Archery And Crossbow Deer Hunting
Seasons Open Sept. 16
Deer season begins Sept. 16 with the opening of archery and crossbow seasons. / Photo Credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Attention all hunters: your first chance to pursue deer this year begins Sept. 16 with the opening of archery and crossbow seasons. The two seasons run through Jan. 7, 2024, except in the 31 counties that have extended seasons open until Jan. 31, 2024.
The early archery and crossbow seasons are a great opportunity for hunters to harvest antlerless deer before they change their patterns and experience additional hunting pressure during the gun deer season. Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations remain available in many counties.
Hunter Safety
Just like hunting with a firearm, archery and crossbow hunters should always remember these safety tips:
- Always practice TAB-K.
- Always wear a safety harness in a tree stand.
- Use three points of contact when going into or out of the stand.
- Use a haul line to bring the unloaded bow or crossbow into the stand.
- Let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return.
- Operate any ATVs or UTVs soberly and responsibly.
GameReg
As a reminder, all harvested deer must be registered electronically by 5 p.m. the day after the deer is recovered using GameReg online, by phone or at a participating registration station.
Deer Hunting On Public Land
Even with millions of acres of public land in Wisconsin, it can be tough for new hunters to know where to start. Here are some tips to help clear those obstacles and have a successful hunt on public land.
- Do your homework. Scout the areas you plan to hunt, and don’t stop at one spot. Check out a few different locations. You can do this from the couch using our online public lands tools.
- Once you’ve found a few areas, get your boots on the ground. Walk the properties. Look for game trails, sign and scat. Decide on the most appropriate entry and exit routes based on wind direction so that you’re ready.
- Be adaptable. You might not be the only hunter there. Even with millions of acres, it happens. This is where that extra scouting comes in. Knowing more spots means more opportunity this fall.
- From waterfowl to whitetails and everything in between, our public lands offer a lifetime of exploration and hunting opportunities.
Find public land open to hunting, along with public land tools and resources, on our Public Lands Access webpage.
Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
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Remember Tree Stand Safety This Deer Season
Surveys indicate one-quarter of Wisconsin bowhunters have experienced a fall or near-fall from an elevated stand in the past. Additionally, research has shown that risky tree stand climbing behavior becomes more likely to catch up to hunters the longer they hunt.
To avoid accidents and ensure a safe outing, always be mindful of the basic rules of tree stand safety before and during every hunt:
- Regardless of the type of tree stand used, always wear a full-body harness, also known as a fall-arrest system, that meets current industry standards.
- Connect the harness to the tether line and keep the tether line short. The tether is designed to keep the wearer in the seat and not catch them after falling.
- Always keep three points of contact while climbing into and out of the tree stand. This means always keeping two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand in contact with the stand or ground.
- Always use a haul line to raise and lower unloaded firearms or bow into and out of the stand. Hunters can also use the haul for other things like a heavy backpack.
- Use a lifeline when climbing up and down; this keeps wearers connected from when they leave the ground to when they get back down.
- Before heading out, tell someone where you'll be hunting and when you expect to return.
- Carry a cell phone to call for help if anyone becomes injured after a fall.
Beyond following these basic rules, hunters should always select a substantial and solid tree that can support their weight and is free from any dead limbs above them. Hunters should also inspect their equipment before each use, ensuring all lines are intact, their harness fits and that the harness is absent of snags and tears. Additionally, hunters should thoroughly inspect their stand for missing components or broken features before climbing.
Hunters can also participate in the Tree Stand Manufacturers Association Safety Course. This free and interactive course takes just 15 minutes to complete yet contains valuable information that could save your life.
To learn more about tree stand safety rules and best practices, visit the DNR's webpage.
Photo Credit: Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports
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Fall Issue Of Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Now Available
The leaves are changing colors, local grocers are selling pumpkin spice-flavored everything and a certain anthropomorphic badger is back roaming the sidelines at Camp Randall Stadium. That can only mean one thing: It's fall in Wisconsin! Grab yourself a PSL and read about everything our state has to offer this time of year in the fall issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine, now available in print and online.
The latest issue celebrates all the autumn traditions “Rooted in Wisconsin,” with stories offering a little something for everyone around the state. Within the pages, you’ll discover a dive into Wisconsin’s thriving forest products industry. Additionally, learn more about an inclusive outdoor education space in Racine County, a look at the First Capitol Historic Site, a salute to the Northwoods and a guide for hiking trails you’ll surely fall for.
Explore the ghosts of port towns past with tales of thriving Lake Michigan coastal communities that vanished a century ago. Private well owners will find everything they need to know to keep their water supply safe. In the Kids Corner, prepare for a classic game of tic-tac-toe while learning about acorns, pine cones and growing trees. Plus, enjoy a special highlight on everyone’s favorite badger, Bucky.
Find these stories and so much more in the fall issue of Wisconsin Natural Resources magazine.
Share the love and give a subscription to help someone else explore all that fall in Wisconsin has to offer. Call 1-800-678-9472 or subscribe online at wnrmag.com.
Photo Credit: Philip Schwarz
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