Wisconsin DNR closed 2026 sharp-tailed grouse hunting season | The Locally Times
The agency canceled all 2026 hunting permits following a 22% decline in spring lek survey counts.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) closed the 2026 sharp-tailed grouse hunting season on July 15, 2026. The closure follows a 22% drop in spring lek survey indices, which measure the number of male birds at traditional breeding grounds, compared to the previous year. ## Hunting Permit Status The DNR stopped accepting hunting permit applications for the 2026 season effective July 15, 2026. This closure applies to all hunting zones, including Zone 10, which covers the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area. During the 2025 season, the DNR issued 12 permits for Zone 10, resulting in the harvest of five birds. Sharp-tailed grouse remain classified as a game species under state law despite the lack of an open season. ## Advisory Committee Recommendation The Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee, a group composed of representatives from government agencies, tribal interests, and conservation organizations, recommended the closure. The committee based this recommendation on an evaluation of nesting success, winter survival rates, and habitat data. The committee categorized the 22% population decrease as within the range of natural variability. ## Population Data DNR wildlife biologists expect the population decline to be temporary, citing long-term habitat restoration in the pine barrens of northwestern Wisconsin. The agency has not released specific 2026 population count totals. The DNR website hosts the Sharp-tailed Grouse Management Plan, which details the agency's goals for the species' recovery. ## Key Questions **Can I apply for a sharp-tailed grouse hunting permit this year?** No. The DNR announced on July 15, 2026, that the season is closed and no permits or applications will be accepted for 2026. **Why did the DNR cancel the season?** The Sharp-tailed Grouse Advisory Committee recommended the closure after annual spring lek surveys showed a 22% population decline compared to the previous year.