MADISON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced that bonus antlerless harvest authorizations for the 2026 gun deer season are available for purchase online through the Go Wild license portal and at license sales locations as of Monday, Aug. 17. An online queuing system will be used to manage volume in Go Wild.
To complete their purchase, hunters will need to know the deer management zone and unit in which they intend to hunt, determine whether they will hunt on public or private land and have a deer hunting license approval. Due to realignment of the Northern and Central Forest Zones, there were changes made to some deer management unit borders in 2025. The DNR encourages hunters to consult the Deer Season Structure And Management Zone maps before buying their licenses.
The first three days of bonus sales are management zone-specific, and the fourth day is open to all zones:
●Aug. 17, 10 a.m. – Forest Zones (Northern and Central)
● Aug. 18, 10 a.m. – Central Farmland Zone
● Aug. 19, 10 a.m. – Southern Farmland Zone
● Aug. 20, 10 a.m. – All zones available
Bonus authorizations are sold at a rate of one per person per day until sold out or until the 2026 deer hunting season ends. Bonus authorizations are $12 each for Wisconsin residents, $20 each for nonresidents and $5 each for youth ages 11 and under.
The number of antlerless harvest opportunities will vary by deer management unit in accordance with local deer population levels. This allows for greater harvest opportunities where deer are abundant and a more conservative harvest where deer are fewer in number.
A listing of bonus antlerless harvest authorizations available for purchase in each deer management unit can be found on the DNR’s Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorization webpage.
A minimum of one Farmland Zone antlerless harvest authorization is included with each deer hunting license purchase in all Farmland Zone units. Some units will offer more than one antlerless deer harvest authorization with each deer license.
As a reminder, beginning in 2026, all users who have already established a username and password will now be required to use these credentials for login. For those who haven’t yet created a username and password, you can still access your account using personal information, but you will be prompted to complete the username and password setup and security questions.
If you forget your username or password, convenient self-help recovery options are available by clicking “Forgot Username” or “Forgot Password.” To ensure a smooth login experience, verify that the email address on file in your Go Wild account is up-to-date, as recovery options for forgotten usernames and passwords are linked to this email.
For more information on deer hunting in Wisconsin, visit the DNR’s Deer Hunting webpage.
DNR seeking volunteers, landowners to teach hunters of all experience levels
The DNR is seeking volunteers to teach hunters of all experience levels practical hunting skills. Volunteer opportunities are available in all parts of the state.
Becoming a volunteer instructor is a great way to shape the future of hunting in Wisconsin, get hands-on teaching experience, work closely with DNR staff and engage with your local community.
In addition to hunter education classes, the DNR and its contracted partners (Becoming an Outdoors Woman, National Deer Association, Pass It On – Outdoor Mentors, Pheasants Forever and Raised at Full Draw) offer additional instruction and continuing education to hunters of all experience levels. We are seeking volunteers to coordinate and instruct programs that teach hands-on skills to help participants gain the experience and confidence needed to hunt independently. Opportunities for volunteer and landowner involvement to support Wisconsin’s hunting heritage include:
● Outdoor Skills – Outdoor Skills programs teach specific skills related to hunting and the outdoors, such as shooting basics, processing deer, dog training and cooking wild game. We have lesson plans available for you to use as a guide, but if you have a hunting or shooting sports skill you can teach, reach out to our program staff to talk more.
● Learn To Hunt – The Learn to Hunt program is a unique opportunity in Wisconsin that allows volunteers to host educational mentored hunts outside of the normal hunting season.
The Learn to Hunt program requires at least four hours of pre-hunt instruction to participants, and program volunteers must have at least five years of experience hunting the target species. At least one program volunteer must be an active hunter education instructor.
● Landowners to Host Educational Hunts – Mentored hunting programs often rely on partnership with private landowners to provide accessible, controlled experiences for new hunters. Most programs require participants to complete hunter safety education, online trainings, live virtual meetings and hands-on field days to practice shooting and other skills prior to hunting. Landowners passionate about wildlife and habitat management, the future of hunting and connecting people with nature are encouraged to get involved by working with program coordinators to provide managed hunting access.
All volunteer instructors must pass a background check, either through the DNR or through one of its partner organizations.
For more information about becoming a volunteer instructor, a participating landowner or to apply, contact Emily Iehl, DNR hunting & shooting sports program specialist, at Emily.Iehl@wisconsin.gov.
