MADISON – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds landowners who are interested in sponsoring a Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities to enroll their properties, by July 1, 2026.

There have been some changes to the program dates for fall 2026.

• For the first seven days of the Gun Deer Hunt for Hunters with Disabilities, Oct. 3-9, hunts will need to be conducted on a property that is sponsored and enrolled in the program.
• On the weekend of Oct. 10-11, the same weekend as the Youth Deer Hunt, eligible hunters may hunt statewide on public land or any private property they have permission to hunt regardless of if the land is enrolled in the program.

To be part of the Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities program, landowners must have at least 60 acres available, be able to host at least three hunters and complete an online application by July 1, 2026. The DNR asks interested landowners to fill in all the property information fields on the application.  

Sponsors are encouraged to keep the hunter density to at least one hunter per 20 acres of land. Lands with fewer than three participants enrolled or less than 60 acres will be approved by the DNR on a case-by-case basis. Sponsoring landowners must also provide a complete list of the names, phone numbers and DNR Customer IDs of all hunters they will be hosting by Sept. 15.

"This special hunt has been providing hunters with disabilities accessible opportunities to deer hunt for over 30 years," said Brooke VanHandel, DNR assistant deer and elk specialist. "This hunt is only possible through our landowner sponsors. Their willingness to partner with hunters and open their properties each year allows more individuals the opportunity to participate in Wisconsin's deer hunting tradition."

The Gun Deer Hunt For Hunters With Disabilities began in 1992 and provides hunting opportunities for approximately 400 hunters each year. This hunt is only possible with the generous support of landowner sponsors.

Wisconsin's outdoor experiences are for everyone. The DNR is committed to providing various hunting, fishing and recreational permits and unique opportunities designed to give people with disabilities the opportunity to partake in Wisconsin's time-honored traditions and enjoy the state's abundant natural resources.

For more detailed information about rules and conditions of conducting a hunt, or for opportunities for hunters with disabilities, please visit the DNR’s Deer Hunting For Hunters With Disabilities webpage.

Submitted by Wisconsin DNR