Wildlife Management

CWD in Wisconsin

Wildlife Health

Hunting

Chronic Wasting Disease Zone Hunting Regulations

Buck

The state Natural Resources Board, DNR’s seven citizen member policy making body, approved the proposed hunting season rules for CWD DMU’s during its April monthly meeting. The regulations are still subject to legislative review

Many of the proposed rules are the product of an 18-member CWD Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) that met over six months to provide citizen input on CWD management. The complete text of the SAG final Report is available on the Advisory Group page.

Below is a brief summary of the board approved rules and season framework for the CWD management areas of Wisconsin.

  • Combine the two CWD management zones into one with consistent regulations and one season framework.
  • Establish deer population goals that are 20% below the goals established in 2001.
  • Establish season structures that are similar to the rest of the state with the addition of a late firearm deer season.
  • Prohibit the importation of whole cervid carcasses from areas in WI and other states where CWD is found (2009 season).
  • Expand the ability to hunt with rifles to the entire CWD Management Zone except for metro units.

Season Structure

Regulations subject to legislative review
  • Archery season: September 13 to January 4 (Earn-a-buck)
  • Early firearm season: October 16-19 (antlerless-only)
  • Traditional 9-day firearm season: November 22-30 (Earn-a-buck)
  • 10-day muzzleloader-only season: December 1-10 (Earn-a-buck)
  • Late firearm season: December 11-14 (antlerless-only)
  • Holiday firearm season: December 24-January 4 (Earn-a-buck)

Tagging

Deer Carcass Tags Information [PDF 289KB] - Includes tagging information for in and outside of the CWD Zones for the 2007 Season

Regulations

Baiting and Feeding Regulations

For a clickable map of the DMU boundaries please view the Deer Management Unit Boundaries page.

Public Hunting

State Wildlife Areas

For additional information about hunting White-tailed deer in and outside of the CWD Zones visit the Deer Hunting in Wisconsin web page.

Contact Information

For answers to questions relating to CWD in Wisconsin,
call the DNR operated toll free CWD information line 1-877-WISC CWD or email Wildlife Health.

Questions for Wildlife Management