Chapter NR 10

NR 10.07 History History: 1-2-56; am. (2), Register, August, 1957, No. 20, eff. 9-1-57; am. (5), Register, August, 1958, No. 32, eff. 9-1-58; r. and recr. (1) and (3), Register, August, 1960, No. 56, eff. 9-1-60; cr. (8), Register, September, 1961, No. 69, eff. 10-1-61; am. (1), Register, September, 1965, No. 117, eff. 10-1-65; r. (6), am. (7) (a), Register, August, 1966, No. 128, eff. 9-1-66; r. and recr. (2), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; renum. to be NR 10.07; am. (1), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (2) (a), r. and recr. (3) and cr. (9) (a) and (b), Register, July, 1971, No. 187, eff. 8-1-71; am. (3) (a) and (b) and (9) (b), Register, August, 1971, No. 188, eff. 9-1-71; am. (1), (2) (b), and (9) (a), Register, August, 1972, No. 200, eff. 9-1-72; am. (9) (b), Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; emerg. r. and recr. (9), eff. 8-2-74; r. and recr. (9), Register, December, 1974, No. 228, eff. 1-1-75; am. (3) (a), Register, January, 1975, No. 229, eff. 2-1-75; am. (7) (a), Register, October, 1975, No. 238, eff. 11-1-75; cr. (10), Register, May, 1976, No. 245, eff. 8-15-76; renum. (1) to be (1) (a), cr. (1) (b), r. (3) (a) to (c), renum. (3) (d) to be (3) and am. (9), Register, November, 1976, No. 251, eff. 12-1-76; renum. (1) (b) to be (1) (c) and am., am. (3) and r. and recr. (10), Register, May, 1977, No. 257, eff. 6-1-77; am. (1) (a), Register, December, 1977, No. 264, eff. 1-1-78; r. and recr. (10), Register, May, 1978, No. 269, eff. 6-1-78, renum. (1) (c) to be 10.001 (8) and (9) am. (8), Register, August, 1978, No. 272, eff. 9-1-78; r. and recr. Register, August, 1979, No. 284, eff. 9-1-79; r. and recr. (1) (g), Register, April, 1980, No. 292, eff. 5-1-80; r. (1) (c), Register, April, 1981, No. 304, eff. 5-1-81; r. and recr. (1) (g) 2., Register, April, 1982, No. 316, eff. 5-1-82; cr. (1) (i), Register, October, 1987, No. 382, eff. 11-1-87; emerg. am. (2) (d), eff. 9-25-87; am. (2) (d), Register, December, 1987, No. 384, eff. 1-1-88; r. and recr. (1) (g), r. (1) (h), Register, September, 1990, No. 417, eff. 10-1-90; cr. (1) (b) 3. Register, October, 1991, No. 430, eff. 3-1-92; cr. (1) (g) 7., Register, December, 1993, No. 456, eff. 1-1-94; am. (1) (g) 2. and r. and recr. (1) (g) 5., Register, October, 1997, No. 502, eff. 3-1-98; correction in (1) (g) 7. was made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2001 No. 548; emerg. am. (1) (a), r. (1) (g), cr. (2) and (3), eff. 7-3-02; emerg. r. and recr. (2), eff. 1-11-03; CR 03-016: r. and recr. (1) (a), cr. (3) Register August 2003 No. 572, eff. 9-1-03; correction in (1) (a) 2. e. made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2003 No. 572; CR 03-018: am. (1) (b) 2. Register November 2003 No. 575, eff. 1-1-04; CR 04-020: r. and recr. (1) (a), am. (3) Register August 2004 No. 584, eff. 9-1-04; CR 04-078: r. (1) (g), cr. (2) and (2m) Register April 2005 No. 592, eff. 5-1-05; CR 05-017: cr. (1) (k) Register October 2005 No. 598, eff. 11-1-05; CR 08-013: r. (1) (a) 2., am. (2m) (b) 1. Register August 2008 No. 632, eff. 9-1-08; CR 09-024: am. (2m) (e) 1. Register May 2010 No. 653, eff. 6-1-10; EmR1405: emerg. r. (3), eff. 2-25-14; EmR1420: emerg. am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2., eff. 9-12-14; CR 13-071: am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (b) 1., (g) 2., r. (3) Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; correction in (2m) (b) 1., 2. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2015 No. 715, eff. 8-1-15; CR 16-037: am. (1) (k) Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17; CR 16-028: am. (2) (b) 3., 4. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; EmR1902: emerg. am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2. eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: am. (1) (b) 3., (2m) (g) 2. Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; renum. (1) (a) 1. to (1) (a) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; 2021 Wis. Act 14: am. (2m) (f) 1. Register April 2021 No. 784, eff. 5-1-21.

NR 10.08 NR 10.08 Possession and transportation of game.

NR 10.08(1) (1) Opening day limits. On the first day of the open season, no person may possess or control more than one daily bag limit of any game species for which a bag limit is established.

NR 10.08(2) (2) Daily bag limit.

NR 10.08(2)(a) (a) Generally.

NR 10.08(2)(a)1. 1. Daily bag limits are established on a per-hunter basis, are not transferable, and cannot be shared, except as provided in s. 29.324, Stats. No person may take, or attempt to take, any game for another person, unless in compliance with s. 29.324, Stats.

NR 10.08(2)(a)2. 2. If an animal is required to be registered under s. NR 10.086, no person may gift game to any person until after it has been registered under s. NR 10.086.

NR 10.08(2)(a)3. 3. No person may gift game to any person while afield. All gifted game remain counted toward the daily bag limit of the original harvester.

NR 10.08(2)(b) (b) Exceeding daily bag limit. No person may:

NR 10.08(2)(b)1. 1. Take, or attempt to take, any game for which a daily bag limit is established and restricted to an issued harvest authorization or tag without holding the proper valid harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(2)(b)2. 2. Take, or attempt to take, any game in excess of one daily bag limit in any one day.

NR 10.08(3) (3) Possession and possession limit.

NR 10.08(3)(a) (a) Generally. No person may:

NR 10.08(3)(a)1. 1. Exceed an established possession limit unless otherwise authorized by the department.

NR 10.08(3)(a)2. 2. Possess game killed by unlawful or unknown means, unless otherwise authorized by the department.

NR 10.08(3)(a)3. 3. Except when in compliance with subds. 4. and 5., possess game without also possessing all required approvals for that game.

NR 10.08(3)(a)4. 4. While afield, possess game taken by another unless accompanied by the original harvester.

NR 10.08(3)(a)5. 5. Possess game taken by another unless the person provides the registration confirmation number, or name and address or customer ID number of the source, to a warden upon demand.

NR 10.08(3)(b) (b) Specific possession limits. Except where otherwise provided in s. NR 10.01, the following possession limits are established:

NR 10.08(3)(b)1. 1. Turkey. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)2. 2. Deer. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)2m. 2m. Otter. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)3. 3. Bobcat. The possession limit corresponds to the number of pelt tags issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)3m. 3m. Fisher. The possession limit corresponds to the number of harvest authorizations issued.

NR 10.08(3)(b)4. 4. All other game which have a daily bag limit established. The possession limit is 3 times the established daily bag limit.

NR 10.08(4) (4) Field possession limit. No person may possess more than one daily bag limit while at or between the place killed and the place to which the bag limit is taken.

NR 10.08 Note Note: This rule does not authorize a person to take more than one daily bag limit. Further, it does not prohibit possession of double the daily bag limit when transporting game between a person’s temporary abode and his or her permanent abode.

NR 10.08(5) (5) Killing requirements. Except as otherwise provided, no person may possess any live game. All game taken during the open season shall be killed immediately and made part of the daily bag.

NR 10.08(6) (6) Field dressing. No person may completely dress any game bird while in the field or during transportation from the field. The head or one fully feathered wing, shall remain attached to all game birds while in the field or during transportation from the field to the person’s permanent abode or a preservation facility.

NR 10.08(6m) (6m) Harvest authorizations and tags.

NR 10.08(6m)(a) (a) Every harvest authorization and tag is identified by a unique number, which represents a singular game harvest approval issued to the person, regardless of the number of reprints generated, or duplicates issued.

NR 10.08(6m)(b) (b) Only the person who has been issued the harvest authorization and tag may exercise its privilege, except as provided in s. 29.324, Stats.

NR 10.08(6m)(c) (c) A harvest authorization or tag is valid only when all of the following apply:

NR 10.08(6m)(c)1. 1. Game has not already been harvested under the authority of the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)2. 2. The person and game are both located in the zone, unit, and land type specified on the harvest authorization or tag, when such restrictions are designated.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)3. 3. The season is open, and no time period restrictions are in effect.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)4. 4. The target game matches the type of animal specified on the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)5. 5. The harvest method is permitted by the harvest authorization or tag.

NR 10.08(6m)(c)6. 6. The harvest authorization or tag is not expired.

NR 10.08(7) (7) Carcass tags. No person may:

NR 10.08(7)(a) (a) Hunt or trap any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless in possession of a valid, unique carcass tag that has not already been used to harvest an animal. A tag is not valid when hunting or trapping in a zone, management unit, or land type that is not authorized by the tag, or if the tag is expired. A tag is not valid when hunting with a weapon that is not authorized for use with the tag.

NR 10.08(7)(b) (b) Upon harvesting any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1), fail to immediately validate the carcass tag that authorized the harvest.

NR 10.08(7)(c) (c) Possess or transport the carcass of any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless also in possession of the validated carcass tag that authorized the harvest.

NR 10.08(7)(d) (d) Fail to keep a validated carcass tag in good, legible condition so as to permit meaningful inspection by the department. Carcass tags shall remain intact except that part of a tag may be separated as designated by the department on the tag as a means of validation.

NR 10.08(7)(e) (e) Transport or possess an unskinned bobcat or wolf carcass, or a raw pelt of these species unless it has been tagged in accordance with s. NR 10.085.

NR 10.08(7)(f) (f) While afield, possess or transport the carcass of any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) that is tagged with or possessed under the authority of a validated carcass tag of another person unless accompanied by the person issued the carcass tag. After the animal is registered it may be transported by vehicle on a public roadway or possessed at a dwelling or business establishment by a person who is not hunting without the need to be accompanied by the person who tagged and registered it. A dwelling for the purposes of this subsection includes permanent residences as well as temporary residences, such as an established hunting cabin or camp site.

NR 10.08(7)(g) (g) While afield, hunting, or trapping, possess a validated carcass tag, or any copy of a unique carcass tag already used to harvest an animal, for any of the species enumerated in s. NR 10.085 (1) unless the person is also in possession of the legally killed animal corresponding to that carcass tag.

NR 10.08(7)(h) (h) Validate or attach a carcass tag to an animal trapped, killed, or harvested by another.

NR 10.08(7)(i) (i) Possess more than one copy of a unique carcass tag while afield or hunting or trapping.

NR 10.08(8) (8) Research. The department may require that any part of animal shall be collected, sampled, or submitted to the department for research purposes. No person may fail to comply with any collection, sampling, or submission procedure required by the department.

NR 10.08 Note Note: Additional requirements for the transportation of deer species from chronic wasting disease affected areas in this state and from other states and countries where CWD has been identified are established in s. NR 10.105.

NR 10.08 Note Note: The department lacks authority to issue wolf carcass tags while the wolf is listed on the federal endangered list or the state endangered list. See s. 29.185, Stats.

NR 10.08 History History: 1-2-56; r. (2), Register, August, 1956, No. 8, eff. 9-1-56; r. and recr. (3), Register, August, 1968, No. 152, eff. 9-1-68; renum. to be NR 10.21; am. (3) (a) and (b), Register, June, 1970, No. 174, eff. 7-1-70; am. (3) (a), Register, August, 1973, No. 212, eff. 9-1-73; r. and recr. (3), Register, August, 1978, No. 272, eff. 9-1-78; renum. from NR 10.21, Register, September, 1983, No. 333, eff. 10-1-83; r. and recr. Register, September, 1985, No. 357, eff. 10-1-85; am. (2), Register, October, 1990, No. 418, eff. 11-1-90; CR 13-021: cr. (6) Register October 2013 No. 694, eff. 11-1-13; EmR1613: emerg. am. (title.), cr. (7), eff. 3-12-16; EmR1712: emerg. am. (7) (d), eff. 6-17-17; CR 17-061: am. (title), (6), cr. (7) Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; EmR1902: emerg. r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (6m), am. (7) (h) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: r. and recr. (2), (3), cr. (6m), am. (7) (h) Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; (2) (b) (title), (3) (a) (title) created under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and correction in numbering in (6m) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., and correction in (6m) (b) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765; CR 19-017: cr. (3) (b) 2m., am. (7) (e) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 5-1-20; CR 20-087: am. (2) (a) 2., cr. (3) (b) 3m., am. (7) (e), renum. (7) (j) to (L) to NR 10.087 (4) (d) to (f) and am., renum. (8) from NR 10.085 (8) and am. Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.

NR 10.085 NR 10.085 Tagging of game.

NR 10.085(1) (1) Requirements for the tagging of game in this section apply to all of the following species:

NR 10.085(1)(a) (a) Bear.

NR 10.085(1)(b) (b) Elk.

NR 10.085(1)(c) (c) Sharp-tailed grouse.

NR 10.085(1)(e) (e) Bobcat.

NR 10.085(1)(h) (h) Wolf.

NR 10.085(2) (2) Validation. Any person who kills any of the species identified in this section shall immediately validate the carcass tag by separating a designated portion of the tag or by marking it as designated by the department on the tag. Failure to completely validate the carcass tag renders possession of the animal illegal and the carcass tag invalid.

NR 10.085(3) (3) Display. No person may refuse or fail to display a validated carcass tag or registration verification number to the department or its wardens upon request.

NR 10.085(4) (4) Attachment.

NR 10.085(4)(a) (a) No person who kills any of the species identified in this section may leave the carcass unless the tag has been attached to the carcass.

NR 10.085 Note Note: Tags may be attached using string, plastic ties, wire or in any manner which results in the tag being secured to the carcass in a visible manner. Carcass tags may be protected from environmental elements in sealed clear plastic bags.

NR 10.085(4)(b) (b) The pelt tag shall be attached to a bobcat or wolf when it is killed and before it is carried by hand or transported in any manner. Failure to attach the pelt tag invalidates the permit. The pelt tag shall remain attached to the pelt until removed by a fur dresser or taxidermist at time of preparation.

NR 10.085(5) (5) Removal and retention. A carcass tag attached as required in this section may be removed from the carcass at the time of butchering or when prepared by a taxidermist, but the person who killed or obtained the animal shall retain all tags until the meat is consumed. The validated carcass tag shall be retained by the person who possesses the carcass until it is consumed.

NR 10.085 History History: EmR1613: emerg. cr., eff. 3-12-16; EmR1712: emerg. am. (2), (5), r. (6) (b), eff. 6-17-17; CR 17-061: cr. Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; correction in (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2018 No. 746, eff. 3-1-18; EmR1902: emerg. am. (intro.), r. (1) (d), am. (6) (c) 1., cr. (6m) eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-005: am. (intro.), r. (1) (d), am. (6) (c) 1., cr. (6m) Register September 2019 No. 765, eff. 10-1-19; correction in (intro.), (6m) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register September 2019 No. 765; EmR1902: emerg. am. (intro.), eff. 1-18-19; CR 19-017: am. (intro.), r. (1) (g), am. (4) (b) Register January 2020 No. 769, eff. 5-1-20; renum. (intro.) to (1) (intro.) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., r. (1) (title) under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 2., Stats., and, as renumbered, correction in (1) (intro.) made under s. 35.17, Stats., and correction in (4) (b), (6) (c) 1., (7) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register January 2020 No. 769; CR 20-087: am. (title), (1) (intro.), r. (1) (f), am. (4) (b), r. (6) (intro.), (a), (b), renum. (6) (c) 1., 2. to NR 10.087 (2) (a), (b) and am., r. (6) (c) 3., renum. (6m), (7), (8) to NR 10.086 (4), 10.087 (1), 10.08 (8) and am. Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.

NR 10.086 NR 10.086 Registration of game.

NR 10.086(1) (1) Requirements for registration apply to all of the following species:

NR 10.086(1)(a) (a) Bear.

NR 10.086(1)(b) (b) Deer.

NR 10.086(1)(c) (c) Elk.

NR 10.086(1)(d) (d) Sharp-tailed grouse.

NR 10.086(1)(e) (e) Wild turkey.

NR 10.086(1)(f) (f) Bobcat.

NR 10.086(1)(g) (g) Fisher.

NR 10.086(1)(h) (h) Otter.

NR 10.086(1)(i) (i) Wolf.

NR 10.086(2) (2) No person who harvests any of the species identified in this section may fail to register the animal, using a telephone, internet, or other registration system established by the department, before 5:00 p.m. of the day after the animal was recovered.

NR 10.086 Note Note: All department registration interfaces provide a confirmation number when the registration is successfully submitted. Confirmation numbers are also recorded on a customer’s account and may be viewed by logging in to https://gowild.wi.gov.

NR 10.086 Note (3) No person may move any of the species identified in this section from the county of kill or an adjoining county, at any time, unless registration has been completed under sub. (2).

NR 10.086(4) (4) Registration prohibition. No person may register any game under the authority of an issued harvest authorization or tag unless the reported harvest authorization or tag was the approval that authorized the harvest. Providing false information to the department during registration and obtaining a registration confirmation number approval is a violation of s. 29.961, Stats. Any harvest authorization or tag submitted to the registration system is considered filled and is no longer valid, regardless of whether such authorization or tag was actually the approval that authorized the harvest.

NR 10.086 History History: CR 20-087: cr. (title), (1) to (3), renum. (4) from NR 10.085 (6m) Register August 2021 No. 788, eff. 9-1-21.

NR 10.087 NR 10.087 Certification of game.

NR 10.087(1) (1) Registration of certain elk, deer and bear. The department may require that an elk be exhibited and registered at registration stations designated by the department no later than 5:00 p.m. of the day after it was recovered. The department may require that any deer or bear harvested in an area affected by CWD, tuberculosis, or where there are other serious infections disease threats, or area where samples are needed for department research purposes, shall be exhibited and registered at registration stations designated by the department no later than 5:00 p.m. on the third day after it was recovered, or by 5:00 p.m. on the day after the close of the season during which it was recovered, as described in s. NR 10.01 (3), whichever is earlier, unless otherwise authorized by the department. No person shall fail to exhibit the carcass of a deer, bear or elk at a registration location specified by the department when required under this subsection.

NR 10.087(2) (2) Bobcat; wolf. Each person who has killed a bobcat or wolf shall:

NR 10.087(2)(a) (a) Exhibit the pelt, separated from the rest of the carcass, to an authorized department representative no later than 7 days after the month of harvest. Persons who intend to have a bobcat or wolf mounted by a taxidermist may exhibit the bobcat or wolf to the department for certification in whole carcass condition without separating the pelt, but shall surrender the skinned carcass to the department within 30 days after certification.

NR 10.087(2)(b) (b) Allow inspection of the carcass and pelt, and attachment of a certification seal to the head portion of the pelt of all lawfully taken and possessed bobcat or wolf.