Outdoors Calendar

* Indicates date remains the same each year, except some permit deadlines may be extended one day if they fall on a Sunday or Federal Holiday.

August 31

Bear dog training by pursuing bear closes. It is illegal to train dogs from April 15 through July 31 on DNR lands, unless dogs are on a leash no longer than 8 feet, except for Class 1 field trail grounds or for bear dog training on DNR lands other than state parks after July 1.*

Early September Canada goose hunting season open in designated areas through Sept. 15. The season is open over the Labor Day weekend. The season is open to all hunters who possess an Early September Canada Goose Hunting Permit. Hunters can purchase their permit for $3 from DNR offices and many license vendors through the last day of the season.
Mourning dove hunting season opens through Nov. 9.*
Wild ginseng season opens; through Nov. 1.*
Deadline for hunters with disabilities to apply to participate in a sponsored hunt.

Hook-and-line lake sturgeon season opens on designated waters through Sept. 30. See current Guide to Wisconsin Hook and Line Fishing Regulations.

Black bear hunting season opens. Runs through Oct. 12. See current black bear hunting regulations for zone and hunting method specific dates.

Fall turkey hunting season opens through Nov. 18.
Early archery deer season opens statewide in Non CWD Units through Nov. 16 (late season runs Nov. 29 - Jan. 9, 2011; see current regulations for special zones).
Archery season opens in the CWD management zone through Jan. 9 (Earn-a-buck, except antlerless only during the four-day early and late firearm seasons)
Canada goose season in the North Exterior Zone opens and runs through Sept. 24. Reopens Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. and runs through Dec. 11
Canada goose season opens in the South Exterior Zone and runs through Oct. 1. Season reopens in the South Zone Oct. 2 at 9 a.m. and runs through Oct. 10. Season reopens Oct. 16 and runs through Dec. 16.
Ruffed grouse season opens in the Zone A through Jan. 31. (Zone B opens Oct. 16 - Dec. 8.)
Cottontail rabbit season opens in the northern zone, runs through Feb. 28.
Gray and fox squirrel season opens, runs through Jan. 31.
Fall crow season opens, runs through Nov. 18.

Special two-day youth duck hunt. Open to youth 12 to 15 years of age who are hunter safety certified; all other state license requirements are waived except for HIP registration and Canada goose permit requirements; youths must be accompanied by adult. The bag limit and tag requirements apply for the respective zone. These days overlap with open goose season in most zones so adults will also be able to shoot geese but not duck during the youth hunt.

Canada goose season in the North Exterior Zone closes and reopens Sept. 25 at 9 a.m. and runs through Dec. 11

Woodcock season opens through Nov. 8.
Canada goose season in the North Exterior Zone reopens at 9 a.m. and runs through Dec. 11

Trout season closes on inland waters and on rivers flowing into Lake Superior from their mouths to the first impassable permanent barrier (unless listed otherwise in trout regulations).*
Lake trout season on Lake Superior closes.*
Hook-and-line sturgeon season closes on inland waters
Set or bank pole and setline fishing season on specified waters in the Wolf and Fox river basins closes. Check the current Setline, Set or Bank Pole Regulations for open waters.*

* Indicates date remains the same each year, except some permit deadlines may be extended one day if they fall on a Sunday or Federal Holiday.

Last Revised: Tuesday August 31 2010