NR 10.09(1)(a)
(a) Hunt with any means other than a rifle, shotgun, handgun, bow and arrow, crossbow, or falconry.
NR 10.09(1)(b)
(b) Hunt with a machine gun or other fully automatic weapon.
NR 10.09(1)(c)
(c) Hunt a game bird with or while in possession of a shotgun larger than 10 gauge.
NR 10.09(1)(d)
(d) Hunt a deer during a muzzleloader-only hunt, such as described in s.
NR 10.01 (3) (es), with any gun other than a muzzle-loading firearm.
NR 10.09 Note
(d) Hunt a deer during a muzzleloader-only hunt, such as described in s. NR 10.01 (3) (es), with any gun other than a rifle, shotgun, or handgun that is a firearm capable of being loaded only from the muzzle through the use of a ramrod.
NR 10.09(1)(e)
(e) Hunt a migratory bird with any shotgun capable of holding more than 3 shells unless the magazine has been cut off or plugged with a one-piece filler that cannot be removed without disassembling the gun and which reduces the capacity of the gun to not more than 3 shells at one time in the magazine and chamber combined.
NR 10.09(2)(a)
(a) Use, possess, or have under control of any of the following while hunting:
NR 10.09(2)(a)1.
1. Shot shells containing shot larger than T, except that shot shells containing shot not larger than F may be used when hunting migratory birds.
NR 10.09(2)(a)2.
2. Any tracer or incendiary ammunition that is not a distress flare.
NR 10.09(2)(a)3.
3. Any bullet, arrow, or bolt that is designed or modified to explode or deliver poisons or drugs.
NR 10.09(2)(b)
(b) Hunt a game bird with any ammunition other than an arrow, bolt, or shot shell that consists of more than one projectile.
NR 10.09(2)(c)
(c) Hunt a deer, bear, or elk with any ammunition other than an arrow, bolt, or bullet that is a single projectile of an expanding design.
NR 10.09(2)(d)
(d) Do any of the following while hunting waterfowl, snipe, rails, moorhens, or coot within any areas of the state, or mourning doves on lands which are under the management, supervision and control of the department:
NR 10.09(2)(d)1.
1. Take, catch, kill or pursue waterfowl, mourning doves, snipe, rails, moorhens, or coot with any shot, either in shot shells or as loose shot for muzzle-loading, other than non-toxic shot.
NR 10.09(2)(d)2.
2. Possess any shot shell or muzzle-loading firearm loaded with any material other than non-toxic shot.
NR 10.09(3)
(3)
Reasonable equipment. No person may hunt with any weapon or ammunition that is of inherent design, or used in such a manner, as to not be reasonably capable of reducing a target wild animal to possession. The following are prima facie reasonable equipment:
NR 10.09(3)(c)
(c) A crossbow with a minimum draw weight of 100 pounds.
NR 10.09(3)(e)
(e) Commercially manufactured or similar hand-loaded or re-loaded ammunition.
NR 10.09(3)(f)
(f) An arrow or bolt with a sharpened broad-head blade.
NR 10.09 History
History: 1-2-56; am. (6),
Register, August, 1956, No. 8, eff. 9-1-56; am. (3), (4), (5), (6),
Register, August, 1957, No. 20, eff. 9-1-57; am (4) and (5),
Register, August, 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; r. and recr. (4), (5), (6), and r. (7),
Register, August, 1959, No. 44, eff. 9-1-59; am. (2),
Register, August, 1960, No. 56, eff. 9-1-60; am. (2),
Register, August, 1961, No. 68, eff. 9-1-61; r. (1); am. (3); r. and recr. (5),
Register, August, 1963, No. 92, eff. 9-1-63; am. (3),
Register, August, 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; renum. to be NR 10.09; am. (6),
Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (4) and (5),
Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; am. (4),
Register, August, 1975, No. 236, eff. 9-1-75; am. (6),
Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; r. and recr. (4),
Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78; r. and recr.,
Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (c),
Register, April, 1982, No. 316, eff. 5-1-82; cr. (1) (c) 2. and 3. and (3),
Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; am. (1) (a) 2. and (c) 1. a.,
Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; emerg. r. and recr. (1) (a) 2., eff. 9-25-87; am. (1) (c) 1. c.,
Register, October, 1987, No. 382, eff. 1-1-88; r. and recr. (1) (a) 2.,
Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; r. (3) (a),
Register, October, 1988, No. 394, eff. 1-1-89; am. (1) (a) 2. and (c) 1. c.,
Register, October, 1989, No. 406, eff. 11-1-89; am. (1) (c) 2. and cr. (1) (d),
Register, July, 1990, No. 415, eff. 8-1-90; r. and recr. (1) (a) 3.,
Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; am. (1) (c) 1. a.,
Register, August, 1991, No. 428, eff. 9-1-91; am. (2) (c),
Register, August, 1994, No. 464, eff. 9-1-94; emerg. cr. (2) (d), eff. 8-12-96; am. (1) (c) 1. b.,
Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; am. (1) (c) 1. a.,
Register, June, 1997, No. 498, eff. 7-1-97; emerg. cr. (2) (d), eff. 10-1-98; am. (1) (a) 3. b.,
Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 10-1-98; cr. (1) (e),
Register, September, 1998, No. 513, eff. 3-1-99; emerg. cr. (2) (d), eff. 8-4-00; am. (1) (c) 1. c.,
Register, September, 2000, No. 537, eff. 11-18-00;
CR 00-154: am. (1) (a) 2.,
Register January 2002 No. 553, eff. 2-1-02;
CR 03-015: am. (1) (a) 3. b., (c) 1. d. and 3., (2) (intro.) and (3) (b)
Register July 2003 No. 571, eff. 8-1-03;
CR 03-016: am. (1) (a) 2., (c) 3., and (2) (intro.)
Register August 2003 No. 572, eff. 9-1-03;
CR 03-018: am. (1) (a) 1. and (e)
Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 04-020: am. (1) (c) 3.
Register August 2004 No. 584, eff. 9-1-04;
CR 04-046: am. (1) (a) 2., (c) 1. b., d. and 2.
Register September 2004 No. 585, eff. 10-1-04;
CR 05-031: am. (1) (a) 3. a. and (1) (c) 2. and 3., renum. (1) (c) 1. d. to be (1) (c) 1. e. and am., cr. (1) (c) 1. d.
Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05;
CR 07-015: am. (1) (a) 1., r. and recr. (1) (a) 2.
Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 2-1-08;
CR 08-021: am. (3) (b)
Register November 2008 No. 635, eff. 12-1-08; correction in (1) (a) 2. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2008 No. 635;
CR 09-015: am. (1) (c) 1. (intro.)
Register October 2009 No. 646, eff. 2-1-10;
CR 09-024: am. (1) (c) 2. and (2)
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10;
CR 10-020: am. (1) (c) 1. a.
Register October 2010 No. 658, eff. 11-1-10;
CR 10-051: am. (1) (c) 2.
Register December 2010 No. 660, eff. 1-1-11;
CR 13-021: r. (1) (c) 3.
Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; correction in (1) (c) 1. e. made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register March 2014 No. 699;
EmR1420: emerg. am. (1) (c) 1. (intro.), r. (1) (c) 1. e., am. (3), eff. 9-12-14;
CR 13-071: am. (1) (c) 1. (intro.), r. (1) (c) 1. e., (2), am. (3)
Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15;
CR 19-017: am. (1) (c) 1. b., c., d.
Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 2-1-20;
CR 19-146: r. and recr.
Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20;
CR 23-013: am. (2) (a) 1.
Register February 2024 No. 818, eff. 3-1-24;
CR 23-025: am. (1) (d) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24; 2023 Wis. Act 116: am. (1) (d) Register March 2024 No. 819, eff. 4-1-24. NR 10.10
NR 10.10
Deer and bear hunting. NR 10.10(1)(1)
Hunting with dogs prohibited. No person may hunt deer or bear with the aid of dogs, except that dogs may be used for hunting bear during the season established in s.
NR 10.01 (3) (g) 1. in black bear hunting zones A, B and D as described in s.
NR 10.30.
NR 10.10(2)
(2) Illegal game. Any deer killed during the open season for hunting deer with bow and arrow or crossbow only or that is killed under the authority of an archer or crossbow license and showing evidence that it was shot with a firearm shall be an illegal game animal and no person may have such animal in possession.
NR 10.10 History
History: 1-2-56; am. (2),
Register, August, 1963, No. 92, eff. 9-1-63; am. (2),
Register, August, 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; renum. to be NR 10.10,
Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; r. and recr.
Register, August, 1972, No. 200, eff. 9-1-72; emerg. am. (2), and cr. (6) to (11), eff. 8-2-74; am. (2), cr. (6) to (11),
Register, December, 1974, No. 228. eff. 1-1-75; am. (7) and r. (9),
Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; am. (1), (7) and (8), r. (5) and (6),
Register, May, 1977, No. 257, eff. 6-1-77; r. and recr.
Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78; r. (1) (a),
Register, April, 1981, No. 304, eff. 5-1-81; (2) renum. from NR 10.11 (2),
Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; r. and recr. (1) (b),
Register, September, 1984, No. 345, eff. 10-1-84; am. (2),
Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; am. (1) (b),
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; r. and recr. (1) (b),
Register, August, 1994, No. 464, eff. 9-1-94;
CR 03-018: r. and recr. (1) (b)
Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04;
CR 05-017: am. (1) (b)
Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 2-1-06;
CR 07-015: am. (1) (b)
Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 11-1-07;
EmR1420: emerg. am. (2), eff. 9-12-14;
CR 13-071: am. (2)
Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (1) (title) and repeal of (1) (b) (title) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and (1) (intro.) and (b) cons. and renum. to (1) under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register January 2020 No. 769.
NR 10.101(1)(b)
(b) Restricted areas. Hunt bear in any dump or sanitary landfill.
NR 10.101(1)(c)
(c) Non-adult bears. Shoot, shoot at or kill a bear that is accompanied by a bear that is not an adult bear.
NR 10.101(2)(a)
(a) Identification. No person shall hunt or pursue bear with any dog unless such dog is tattooed or wears a collar with the owner's name and address attached.
NR 10.101(2)(b)
(b) Training. The training of dogs by pursuing wild bear is prohibited except July 1 through August 31, or as authorized by s.
29.184 (3m), Stats.
NR 10.101 Note
Note: Bear dog trials and training are regulated by ch.
NR 17.
NR 10.101(2)(c)
(c) Pack size. No more than 6 dogs in a single pack may be used to pursue bear regardless of the number of bear hunters assisting the bear harvest permittee and regardless of the dog ownership.
NR 10.101 Note
Note: Only a bear hunting licensee assisting a Class A bear license holder may pursue bear during the open season on bear except when engaged in lawful bear dog training as authorized under s.
29.184 (3m), Stats.
NR 10.101 Note
Note: This rule does not permit a person to hunt bear over bait without using dogs as a hunting aid.
NR 10.101(3)
(3) Possession. No person may possess a bear carcass in violation of the requirements for possession and transportation established under s.
NR 10.08 (7), for tagging established under s.
NR 10.085 and registration under s.
NR 10.086.
NR 10.101 History
History: Cr.
Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78; cr. (1) (b) 5.,
Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (b) and (3) (b),
Register, April, 1980, No. 292, eff. 5-1-80; am. (3) (b),
Register, July, 1985, No. 355, eff. 8-1-85; am. (intro.), cr. (1) (c), (3) (e) and (4), r. and recr. (3) (c),
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; am. (2) (c) 3.,
Register, July, 1987, No. 379, eff. 8-1-87; cr. (4) (d),
Register, August, 1988, No. 392, eff. 9-1-88; am. (3) (b),
Register, July, 1989, No. 403, eff. 8-1-89; r. (2), renum. (3) and (4) to be (2) and (3),
Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90;
CR 01-008: am. (1) (c), r. (2) (d),
Register October 2001 No. 550, eff. 4-1-02; correction in (3) (d) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register September 2002 No. 561; correction in (2) (e) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7.,
Register April 2005 No. 592;
CR 13-021: am. (2) (b)
Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; correction in (3) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2015 No. 719;
EmR1613: emerg. r. and recr. (3), eff. 3-12-16;
CR 17-061: r. and recr. (3)
Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; correction in numbering in (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats.,
Register February 2018 No. 746;
CR 20-087: am. (3)
Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.
NR 10.102
NR 10.102 Bear hunting quota and license issuance. NR 10.102(1)(1)
Bear quotas. The department shall establish black bear quotas based on the status of zone black bear populations in relation to population management goals. Quotas shall be approved by the Natural Resources Board.
NR 10.102 Note
Note: Population management goals may take into account annual data regarding agricultural damage, nuisance complaints, hunter crowding or conflict, hunter success, hunter satisfaction, and bear disease/health issues.
NR 10.102(1)(b)
(b) Quota formula. In each black bear management zone, the number of Class A bear licenses to be issued to harvest the desired numbers of bear shall be based on hunter success rates from previous seasons. In establishing licenses for a zone without an adequate history of licenses, the average success rates of similar zones shall be applied or the department shall estimate an anticipated success rate. The license number formula is: -
See PDF for diagram 
NR 10.102(1)(c)
(c) Success rate formula. Hunter success rates used to compute the number of Class A bear licenses to be issued for each zone shall be those calculated by the department from annual bear season harvest reports except where no previous history of success rates exist. The license rate formula is: -
See PDF for diagram
NR 10.102(1)(e)1.1. The department may establish temporary bear harvest subzones within each black bear management zone to increase or decrease harvest within specific subzones to assure maintenance of bear populations at a density level equivalent to that of the bear management zone.
NR 10.102(1)(e)2.
2. The department may require that a portion of the Class A bear licenses available within a bear management zone be specific to a temporary bear harvest subzone to assure maintenance of bear populations at a density level equivalent to that of the bear management zone.
NR 10.102(1)(e)3.
3. Class A bear licenses for the temporary subzones shall be used only within the subzone.
NR 10.102(1)(e)5.
5. Temporary subzones may be established to increase bear harvest when either of the following 2 conditions exist within the area considered for a subzone:
NR 10.102(1)(e)5.a.
a. The bear population density within the subzone for the previous 3 year period exceeds by 20% the zone population density goal as indicated by indexes or models, or both.
NR 10.102(1)(e)5.b.
b. Bear nuisance or agricultural damage complaints per square mile within the subzone exceed the zone average by 20% or more for the previous 3 year period.
NR 10.102(1)(e)6.
6. Temporary subzones may be established to decrease harvest when either one of the following conditions exist:
NR 10.102(1)(e)6.a.
a. The mortality rate of adult bears within the subzone exceeds 22% for the previous 3 year period.
NR 10.102(1)(e)6.b.
b. The bear population density within the subzone for the previous 3 year period is below the zone population density goal by 20% or more as indicated by indexes or models, or both.
NR 10.102(1)(e)7.
7. Each temporary bear harvest subzone may be established for a period not to exceed 2 years.
NR 10.102(1)(f)
(f) Permanent bear harvest subzones. Class A bear licenses for subzones shall be used only in the subzone.
NR 10.102(2)(a)
(a) Application submittal. Application for Class A bear licenses shall be on forms provided by the department. Applications shall be postmarked no later than the deadline date indicated on the form or received by a department service center location on the deadline date to be considered for selection. The annual deadline may not be sooner than December 1 each year.
NR 10.102 Note
Note: The department conducts extensive publicity on the application deadlines beginning several months prior to the deadline. Application deadline dates are published in news releases, license outlet handouts, and pertinent regulation pamphlets. Department service center hours may vary by location.
NR 10.102(2)(b)
(b) Group applications. Group applications for a maximum of 4 hunters may be submitted for Class A bear hunting licenses provided each applicant completes the application form. The group's preference standing shall be that of the member with the lowest number of preference points. If the group is selected, the group shall accept or reject Class A bear licenses for all members of their group.
NR 10.102(3)
(3) License issuance. The department shall select successful applicants and issue Class A bear license approval notices no later than February 15 of each year. The department may reissue a Class A bear license if the license is returned or if the applicant fails to or cannot comply with s.
29.184, Stats. Selection shall be by random drawing.
NR 10.102(4)
(4) Fees. A successful applicant shall submit the appropriate license fee established by s.
29.563 (2) (a) 6. or
(b) 4., Stats., to the department before receiving a Class A bear license.
NR 10.102(6)
(6) Educational permit issuance. Upon receipt of proper application, the department shall issue an educational permit for bear observation. The applicant shall include the location to the quarter section, times and dates of the activity, name of person and bear eco-tourism business or educational institution they are representing. The educational permit authorizes the permittee to observe or shine bear for educational purposes only pursuant to s.
29.314 (3) (b) 3. and
(5) (b) 1., Stats.
NR 10.102(6)(a)
(a) No person may be engaged in shining bear for educational purposes without being in possession of an educational permit.
NR 10.102(6)(b)
(b) Only the named person on the permit may possess a firearm when participating in the actions authorized by the permit.
NR 10.102(6)(c)
(c) The permit is restricted to use in a ground blind or elevated stand.
NR 10.102 History
History: Cr.
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; am. (1) (a) to (d),
Register, July, 1987, No. 379, eff. 8-1-87; am. (1),
Register, June, 1988, No. 390, eff. 7-1-88; r. and recr. (1) (a), renum. (1) (b) to (e) and (2) to be (2) to (6),
Register, October, 1988, No. 394, eff. 1-1-89; am. (1) (b),
Register, September, 1991, No. 429, eff. 10-1-91; am. (1) (d),
Register, February, 1993, No. 446, eff. 3-1-93; cr. (1) (e),
Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1) (d), cr. (1) (f),
Register, August, 1996, No. 488, eff. 9-1-96; am. (1) (a) to (c), (e) 2., 3., (f), (3) and (4), renum. (2) to be (2) (a), cr. (2) (b), r. and recr. (5) and (6),
Register, July, 1998, No. 511, eff. 8-1-98;
CR 02-017: am. (1) (d)
Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 1-5-03;
CR 02-018: am. (2) (b) and (4)
Register September 2002 No. 561, eff. 10-1-02;
CR 04-011: am (4)
Register September 2004 No 585, eff. 11-1-04;
CR 05-017: am. (2) (a)
Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 2-1-06;
CR 06-012: am. (4), cr. (4m)
Register December 2006 No. 612, eff. 2-1-07;
CR 07-015: am. (1) (d)
Register September 2007 No. 621, eff. 11-1-07;
CR 09-024: am. (4m) (c) 2.
Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10;
CR 13-071: am. (1) (e) 4.
Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (4) made under s.
13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats.,
Register November 2015 No. 719;
CR 16-037: r. (5)
Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17;
CR 19-133: am. (1) (intro.), r. (1) (a), (d), (4m)
Register June 2020 No. 774, eff. 7-1-20.
NR 10.103(1)(1)
Harvest authorizations. A harvest authorization shall be issued with each hunting license except when an archer license is issued to a person who has already been issued a crossbow license or when a crossbow license is issued to a person who has already been issued an archer license.
NR 10.103(2)
(2) Possession. No person may possess a deer carcass in violation of the requirements for registration established under s.
NR 10.086.
NR 10.103 History
History: Cr. Register,
Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; r. and recr.
Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; renum. from NR 10.102,
Register, June, 1986, No. 366, eff. 7-1-86; am. (1),
Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 11-1-91; am. (2),
Register, May, 1993, No. 449, eff. 6-1-93; am. (2),
Register, August, 1994, No. 464, eff. 9-1-94; emerg. am. (2), eff. 8-12-96; am. (1) and (2),
Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 11-1-97;
CR 01-006: am. (1),
Register August 2001 No. 548, eff. 9-1-01;
EmR1420: emerg. am. (1), eff. 9-12-14;
CR 13-071: am. (1)
Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15;
EmR1613: emerg. am. (1), r. and recr. (2), eff. 3-12-16;
CR 17-061: am. (1), r. and recr. (2)
Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18;
EmR1902: emerg. am. (1) eff. 1-18-19;
CR 19-005: am. (1)
Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19;
CR 20-087: am. (2)
Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.
NR 10.104
NR 10.104 Deer population management. NR 10.104(1)(1)
Deer management system. The department shall manage the state deer population by all of the following:
NR 10.104(1)(a)
(a) Establishing deer management unit boundaries within the state.
NR 10.104(1)(b)
(b) Establishing deer population objectives for each deer management unit.
NR 10.104(1)(c)
(c) Monitoring the performance of the deer populations within each deer management unit.
NR 10.104(1)(d)
(d) Establishing deer hunting seasons and quotas with the appropriate antlerless deer permit levels to move the deer population in the direction of the established deer population objective for each deer management unit.
NR 10.104(2)
(2) Deer management units; where established. The deer management unit boundaries are the boundaries established in s.
NR 10.28 (1) except for areas that are subdivided as:
NR 10.104(2)(d)
(d) Being within the exterior boundaries of the Bad River, Lac Courte Oreilles, Lac du Flambeau, Menominee, and Red Cliff reservations.
