What you need to know about the 2023 Wisconsin gun deer hunting season, including opening date, regulations, licenses and more

When it comes to hunting in Wisconsin, the annual November gun deer season is the big kahuna.

The nine-day hunt draws the most participants, produces the biggest deer kill and has the biggest economic impact, according to state officials.

This year the Department of Natural Resources expects to sell about 550,000 firearm deer licenses.

And similar to past seasons, the DNR anticipates hunters from all 50 states and more than a dozen foreign countries will hunt deer this year in Wisconsin.

State wildlife managers say the deer population varies locally but overall is robust and hunter prospects are good for the 2023 gun deer season. The exception is a few counties in northern Wisconsin that experienced very severe conditions last winter and resulted in lower deer survival.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the annual deer hunt.

When is opening day of the 2023 gun deer hunting season in Wisconsin?

This year's gun deer hunting season opens Saturday, Nov. 18.

When does the Wisconsin deer season run?

The Wisconsin gun deer hunting season traditionally begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs for nine days.

That means the start date ranges from as early as Nov. 17 to as late as Nov. 23.

This year's nine-day gun deer season runs from Nov. 18 to 26.

More:Outdoors calendar

What is the rut? And does it affect deer hunting?

The rut is the annual mating period for deer. In Wisconsin it peaks in early November and is associated with increased deer activity, including during daylight hours, as bucks pursue does.

This increased deer activity definitely favors hunters, and data show gun deer harvests are typically higher when the season starts earlier in November rather than later.

In 2019 the season began on the latest possible date and the deer harvest was the lowest in many years.

While hunter effort, weather, local deer populations and other factors are at play each season, this year's Nov. 18 start should provide a moderate amount of rut-related deer movement.

What are deer hunting regulations set by the Wisconsin DNR?

Deer hunting regulations are set by seasons, land type and geographical areas in Wisconsin.

For example, regulations are set each year for the following seasons: archery, crossbow, youth, nine-day gun deer, muzzleloader and December antlerless-only. Farmland units also have an option for a Holiday Hunt spanning Christmas to New Year's Day and an extended bow season in January.

Antlerless deer tags are issued for public or private land. And counties serve as deer management units.

The number of antlerless deer tags in each county is determined through a process that starts with recommendations from the County Deer Advisory Council, followed by review and potential changes by the DNR and the Natural Resources Board.

In general, each deer hunting license authorizes a hunter to kill one buck and at least one doe.

How much does a deer hunting license cost?

A resident gun deer hunting license is $24; $20 for those aged 12-17; and $7 for those under 12.

A non-resident gun deer hunting license is $200.

To buy a license, visit gowild.wi.gov or go to a sporting goods store or other license sales outlet. The DNR has an interactive map of license sales locations on its website.

If I shoot a deer, do I have to register it?

Yes, all harvested deer must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after the animal is recovered.

Hunters can register deer online at GameReg.WI.Gov or by phone at (844) 426-3734.

Can you bait deer in Wisconsin?

Baiting deer is legal in 14 counties and prohibited in 58 for the 2023 gun deer season, according to the DNR. The prohibitions are due to a state law that bans baiting and feeding deer in areas where chronic wasting disease has been found.

In counties where baiting is legal, hunters are limited to two gallons of corn or other bait at a site. Check dnr.gov.wi for details.

What county in Wisconsin has the most deer? 

In recent years Marathon County has produced the highest deer harvests, with Shawano and Waupaca typically in the top five.

And even though deer numbers vary even within a township or county, deer densities are considered high in all of Wisconsin's southern farmland region.

How safe is it to hunt deer?

There has been a long-term trend toward fewer shooting incidents in Wisconsin gun deer hunting seasons, especially since hunter safety education and blaze orange clothing were required decades ago.

The shooting incident rate in recent years in Wisconsin's gun deer season has been about 1 per 100,000 participants.

Additionally, trends toward the increased use of tree stands and reduced use of deer drives has proven safer to hunters.