Nov. 22, 2025
There Are Changes To Be Aware Of For 2025
There is plenty of reason for optimism this season. Back-to-back mild winters mean fawn production and antler development will likely be better than in recent years. The Natural Resources Board (NRB) has also approved an increase in the statewide antlerless quota by 7% over the 2024 season.
For more information on purchasing a license, shooting hours, where to hunt, regulations and more, please visit the DNR’s Deer Hunting webpage.
DMU Updates
For the 2025 hunting season, hunters in Wisconsin will notice some changes to the state’s deer management units (DMUs).
Changes were made to the boundaries of the DMUs in the Northern Forest and Central Forest zones to better manage the units based on habitat type. Minor changes were also made to metropolitan sub-unit boundaries.
DMUs in both forest zones are now labelled with a number (as opposed to a county name) while the DMUs in both farmland zones will still be denoted by their county names.
Portions of five northern counties have been converted to Farmland DMUs. The eastern portion of the Central Forest Zone has been reduced in size, affecting four counties.
Please reference the DNR’s updated DMU Map before heading out to hunt. A new DMU layer has also been added to the interactive Public Access Lands mapping application that hunters can use to explore Wisconsin’s DMUs. Zoom in on the area you plan to hunt to see which DMU and management zone it falls in.
Hunt Safely
It’s important for all hunters to do their part and keep Wisconsin a safe place to hunt by following the four basic rules of firearm safety, TAB-K:
T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
B – Be certain of your target, what’s before and beyond it.
K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.
Hunters must ensure at least 50% of outer clothing above the waist is blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Hats or head coverings, if worn, must also be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Faded or stained clothing is unsafe and should be replaced.
Additionally, anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973, must have a hunter education certification to purchase a hunting license unless hunting under the Mentored Hunting Law. Learn more about safe hunting in Wisconsin and register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Outdoor Skills webpage.
Know Your Target
Elk sometimes venture outside of the elk management zones, especially during the fall breeding season, so hunters are reminded to properly identify their target. Any elk taken without a tag may result in a fine and a revocation of your hunting license.
Hunters should be sure of their target to avoid an accidental shooting of non-target animals. See the differences between elk and white-tailed deer using the DNR’s comparison guide.
Register Your Harvest
All harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered. Hunters will need the unique harvest authorization number associated with each permit. Proper registration provides accurate harvest data for DNR wildlife managers and Citizen Deer Advisory Councils for the management of Wisconsin’s deer herd.
The three options to register a deer are:
- Online with GameReg
- By phone at 1-844-426-3734
- Electronically at a participating in-person registration station
Help Fellow Wisconsinites Experiencing Food Insecurity
The DNR encourages hunters to donate Wisconsin-harvested deer through the DNR’s Deer Donation Program. The program helps stock food pantries and supports residents in need throughout the state.
Test Your Deer For CWD
The DNR would like to remind hunters about the availability of kiosks to test their deer for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). The DNR is especially interested in samples from the CWD sampling priority areas, but hunters anywhere in Wisconsin can submit a sample from their deer for CWD testing. Testing kiosks have been positioned throughout the state and the testing is free for deer harvested within the state.
The DNR offers hunters four different ways to submit a sample from their harvested deer for CWD testing:
- We add self-service kiosk locations throughout the season, with many added ahead of the nine-day gun deer season. Hunters can drop off their deer’s head with 5 inches of neck attached for testing. This video tutorial will show you how to submit your sample information using the online form.
- Hunters can visit cooperating meat processors, taxidermists and other business owners for assistance in the sampling process. Use the interactive map on the DNR’s website to find locations near you. New locations are added throughout the season.
- Hunters can extract the retropharyngeal lymph nodes themselves at home or in the field for CWD testing. Samples can then be dropped off at a CWD kiosk.
- Hunters can also arrange an appointment with DNR staff via the Wildlife Switchboard by calling 608-267-0866 or emailing DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov, but please note the availability of these appointments may be limited.
To see a map of CWD sampling locations near you, please visit the DNRs CWD Sampling page.
Dispose Of Your Carcass Safely
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) operates a statewide program with designated dumpsters to help hunters properly dispose of deer carcasses and reduce the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Hunters are encouraged to use these sites rather than leaving carcasses in fields or waterways. The DNR provides an interactive map of all approved disposal locations, including those in Vernon County. You can access it here: DNR Deer Waste Disposal Map. [dnr.wisconsin.gov]
Proper carcass disposal keeps potentially infected deer off the landscape and slows the spread of CWD in wild herds. The infectious nature and resiliency of CWD prions can increase the spread of CWD if carcasses are brought to new areas and not disposed of properly. Visit the DNR’s Carcass Disposal webpage for information on where to find a dumpster.
Monitoring the disease and properly disposing of deer parts are only two elements of the DNR’s coordinated effort to limit the spread of CWD. More information about how to prevent the spread of CWD is available on the DNR’s CWD webpage.
Vernon County offers free deer carcass disposal dumpsters at multiple sites during hunting season. These include:
- Vernon County Solid Waste & Recycling Facility
Address: S3705 County Road LF, Viroqua, WI 54665
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–3:30 PM
Phone: (608) 634-2900
More info [vernoncounty.org] - Other Drop-Off Points Across the County (as announced by Vernon County Recycling Program):
- Gate at Coon Valley Conservation Club
- Across Hwy 56 from Steve’s Country Meats
- North of De Soto on Hwy 35 (near Historical Marker)
- Town of Hillsboro Shop
- Kickapoo Valley Reserve (before the bridge to Rockton)
Tips for Disposal
- Double-bag carcasses before placing them in dumpsters to reduce odors and deter scavengers.
- Do not use these dumpsters for business-generated carcass waste (butcher shops should contact waste haulers directly).
Report Violations
Anyone with information regarding natural resource violations may confidentially report by calling or texting 1-800-TIP-WDNR or 1-800-847-9367. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Trained staff relay the information to conservation wardens. File a report online.
Tips For Non-Hunters In State Parks
Deer hunting season is here in Wisconsin! Being aware of this coming season will help ensure you and your loved ones stay safe out on the trails.
Hunting is allowed in most DNR-managed park system properties. Both hunters and park system visitors need to be aware of safe practices.
In general, there are two time periods, spring and fall/winter, when hunting and trapping are permitted in state parks. Each type of park property (park, recreation area, forest and trail) has different hunting allowances. Many state trails have partial areas open to hunting, while others do not.
1. Learn about hunting in state parks.
State parks have different hunting seasons and locations from other DNR lands. State parks hunting maps with locations can be found online.
2. Identify hunting seasons and lands open to hunting.
Learn where and when hunting is taking place. Plan your recreation activities based on this information. Early morning and late afternoon are often peak hunting hours.
3. Stay on designated trails.
Trails are designed to improve safety and protect sensitive habitats.
4. Wear bright clothing (like blaze orange).
Make yourself easily visible. Choose colors that stand out, like bright, fluorescent red, orange or green.
5. Don’t forget to protect your dog, too.
Tie a brightly colored bandana or swath of fabric around your dog’s neck. Consider purchasing a blaze orange dog vest. Follow appropriate leash requirements.
6. Make yourself known.
Alert any possible hunters in the area to your presence by whistling, singing or carrying on a conversation. If you hear shooting, raise your voice to let hunters know you’re in the vicinity.
7. Be courteous.
Once a hunter is aware of your presence, don’t make unnecessary noise that disturbs wildlife. Avoid conflict.
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