within the state is some other great pick for hunters – while these large birds were once hunted to the point of extinction in Wisconsin in the 1800'south, they take since been successfully re-introduced (in the seventy's) and populations have flourished. Several counties across the state, and multiple country parks offering turkey hunting opportunities. Country parks include Governor Contrivance, Devils Lake, Wyalusing and Mirror Lake.