Youth deer hunt starts this weekend

It’s fall and that means a number of hunting seasons have already opened or are opening soon. 

One of the upcoming seasons in the youth deer hunt which takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11.

The Wisconsin DNR encourages experienced hunters to introduce the rich tradition of deer hunting to the next generation during Wisconsin’s annual youth deer hunt. 

According to Brooke VanHandel, interim DNR deer program specialist, the youth hunt offers hunters 15 years old and younger the chance to learn hunting techniques and develop a connection to nature at a time when deer are less pressured than during the traditional nine-day gun season. Wisconsin residents and nonresidents may participate in the youth hunt.

VanHandel shared some of the rules in place for the youth hunt weekend. Youth hunters, with or without hunter education certification, are eligible to hunt while under the supervision of a mentor. For all hunters younger than 11 years old or hunters between ages 12-15 who have not completed hunter education, the mentor must be at least 18 years old, be a hunter education graduate, hold a current hunting license and always remain within arm’s reach of the youth hunter.

For hunters ages 12-15 who have completed hunter education, the mentor must be at least 18 years old but does not need to be a hunter education graduate or a licensed hunter. The mentor must always be in both visual and voice contact with the youth hunter.

One mentor may not accompany more than two youths at the same time. VanHandel recommends hunters to review DNR’s Youth Hunt webpage for full details.

New hunters can celebrate this experience with a first harvest certificate. Follow the instructions on the DNR’s First Harvest Certificate webpage to upload information about the experience.

Hunting, trapping seasons opening

The DNR reminds hunters to prepare for the opening of several hunting and trapping seasons in October.

There are six dates throughout October when seasons open, so hunters are encouraged to double-check the hunting season dates and trapping season dates and confirm that they have acquired all necessary licenses and stamps before heading into the field.

Bear season for Zones A, B, D, where dogs are permitted open tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 7; followed by the aforementioned youth gun deer hunt this weekend. Also this weekend is the statewide gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities Oct. 10-11.

A number of seasons open Oct. 17, including: Duck (Open Water Zone); Cottontail Rabbit (Southern Zone, opens at 9 a.m.); Pheasant (9 a.m.); Ruffed Grouse (Zone B); Hungarian Partridge (opens at 9 a.m., closed in Clark, Marathon and Taylor counties); Bobwhite Quail (opens at 9 a.m.); Bobcat (Period 1, hunting and trapping); Coyote (trapping); Fisher (trapping); Raccoon (Resident, hunting and trapping); Fox (hunting and trapping); and Falconry: Ducks, Mergansers and Coots (Open Water Zone).

Mink (Northern Zone, trapping only) and Muskrat (Northern Zone, trapping only) open Oct. 24; followed by  Mink (Central Zone, trapping only), Muskrat (Central Zone, trapping only), and Raccoon (Nonresident, hunting and trapping) on Oct. 31.

Duck (Southern Zone), Coot (Southern Zone), Goose (Mississippi Goose Zone), and Falconry: Ducks, Mergansers and Coots (South Zone) began Oct. 3, as did the gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities on sponsored properties only, which runs through Oct. 9.

Any time a firearm deer season is taking place, including the youth deer hunt, all hunters’ clothing above the waist must be at least 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink. This requirement applies to archery hunters and small game hunters. Waterfowl hunters are exempt from this rule.

The DNR also reminds hunters of mobile-friendly online resources, including regulations, season dates, hunting hours, pheasant stocking information and more, available on the DNR’s Hunting or Trapping webpages or the online regulations. Hunters and trappers can also find a wealth of information in the DNR’s Fall Hunting Forecasts.

A list of public lands open to hunting is available using the Public Access Lands webpage. This web resource lets hunters plan their next adventure from the comfort of their home.

The DNR also reminds hunters to always check the current consumption advisories on the DNR’s Consumption Advisories webpage before going out into the field.

Funding shortfalls

Hunting is a major part of the Northwoods’ heritage. The DNR reminds the public that Wisconsin income taxes are not used to directly fund any wildlife projects or to facilitate the hunting/trapping seasons. Instead, 95% of the funding for wildlife management projects comes from hunting, fishing and trapping license fees and a federal tax on firearm and ammunition purchases.

The Wildlife Management Program directly supports key wildlife projects, including population surveys, habitat restoration, wildlife disease monitoring and the maintenance for 650,000 acres of public land managed for hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation.  

Wisconsin has seen the number of purchased licenses drop over the last 20 years, which directly limits available funding for current and future wildlife projects and limits the department’s ability to absorb rising costs from inflation.