Non resident Wisconsin permits

[WalleyeDrifter]

Can anyone give me some feedback on their success in drawing non resident permits in Wisconsin? Specifically the first 3 seasons. I've hunted Wisconsin for the past 6 years and have never been lucky enough to draw anything but the second to last season. My son has been in college the last 4 years and so mid-May worked out with his schedule. This year I applied for the second season and ended up with the second to last season again. Several years ago I called the WI DNR and asked this same question. They told me that non residents almost never get drawn for the first 3 seasons. But in reading this forum, I see other non residents have been successful with earlier seasons. We hunt WI zone 4

[DonBo]

Here's the scoop. Wisconsin gives first choice to resident landowners, then residents, then non resident landowners, then non residents.

A non resident will NEVER draw for one of the first two seasons. There are no tags left over after all the residents draw.

The third season USUALLY covers the WS fishing opener. If you apply for this as your ONLY choice, you will almost always draw. If you choose this as a first choice, then list a second and third choice you will most certainly draw for the latest season you applied for.

FWIW, we have always hunted the fishing opener weekend, but the last few years we've found the hunting to get better as that week progressed. We applied for and drew for the 4th season this year. We also expect to be able to get a second tag for this season, which probably won't be an option for an earlier season.

This was all a hard earned lesson from 30 years of hunting Wisconsin.

[WalleyeDrifter]

DonBo.........Thanks for your insight. I have been listing a 2nd and 3rd choice on my application. Maybe that was my mistake. Actually, the second to last season has been pretty good at times. Hens on the nest. Toms looking for love again. We wanted to try the earlier season because the birds are more vocal. Thanks.

[Hoyt4]

Only way I have non-res get drawn. MY friends will apply with residents. This has worked a lot for them to get the early seasons.

But if you are just a non-resident alone like Don said above you will not be drawn.

[DonBo]

Only way I have non-res get drawn. MY friends will apply with residents. This has worked a lot for them to get the early seasons.

But if you are just a non-resident alone like Don said above you will not be drawn.

Not sure how that's working for you. If you apply with a resident for a group application, they use the lowest preference, meaning you, as the non-resident.

[Hoyt4]

Understood on Don , but some how this has been working for a few friends of mine. They have applied without residents and not get drawn. Once they started applying with WI resident they have been getting drawn.