Wisconsin Releases 2025 Deer Season Opening Results

By Blake Jackson

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has released preliminary figures for both deer harvest totals and license sales from the opening weekend of the 2025-gun deer season.

Preliminary License Sales

Early data shows that participation in this year’s gun deer hunt remains steady. By 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, a total of 777,843 deer hunting privileges had been sold, which is nearly identical to last year’s number, showing only a 0.03% decrease.

This total includes gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron, and sports licenses. Of these, 538,865 were gun-only privileges. The DNR will provide final, fully analyzed sales numbers in January.

Opening Weekend Harvest Totals

Hunters registered 90,671 deer statewide during the first two days of the season, up from 87,248 during the same period in 2024 a 3.9% increase. This total is just slightly below the five-year average. The antlered harvest reached 48,748, a 1.4% increase from the prior year, while the antlerless harvest rose 7% to 41,923.

Weather conditions were mostly favorable, with cool mornings and breezy afternoons. However, limited snow cover and warmer temperatures in southern Wisconsin may have reduced deer movement. Rut activity also appeared to taper off before the weekend, contributing to what was generally described as an average to slightly above-average opening day.

Sunday remained calm, resulting in less movement by both hunters and deer. Forecasted snow and colder temperatures in northern Wisconsin may improve second-weekend hunting conditions.

Opening Weekend Hunting Incident

As of this report, two firearm-related incidents occurred on opening day of the 2025-gun season, which runs Nov. 22-30:

• Grant County: A 57-year-old man suffered a gunshot wound to the buttock while walking to a hunting area. He received medical treatment, and the investigation is ongoing.
• Fond du Lac County: A 24-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound while hunting from a saddle stand. Early findings indicate an accidental firearm discharge.

In comparison, the 2024 season recorded one firearm-related injury incident.

The DNR reminds all hunters to follow the TAB-K firearm safety rules: Treat every firearm as loaded; Always point the muzzle safely; Be certain of your target and what’s beyond; Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until ready to shoot.

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