How much is a hunting license in Wisconsin, when do you need to get one and answers to other questions

Hunting is a statewide tradition passed down through generations.

Wisconsin offers various game and forms of hunting as long as residents and nonresidents possess the proper licenses and permits and follow the laws and guidelines set forth by the state.

For those interested in obtaining a Wisconsin hunting license, here's what you need to know.

How do you obtain a hunting license in Wisconsin?

All Wisconsin licenses can be purchased on the state's permitted and licensing site, Go Wild. Some hunts do have application deadlines and a limited number of licenses that are distributed via a lottery.

You can learn more about when certain Wisconsin hunting seasons are in effect here.

When do you need to obtain a hunting license in Wisconsin?

That depends on the type of hunting you want to do. Some you can purchase year round. Others, like elk, bobcat and bear, require applications to be submitted by a certain deadline. Once applications are submitted, licenses are awarded by drawing at later dates.

The 2023 application deadlines and drawing dates are:

• Elk: Application deadline was May 31 and drawing in early June
• Bobcat: Application deadline was Aug. 1 and drawing in mid-September
• Fisher: Application deadline was Aug. 1 and drawing in mid-September
• Sharp-tailed grouse: Application deadline was Aug. 31 and drawing in September
• Spring turkey: Application deadline is Dec. 10 and drawing in late January
• Bear: Application deadline is Dec. 10 and drawing in early February

More:Smith: Anticipation builds among hunters as the 9-day Wisconsin gun deer season approaches

How much is a hunting license in Wisconsin?

Hunting licenses are fairly affordable in Wisconsin. All licenses and permits can be purchased on the Go Wild website.

For Wisconsin residents who are getting their first hunting license, the cost is $5 across the board for everything from gun-deer to fishing. You can find more information here.

For Wisconsin residents not buying their first license, the prices range from $7 to $20 for fishing and $3 to $49 for hunting, depending on the type of game and various other factors like age and type of weapon. You can find more information here.

The DNR, which sells the licenses, also offers combinations and deals for buying multiple licenses at a time. You can find those here.

More:An aging, declining population of hunters spells trouble for Wisconsin deer management

How much is a Wisconsin hunting license for out-of-state residents?

Hunting licenses for out-of-state hunters are a bit more expensive than in-state, as expected. For nonresidents buying their first license in Wisconsin, or those who haven't purchased a Wisconsin hunting or fishing license in the last 10 years, the costs range from $25.75 to $79.75. You can find more information here. Licenses are valid from April 1 through March 31 of the following year.

For out-of-state residents not buying their first license, costs range from $10 to $70 for fishing licenses and from $3 to $251 depending on the type of game, weapon and season. You can find more information here.

There are some other options for nonresidents attending high school or universities in Wisconsin, or active members of the military who are stationed in Wisconsin. For more information, contact your nearest DNR Service Center.

At what age do you need a hunting license in Wisconsin?

To hunt alone in Wisconsin, you must be at least 14 years old and have passed a hunter's safety class. However, the state DNR does allow for mentored hunting for those under the age of 12 and any other person who has not completed a required hunter education course, and is not exempt from the hunter education requirement. This means anyone can obtain a mentored-only hunting license and hunt without first completing a hunter education course as long as they follow the rules set forth by the state DNR.

These rules include but are not limited to:

• The mentee is accompanied by a licensed hunter.
• The mentee stays within arm's reach of the mentor.
• Both mentee and mentor must have all required hunting approvals for the applicable season (license, permit, tag, etc).
• A mentor may not use any deer harvest authorizations issued to the mentee.
• A mentor can serve only one mentee at a time.

You can find more details about mentored hunting here.

Drew Dawson can be reached at ddawson@jrn.com or 262-289-1324.