DNR releases preliminary data from opening weekend of 2025 gun deer season

WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced preliminary deer harvest and license sales totals for the opening weekend of the 2025 gun deer season.

Preliminary license sales data

Preliminary figures indicate that the number of gun deer hunters in Wisconsin stayed nearly constant compared to 2024, the DNR said in a release.

As of 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23, sales for deer hunting privileges (which include gun, archery, crossbow, conservation patron and sports licenses) reached 777,843, down 0.03% from the same time last year, according to the DNR. Of those, 538,865 were for gun privileges only (which include gun, conservation patron and sports licenses).

Final license sales figures will be available in January, at which time DNR staff will perform a thorough analysis and interpretation.

Preliminary registration totals, future outlook

In total, the DNR said, hunters registered 90,671 deer statewide during the opening weekend of the 2025 gun deer hunt, compared to 87,248 registered for the same period in 2024. This is a 3.9% increase from a year ago and 1.1% below the five-year average.

Hunters registered a total of 48,748 antlered deer on opening weekend, compared to 48,063 in 2024, a 1.4% increase. The antlerless harvest was 41,923, which is up 7% from last year, according to the DNR.

“Conditions for the opening weekend were pretty favorable for hunters,” the DNR stated. “Mornings were cool and quiet, with gusty winds reported in the afternoon in some areas of western Wisconsin. The only factors that might have impacted deer sightings were a lack of snow cover and warmer temperatures in the afternoons across the southern half of the state.”

The DNR said there were some reports of bucks still on the move in search of does across the state.

“However, for the most part, breeding activity, which can enhance daytime deer movement, declined noticeably in the days leading up to the weekend,” the DNR said. “Overall, opening day action was described as average to somewhat better than average. Sunday was generally quiet, with comfortable weather resulting in less hunter and deer movement.”

Opening weekend hunting incidents

As of Tuesday, Nov. 25, the DNR reported the following firearm-involved hunting incidents on the opening day of the 2025 nine-day gun deer season:

• Grant County, North Lancaster Township: On Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in the afternoon hours, a male, 57, was a victim of a gunshot to his buttock while walking to a field to go deer hunting. The victim was transported to the hospital and treated for injury. Investigation pending. 
• Fond du Lac County, Oakfield Township: On Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, in the evening hours, a male deer hunter, 24, was a victim of a self-inflicted gunshot to the chest. The victim was found deceased several hours after the close of hunting hours by family on private property. Preliminary investigation reflects the victim was in a tree, gun deer hunting from a saddle stand, when the unintentional discharge of their firearm occurred. Investigation pending.

Comparatively, during the 2024 nine-day gun deer season, the DNR reported one firearm-involved hunting incident resulting in injury.