Wisconsin offers excellent opportunities for bird hunters, with a wide variety of game birds that can legally be hunted during designated seasons. Knowing what birds are in season and what the specific regulations are is crucial for hunters to stay legal and avoid penalties. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the bird species that can legally be hunted in Wisconsin, the required licenses and permits, season dates, hunting hours, bag limits, and other important regulations. With proper preparation and knowledge, bird hunters can fully enjoy Wisconsin’s bountiful game bird opportunities.
Overview of Legal Game Birds in Wisconsin
The following birds are legal to hunt during their respective open seasons in Wisconsin:
Waterfowl
– Ducks: Mallard, Black Duck, Wood Duck, Canvasback, Redhead, Ring-necked Duck, Scaup, Bufflehead, Goldeneyes, Mergansers and various Teal species.
– Geese: Canada Goose, Snow Goose, Ross’s Goose, White-fronted Goose and Brant.
– Coots and Moorhens.
Other Migratory Birds
– Sandhill Cranes.
– Snipe.
– Woodcock.
– Mourning Doves.
Upland Game Birds
– Ring-necked Pheasant.
– Ruffed Grouse.
– Sharp-tailed Grouse (limited open areas).
– Gray Partridge.
– Chukar.
– Quail.
– Wild Turkey.
Required Licenses, Stamps and Permits
To legally hunt birds in Wisconsin, hunters must have the following:
– Small game license – Required for hunting and pursuing all small game species like grouse, pheasant, quail, partridge, squirrels and rabbits. Resident fee is $17.
– State waterfowl stamp – Required for hunters 16 years and older to hunt ducks, geese, coots, moorhens, and tundra swans. Cost is $7.
– Federal duck stamp – Required for waterfowl hunters 16 years and older, in addition to state stamp. Cost is $25.
– Turkey license – Required to hunt wild turkeys during spring and fall seasons. Fee is $17 for residents.
– Early goose hunting permit – Required to participate in the early September Canada goose season. Cost is $3.
– Sandhill crane permit – Required to hunt sandhill cranes. Cost is $3.
– Federal sandhill crane stamp – Also required to hunt cranes. Cost is $25.
– Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration – Required for hunting migratory birds like doves, woodcock, and snipe. Free registration.
– Hunting license – Required for hunters 16 years and older. Cost is $25 for residents.
Season Dates and Limits
The following are the open hunting seasons and bag limits for major game bird species in Wisconsin:
Ducks and Geese
Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
---|---|---|
Ducks | Usually early October to December | 6 ducks total per day |
Geese | Varies, September to January | 3 geese per day during regular season |
Coots | Same as ducks | 15 per day |
Check the annual waterfowl season regulations for exact season dates, zone maps, and additional limits on species and sex. The early September Canada goose season is open statewide with a daily limit of 1 goose.
Other Migratory Birds
Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
---|---|---|
Sandhill Cranes | Usually September to November | 1 per season under permit |
Woodcock | Usually October | 3 per day |
Snipe | Usually September to December | 8 per day |
Mourning Doves | September to November | 15 per day |
Upland Game Birds
Species | Season Dates | Daily Bag Limit |
---|---|---|
Ring-necked Pheasant | Mid-October to December | Daily limit varies by zone |
Ruffed Grouse | Mid-September to January | Daily limit varies by zone |
Sharp-tailed Grouse | Varies | Check regulations |
Gray Partridge | Mid-September to December | Daily limit varies by zone |
Chukar Partridge | Year-round except during pheasant season | None |
Quail | Mid-October to December | None |
Wild Turkey | Spring and fall seasons | Varies by season and zone |
Check the annual small game regulations for exact season dates, zone maps, and additional limits on upland game species.
Hunting Hours
Legal shooting hours for all game birds in Wisconsin are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Exceptions are:
– Woodcock may be hunted until sunset.
– During the fall turkey season, shooting hours end at sunset.
– For pheasants and quail, shooting hours end at 2pm on weekdays within the posted pheasant management zones during the pheasant season.
Other Regulations
Here are some other important regulations Wisconsin bird hunters must follow:
– Nontoxic shot is required for hunting waterfowl, coots, gallinules, and snipe.
– Tagging requirements: pheasants, geese, turkeys and migrant game birds must be tagged immediately after harvest and before being transported.
– Blinds and decoys cannot be left overnight on state wildlife areas from March 15 through August 15.
– Hunting with live decoys is illegal.
– Recorded or electronically amplified bird calls and sounds are illegal.
– Shooting birds on water is not permitted.
– Hunting mourning doves over bait is illegal.
– Entering private land to retrieve birds without permission is considered trespassing.
– Commercial hunting of wild game birds is generally prohibited.
Safety Considerations
When bird hunting in Wisconsin, following safe practices is extremely important:
– Treat every firearm as if it is loaded. Always point muzzles in a safe direction.
– Clearly identify your target before shooting and make sure there is a safe backdrop.
– Wear blaze orange or pink clothing when required per regulations.
– Don’t shoot low-flying birds coming toward you.
– Use an approved retrieving dog to find downed birds and observe firearm safety when working your dog.
– Make sure you have landowner permission before hunting private property.
– Tell someone where you are going and when you will return from a hunt.
– Follow all regulations and requirements, and ask questions from the WDNR if you are ever unsure about something.
Conclusion
Wisconsin offers bird hunters excellent opportunities with many different game species. By obtaining the proper licenses, following the season dates and limits, understanding the regulations, and practicing sound safety procedures, you can have an enjoyable and legal hunting experience. Consult the annual regulations summaries and guides published by the Wisconsin DNR for full details. With preparation and knowledge, you will be set for a memorable bird hunting adventure in Wisconsin.