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West Central Region · 2026-27
Marathon County Hunting
Deer units and bonus tags, Holiday Hunt status, CWD test results by year, the baiting rule, bear, turkey and waterfowl zones and every public property in Marathon County, from DNR data.
Photo: newagecrap (CC BY 2.0)
Marathon County covers 1,545 square miles of land and 31 of lakes and rivers, with the courthouse in Wausau. It counted 139,091 people in 2024, about 90 for each square mile of land. For deer it is entirely Central Farmland ground, split into 1 DMU. The DNR Wausau Service Center in Wausau is the nearest of the twelve DNR service centers. 16 public propertys on the DNR, county and federal lists sit at least partly inside the line, 2 state wildlife areas among them.
Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates (population), DNR region from the DNR staff pages, deer zones from the DNR deer zone layer, service centers from DNR office locations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Marathon County
Marathon County DMUs and antlerless authorizations
For 2026 the antlerless target in these units is 6,500 deer, set by unit before bonus sales opened in August. Free Farmland tags here: 2 per license, specific to the unit and to public-access or private land. A bonus authorization costs $12 (resident) or $20 (nonresident) on Go Wild, one per hunter per day while they last.
| DMU | Management zone | Quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Left at Oct 19 | Farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | Central Farmland | 6,500 | 1,000 | 3,500 | 950 / 3,449 | 2 |
Late hunts
No Holiday Hunt and no extended bow season here; archery closes Jan 3, 2027.
The nine-day
Rifles and shotguns: Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026. Muzzleloaders: Nov 30 to Dec 9, 2026. Antlerless only: Dec 10 to Dec 13, 2026.
Quotas and initial bonus counts from the DNR 2026 antlerless quota and initial permit availability (approved June 24, 2026); unsold counts and free Farmland tags from the bonus availability page as of Oct. 19, 2026; Holiday Hunt and extended archery from the 2026 season map; dates from the deer regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Deer registrations, Marathon County
12,041 deer were registered in Marathon County in 2025, ranking it 1st of 61 units with county names. Against 12,224 in 2015, the 2025 count is down 1%.
| Year | Buck harvest | Antlerless harvest | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,260 | 5,781 | 12,041 |
| 2024 | 5,900 | 5,815 | 11,715 |
| 2023 | 4,941 | 5,141 | 10,082 |
| 2022 | 5,771 | 6,228 | 11,999 |
| 2021 | 5,453 | 5,314 | 10,767 |
| 2020 | 5,353 | 6,254 | 11,607 |
| 2019 | 4,729 | 5,221 | 9,950 |
| 2018 | 5,549 | 6,229 | 11,778 |
| 2017 | 5,579 | 6,020 | 11,599 |
| 2016 | 5,453 | 6,699 | 12,152 |
Marathon County so far in 2026 (preliminary)
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 560 | 720 | 1,280 |
DNR Deer Metrics harvest history (registered deer, all seasons and weapons; values read from the DNR chart), 2025 forest DMU figures from the same source, and the DNR 2026 total harvest to date (preliminary). Checked October 19, 2026.
Has CWD reached Marathon County?
Wild deer that tested positive for chronic wasting disease have been found in Marathon County: 8 of 5,677 sampled since 1999. The 2025 CWD year brought 554 samples and 2 positives. No bait and no feeding: Marathon County sits under the deer baiting and feeding ban. Adult deer donated here must be CWD tested.
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 53 | 1 |
| 2025 | 554 | 2 |
| 2024 | 535 | 1 |
| 2023 | 431 | 1 |
| 2022 | 513 | 2 |
| 2021 | 486 | 0 |
| 2020 | 480 | 0 |
| 2019 | 418 | 1 |
| 2018 | 357 | 0 |
| 2017 | 301 | 0 |
| 2016 | 69 | 0 |
| 2015 | 79 | 0 |
More on CWD · Ban map and limits
CWD sampling from the DNR CWD summary by county (wild deer, data released through Oct. 18, 2026; CWD year runs April 1-March 31, 2026 partial); baiting from the DNR baiting and feeding page and its map; donation testing from the Deer Donation Program. Checked October 19, 2026.
Marathon County bear and turkey numbers
Black bears
Marathon County lies in bear zone C. Class A bear licenses come by preference-point drawing, and hounds are not allowed. The 2025 bear harvest in Marathon County was 98, 20th among Wisconsin counties.
| Bear zone | Target 2026 | Licenses drawn | Points needed | Applicants | Harvest 2025 | Dogs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone C | 875 | 4,465 | 2 | 7,605 | 661 | No |
| Year | Total | Boars | Sows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 98 | 55 | 43 |
| 2024 | 130 | 78 | 52 |
Turkey zone and permits
Turkey zone 3 (68%), 4 (23%) and 5 (9%) covers the county. Spring 2027 permit levels have not been published; the table gives 2025 levels by zone. 102,617 spring authorizations went to zone 3/4/5 in 2025.
| Spring zone | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2025 rate | Registered 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | 52,304 | 52,068 | 52,808 | 53,441 | 55,612 | 22% | 12,324 |
| Zone 4 | 34,115 | 34,373 | 34,964 | 34,994 | 34,997 | 24% | 8,472 |
| Zone 5 | 11,999 | 12,000 | 11,998 | 12,010 | 12,008 | 20% | 2,446 |
Birds and small game in Marathon County
For ruffed grouse, Zone A applies (Sep 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027). Pheasant stocking in Marathon County for 2026: McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area (160).
Bear zones · Compare turkey zones
Bear zones from the DNR bear zone layer; targets, permits and points from the 2026 bear drawing summary; harvest from the DNR 2025 bear report and 2024 report; turkey levels from the DNR turkey reports (2025 levels; 2027 not yet published); elk from the DNR elk page; bird zones from the DNR zone layers. Checked October 19, 2026.
Marathon County wildlife areas, forests and natural areas
Marathon County overlaps 16 properties on the land list, from state wildlife areas to natural areas and trails. County forest: 30,674 acres, from the DNR report dated July 1, 2021. Private land enrolled in Managed Forest Law and open to the public adds 8,040 acres in Marathon County. Look up the 5 leased private parcels in Marathon County through VPA-HIP and THAP.
- State wildlife areas in the county (2)George W. Mead Wildlife Area (32,624 ac*), McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area (5,800 ac)
- County forest in the county (1)Marathon County Forest (30,674 ac)
- State fishery areas: 3Plover River Fishery Area (1,470 ac), Big Rib River (727 ac*), Winding Creek Rearing Station (197 ac)
- State park (1)Rib Mountain State Park (1,555 ac)
- State natural areas (3 here)Mead Conifer Bogs State Natural Area (932 ac*), Plover River Woods State Natural Area (284 ac), Rib Mountain Talus Forest State Natural Area (136 ac)
- State trail in the county (1)Mountain-Bay State Trail (1,070 ac*)
- Ice Age Trail areas, 5 listedNorthern Ringle State Ice Age Trail Area, Southern Ringle State Ice Age Trail Area, Town of Easton State Ice Age Trail Area, Town of Harrison State Ice Age Trail Area, Town of Plover State Ice Age Trail Area
Statewide groupings with parcels here: DNR Statewide Fisheries Program Lands, DNR State Ice Age Trail Areas (unnamed parcels), Wisconsin Forest Legacy Program Easements (unnamed tracts), DNR State-Owned Islands, DNR Scattered Forest Lands.
Close by, across the boundary: Paul J. Olson Wildlife Area (19 miles, 3,415 ac), Krueger Pines State Natural Area (20 miles, 29 ac), Council Grounds State Park (20 miles, 493 ac), Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area (20 miles, 6,035 ac), Dewey Marsh State Natural Area (20 miles, 1,222 ac).
Public land hub · County forests · Open MFL land · Leased access land · THAP turkey leases
Public land from the DNR managed lands layer and property pages, DNR state natural area, county forest and federal records; county forest acres from the DNR county forest acreage report (July 1, 2021); MFL open acres from the DNR MFL report; leases from the DNR VPA-HIP and THAP lists. Acres within 10 miles of the county seat are a GIS measure. Checked October 19, 2026.
Which seasons are open in Marathon County
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for Marathon County are listed.
| Species | Season | Where it applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and disabled gun deer hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun deer (9-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Statewide antlerless-only (December 4-day hunt) | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear (Class A license by drawing) | Bear Zone C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 3/4/5 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite Quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Cottontail rabbit | Northern cottontail zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe hare | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| American Crow | Crow | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl hunt | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (resident) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (nonresident) | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote (hunting) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 1 (hunting and trapping) | Northern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 1 (hunting and trapping) | Southern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 2 (hunting and trapping) | Northern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 2 (hunting and trapping) | Southern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species (opossum, skunk, weasel, woodchuck, porcupine, starling, English sparrow, chukar, coturnix quail, etc.) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations and season dates, checked October 19, 2026.
From Marathon County towns to the counties around it
Pick a base town in Marathon County; its page lists the closest public properties and legal hours.
- Wausaucounty seat · 40,262 people in 2024 · 6,929 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
- Knowlton35,035 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
- Kronenwetter8,435 people in 2024 · 20,070 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
- Rib Mountain7,275 people in 2024 · 9,731 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
- Spencer1,813 people in 2024 · 6,011 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
- Marshfieldmostly next door · 18,973 people in 2024 · 7,252 acres open to hunters within 10 miles
Bordering Marathon County: 8 Wisconsin counties.
Towns: Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; adjacency from the Census county adjacency file.
When you can shoot at Marathon County
Two tables cover the state, one for the Northern Area and one for the Southern Area, each for Zone A. West of 88 degrees you add 4 minutes per degree of longitude.
| Day | Season | North table | South table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery, fall turkey and grouse opener | 6:03 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:47 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:08 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:36 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:48 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:09 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey table times from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shooting hours tables, plus the Zone C offset of 8 minutes for longitude 89.76 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Fires, permits and bans around Marathon County
See the Wisconsin county list for Marathon County today.
- When a permit is needed: Within DNR forest fire protection areas, whenever the ground is not completely snow-covered.
- Counties outside DNR burning-permit authority (per DNR daily restrictions on 2026-10-27): Marathon County is not on this list.
- Who sets a ban: The Wisconsin DNR, through daily county burning restrictions and permit suspensions within its forest fire protection areas (NR 30.05 emergency burning regulations; NR 45.07(3) emergency use and burning rules on DNR lands by posted notice).
- Public land fires: DNR-managed lands (NR 45.07): no fire on the ground and no burning refuse except in designated fireplaces or fire rings.
Marathon County ranges and matches
10 ranges in Marathon County, from the DNR range layer and directory listings checked October 19, 2026.
trap, shotgun on file
rifle, handgun, archery on file
trap, skeet, shotgun on file
rifle on file
| Club or range | Nearest town | What you can shoot | Who may shoot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mosinee Sportsmen's Alliance · trap and skeet club | Mosinee | trap/shotgun | Access not stated |
| Wausau Skeet and Trap Club · sporting clays course | Wausau | trap/skeet/sporting clays/shotgun | Members only |
| Weston Hit & Miss Trap Club · trap and skeet club | Weston | trap/shotgun | Members only |
| Zingers & Flingers · indoor range | Marathon | rifle/handgun/smallbore rimfire/archery | Access not stated |
Matches and shows here
| When and what | Kind | Go |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 30-Nov 1, 2026: Wausau/Rothschild Gun Show | Gun show | Details |
| Jan 22-23, 2027: Wausau West Archery Club: NASP Badger State Winter Games | NASP | Details |
| Jan 29-31, 2027: Wausau/Rothschild Gun Show | Gun show | Details |
| Mar 5-6, 2027: Stratford NASP Tournament – 3D | NASP | Details |
| Mar 5-6, 2027: Stratford NASP Tournament – Bullseye | NASP | Details |
| Apr 9-11, 2027: Wausau/Rothschild Gun Show | Gun show | Details |
Ranges from the DNR public range map and directory listings, checked October 19, 2026.
Marathon County hunting services
Each group starts with Marathon County listings and fills in from neighbours.
Who to call at the DNR
Walk in at a service center on weekdays (8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.); call ahead for a field office.
Deer processors
Mounts and taxidermy
Guided hunts
Outdoor stores
DNR service centers and field offices from DNR office locations; processors from the Deer Donation Program list, DNR CWD sampling station partners and directory listings; shops from the DNR license agent layer and directories. Checked October 19, 2026; call ahead. All Wisconsin hunting services.
Marathon County on the Wisconsin events calendar
DU state convention and convention: 2 upcoming events. Retrieved October 19, 2026.
Still to come
| Held | What | Where | Register | Source page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 29, 2027 | Ducks Unlimited: Wisconsin State Convention 2027 at Hilton Garden Inn / DU state convention | Hilton Garden Inn Wausau Marathon Co. | Buy tickets | Source |
| Mar 26–27, 2027 | WBHA 63rd Annual Convention / Convention | Central Wisconsin Convention & Expo Center Marathon Co. | Event details | Source |
Marathon County questions from hunters
How many bucks were registered in Marathon County in 2025?
6,260 antlered deer.
Has chronic wasting disease turned up in Marathon County?
Yes: 8 CWD-positive wild deer on record since 1999.
Can I feed deer in my yard in Marathon County?
No; feeding deer is banned along with baiting.
How many bear permits are there for Marathon County?
Zone C drew 4,465 permits for 2026 against a harvest target of 875.
When is spring turkey season in Marathon County?
Youth hunt Apr 17 to Apr 18, 2027, then Periods A to F from Apr 21 to Jun 1, 2027.
Is there a county forest in Marathon County?
Yes, 30,674 acres as of the DNR 2021 report.
What is the deadline to register a deer in Marathon County?
5 p.m. the day after you recover it; the confirmation number starts with W.
Do bowhunters wear orange in Marathon County?
Yes, whenever a firearm deer season is open.
Which venison processors are nearest Marathon County?
Custom Meats Inc, Custom Meats of Marathon and Northern Meat Processing, in order of distance.
When does deer season end in Marathon County?
Jan 3, 2027, the archery close.
Answers from the DNR Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations, registration rules, blaze orange rules, DNR harvest and CWD data and the sources cited above. Checked October 19, 2026.
Double-check before Marathon County
The DNR can change quotas, bonus sales and bans between seasons. The regulations booklet is the legal reference.
Sources: DNR Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations, season dates, Wisconsin DNR hunting, Census and the agencies linked in each section. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0); tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0); Anne Marie Peterson from Madison, WI, US (CC BY-SA 2.0); royal_broil (CC BY-SA 2.0); Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA (CC BY 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); YellowstoneNPS (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Shiva Shenoy (CC BY 2.0).