Other Lands

Other Lands

Private Lands with Public Access

Managed Forest Law (MFL), Forest Crop Law (FCL), Voluntary Public Access (VPA) And Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP)

This section refers to rules that apply to private lands enrolled in either the Managed Forest Law or Forest Crop Law programs, or the Voluntary Public Access (VPA) Program and the Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP).

For those wishing to fill an antlerless deer harvest authorization on lands enrolled in MFL, FCL or VPA that are open to public hunting, the harvest authorization must be specified for use on public-access land.

It is illegal to:

• Build or use a ground blind or any elevated device unless it does not damage the tree and is completely removed from the property each day at the close of shooting hours.
• Damage trees. Cutting shooting lanes and use of screw-in tree stands or steps are considered damaging and are illegal.
• Operate any vehicle, including but not limited to snowmobiles, bicycles, trail bikes and all-terrain vehicles except where their use is authorized by landowner or posted notice.
  Note: This does not apply to the owners of lands enrolled in the program or those who have the landowner’s authorization.
• Use trail cameras on lands enrolled in the MFL/FCL and VPA programs without the permission of the landowner.

The Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP) is only open from March 1 through the end of the spring turkey season. All of the above rules apply on THAP properties.

Federal Lands

Federal lands, including national wildlife refuges, waterfowl production areas, national forests and national park service areas are subject to additional regulations. Contact the property of interest or visit the property’s website for these regulations. Additional information can be found on the website.

Fort McCoy

Fort McCoy conducts its own hunting seasons, independent of the DNR’s seasons. Anyone interested in hunting on Fort McCoy must have the appropriate Fort McCoy permit/harvest authorization and applicable State of Wisconsin hunting approvals. To purchase Fort McCoy approvals, register game harvested on Fort McCoy or for season dates and regulation information, visit their website.

County Forests

County forests make up the largest combined public landowner in the state. Thirty counties currently enroll over 2.4 million acres in County Forest Law. These properties are open to hunting, fishing and trapping and offer other recreational opportunities including campsites, ATV trails and shooting ranges.

Tribal Lands

Persons wishing to hunt on lands owned by or held in trust for a tribe must first obtain permission from the tribe. For more information, contact the appropriate tribe. All state regulations and license requirements still apply, in addition to property-specific restrictions.

Finding Land Open to Hunt

Wisconsin has an abundance of land open to hunting, including state-managed wildlife areas, fisheries areas, natural areas, forests and private land enrolled in the Managed Forest Law (MFL), Forest Crop Law (FCL), Voluntary Public Access (VPA) or Wisconsin Damage Abatement and Claims (WDACP) programs. Combined, hunters have access to nearly seven million acres of land throughout Wisconsin. To find a place to hunt, visit the DNR's website.
 

Find Land With FFlight

The Fields & Forest Lands Interactive Gamebird Hunting Tool (FFLIGHT) is an online mapping application designed to help upland game bird hunters locate cover suitable for ruffed grouse and woodcock, managed dove fields and properties stocked with game farm pheasants.