Wisconsin · License · 2026 Edition
Wisconsin Hunting License Cost 2026: Fees, Deer & Turkey Permits
A year costs $18 for residents and $90 for nonresidents.
Wisconsin sells hunting à la carte rather than as one license with add-ons. Small game, gun deer, archer, crossbow and turkey are each a license in their own right, so a deer hunter who also wants birds buys both. Two bundles cut through that: Sports at $60 covers fishing, small game and gun deer together, and the $165 Conservation Patron covers the lot. First-time buyers pay a flat $5 for their first small game, deer, archer, crossbow or turkey license. Turkey needs a $5.25 stamp alongside the license, and waterfowl needs the $12 state stamp plus the federal duck stamp, which Wisconsin sells at $30.50 — $25 stamp fee, $4 fulfillment and $1.50 state processing.
01 — Base hunting license
| Type | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Small Game License | $18 | Wisconsin's base small game license. Deer and turkey are separate licenses. |
| Resident Small Game License, junior (12-17) | $9 | |
| Resident Small Game License, senior (65+) | $9 | |
| Resident Small Game License (under 12) | $7 | |
| Resident First-time Buyer license | $5 | A flat $5 for a first small game, gun deer, archer, crossbow, trapping or spring/fall turkey license — whichever one it is. |
| Resident Sports License | $60 | Fishing, small game and gun deer in one purchase. |
| Resident Sports License, junior (12-17) | $35 | |
| Resident Conservation Patron License | $165 | The all-inclusive option, covering the hunting and fishing licenses along with the stamps. |
| Resident Conservation Patron License, junior (12-17) | $75 | |
| Nonresident Small Game License | $90 | |
| Nonresident Small Game License, 5-day | $60 | |
| Nonresident Small Game License (under 12) | $7 | Wisconsin charges the same $7 to residents and nonresidents under 12. |
| Nonresident First-time Buyer license, small game | $44.75 | The nonresident first-time discount varies by license: gun deer, archer and crossbow $99.75, spring or fall turkey $32.75, trapping $75.75. |
| Nonresident Sports License | $295 | Fishing, small game and gun deer in one purchase. |
| Nonresident Sports License, junior (12-17) | $36 | |
| Nonresident Conservation Patron License | $620 | The all-inclusive option for nonresidents. |
| Nonresident Conservation Patron License, junior (12-17) | $77 |
02 — Deer permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Deer License — gun, archer or crossbow | $24 | Each weapon is its own license at the same price. Holding archer and crossbow together costs $3 more as an upgrade rather than a second full license. |
| Resident Deer License, junior (12-17) | $20 | Gun, archer or crossbow. |
| Deer License (under 12) | $7 | Same $7 for residents and nonresidents under 12, gun, archer or crossbow. |
| Crossbow/Archer upgrade | $3 | Adds the other of the two to an existing license. Same price for nonresidents. |
| Nonresident Deer License — gun, archer or crossbow | $200 | Each weapon is its own license at the same price. |
| Resident Antlerless Deer Carcass Harvest Authorization | $12 | Unit specific. $5 for hunters under 12. |
| Nonresident Antlerless Deer Carcass Harvest Authorization | $20 | Unit specific. $5 for hunters under 12. |
| Farmer Antlerless Harvest Authorization | Free |
03 — Turkey permits
| Permit | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Spring Turkey License | $15 | The $5.25 turkey stamp is needed alongside it. $7 for hunters under 12. |
| Resident Fall Turkey License & harvest authorization | $15 | $7 for hunters under 12. |
| Nonresident Turkey License — spring or fall | $65 | Spring and fall are separate licenses at the same price. $7 for hunters under 12. |
| Turkey Stamp | $5.25 | Required alongside the turkey license. Same price for nonresidents; $4.50 under 12. |
| Resident Turkey harvest authorization, bonus | $10 | An extra bird beyond the license authorization, spring or fall. $5 under 12. |
| Nonresident Turkey harvest authorization, bonus | $15 | Spring or fall. $5 under 12. |
| Spring Turkey Application | $3 | The drawing application, same price for nonresidents. Watch the deadline. |
04 — Waterfowl & migratory bird permits
| Stamp | Total | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Waterfowl Stamp | $12 | Same price for nonresidents. |
| Federal Duck Stamp | $30.50 | Wisconsin breaks it out: $25 stamp fee, $4 fulfillment, $1.50 state processing. Same price for nonresidents. |
| HIP Certification | Free | Free, and required of every migratory bird hunter, resident or not. |
| Early Goose Permit | $3 | Same price for nonresidents. |
| Statewide Regular Goose Permit | $3 | Same price for nonresidents. |
Waterfowl hunters 16 and older also need HIP registration and a Federal Duck Stamp. Wisconsin duck season dates →
05 — Hunter education
Wisconsin requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Required of anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 to buy any hunting license in Wisconsin. Two routes around it: hunt under the Hunting Mentorship Program, or show proof of completed basic training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard.
Wisconsin hunter safety course — options, costs and where to register →
06 — Where to buy
Licenses and permits are sold through Go Wild, the state's official portal.
Where to hunt public land in Wisconsin — WMAs by county & access rules →
Wisconsin runs a fixed license year from April 1 through March 31, so a license bought in October still expires the following March 31.
FAQ
Can I hunt on my own land in Wisconsin without a license?
Wisconsin's exemption covers only a specific species list — beaver, coyotes, foxes, raccoons, woodchucks, rabbits, and squirrels — for the owner or occupant and their family on their own land. Deer, turkey, bear, and waterfowl aren't included, and the exempt species can't be taken in the 24 hours before firearm deer season opens.
How much is a hunting license in Wisconsin?
A resident annual Wisconsin hunting license costs $18, and the nonresident annual license costs $90. Species permits for deer, turkey and waterfowl are charged on top — see the tables above. Prices are set by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and were read from their own license document on Aug 6, 2026.
How much is a nonresident hunting license in Wisconsin?
$90 for the annual nonresident license. Species permits come on top of the base license.
How much is a deer permit in Wisconsin?
Resident Deer License — gun, archer or crossbow — $24. Resident Deer License, junior (12-17) — $20. Deer License (under 12) — $7. Crossbow/Archer upgrade — $3. Nonresident Deer License — gun, archer or crossbow — $200. Resident Antlerless Deer Carcass Harvest Authorization — $12. Nonresident Antlerless Deer Carcass Harvest Authorization — $20. Farmer Antlerless Harvest Authorization — Free. A deer permit is charged on top of the base hunting license.
What do I need to get a hunting license in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin requires a hunter education certificate for most first-time license buyers. Licenses are sold through Go Wild, the state's official portal. Wisconsin runs a fixed license year from April 1 through March 31, so a license bought in October still expires the following March 31.
Do I need a hunter safety course to buy a Wisconsin hunting license?
Yes, for most first-time buyers. Required of anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 to buy any hunting license in Wisconsin. Two routes around it: hunt under the Hunting Mentorship Program, or show proof of completed basic training in the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard.
Verified · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources · Last verified 2026-08-06
Publisher's note. Prices read from the WI DNR license offerings document, retrieved 2026-08-06. Review due 2027-03-01. Fees are set by the state and change without notice — confirm current prices before purchase.