Wisconsin DNR announces early goose hunting season opens Sept. 1

Wisconsin early goose hunt; what you need to know

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds hunters that the 2026 early goose season opens Tuesday, Sept. 1. This early hunting opportunity is available to hunters throughout the state and will run through Sept. 15. The early goose season has an increased daily bag limit of five Canada geese and is uniformly regulated across Wisconsin. FOX6 NOW spoke with DNR Game Bird Ecologist Taylor Finger about what you need to know.

MILWAUKEE – Early goose season opens Tuesday in Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and will run through Sept. 15. 

Early goose season 

What to know:

This hunting opportunity will be available to all hunters in Wisconsin from Sept. 1 to Sept. 15. Additionally, the early goose season will have an increased daily bag limit of five Canada geese, which will be uniformly regulated throughout the state, according to the DNR. 

Regular goose season 

Information:

Following early goose season, the regular goose hunting season in Wisconsin will begin on Sept. 16. This regular goose season will open in the Northern and Southern Goose Zones. 

The Mississippi River Goose Zone will be opening Oct. 3. 

Hunting geese in Wisconsin 

Local perspective:

Wisconsin-breeding Canada geese have an estimated lower population in 2026 than the 5-year population average, according to the DNR. 

The DNR also reminds hunters that there are documents they must carry while afield, including: 

• Either a physical or electronic copy of their small game license
• Early Canada Goose permit
• Harvest Information Program registration
• Proof of purchase of a state waterfowl stamp and federal Duck Stamp

These documents must be carried at all times. Acceptable forms of proof for these documents include paper copies, a DNR approved PDF on a mobile device, or a Go Wild Conservation Card joined with a Wisconsin driver’s license. 

Additional information on goose hunting in Wisconsin can be found on the DNR’s Waterfowl Hunting page. 

Other forms of hunting in Wisconsin 

Big picture view:

There are six dates in September when seasons open for hunters, which the Wisconsin DNR encourages hunters to double-check before they go out. Sept. 1, Sept. 9, Sept. 12, Sept. 16, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26 are open for hunting different animals. The full list of which game is open on which dates is available here. 

New this year, the Wisconsin DNR has provided mobile-friendly online resources to help those going out hunting this season.

Firearm safety when hunting 

What you can do:

The Wisconsin DNR reminds everyone to practice firearm safety when hunting. Some of these tips include TABK: 

• T – Treat every firearm as if it is loaded.
• A – Always point the muzzle in a safe direction.
• B – Be certain of your target, what’s before and beyond it.
• K – Keep your finger outside the trigger guard until you are ready to shoot.

The DNR also reminds hunters that anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1973 is required to have a hunter education certification in order to purchase a hunting license.