Photo Credit: Wisconsin DNR
There are four important dates throughout November when seasons open. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to double-check the regulations and confirm that they have all the necessary licenses before heading into the field.
Nov. 7
- Beaver (Zones A, B and C, trapping only)
- Mink (Southern Zone, trapping only)
- Muskrat (Southern Zone, trapping only)
- Otter (trapping only)
Nov. 9
- Mink (Mississippi River Zone, trapping only)
- Muskrat (Mississippi River Zone, trapping only)
Nov. 21
- Crow
- Gun Deer
Nov. 30
- Muzzleloader
The DNR also reminds hunters and trappers that mobile-friendly resources are available, including regulations, season dates, hunting hours, pheasant stocking and more, on the DNR’s Hunting or Trapping webpages. Hunters and trappers can also find information on species population levels and hunting opportunities in the DNR’s 2026 Fall Forecasts.
Find public lands open to hunting using the DNR’s Public Access Lands webpage. These resources let hunters and trappers plan their next adventure from the comfort of their homes.
It takes everyone to ensure Wisconsin remains a safe place to hunt and trap. When hunting or trapping alone, always let someone know your plan; if your plans change, keep them updated. Hunters should also remember to follow the basic rules of firearm safety:
- 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 it and what’s beyond it.
- K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.
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 or register to take a hunter education course on the DNR’s Hunting Safety webpage.
All first-time trappers must complete an approved trapper education course unless they are trapping under the youth-supervised option, mentored trapping program or other exemptions. Experienced trappers teach this comprehensive course, which covers basic trapping skills, including legal methods, regulations, safety and ethics.
 How CWD Testing Is Done After you submit a CWD sample in a testing kiosk, DNR field staff collect and transport the submitted samples to our CWD processing center in Poynette. At the central processing center, staff extract and pair each lymph node sample with the unique ID number that is connected to your Go Wild account. Staff then ship the sample to the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) in Madison, one of only 32 labs in the country certified to conduct CWD testing. Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory staff will run the diagnostic CWD test in batches of 90 samples at a time. When this coordinated effort is complete, the results will be sent to you by email, will populate in your Go Wild account and are available online using the orange barcode from your CWD sample kit. On average, the results will be available about 2 weeks after submitting your deer at a sampling location.Testing is voluntary and free to hunters who have taken a deer in Wisconsin. If you hunt, consider submitting a sample of your deer for CWD testing to help the DNR better understand distribution and current levels throughout the state. Find a sampling location near you. |
 DNR To Conduct Prescribed Burn Operations At Lakeshore State Park The DNR is conducting prescribed burning operations at Lakeshore State Park in Milwaukee County with an anticipated burn window of Sunday, Nov. 1 – Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026. The burn will require a property closure of Lakeshore State Park for a single day within this range and may be adjusted based on weather conditions. The exact date will be posted on the DNR’s Lakeshore State Park webpage and the Friends of Lakeshore State Park’s social media pages. Prescribed burns support healthy ecosystems for an abundance of plants and animals in Wisconsin. Historically, periodic fire (either lightning or human-caused) would remove dead vegetation while stimulating native plant growth. Following the burn, hazardous fuels (any combustible material that releases energy as heat and light when burned) are reduced, and foraging and nesting improve in the revitalized vegetation: the stimulated growth of their root systems enhances their ability to store more carbon. Other benefits of prescribed burns include reducing non-native or invasive plant species. “Conducting a prescribed burn will enhance the prairie habitat treasured by a number of bird and insect species, along with reducing runoff with improved native prairie success,” said Elaine Zautke, Lakeshore State Park manager. “Following the burn, additional native seeding and plant installations will occur this summer, thanks to collaborative funding efforts.” When conducting prescribed burns near roads or recreational trails, the DNR will post signs to notify the public. To ensure public safety, the DNR asks all members of the public to avoid these areas while the burn is being conducted. The DNR also notifies local law enforcement and fire officials in advance about when and where DNR prescribed burns will take place. More information about DNR prescribed fire operations is available on the DNR’s Prescribed Fire webpage. To view historic burns and track the status of current and planned (24 hours in advance) burns on DNR lands, visit the DNR’s Prescribed Burn Dashboard. |
