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Wisconsin State Park System Hunting and trapping in Wisconsin State Parks
- State parks hunting and trapping time frame
- State park maps
- State trail maps
- State Ice Age Trail Area and North Country Trail Area maps
- Properties that require limited access permits for deer and turkey
State parks hunting and trapping time frame
There are two time periods where hunting and trapping are permitted in state parks. The hunting and trapping seasons that occur within the time periods below, are permitted in the open areas of the park properties.
- Spring: Gun and archery hunting and limited trapping are allowed in the open areas of the property from April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3.
- Fall/Winter: Gun and archery hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the property from Nov. 15 - Dec. 15., except that hunting with legal archery methods is allowed through the Sunday nearest Jan. 6.
For a breakdown of the dates and hours for hunting and trapping in state parks, please see:
The time frame for state parks does not apply to state forests, state recreation areas or other DNR properties. Wisconsin State Park lands includes state parks, state trails, state ice age trail areas (SIATAs), and state north country trail areas (SNCTAs).
Wisconsin state park hunting and trapping maps
Most Wisconsin state parks will have some areas open to hunting and trapping during the Wisconsin state parks hunting time frame. All hunting and trapping licenses apply. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required for all vehicles in a state park. Due to property size, proximity to urban or residential areas, environmental sensibility and other factors, some state park properties do not allow hunting or trapping. Some state parks that receive heavy year-round use, only allow archery hunting.
Indicates that the park requires a limited access permit for deer or turkey hunting.
Wisconsin state trail hunting and trapping maps
The 12 state trails listed below have partial areas open to hunting and trapping during the Wisconsin state parks hunting time frame. All hunting and trapping licenses apply.
State Ice Age Trail Area and North Country Trail Area hunting and trapping maps
State Ice Age Trail Areas (SIATAs) are lands purchased by the DNR for the Ice Age National Scenic Trail under the authority of s. 23.09 (2) (d) 10., Stats., unless purchased as part of another department project. The primary purpose of State Ice Age Trail Areas is to permanently protect segments of the Ice Age Trail and the natural resources along it for present and future public use and enjoyment. State North Country Trail Areas (SNCTAs) are lands purchased by the DNR for the North Country National Scenic Trail.
Most properties will have some areas open to hunting and trapping during the Wisconsin state parks hunting time frame. All hunting and trapping licenses apply. No hunting or trapping is allowed within 100 yards of the two National Scenic Trails on SIATA and SNCTA properties. Due to property size, proximity to urban or residential areas, environmental sensibility and other factors, some properties do not allow hunting or trapping. Some properties that receive heavy year-round use, only allow archery hunting.
State Ice Age Trail Area maps are listed west to east along the trail:
| State North Country Trail Area (SNCTA) Locations |
Hunting and trapping maps | Rules and regulations (back of map) |
|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | ||
| Minnesota Border SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] | Rules and regulations [PDF] |
| Nemadji River SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] | Rules and regulations [PDF] |
| Black River SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] | Rules and regulations [PDF] |
| Pattison State Park SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] | Rules and regulations [PDF] |
| Town of Solon Springs SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] | Rules and regulations [PDF] |
| Ashland County | ||
| Copper Falls State Park SNCTA | Hunting and trapping map [PDF] (No hunting and trapping allowed) | |
Properties that require limited access permits for deer and turkey
Limited Access for Deer Hunting: Certain state parks require that each deer hunter first obtain a $3 Park Access Permit and property map (identifying those areas closed to hunting within the park properties), prior to deer hunting during hunting seasons. Park Access Permits are available on a first-come, first-served basis starting on Saturday, August 17, 2013 at 10 a.m. Permits can be purchased at any license sales agent, on-line or by phone at 1-877-WI-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). Permits will be available until sold out or the hunting season ends. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required for all vehicles in a state park. State parks may have special season dates or weapon restrictions. The park properties that require a Park Access Permit include:
| Park | Unit | 2013 Access Permits Available |
Unit Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brunet Island State Park | 23A* | -- | Regular - Antlerless Only |
| Council Grounds State Park | 52A* | -- | Regular |
| Harrington Beach State Park | 69C | -- | Herd Control |
| High Cliff State Park | 64A | -- | Herd Control |
| Kohler-Andrae State Park | 77E | -- | Herd Control |
| Lake Wissota State Park | 59E* | -- | Regular - Antlerless Only |
| Loew Lake Unit, Kettle Moraine State Forest | 77D | -- | Herd Control |
| Peninsula State Park |
80C | -- | Herd Control |
| Perrot State Park | 61A | -- | Herd Control |
| Rib Mountain State Park | 57D* | -- | Regular |
| Wildcat Mountain State Park | 72A | -- | Herd Control - Antlerless Only |
| Wyalusing State Park | 73A | -- | Herd Control |
*Permit holders for units (23A), (52A), (57D) and (59E) must purchase additional, unit-specific antlerless carcass tags if they wish to tag antlerless deer in the park.
Limited Access for Spring Turkey Hunting: Certain state parks require that each turkey hunter first obtain a Turkey Permit and property map (identifying those areas closed to hunting within the park properties), prior to spring turkey hunting. Hunters must apply for a turkey permit by application. Applications cost $3 and are available at any license sales agent or through the on-line service center. For questions, call: 1-877-WI-LICENSE (1-877-945-4236). The application deadline for the spring hunt is December 10. Successful applicants will be notified via mail. After the lottery drawing occurs, remaining turkey permits will be sold over-the-counter on a first-come, first-served basis. A state park vehicle admission sticker is required for all vehicles in a state park. State parks may have special season dates or weapon restrictions. The park properties that require a Park Access Permit include:
| Park | Unit | 2013 Access Permits Available |
Spring Turkey Hunting Zone Unit Designation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buckhorn State Park (includes Buckhorn Wildlife Area) |
1F | -- | State Park |
| Devil's Lake State Park | 1B | -- | State Park |
| Governor Dodge State Park | 1A | -- | State Park |
| Hartman Creek State Park | 3A | -- | State Park |
| Interstate State Park | 4A | -- | State Park |
| Mirror Lake State Park | 1B | -- | State Park |
| Newport State Park | 2A | -- | State Park |
| Straight Lake State Park | 4C | -- | State Park |
| Wildcat Mountain State Park | 1D | -- | State Park |
| Willow River State Park | 4B | -- | State Park |
| Wyalusing State Park | 1C | -- | State Park |
| Belmont Mound State Park | 1J | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
| Loew Lake Unit - Kettle Moraine State Forest | 2B | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
| Natural Bridge State Park | 1G | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
| Nelson Dewey State Park | 1H | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
| New Glarus Woods State Park | 1K | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
| Rocky Arbor State Park | 1L | -- | Disabled Only - State Park |
