Being prepared is good assurance for successful autumn hunting and gathering seasons, many beginning September 12.
Others start earlier when the hickory nuts have fallen, ginseng digging is legal, leaves have begun to paint new, pretty pigments, and teal begin to migrate.
Autumn forecasts and observations are there to tell us what we might need and expect for the opening of small game, turkey, and archery/crossbow hunting and outdoor viewing.
Some gather, some photograph, and yet others just view.
Deer hunters are advised to know what deer management unit they are likely to hunt during the archery and gun deer seasons. Usually there are no changes; there are none for 2026 season.
However there were in 2025, particularly in the Northern and Central Forest Zones, which are mostly numbered and do not follow county lines. Antlerless authorizations for gun and bow hunters are usually DMU-specific.
Hunters must carry proof of their harvest authorizations that they have been given with a license or purchased separately.
Deer and turkeys must be registered by the day after the animal is killed, using an authorization number on the authorization. Forgotten? Wardens will often excuse if tardy by a short time and when reported by the hunter.
Baiting and feeding is prohibited in many units and some may change during the season.
The deer forecast in the Southern Farmland District follows after a stellar 2025 buck registration in many units. Record all-time buck registrations occurred in Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, and Waukesha counties.
The vast landscape in this district is varied and deer populations vary within units based on local habitat.
CWD in the 18 counties continues to slowly increase in prevalence and geographic area within the Southern District.
Testing from the 2025 seasons turned up over 1,500 CWD-positive deer, which was about 100 more than 2024.
This district continues to greet deer hunters from all over the nation, suggesting that Wisconsin’s deer hunts are destination hunts for many out-of-state hunters.
Statewide there were 3,964 turkeys registered during the 2025 fall turkey hunt, which was a decrease from 2024. The success rate of fall hunters, however, increased. Fall hunting should be very good with fine recruitment weather during the spring and summer.
Turkey season is open in most areas during gun deer season. Have fresh venison and wild turkey for Thanksgiving.
Ruffed grouse did show an overall decrease of 11 percent statewide but biologists report a healthy and abundant population in the northern third of Wisconsin.
Ring-necked pheasant crowing counts of roosters decreased slightly but were still higher than the five-year average. The Poynette Game Farm is raising 65,000 birds for release this fall, down from 75,000 birds in recent past years. Budget constraints are the main reason.
Squirrel and rabbit populations remain excellent in most areas.
Hard mast crops, hickory and walnuts, appear good and fall mushrooms include hen of the woods and chicken of the woods and should be good after recent rains in many parts of southern Wisconsin.
Viewing autumn is always good in Wisconsin, but varies by vegetation diversity. Leaf peakers can’t go wrong by beginning to look little, starting with individual trees, or even smaller, and watching the forests, marshes, farm crops and field come alive.
In addition to game and where better hunting and gathering may be, hunters are urged to prepare themselves or the seasons.
Don Martin at Martin’s Shop in Monroe, Wisconsin advises practicing shooting at targets and gun handling, woods and field walking, and even fence crossing. “Practice is the number one thing once licenses are purchased or even before buying a stamp and authorization,” he said.
Don’t forget your body, and mind, in preparing to ready yourself. Check your own health with an annual physical examination. Are there health shots that are due? Maybe a flu shot or booster COVID shot?
Exercise and walking on uneven terrain is ideal and carrying a gun or stick to simulate an actual walk to a stand or blind on opening day.
“The early seasons in September will open when mosquitoes, flies, and ticks can be most active,” Martin said.
Doug Williams, at D W Sports Center in Portage, Wisconsin reminds hunters, and wildlife viewers, to shop early, decide what you need, find it and purchase it. “Some shells may no longer be manufactured,” he said.
Repair of guns and bows can best be done well before the season. “Parts may never be available and a purchase may be the answer. Or the part may take a long time to find at a distant gunsmith shop,” Williams said.
Last, maybe first, find a location to hunt, and check the location for changes in vegetation, crops present, and landowner changes.
This might be the year to be a mentor for a new or returning hunter, young or old.
The best place to start with questions is the WDNR information phone, 1-888-936-7463.
Also find the name and phone number of your county conservation warden to report something or a problem.
Contact Jerry Davis, a freelance writer, at sivadjam@mhtc.net or 608.924.1112.
