Wisconsin DNR Now Seeking Public Input On The 2026 Deer Season

Formed in 2014, the Wisconsin Citizen Deer Advisory Councils (CDACs) are local groups that gather public input and provide recommendations to the DNR on deer management, including population goals, antlerless quotas, and season structures.

CDAC members are stakeholders like hunters, farmers, and foresters, and the councils tailor management strategies to specific local units.

Now, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the state's CDACs are requesting public feedback on Wisconsin's deer management, including harvest quotas, season structure, and more, ahead of the 2026 deer season.

Feedback Requested Ahead Of 2026 Deer Season

According to the DNR, each unit in Wisconsin has a Citizen Deer Advisory Council that meets annually to provide input and recommendations to the DNR on local deer management, based on deer herd metrics, unit management goals, and public feedback.

This process is done annually to allow for adjustments in response to the previous year's deer harvest, winter severity, and other factors.

Citizen Deer Advisory Councils in the Northern and Central Forest Deer Management zones will make recommendations on their new habitat-based deer management units. The DNR reminds everyone that unit boundaries in the Northern Forest Zone were changed from county lines to create habitat-based deer management units.

Get our free mobile app

Modifications have also occurred to metro subunits in the southeastern portion of the state. For reference, a map of the 2026 deer management units is available on the DNR's Deer Management webpage.

The public can now submit feedback online and in person.

Submit Feedback Online Now

The DNR encourages input from anyone interested in helping shape local deer herd management preferences during the online input period. This feedback will be considered by the local Citizen Deer Advisory Councils as they develop their recommendations for the DNR.

SEE NOW: Over 400 Highway Improvement Projects Now Scheduled In Wisconsin

The survey link is now available on the Citizen Deer Advisory Council webpage, and it will remain open through Sunday, April 12.

Participating In Person

The public is also encouraged to attend their local Citizen Deer Advisory Council meeting to join the discussion about local deer management and provide input on deer season details.

All meetings will include a review and discussion of current unit data on harvest trends, herd health, the deer hunter experience, and deer/human conflict issues like crop and property damage.

Citizen Deer Advisory Council meetings will take place across the state from April 20 through April 30. More details, including meeting locations, are available online.