MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin’s annual youth deer hunt returns Oct. 10-11, giving hunters age 15 and younger a chance to hunt deer with a gun, bow or crossbow in deer management units statewide, except Menominee County and state parks.

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says youth hunters must have the appropriate deer license, including a gun deer license when hunting with a firearm. The state’s traditional nine-day gun deer season follows Nov. 21-29.

The weekend also overlaps with the final two days of Wisconsin’s gun deer hunt for hunters with disabilities. That hunt is limited to participating sponsored properties Oct. 3-9, then expands statewide Oct. 10-11 for eligible hunters on public land or other property where they have permission to hunt.

For Green County hunters, the start of the youth hunt also comes with another reminder from the DNR: free chronic wasting disease testing remains available statewide for deer harvested in Wisconsin.