Wisconsin Hunting

Wisconsin

Nation’s premier ruffed grouse Northwoods covers, legendary November gun deer season, and Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

Public Access & WMAs

Public Lands to Hunt in Wisconsin

Official Regulatory Authority

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR)

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The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) oversees access to more than 5 million acres of public land across the Badger State. Public access includes 1.5 million acres within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, 500,000 acres of State Forests, over 1,000 designated State Wildlife Areas, and 2.4 million acres across 29 County Forests. Wisconsin is the all-time number one state for Boone & Crockett whitetail deer entries and a premier national destination for ruffed grouse, black bear, wild turkey, and waterfowl.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Northern Highland Pine & Hardwoods | 1.5 Million Acres

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Covering 11 counties in northern Wisconsin. Mature stands of sugar maple, yellow birch, hemlock, and red pine mixed with alder bogs and wild rice lakes. Legendary hunting for ruffed grouse, American woodcock, black bear, and heavy-antlered northwoods whitetail bucks.

Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area
RAMSAR Wetland of Global Importance | 33,000 Acres

Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area

Located in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties, Horicon Marsh is the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States. A critically vital stopover for hundreds of thousands of migrating Canada geese, mallards, and teal, offering iconic pass-shooting and blind hunting.

George W. Mead Wildlife Area
Little Eau Pleine Valley | 33,000 Acres

George W. Mead Wildlife Area

Spanning Marathon, Wood, and Portage counties along the Little Eau Pleine River. Extensive wetlands, flowages, and aspen-oak woodlands support premier waterfowl hunting, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and whitetail deer.

Wisconsin County Forest System
29 County Working Forests | 2.4 Million Acres

Wisconsin County Forest System

The largest public landholding in Wisconsin, encompassing 2.4 million acres across 29 northern and central counties. Managed for timber and wildlife, providing free public walk-in and motorized trail hunting for whitetail deer, bear, grouse, and snowshoe hare.

Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area
Northwest Pine Barrens & Marsh | 30,000 Acres

Crex Meadows State Wildlife Area

Located in Burnett County, protecting a vast restored brush prairie and sedge marsh complex. Famous for fall migrations of sandhill cranes and waterfowl, with exceptional hunting for sharp-tailed grouse, ruffed grouse, and whitetail deer.