Chapter NR 10

NR 10.07 Note Note: Placing or using bait for purposes of trapping is regulated by ss. NR 10.13 (1) (b), 19.27, 19.275 and not this subsection. Baiting for migratory birds is regulated by s. NR 10.12 (1) (h) and not this subsection. This subsection does not prohibit hunting with the use of decoys except as already prohibited under ss. NR 10.12 (1) (f) and (g) and 10.25 (4) (d).

NR 10.07(2m) (2m) Bear and deer baiting regulations.

NR 10.07(2m)(a) (a) Affected area. This section applies to deer and bear hunting statewide, except for baiting deer in the areas described in par. (b) where baiting for deer is prohibited.

NR 10.07(2m)(b) (b) Excluded area. Deer baiting and feeding is prohibited in entire counties where any of the following criteria apply:

NR 10.07(2m)(b)1. 1. A CWD affected area has been established in the county or a portion of the county.

NR 10.07(2m)(b)2. 2. A CWD or bovine tuberculosis positive captive or free-roaming, domestic or wild animal has been confirmed after December 31, 1997 from the county.

NR 10.07(2m)(b)3. 3. The county or portion of the county is within a 10 mile radius of a captive or free-roaming, domestic or wild animal that has been tested and confirmed to be positive for CWD or bovine tuberculosis after December 31, 1997.

NR 10.07(2m)(c) (c) Inclusion of additional counties.

NR 10.07(2m)(c)1. 1. The department may add additional counties under par. (b) if they meet the criteria established in par. (b) 1., 2. or 3.

NR 10.07(2m)(c)2. 2. The prohibitions and exemptions in this subsection shall become effective upon issuance of an order by the secretary of the department and publication in the official state newspaper. In addition, a notice of the order shall be provided to newspapers, legislators and hunting license outlets in the area affected.

NR 10.07(2m)(d) (d) Bear hunting and bear dog training. Bait or feed may be placed and used for the purpose of hunting bear or training bear dogs, except no person may place, use or hunt over bait or feed:

NR 10.07(2m)(d)1. 1. Beginning the day after the bear season closes and continuing through the following April 14.

NR 10.07(2m)(d)2. 2. In excess of 10 gallons of bait or feed at any feeding site.

NR 10.07(2m)(d)3. 3. That is not totally enclosed in a hollow log, a hole in the ground or stump which is capped with logs, rocks or other naturally occurring and unprocessed substances which prevents deer from accessing the material. Liquid scent used for hunting of bear or training bear dogs does not need to be enclosed.

NR 10.07(2m)(d)4. 4. Unless, when the bait or feeding site is checked or re-baited, all bait that has been uncovered is again enclosed and made inaccessible to deer in accordance with subd. 3.

NR 10.07(2m)(e) (e) Deer hunting. Bait or feed may be placed and used for hunting deer outside of the counties described in par. (b), except no person may place, use or hunt over bait or feed:

NR 10.07(2m)(e)1. 1. During the closed season for hunting deer. For the purpose of this paragraph, the open season for hunting of deer includes the 24-hour period prior to the deer seasons established in s. NR 10.01 (3).

NR 10.07 Note Note: The 24-hour period refers to the period from 12:00 am to 11:59 pm on the day immediately before the season.

NR 10.07(2m)(e)2. 2. In excess of 2 gallons of bait or feed at any feeding site.

NR 10.07(2m)(e)3. 3. In excess of 2 gallons of bait or feed on each contiguous area of land under the same ownership that is 40 acres or less, or for each full 40 acres that make up a contiguous area of land under the same ownership.

NR 10.07(2m)(e)4. 4. At any feeding site that is located within 100 yards of any other feeding site located on the same contiguous area of land under the same ownership.

NR 10.07 Note Note: A person may place bait or feed for another person and may hunt over another person’s bait or feed site if the person placing the bait is in compliance with s. NR 10.07 (2) and (2m).

NR 10.07(2m)(f) (f) Additional prohibitions. For bear hunting and bear dog training and for deer hunting outside of the counties described in par. (b), no person may place, use or hunt over bait or feed that:

NR 10.07(2m)(f)1. 1. Contains or is contained within metal, paper, plastic, glass, wood or other similar processed materials, except that a processed wood bottom may be affixed to a hollow log or stump using adhesive, nails, or screws for the purpose of containing bait or feed. This subdivision does not apply to scent material and does not prohibit bait or feed from being placed in hollow logs or stumps.

NR 10.07(2m)(f)2. 2. Contains any animal part or animal byproduct.

NR 10.07(2m)(f)3. 3. Is located within 50 yards of any trail, road or campsite used by the public, or within 100 yards from a roadway, as defined in s. 340.01 (54), Stats., having a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or more.

NR 10.07(2m)(f)4. 4. Except as authorized under s. NR 19.60 (3) (a) 1., is in a feeder designed to deposit or replenish the feed automatically, mechanically or by gravity.

NR 10.07 Note Note: Section 340.01 (54), Stats., “Roadway” means that portion of a highway between the regularly established curb lines or that portion which is improved, designed or ordinarily used for vehicular travel, excluding the berm or shoulder. In a divided highway, the term “roadway” refers to each roadway separately but not to all such roadways collectively.

NR 10.07(2m)(g) (g) Valid approval required. Unless hunting pursuant to s. NR 10.07 (2) (b) 8., no person may hunt over bait or feed material placed for:

NR 10.07(2m)(g)1. 1. Bear without possessing a valid unused class A bear license and carcass tag.

NR 10.07(2m)(g)2. 2. Deer without possessing an appropriate valid archer, crossbow, or gun deer license and valid, unused harvest authorization.

NR 10.07 Note Note: Removal of unlawfully placed bait or feed material does not preclude the issuance of a citation for the original placement of the unlawful baiting or feeding material.

NR 10.07 History History: 1-2-56; am. (2), Register, August, 1957, No. 20, eff. 9-1-57; am. (5), Register, August, 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; r. and recr. (1) and (3), Register, August, 1960, No. 56, eff. 9-1-60; cr. (8), Register, September, 1961, No. 69, eff. 10-1-61; am. (1), Register, September, 1965, No. 117, eff. 10-1-65; r. (6), am. (7) (a), Register, August, 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; r. and recr. (2), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; renum. to be NR 10.07; am. (1), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (2) (a), r. and recr. (3) and cr. (9) (a) and (b), Register, July, 1971, No. 187, eff. 8-1-71; am. (3) (a) and (b) and (9) (b), Register, August, 1971, No. 188, eff. 9-1-71; am. (1), (2) (b), and (9) (a), Register, August, 1972, No. 200, eff. 9-1-72; am. (9) (b), Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; emerg. r. and recr. (9), eff. 8-2-74; r. and recr. (9), Register, December, 1974, No. 228, eff. 1-1-75; am. (3) (a), Register, January, 1975, No. 229, eff. 2-1-75; am. (7) (a), Register, October, 1975, No. 238, eff. 11-1-75; cr. (10), Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; renum. (1) to be (1) (a), cr. (1) (b), r. (3) (a) to (c), renum. (3) (d) to be (3) and am. (9), Register, November, 1976, No. 251, eff. 12-1-76; renum. (1) (b) to be (1) (c) and am., am. (3) and r. and recr. (10), Register, May, 1977, No. 257, eff. 6-1-77; am. (1) (a), Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. and recr. (10), Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78, renum. (1) (c) to be 10.001 (8) and (9) am. (8), Register, August, 1978, No. 272, eff. 9-1-78; r. and recr. Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (g), Register, April, 1980, No. 292, eff. 5-1-80; r. (1) (c), Register, April, 1981, No. 304, eff. 5-1-81; r. and recr. (1) (g) 2., Register, April, 1982, No. 316, eff. 5-1-82; cr. (1) (i), Register, October, 1987, No. 382, eff. 11-1-87; emerg. am. (2) (d), eff. 9-25-87; am. (2) (d), Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; r. and recr. (1) (g), r. (1) (h), Register, September, 1990, No. 417, eff. 10-1-90; cr. (1) (b) 3. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 3-1-92; cr. (1) (g) 7., Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1) (g) 2. and r. and recr. (1) (g) 5., Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 3-1-98; correction in (1) (g) 7. was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2001 No. 548; emerg. am. (1) (a), r. (1) (g), cr. (2) and (3), eff. 7-3-02; emerg. r. and recr. (2), eff. 1-11-03; CR 03-016: r. and recr. (1) (a), cr. (3) Register August 2003 No. 572, eff. 9-1-03; correction in (1) (a) 2. e. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2003 No. 572; CR 03-018: am. (1) (b) 2. Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-020: r. and recr. (1) (a), am. (3) Register August 2004 No. 584, eff. 9-1-04; CR 04-078: r. (1) (g), cr. (2) and (2m) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; CR 05-017: cr. (1) (k) Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 08-013: r. (1) (a) 2., am. (2m) (b) 1. Register August 2008 No. 632, eff. 9-1-08; CR 09-024: am. (2m) (e) 1. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; EmR1405: emerg. r. (3), eff. 2-25-14; EmR1420: emerg. am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2., eff. 9-12-14; CR 13-071: am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (b) 1., (g) 2., r. (3) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (2m) (b) 1., 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; CR 16-037: am. (1) (k) Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17; CR 16-028: am. (2) (b) 3., 4. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; EmR1902: emerg. am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2. eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; renum. (1) (a) 1. to (1) (a) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; 2021 Wis. Act 14: am. (2m) (f) 1. Register April 2021 No. 784, eff. 5-1-21.

NR 10.08 NR 10.08 Possession and transportation of game.

NR 10.08(1) (1) Opening day limits. On the first day of the open season, no person may possess or control more than one daily bag limit of any game species for which a bag limit is established.

NR 10.08(2) (2) Daily bag limit.

NR 10.08(2)(a) (a) Generally.

NR 10.08(2)(a)1. 1. Daily bag limits are established on a per-hunter basis, are not transferable, and cannot be shared, except as provided in s. 29.324, Stats. No person may take, or attempt to take, any game for another person, unless in compliance with s. 29.324, Stats.

NR 10.08(2)(a)2. 2. If an animal is required to be registered under s. NR 10.086, no person may gift game to any person until after it has been registered under s. NR 10.086.

NR 10.08(2)(a)3. 3. No person may gift game to any person while afield. All gifted game remain counted toward the daily bag limit of the original harvester.

NR 10.08(2)(b) (b) Exceeding daily bag limit. No person may:

NR 10.08(2)(b)1. 1. Take, or attempt to take, any game for which a daily bag limit is established and restricted to an issued harvest authorization or tag without holding the proper valid harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(2)(b)2. 2. Take, or attempt to take, any game in excess of one daily bag limit in any one day.

NR 10.08(3) (3) Possession and possession limit.

NR 10.08(3)(a) (a) Generally. No person may:

NR 10.08(3)(a)1. 1. Exceed an established possession limit unless otherwise authorized by the department.

NR 10.08(3)(a)2. 2. Possess game killed by unlawful or unknown means, unless otherwise authorized by the department.

NR 10.08(3)(a)3. 3. Except when in compliance with subds. 4. and 5., possess game without also possessing all required approvals for that game.

NR 10.08(3)(a)4. 4. While afield, possess game taken by another unless accompanied by the original harvester.

NR 10.08(3)(a)5. 5. Possess game taken by another unless the person provides the registration confirmation number, or name and address or customer ID number of the source, to a warden upon demand.

NR 10.08(3)(b) (b) Specific possession limits. Except where otherwise provided in s. NR 10.01, the following possession limits are established:

NR 10.08(3)(b)1. 1. Turkey. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)2. 2. Deer. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)2m. 2m. Otter. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)3. 3. Bobcat. The possession limit corresponds to the number of pelt tags issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)3m. 3m. Fisher. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)4. 4. All other game which have a daily bag limit established. The possession limit is 3 times the established daily bag limit.

NR 10.08(4) (4) Field possession limit. No person may possess more than one daily bag limit while at or between the place killed and the place to which the bag limit is taken.

NR 10.08 Note Note: This rule does not authorize a person to take more than one daily bag limit. Further, it does not prohibit possession of double the daily bag limit when transporting game between a person’s temporary abode and his or her permanent abode.

NR 10.08(5) (5) Killing requirements. Except as otherwise provided, no person may possess any live game. All game taken during the open season shall be killed immediately and made part of the daily bag.

NR 10.08(6) (6) Field dressing. No person may completely dress any game bird while in the field or during transportation from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing, shall remain attached to all game birds while in the field or during transportation from the field to the person’s permanent abode or a preservation facility.

NR 10.08(6m) (6m) Harvest authorizations and tags.

NR 10.08(6m)(a) (a) Every harvest authorization and tag is identified by a unique number, which represents a singular game harvest approval issued to the person, regardless of the number of reprints generated, or duplicates issued.

NR 10.08(6m)(b) (b) Only the person who has been issued the harvest authorization and tag may exercise its privilege, except as provided in s. 29.324, Stats.

NR 10.08(6m)(c) (c) A harvest authorization or tag is valid only when all of the following apply:

NR 10.08(6m)(c)1. 1. Game has not already been harvested under the authority of the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)2. 2. The person and game are both located in the zone, unit, and land type specified on the harvest authorization or tag, when such restrictions are designated.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)3. 3. The season is open, and no time period restrictions are in effect.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)4. 4. The target game matches the type of animal specified on the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)5. 5. The harvest method is permitted by the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)6. 6. The harvest authorization or tag is not expired.

NR 10.08(7) (7) Carcass tags. No person may:

NR 10.08(7)(a) (a) Hunt or trap any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless in possession of a valid, unique carcass tag that has not already been used to harvest an animal. A tag is not valid when hunting or trapping in a zone, management unit, or land type that is not authorized by the tag, or if the tag is expired. A tag is not valid when hunting with a weapon that is not authorized for use with the tag.

NR 10.08(7)(b) (b) Upon harvesting any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1), fail to immediately validate the carcass tag that authorized the harvest.

NR 10.08(7)(c) (c) Possess or transport the carcass of any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless also in possession of the validated carcass tag that authorized the harvest.

NR 10.08(7)(d) (d) Fail to keep a validated carcass tag in good, legible condition so as to permit meaningful inspection by the department. Carcass tags shall remain intact except that part of a tag may be separated as designated by the department on the tag as a means of validation.

NR 10.08(7)(e) (e) Transport or possess an unskinned bobcat or wolf carcass, or a raw pelt of these species unless it has been tagged in accordance with s. NR 10.085.

NR 10.08(7)(f) (f) While afield, possess or transport the carcass of any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) that is tagged with or possessed under the authority of a validated carcass tag of another person unless accompanied by the person issued the carcass tag. After the animal is registered it may be transported by vehicle on a public roadway or possessed at a dwelling or business establishment by a person who is not hunting without the need to be accompanied by the person who tagged and registered it. A dwelling for the purposes of this subsection includes permanent residences as well as temporary residences, such as an established hunting cabin or camp site.

NR 10.08(7)(g) (g) While afield, hunting, or trapping, possess a validated carcass tag, or any copy of a unique carcass tag already used to harvest an animal, for any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless the person is also in possession of the legally killed animal corresponding to that carcass tag.

NR 10.08(7)(h) (h) Validate or attach a carcass tag to an animal trapped, killed, or harvested by another.

NR 10.08(7)(i) (i) Possess more than one copy of a unique carcass tag while afield or hunting or trapping.

NR 10.08(8) (8) Research. The department may require that any part of animal shall be collected, sampled, or submitted to the department for research purposes. No person may fail to comply with any collection, sampling, or submission procedure required by the department.

NR 10.08 Note Note: Additional requirements for the transportation of deer species from chronic wasting disease affected areas in this state and from other states and countries where CWD has been identified are established in s. NR 10.105.

NR 10.08 Note Note: The department lacks authority to issue wolf carcass tags while the wolf is listed on the federal endangered list or the state endangered list. See s. 29.185, Stats.

NR 10.08 History History: 1-2-56; r. (2), Register, August, 1956, No. 8, eff. 9-1-56; r. and recr. (3), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; renum. to be NR 10.21; am. (3) (a) and (b), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (3) (a), Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; r. and recr. (3), Register, August, 1978, No. 272, eff. 9-1-78; renum. from NR 10.21, Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; r. and recr. Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; am. (2), Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; CR 13-021: cr. (6) Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; EmR1613: emerg. am. (title.), cr. (7), eff. 3-12-16; EmR1712: emerg. am. (7) (d), eff. 6-17-17; CR 17-061: am. (title), (6), cr. (7) Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; EmR1902: emerg. r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (6m), am. (7) (h) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (6m), am. (7) (h) Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; (2) (b) (title), (3) (a) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and correction in numbering in (6m) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and correction in (6m) (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765; CR 19-017: cr. (3) (b) 2m., am. (7) (e) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 5-1-20; CR 20-087: am. (2) (a) 2., cr. (3) (b) 3m., am. (7) (e), renum. (7) (j) to (L) to NR 10.087 (4) (d) to (f) and am., renum. (8) from NR 10.085 (8) and am. Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.

NR 10.085 NR 10.085 Tagging of game.

NR 10.085(1) (1) Requirements for the tagging of game in this section apply to all of the following species:

NR 10.085(1)(a) (a) Bear.

NR 10.085(1)(b) (b) Elk.