DNR-Managed Lands

DNR-Managed Lands

DNR-managed lands are all lands and properties owned by or under control of the DNR. This includes lands under easement to or leased by the DNR and that the DNR manages and controls. The following regulations apply to all DNR-managed lands. See the Other Lands webpage for rules regarding lands enrolled in the Managed Forest Law or Forest Crop Law programs or private lands leased to provide public access hunting.

General Rules on DNR-Managed Lands

Firearm Possession

It is illegal to:

• Hunt or possess a firearm, airgun, bow or crossbow in an area closed to hunting unless it is unloaded or unstrung and enclosed within a carrying case.
  Note: Those authorized to possess a concealed weapon may possess a loaded, uncased handgun on these properties. Hunters may possess a loaded or uncased firearm, airgun, bow or crossbow in areas of state parks closed to hunting for the purpose of accessing areas within the park that are open to hunting.
• Discharge any firearm or airgun while within the exterior boundary of state-owned lands posted with DNR signs in Brown, Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, La Crosse, Manitowoc, Milwaukee, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Sheboygan, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha and Winnebago counties or on state recreation areas, state natural areas or on state trails established on railroad grades, except:
  • While engaged in hunting in accordance with the open seasons.
  • While shooting at an established shooting range. This is the only target shooting permitted on these state lands.
  • While training or trialing dogs under DNR license within designated areas.

Blinds

Placement of blinds/stands on public land does not restrict others from using the blind/stand or hunting the public land where the blind/stand is located.

It is illegal to:

• Use a ground blind during any open deer season or special deer hunt with firearms unless a minimum of 144 square inches of solid blaze orange or fluorescent pink material is visible from all directions.
  Note: Blinds used for waterfowl hunting are exempt from this rule.
• Build or use a ground blind or any elevated device unless in compliance with the following:
  • The device does not damage the tree. Damage includes cutting shooting lanes and the use of screw-in tree stands, but excludes careful pruning, flush with the trunk of the tree, of limbs less than 1 inch in diameter.
  • North of State Highway 64: Overnight placement occurs only from Sept. 1, 2026 – Jan. 31, 2027, except that on any land that is part of the state park system, overnight placement may only occur during the time frame beginning seven days prior to and ending seven days after an established fall hunting period.
  • No more than two portable devices per hunter per county may be left overnight.
  • South of State Highway 64: The device remains placed only during the daily time frame beginning one hour prior to, and ending one hour after, the shooting hours on the Shooting Hours webpages (linked below).
    • Note: Blinds used for waterfowl hunting do not need to be removed daily. See the Migratory Bird Regulations webpage for more information.
  • Leave a tree stand or ground blind unoccupied unless the owner’s DNR customer ID number or name and address has been attached in a manner that is visible and legible to a person on the ground or near the entrance of the ground blind.
    Note: Ground blinds constructed entirely of dead vegetation found on the property do not need to be removed at the end of each day, do not need to display blaze orange/pink and do not need to have the hunter’s name and address displayed.

Dogs

• Individuals may not allow dogs to run on DNR lands from April 15 – July 31 unless the dog is on a leash no longer than eight feet.
• This rule does not apply to Class 1 field trial grounds, DNR lands open to dog training or training dogs to track bear after June 30.

For information about dog training and trialing opportunities on DNR lands, regulations and license information, visit the DNR's Dog Training webpage.

Trail Cameras

The placement and unattended, overnight use of trail cameras is authorized on DNR lands only under the following conditions:

• Placement occurs in areas where hunting is allowed.
• Trail cameras bear the name and address or DNR customer ID number of the owner or operator permanently attached or engraved to the outside of the camera so that it is clearly visible without the need to move or adjust the camera.
• The camera does not cause damage to natural vegetation or other DNR property.

Placement of trail cameras on DNR-managed lands is done at your own risk. The DNR will not be responsible for theft or damage of trail cameras on DNR-managed lands.

Other Restrictions

It is illegal to:

• Pursue, drive or chase animals on lands that are closed to hunting.
• Camp on any state lands except in designated campgrounds unless a special camp registration permit is obtained from the DNR prior to setting up camp.
• Operate motor vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs and snowmobiles, except in areas posted open to such use.
• Operate any vehicle, including but not limited to snowmobiles, bicycles, trail bikes and all-terrain vehicles except where their use is authorized by posted notice or permit.

State Park Hunting

Most state park properties have some areas open to hunting but may have variations in weapons restrictions, season dates and closed areas. Check online for specific property regulations and to obtain a map of the state park property prior to hunting there. Maps will also be posted at the property. Visit dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/parks/hunt for maps and specific property regulations.

• All legal hunting methods are allowed during the open seasons at properties that do not otherwise have restrictions on dates or methods of hunting.
• Spring turkey hunting is allowed in state parks during the 2-day spring youth turkey hunt and until the Tuesday nearest May 3.
• The season dates for state parks do not apply to state forests, state recreation areas or other DNR properties. Wisconsin state park properties include state parks, state trails, state ice age trail areas (SIATAs) and north country trail areas (NCTAs).

State Park Admission

• A state park sticker is required for all vehicles in any state park. Visit the Parks Admission webpage for more information.
• No special hunting access permit is needed to hunt with a firearm, airgun, bow or crossbow in state park or trail properties open to hunting. All hunting license requirements apply.
• State park property access for the purpose of hunting is allowed starting at 6 a.m. or one hour prior to the shooting hours for the species being pursued, whichever is earlier, until 11 p.m.

Shooting Hours

• Normal shooting opening and closing hours apply. 
  • Calculating Shooting Hours
    • Early Teal Shooting Hours
    • Migratory Bird and Spring Turkey Shooting Hours
    • Deer, Bear, Elk, Small Game, and Fall Turkey Shooting Hours 
• All hunting, including hunting for those species legal to hunt at night, ends at 11 p.m.

It is illegal to:

• Discharge a firearm, airgun, bow or crossbow from, on or across any state trail or other area in a state park that is closed to hunting.
• Hunt within any areas indicated as closed to hunting on that property’s hunting area map or within 100 yards of designated use areas such as picnic areas, campgrounds, beaches, buildings and certain designated trails, appearing on that property’s hunting area map.
• Hunt with a firearm or airgun in any park area restricted to bow and crossbow only.