Wisconsin
During the Wisconsin Muzzleloader Hunting Season, muzzleloaders that are discharged from the shoulder must be at least .45 caliber if smoothbore and .40 caliber or larger if the barrel is rifled, and must be loaded with a single ball or slug to be legal for deer hunting. During the 10-day m Wisconsin Muzzleloader Hunting Season muzzleloaders must have a solid threaded breech plug making them capable of being loaded only from the muzzle.
Wisconsin Muzzleloader Hunting Season
| 2025-2026 Seasons | |
|---|---|
| Archery and Crossbow**No bucks may be harvested during the antlerless-only hunts identified below. | Sept. 13 – Jan. 4, 2026 |
| Archery and Crossbow *Metro Sub-units and counties with extended archery seasons* See the map for counties with extended archery seasons. | Sept. 13 – Jan. 31, 2026 |
| Gun hunt for hunters with disabilities: This is not a statewide season. Learn more… | Oct. 4 – 12, 2025 |
| Youth deer hunt | Oct. 11 – 12, 2025 |
| Gun | Nov. 22 – Nov. 30 |
| Muzzleloader | Dec. 1 – 10, 2025 |
| December 4-Day Antlerless-Only Hunt | Dec. 11 – 14, 2025 |
| Antlerless-Only Holiday Hunt *Open only in select Farmland (Zone 2) counties. Please see page 12 of combined hunting regulations for valid counties. | Dec. 24, 2024 – Jan. 1, 2026* |
| All dates are subject to change through rulemaking or a legislative process. Please check the Wisconsin Hunting Regulations for the complete dates and unit designations. | |
This information is subject to change, for more information CLICK HERE
Wisconsin Muzzleloader Regulations
Telescopic sights are legal to use on muzzleloaders during any firearm deer season, note: inline muzzleloaders are legal to use during the 10-day muzzleloader hunt with black powder or any black powder substitutes. Muzzleloaders may be used statewide in all areas open to hunting deer with guns. Muzzleloading handguns must be .44 caliber or larger with a minimum barrel length of 7, measured from muzzle to breech face, and fire a single projectile weighing 138 grains or more to be legal for deer hunting. Black powder revolvers are legal, but not for hunting deer during the 10-day muzzleloader-only season because they are capable of being loaded by the cylinder instead of the muzzle.
This information is subject to change,
CLICK HERE FOR WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Additional Links
SEASON DATESREGULATIONS AND HOURS
PURCHASE A LICENSE
Buy a muzzleloader in Wisconsin online!