The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on hunters with disabilities to get in touch with sponsoring landowners if they're hoping to take part in the fall Gun Deer Hunt. Eligible participants need to confirm a spot for the event scheduled from Oct. 4-12, 2025—a window offering greater accessibility for those hunters, according to a DNR release.
With thousands of acres prepped for the taking, hunters should act fast to secure their spot as some locales can handle a higher volume of outdoor enthusiasts than others, the DNR suggests, hunters interested in joining the tradition are advised to establish contact with potential sponsors sooner rather than later to better their chances of participation. This initiative, a nod to inclusivity in the sporting realm, underscores Wisconsin's commitment to ensuring that its storied outdoor activities are open to all, "This special hunt offers hunters with disabilities the opportunity to deer hunt during a time and in a place that is more accessible for them," Brooke VanHandel, DNR assistant deer and elk specialist, stated on Wisconsin DNR.
Registration requires hunters or their assistants to provide a name, contact information, and a DNR customer ID number, to be eligible one must hold a Class A, C, D disabled permit, or a qualifying Class B permit—identification acknowledging the physical challenges they navigate, every participant also needs a gun deer license. Interested parties have until Sept. 15, 2025, to get their names down for one sponsored property this year, with the aim of sharing the thrill of the hunt with those who might otherwise miss out.
The DNR's initiative reiterates an important philosophy: Wisconsin's natural splendor shouldn't be exclusive, it's a resource that, when thoughtfully managed and shared, can offer joy and lasting memories to a wider spectrum of the society, such opportunities encapsulate the spirit in which natural resources should be enjoyed and preserved, "We are so thankful for our landowner sponsors who are willing to partner with hunters and open their properties to allow more individuals to participate in Wisconsin’s deer hunting tradition," VanHandel expressed via the Wisconsin DNR announcement.
