Deer Archery 2026: New Crossbow Rules, Season Dates & Antlerless Deadlines
Season dates, zone regulations, antlerless permits, and crossbow rules for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
By the NomadPath Team · Updated June 15, 2026 · Data sourced from MN DNR, WI DNR, MI DNR, ND GFP, and SD GFP
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RULE CHANGE ALERT — 2026 Minnesota Deer Season
Two major changes for 2026: (1) Crossbows are now legal for ALL hunters during the entire archery season — no special permit required. (2) Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone has been repealed statewide as of January 1, 2026. Antlerless permit lottery deadline: September 10, 2026 (confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar).
🔔Get notified when MN deer license sales open for 2026.
Set Deer Season Alert →2026 Deer Archery Season Dates — Upper Midwest
| State | Archery Opens | Archery Closes | Crossbow | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Sept 19, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 | Legal for all hunters — entire season | Shotgun-only zone repealed 2026 |
| Wisconsin | Sept 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 statewide | Legal for all hunters — entire season | Metro sub-units and select DMUs: extended through Jan 31, 2027 |
| Michigan | Oct 1, 2026 | Nov 13, 2026 | With disability permit only (LP archery) | Lower Peninsula dates |
| North Dakota | Sept 5, 2026 | Oct 31, 2026 (approx.) | Crossbow during archery season | Verify with ND GFP |
| South Dakota | Sept 14, 2026 | Dec 31, 2026 (approx.) | Crossbow during archery season | Verify with SD GFP |
Minnesota
Archery Opens: Sept 19, 2026
Archery Closes: Dec 31, 2026
Crossbow: Legal for all hunters — entire season
Notes: Shotgun-only zone repealed 2026
Wisconsin
Archery Opens: Sept 12, 2026
Archery Closes: Jan 3, 2027 statewide
Crossbow: Legal for all hunters — entire season
Notes: Metro sub-units and select DMUs: extended through Jan 31, 2027
Michigan
Archery Opens: Oct 1, 2026
Archery Closes: Nov 13, 2026
Crossbow: With disability permit only (LP archery)
Notes: Lower Peninsula dates
North Dakota
Archery Opens: Sept 5, 2026
Archery Closes: Oct 31, 2026 (approx.)
Crossbow: Crossbow during archery season
Notes: Verify with ND GFP
South Dakota
Archery Opens: Sept 14, 2026
Archery Closes: Dec 31, 2026 (approx.)
Crossbow: Crossbow during archery season
Notes: Verify with SD GFP
All dates should be verified with your state DNR/GFP before the season. Some states publish final dates in summer.
Minnesota Deer Archery Season
MNMinnesota Archery — Sept 19 – Dec 31, 2026
NEW FOR 2026 — Crossbow Rule Change: Crossbows are legal for ALL hunters during the entire archery season in 2026 — no special permit or disability exemption required. This is a major rule change.
Shotgun-Only Zone Repealed: Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone has been repealed statewide effective January 1, 2026. Rifles are now legal in all deer permit areas during firearms season.
Season
Sept 19 – Dec 31, 2026
Bag Limit
1 antlered deer per archery license. Additional antlerless deer available through the antlerless permit lottery.
DPA Zones
130+ Deer Permit Areas (DPAs) across the state
Antlerless Permit Lottery Deadline: September 10, 2026 (confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar) — applications must be submitted by this date. Missing this deadline means no bonus antlerless tags for 2026.
License Costs
Small game license (required): $22 resident / $102 non-residentArchery deer license: $34 resident / $185 non-residentAntlerless permit: $18 resident / $91 non-resident
Public Land Access
1,400+ Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs), Chippewa and Superior National Forests, state forest land, and Walk-In Access (WIA) parcels.
Wisconsin Deer Archery & Crossbow Season
WIWisconsin Archery/Crossbow — Sept 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 statewide. Metro sub-units and select DMUs: extended through Jan 31, 2027 — verify your DMU boundaries on the WDNR website.
CWD Zone Alert: CWD management zones have carcass transport restrictions. Hunters must not transport whole carcasses out of CWD-affected counties. Check WDNR CWD zone maps before hunting.
Season
Sept 12, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 statewide. Metro sub-units and select DMUs: extended through Jan 31, 2027 — verify your DMU boundaries on the WDNR website.
Bag Limit
1 antlered deer + antlerless deer with harvest authorization tags.
Crossbow
Crossbows are legal for all hunters during the entire archery/crossbow season. No separate crossbow license is required.
DMU Changes: Wisconsin is restructuring Deer Management Units (DMUs) — verify your unit boundaries and antlerless harvest authorizations on the WDNR website for the 2026 season.
License Costs
Resident base license: ~$24Deer archery/crossbow: ~$18Non-resident deer: ~$165
Michigan Deer Archery Season
MIMichigan Archery — LP: Oct 1 – Nov 13, 2026 and Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Lower Peninsula Archery
Oct 1 – Nov 13, 2026 and Dec 1, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Upper Peninsula
Same dates as LP + crossbow legal for all UP hunters during archery season
Crossbow (LP)
Lower Peninsula: disability permit only — special permit required for crossbow during archery season.
Crossbow (UP)
Upper Peninsula: crossbow legal for all hunters during the entire archery season. No special permit needed.
Bag Limit: Varies by DMU. Check MI DNR for antler point restrictions in your area.
License Costs
Resident base license: $15Resident deer license: $20Non-resident deer: $185
North Dakota & South Dakota Deer Archery
NDNorth Dakota Archery — Sept 5 – Oct 31, 2026 (approx.)
Season
Sept 5 – Oct 31, 2026 (approx.)
System
Draw-based for most units. Application deadlines typically in early summer.
Crossbow
Crossbows are legal during the archery season as part of regular archery regulations.
River bottom whitetails along the Missouri, James, and Sheyenne Rivers. Western ND offers mule deer in badlands habitat.
License Costs
Resident archery deer: ~$28Non-resident archery deer: ~$225
SDSouth Dakota Archery — Sept 14 – Dec 31, 2026 (approx.)
Season
Sept 14 – Dec 31, 2026 (approx.)
System
Over-the-counter for most units — one of the easiest states to secure an archery deer tag.
Crossbow
Crossbows are legal during the archery season as part of regular archery regulations.
License Costs
Resident archery deer: ~$28Non-resident archery deer: ~$225
Crossbow Rules by State — 2026
| State | Legality | Timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | Legal for all | Entire season | No special permit (NEW 2026)New |
| Wisconsin | Legal for all | Entire archery season | No separate license needed |
| Michigan (LP) | Disability permit only | Archery season | Special permit required |
| Michigan (UP) | Legal for all | Entire season | No special permit |
| North Dakota | Legal for all | Archery season | Part of regular archery |
| South Dakota | Legal for all | Archery season | Part of regular archery |
Minnesota
Legality: Legal for all
Timing: Entire season
No special permit (NEW 2026)New
Wisconsin
Legality: Legal for all
Timing: Entire archery season
No separate license needed
Michigan (LP)
Legality: Disability permit only
Timing: Archery season
Special permit required
Michigan (UP)
Legality: Legal for all
Timing: Entire season
No special permit
North Dakota
Legality: Legal for all
Timing: Archery season
Part of regular archery
South Dakota
Legality: Legal for all
Timing: Archery season
Part of regular archery
Antlerless Permits
Minnesota Antlerless Permit Lottery
Deadline: September 10, 2026 (confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar). Minnesota distributes antlerless permits through a lottery system across 130+ Deer Permit Areas (DPAs). Permits cost $18 for residents and $91 for non-residents. Missing this deadline means no bonus antlerless tags for the 2026 season.
WIWisconsin
Antlerless harvest authorizations are available through the WDNR. Availability varies by Deer Management Unit. Check the WDNR website for unit-specific antlerless tag availability and bonus tag opportunities.
MIMichigan
Antlerless deer licenses are available as part of the combination deer license or through additional antlerless-only licenses. Check MI DNR for DMU-specific regulations and antler point restrictions.
ND / SDNorth Dakota & South Dakota
Antlerless availability varies by unit and license type. Verify with ND GFP and SD GFP for unit-specific regulations and tag availability for the 2026 season.
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Deer Archery Season Tips
01 September is your best-kept secret
Early archery season in September offers warm weather, unpressured deer, and predictable food-source patterns. Deer are still on summer feeding routines — scout agricultural fields, food plots, and oak ridges with trail cameras in August to identify shooter bucks before the opener.
02 Crossbow changes the game in MN
For 2026, Minnesota now allows crossbows for all hunters during the entire archery season with no special permit. If you’ve been on the fence about archery hunting, a crossbow eliminates the draw-weight barrier and offers effective range out to 60+ yards with modern equipment.
03 Scent control matters
September and early October deer are not yet pressured, but their noses are just as sharp. Hunt the wind first — set stands with prevailing wind directions in mind. Store clothing in scent-free bags, shower with scent-eliminating soap, and approach stands from downwind access routes.
04 Apply for antlerless permits on time
Minnesota’s antlerless permit lottery deadline is September 10, 2026 (confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar). Missing this date means missing your chance at bonus tags for the year. Set a calendar reminder or use NomadPath alerts to get notified before the deadline.
05 Know your CWD zone (WI)
Wisconsin’s CWD management zones carry carcass transport restrictions that can result in citations if violated. Before you hunt, check the WDNR CWD zone map, know which counties are affected, and understand the rules for transporting deer out of affected areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does deer archery season open in Minnesota in 2026?
Minnesota’s deer archery season opens Saturday, September 19, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2026.
Q: When does deer archery season open in Wisconsin in 2026?
Wisconsin’s archery and crossbow deer season opens Saturday, September 12, 2026. The statewide close is January 3, 2027. A separate extension runs through January 31, 2027, but only in metro sub-units and select DMUs — check the WDNR website to confirm whether your hunting area qualifies before hunting after January 3.
Q: Can I use a crossbow during archery season in Minnesota in 2026?
Yes. Starting in 2026, crossbows are legal for all hunters during the entire Minnesota archery season. No special permit or disability exemption is required.
Q: When is the Minnesota antlerless permit lottery deadline?
The antlerless permit lottery deadline for Minnesota in 2026 is September 10, confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar. Applications must be submitted by this date to be included in the lottery. Sept. 4 was the 2025 deadline and still appears on some sites.
Q: What changed with Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone?
Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone was repealed statewide effective January 1, 2026. Rifles are now legal in all deer permit areas during firearms season.
Q: Do I need a separate license for crossbow in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a separate crossbow license. Crossbow hunting is included under the archery/crossbow deer season with a standard deer hunting license and archery/crossbow authorization.
Q: Where can I find the Minnesota DPA map?
The Minnesota DPA (Deer Permit Area) map is available on the MN DNR website. NomadPath also provides interactive zone maps — sign up for a free account to explore DPAs, public land overlays, and antlerless permit availability by zone.
When does deer archery season open in Minnesota in 2026?
Minnesota’s deer archery season opens Saturday, September 19, 2026 and runs through December 31, 2026.
When does deer archery season open in Wisconsin in 2026?
Wisconsin’s archery and crossbow deer season opens Saturday, September 12, 2026. The statewide close is January 3, 2027. A separate extension runs through January 31, 2027, but only in metro sub-units and select DMUs — check the WDNR website to confirm whether your hunting area qualifies before hunting after January 3.
Can I use a crossbow during archery season in Minnesota in 2026?
Yes. Starting in 2026, crossbows are legal for all hunters during the entire Minnesota archery season. No special permit or disability exemption is required.
When is the Minnesota antlerless permit lottery deadline?
The antlerless permit lottery deadline for Minnesota in 2026 is September 10, confirmed on the MN DNR season calendar. Applications must be submitted by this date to be included in the lottery. Sept. 4 was the 2025 deadline and still appears on some sites.
What changed with Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone?
Minnesota’s shotgun-only zone was repealed statewide effective January 1, 2026. Rifles are now legal in all deer permit areas during firearms season.
Do I need a separate license for crossbow in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin does not require a separate crossbow license. Crossbow hunting is included under the archery/crossbow deer season with a standard deer hunting license and archery/crossbow authorization.
Where can I find the Minnesota DPA map?
The Minnesota DPA (Deer Permit Area) map is available on the MN DNR website. NomadPath also provides interactive zone maps — sign up for a free account to explore DPAs, public land overlays, and antlerless permit availability by zone.
Related Guides on NomadPath
- →
The full 2026 Minnesota picture — both rule changes, all season frames, the Sept. 10 deadline, and CWD zones
Minnesota deer season 2026 hub - →
Rut timing, weather triggers, and CWD awareness in depth
whitetail biology and rut-timing guide - →
Where to aim and how to read angles for ethical archery shots
archery shot placement guide - →
Step-by-step field dressing for after the harvest
field dressing guide
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