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Furbearers and trapping in Wisconsin
Red and Gray Fox Hunting in Wisconsin
Red and gray fox season runs Oct 17, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027 for both hunting and trapping, with no bag limit. 2026-27 fox dates, limits and public properties in Wisconsin.
Photo: U.S. Geological Survey (CC0 1.0)
Fox may be hunted at night with a light at the point of kill, on foot. Residents hunt foxes on a small game license; trapping needs a trapping license. Landowners and their families may hunt or trap foxes on their own land all year without a license.
Red and Gray Fox, the short version
- How and when: Oct. 17-Feb. 15 hunting and trapping.
- Take: Unlimited.
DNR regulations page, checked October 19, 2026.
GearHeading out for a hunt? Hunting gear checklists by season →
Every 2026-27 fox segment in Wisconsin
From the first fox opener to the last close there are 1 segment; the dashed line marks today.
| Segment | Where | Legal method | First day | Last day | Length | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Hunting and trapping | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 122 |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations and the season dates page, checked October 19, 2026.
Wisconsin limits on foxes
Fox bag and possession rules as printed, followed by the Go Wild prices.
Raccoon, red fox, gray fox, coyote
Unlimited daily and possession.
Red and Gray Fox licenses and stamps
| Approval | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Small game (resident) or furbearer (nonresident) license | $18.00 | $165.00 |
| Trapping license | $20.00 | $150.00 |
DNR regulations, Go Wild resident list and nonresident list, checked October 19, 2026. Wisconsin hunting license guide.
Mapped public land for foxes
The land records group foxes under furbearers; shown here are the 423 properties listing that group.
| Area | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest | National Forest | Ashland, Bayfield, Florence… | 1,526,925 |
| Managed Forest Law Open Lands 883,583 ac | Private Forest Land Open to Public | Adams, Ashland, Barron… | 883,583 |
| Douglas County Forest | County Forest | Douglas | 281,853 |
| Marinette County Forest | County Forest | Marinette | 229,978 |
| Bayfield County Forest | County Forest | Bayfield | 175,557 |
| Iron County Forest | County Forest | Iron | 175,343 |
| Washburn County Forest | County Forest | Washburn | 150,196 |
| Clark County Forest | County Forest | Clark | 134,742 |
| Langlade County Forest | County Forest | Langlade | 130,717 |
| Jackson County Forest | County Forest | Jackson | 122,685 |
| Sawyer County Forest | County Forest | Sawyer | 115,196 |
| Burnett County Forest | County Forest | Burnett | 111,516 |
| Lincoln County Forest | County Forest | Lincoln | 100,843 |
| Price County Forest | County Forest | Price | 92,294 |
| Rusk County Forest | County Forest | Rusk | 89,284 |
Red and Gray Fox: the remaining properties
Oneida County Forest · Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge · Meadow Valley Wildlife Area · Kettle Moraine State Forest · Eau Claire County Forest · Brule River State Forest · Fort McCoy · Oconto County Forest · Apostle Islands National Lakeshore · Vilas County Forest · Ashland County Forest · Wood County Forest · Florence County Forest · Chippewa County Forest · George W. Mead Wildlife Area · Marathon County Forest · Crex Meadows Wildlife Area · Horicon National Wildlife Refuge · Wood County Wildlife Area · Juneau County Forest · Taylor County Forest · Polk County Forest · Barron County Forest · Forest County Forest · Navarino Wildlife Area · Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area · Tiffany Wildlife Area · Fish Lake Wildlife Area · Leopold Wetland Management District · Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program Lands · White River Marsh Wildlife Area · Buena Vista Wildlife Area · Governor Earl Peshtigo River State Forest · Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area · Devil's Lake State Park · Sandhill Wildlife Area · Glacial Habitat Restoration Areas · Waterloo Wildlife Area · Upper Wolf River Fishery Area · Pershing Wildlife Area · Kimberly Clark Wildlife Area · Kickapoo Valley Reserve · St. Croix Wetland Management District · Grand River Marsh Wildlife Area · Monroe County Forest
Properties and their game lists from DNR property pages, the DNR managed lands layer and federal managers, retrieved 2026-10-19. Wisconsin public land directory · County guides.
Red and Gray Fox field rules from the DNR
Registration, shooting hours, blaze orange, bait and the other DNR rules that apply to foxes.
After the shot
The DNR registration list (deer, bear, elk, turkey, bobcat, fisher, otter) does not include foxes.
When to hunt
Night hunting is legal for foxes, with a light at the point of kill while on foot; shining between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 is not.
Orange and pink
Daytime fox hunters in gun deer season need half their outer clothing above the waist in blaze orange or pink.
Bait
The small game baiting ban applies to foxes.
Sunday rule
Nothing in Wisconsin law closes Sundays to foxes.
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations: registration, blaze orange, baiting, shooting hours tables, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours by county · Wisconsin hunting laws.
Firearms, bows and loads for foxes
Weapon rules change with the season, so match the row to the fox segment you hunt.
| Season | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Furbearers (hunting) and unprotected species | Firearms (buckshot allowed), airguns, bows, crossbows; lights at point of kill on foot for coyote, fox, raccoon and unprotected species. | Shining while possessing a weapon; night hunting for bobcat; baiting coyote or bobcat. |
Wisconsin methods rules for foxes
Shining
No shining wild animals while possessing a weapon; no shining 10 p.m.-7 a.m. Sept. 15-Dec. 31 regardless; local ordinances may add limits.
Sale of game
Deer heads, skins (not spotted) and antlers (not velvet) may be sold when separated; squirrel tails/skins/skulls; rabbit/hare carcasses and skins in season; furbearer pelts any time; bobcat pelts only with DNR tag and seal; unprotected species parts.
Buildings
No firearm discharge within 100 yards of an occupied building on land not owned by the hunter (including public lands/waters) without permission of the owner/occupant (airguns excluded).
Wisconsin hunting regulations weapons and methods pages, Wis. Stat. ch. 29 and NR 10, checked October 19, 2026.
Red and Gray Fox questions and answers
Can I trap foxes on my own land in Wisconsin?
License needed to hunt deer, bear, turkey, game birds, migratory birds and bobcat even on own land. Owner/occupant and family may hunt or trap beaver, fox, coyote, raccoon, woodchuck, rabbit and squirrel year-round on their land without license (subject to all other rules except seasons) and unprotected species causing damage.
Is there a daily or season cap on foxes?
Unlimited daily and possession.
What is the 2026-27 calendar for foxes in Wisconsin?
Foxes: fox (red and gray) Oct 17, 2026 to Feb 15, 2027.
Where is public ground for foxes in Wisconsin?
423 properties, among them Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Managed Forest Law Open Lands and Douglas County Forest. The match is partly by a broader game heading.
Which approvals does a fox hunter carry?
Resident approvals for foxes: Small game (resident) or furbearer (nonresident) license ($18.00); Trapping license ($20.00).
Which days call for orange when hunting foxes?
Daytime fox hunters in gun deer season need half their outer clothing above the waist in blaze orange or pink.
How early may fox hunters start shooting?
Night hunting is legal for foxes, with a light at the point of kill while on foot; shining between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. from Sept. 15 to Dec. 31 is not.
What happens after I take fox in Wisconsin?
The DNR registration list (deer, bear, elk, turkey, bobcat, fisher, otter) does not include foxes.
Can feed be used to hunt foxes?
The small game baiting ban applies to foxes.
Can a rifle be used on foxes in Wisconsin?
Furbearers (hunting) and unprotected species: Firearms (buckshot allowed), airguns, bows, crossbows; lights at point of kill on foot for coyote, fox, raccoon and unprotected species.
Can fox hunters go out on a Sunday in Wisconsin?
Nothing in Wisconsin law closes Sundays to foxes.
Red and Gray Fox: final checks
Pair this fox guide with the property page for the wildlife area or forest you plan to hunt; closures and refuges are listed there.
Other photos on this page: Falashad (CC BY 2.0); goingslo (CC BY 2.0); Charles Patrick Ewing (CC BY 2.0); USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0).