Wisconsin bear season 2026: dates and free maps

Season dates

Zones A, B and D (dogs allowed): Wednesday, September 9 to Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Sept. 9-15 bait and other methods without dogs; Sept. 16-Oct. 6 dogs, bait and other methods; Oct. 7-13 dogs only.
Source: Wisconsin DNR
Zones C, E and F (no dogs): Wednesday, September 9 to Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Bait and all other legal methods except dogs.
Source: Wisconsin DNR

Checked on the agency's site November 6, 2026. Licenses, units, bag limits and shooting hours differ, and dates can vary by unit: the regulations are what count, so read them before you go.

Legal shooting hours for big game in Wisconsin, generally: 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset.

Bear country is big timber and steep ground, usually with no signal. Download the maps for your spot ahead of time and Cartahaven shows your GPS position on them offline, so you can stay on public ground, find your stand or bait site and get back out after dark.

Wisconsin deer management units Open the map app

Free public land maps in Wisconsin

Wisconsin USGS topo maps (1,178)
Wisconsin historical topo maps (330)
Wisconsin Forest Service FSTopo maps (108)
Wisconsin wildlife refuge maps (3)
Wisconsin national forest maps (2)
Wisconsin national park maps (2)

All free maps in Wisconsin

Before you go

Cartahaven is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wisconsin DNR. Season dates come from the agency pages linked above.