Wisconsin bear hunting season begins September 4

The Wisconsin 2024 bear hunting season opens Wednesday, September 4. Randy Johnson, a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) large carnivore specialist expects a quality year of bear hunting.

“Bear hunting provides a unique and exciting outdoor experience with family and friends,” said Randy Johnson, DNR large carnivore specialist. “We see the popularity of bear hunting in Wisconsin increasing with the growing number of customers who apply for a bear hunting license or preference point each year. With growing demand and limited licenses, we encourage the public to review management zone boundaries.” 

The bear season will be open until October 8.

The following zone-base restrictions apply:

Zones A, B and D – (Dogs are permitted)
• Sept. 4 to Sept. 10 – with the aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs
• Sept. 11 to Oct. 1 – with the aid of bait, dogs or all other legal methods
• Oct. 2 to Oct. 8 – with the aid of dogs only

Zones C, E and F – Where dogs are not permitted:
• Sept. 4 to Oct. 8 – with the aid of bait and all other legal methods not using dogs

More information can be found here.