Officials in Wisconsin have held a regulated hunting season for white-tailed deer since 1851, just three years after statehood.

It has varied greatly over the decades, including closed seasons, rules that prohibited archery equipment, times when deer numbers were highest in the northern part of the state and the current era when whitetails are much more numerous in the southern half.

And every four years the gun deer hunting season is held in the same month as a presidential election.

The Department of Natural Resources held a media briefing Wednesday to present information in advance of the 2024 Wisconsin gun hunt.

The agency normally holds the pre-hunt event later in the year, but given the Nov. 5 election for president and other offices did it earlier this year to “make sure this information is able to reach the public and doesn’t get lost,” said Zach Wood, DNR public information officer.

Yes, no two years are exactly alike.

Here’s another new piece for 2024, this one from the regulation book: Due to a change in state law, hunters in Wisconsin can now use air rifles to hunt deer and other big game.

In another rule change this year, the junior antlerless deer tag is good on either public or private land (in the past the hunter had to designate one land type).

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about the state’s annual gun deer hunt.

More: Wisconsin deer harvest in 2024 trending higher than last year

When is the 2024 gun deer hunting season in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin gun deer hunting season traditionally begins on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs for nine days.

This year’s nine-day gun deer season runs from Nov. 23 to Dec. 1.

Do I need to buy a deer hunting license?

Yes, all deer hunters are required to buy a Wisconsin deer hunting license.

You can buy a license online at gowild.wi.gov or in person at a sporting goods store or other license sales outlet. The DNR has an interactive map of license sales locations on its website.

How much does a deer hunting license cost?

A resident gun deer hunting license is $24; $20 for those aged 12-17; and $7 for those under 12.

Where available, residents may purchase additional antlerless deer permits for $12 each.

A non-resident gun deer hunting license is $200.

What is the rut? And does it affect deer hunting?

The rut is the annual mating period for deer. In Wisconsin it peaks in early November and is associated with increased deer activity, including during daylight hours, as bucks pursue does.

This increased deer activity definitely favors hunters, and data show gun deer harvests are typically higher when the season starts earlier in November rather than later.

How do I learn about hunting regulations set by the Wisconsin DNR?

The DNR publishes a hunting regulation pamphlet that lists rules pertaining to the gun deer and other seasons. The document is available online at dnr.wi.gov and in print form at license sales outlets.

In general, each deer hunting license authorizes a hunter to kill one buck and at least one doe.

Antlerless deer tags are issued for public or private land. And counties serve as deer management units.

The number of antlerless deer tags in each county is determined through a process that starts with recommendations from the County Deer Advisory Council, followed by review and potential changes by the DNR and the Natural Resources Board.

If I shoot a deer, do I have to register it?

Yes, all harvested deer must be registered by 5 p.m. the day after the animal is recovered.

Hunters can register deer online at GameReg.WI.Gov or by phone at (844) 426-3734.

Can you bait deer in Wisconsin?

Baiting deer is prohibited in 61 of Wisconsin’s counties and legal in 11, according to the DNR. The prohibitions are due to a state law that bans baiting and feeding deer in areas where chronic wasting disease has been found.

The 11 counties where baiting is legal are Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Clark, Douglas, Iron and Price in northwestern Wisconsin, and Brown, Door, Kewaunee and Manitowoc in northeastern Wisconsin. In these counties, hunters are limited to two gallons of corn or other bait at a site. Check the DNR website for further details.