WI Youth Deer Hunt 2026: Oct. 10-11 DNR Rules

WI Youth Deer Hunt 2026: DNR Date And Eligibility

This page gives Wisconsin youth deer hunters and parents a quick date answer before the eligibility, adult-accompaniment, mentored-hunting, method, license, DMU and property-boundary checks.

Official Wisconsin DNR source check on August 9, 2026: Wisconsin DNR's hunting dates page lists the 2026 Youth/disabled gun deer hunt as Oct. 10-11. DNR's youth hunts page says special youth hunting weekends are open to residents and nonresidents 15 years of age and younger. DNR also says youth hunters must have completed hunter education or participate in the Mentored Hunt Program, hold required valid licenses, stamps and permits/harvest authorizations unless the rules say otherwise, and be accompanied by an adult 18 years of age or older. The DNR youth deer section also says youth hunters may hunt with a gun in all DMUs except state park and non-quota units, while its detailed youth rules flag Menominee County and state parks as excluded areas; verify the current regulations for the exact property before hunting.

Youth Deer Hunt Checklist

Youth Hunt Is Not A Shortcut Around Proof

The youth weekend is designed to give young hunters a focused opportunity before the regular gun opener. It does not erase the normal proof stack. DNR says a gun deer hunting license is required if hunting with a firearm, and the bag limit depends on the gun buck deer harvest authorization plus antlerless deer per valid antlerless authorization for the zone, DMU and land type where the youth is hunting. DNR also identifies a Jr. Antlerless Deer Harvest Authorization that can apply statewide regardless of land type.

Youth hunters with an archer or crossbow license may also continue to hunt with a bow or crossbow during the archery/crossbow season, which runs concurrently with the youth gun deer hunt. Verify current DNR rules before deciding which method and authorization apply.

Adult, Mentor And Hunter Education Boundary

Wisconsin DNR's youth page separates accompaniment from mentored hunting:

• Youth hunters 12-15 with hunter education and a gun deer license must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older.
• Youth hunters 11 and under, or youth hunters 12-15 without hunter education, must be mentored by a qualified adult within arm's reach.
• DNR defines accompanying as visual and voice contact without a mechanical or electrical amplifying device other than a hearing aid.
• DNR states an adult cannot attend more than two youth hunters at one time, and only one youth hunter can follow the mentor hunting program if the adult is attending to more than one youth hunter.

Because these rules are safety-critical and can be updated, use the DNR youth hunts and mentor pages before taking a youth hunter into the field.

DMU, State Park And Antlerless Checks

DNR's youth page says youth hunters may hunt deer with a gun in all Deer Management Units except state park and non-quota units. Its detailed youth rules also tell hunters ages 15 and under to avoid Menominee County and state parks. Do not stop at the statewide Oct. 10-11 date.

Before the youth hunt:

1. Confirm the DMU with the DNR Public Access Lands / DMU layer.
2. Confirm whether the property is public, private, VPA, MFL/FCL, state land, federal land, state park, or another access type.
3. Confirm whether the property falls under a Menominee County, state park, non-quota or other youth-specific exclusion.
4. Confirm the youth hunter's buck authorization, Jr. Antlerless authorization and any other valid antlerless authorization.
5. Confirm zone, DMU and land type for any antlerless authorization that is not statewide.
6. Save Go Wild account proof and offline property information.

After A Youth Deer Harvest

Use the same after-shot workflow as any Wisconsin deer hunt:

• Register the deer through Go Wild GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after the deer carcass is recovered.
• DNR says CWD testing is not required, but it is recommended; check sampling options and carcass movement guidance.
• Dispose of carcass waste using an approved route where possible.
• If crossing state lines, check both Wisconsin and destination-state import rules.

Youth Deer Decision Table