Lands_Content Page_Sandhill outdoor skills calendar

Sandhill outdoor skills calendar

The Sandhill Outdoor Skills Center provides a variety of educational activities in the wide and wild world of wildlife recreation. Wildlife staff, volunteers and guest instructors conduct various workshops each year, primarily on weekends. Workshops use both an indoor classroom center as well as the outdoor world of the Sandhill Wildlife Area. Workshops introduce participants to the appropriate use of outdoor equipment, develop skills to feel more competent outdoors and introduce participants to others who share similar interests. Outdoor skills programs are enhanced by a shooting range, trails and opportunities for supervised hunting and trapping experiences. These workshops and clinics are designed to be hands-on learning experiences to improve participants' knowledge, skills and experience level.

Workshop Registration

The Sandhill Wildlife Area is open to the public year-round. Individuals and groups are welcome to register for any of our workshops on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nominal fees are charged per participant for most Outdoor Skills Center workshops and tours to cover the costs of educational materials, meals and special equipment. Checks should be made out to the "DNR Skills Center". Registration is based on receipt of an application and fees. We do not currently accept credit/debit cards or cash.

Those registering for workshops will receive a confirmation when the application is processed and will get a reminder of the upcoming event about one week before the event.

To register for a program, you will need to complete both forms below and include a check for the total cost of the program. Most programs now have an online registration form linked below under each workshop. If you prefer to register this way, you will need to fill out an online registration form for each member of your party. This online registration serves as both your registration application and your photo release, however, you will still need to send a check via mail or in-person delivery. Please include a check for the total cost of the program, including everyone in your party. Checks should be made out to the “DNR Skills Center”. Please do not send cash. To find the registration fee per person for the desired programs, please see the flyer posted below. You or your party may only register for one program per application. Please fill out an additional application for each program if you desire to attend. Online registration forms will close when the program is at its maximum capacity. Please contact Quinn Brownell at quinn.brownell@wisconsin.gov or 715-884-6335 to confirm availability or be added to the waitlist.

Required Forms

If you are not registering online, please fill out the required forms below:

Note: Many current browsers do not open PDF files on their own. If you experience trouble opening or filling out a PDF form, visit the DNR PDF help for instructions on how to open PDF files successfully.

Please mail both completed forms (if not registering online) along with a check to:

Workshop Registration
Sandhill Wildlife Area
PO Box 156
Babcock, WI 54413

For more information, please contact Quinn Brownell at quinn.brownell@wisconsin.gov or 715-884-6335.

Upcoming Workshops

  • May 27, 2023 – Universe in the Park (Night Skies) [PDF]
  • June 10, 2023 – Walking Stick Workshop hosted by the Friends of Sandhill [PDF] 
    • Registration is run through the Friends group. To register, please contact Vicki Palen at vpalen@tds.net or 715-652-3131.
    • Please do not mail the required materials. Participants will be required to sign in and fill out a photo release form on the day of the event.
  • June 17, 2023 – Beauties and the Beasts Natural Resources Foundation Tour [PDF]
    • Registration is posted on the NRF website [exit DNR]. Please do not mail the required materials. Participants will be required to fill out a photo release form on the day of the event.
  • July 1, 2023– Applications are due for the 2023 Learn to Hunt Deer Program
    • Please see the “Learn to Hunt Deer” section at the bottom of the page for more information.
  • July 15, 2023 – Geocaching 101 [PDF]
  • July 22, 2023 – Learn to Fish
    • Registration has not yet opened. More information to come soon.
  • July 28-30, 2023 – Wilderness First Aid Course *New Workshop*
  • Aug. 5, 2023 – Sandhill Bike Tour [PDF]
  • Aug. 23, 25, 26, 2023 – Learn to Hunt Deer Workshop
    • By special permit only. Please see the “Learn to Hunt Deer” section at the bottom of the page for more information.
    • The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023.
  • Sept. 9, 2023 – Wild Edibles Hike
    • Registration has not yet opened. More information to come soon.
  • Sept. 15-17, 2023 – Trapper’s Education Workshop
    • Registration will be posted on Go Wild [exit DNR] when it is opened. Please do not mail the required materials.
  • Sept. 23, 2023 – Prescribed Burns as a Management Tool [PDF]
  • Sept. 30 - Oct. 1, 2023 – Mushroom Hunting with Mead Wildlife Area
    • Registration has not yet opened. More information to come soon.
  • Oct. 21, 2023 – Crane Watch Natural Resources Foundation Tour [PDF]
    • Registration is posted on the NRF website [exit DNR]. Please do not mail the required materials. Participants will be required to fill out a photo release form on the day of the event.
    • Registration is currently full. A waitlist has been started on the NRF website.
  • Oct. 28, 2023 – Crane Watch hosted by the Friends of Sandhill [PDF] 
    • Registration is run through the Friends group. To register please contact Vicki Palen at vpalen@tds.net or 715-652-3131.
    • Please do not mail the required materials. Participants will be required to sign in and fill out a photo release form on the day of the event.
  • Nov. 4, 2023 – Learn to Hunt Deer Hunt Day 
    • By special permit only. Please see the “Learn to Hunt Deer” section at the bottom of the page for more information.
    • The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023.
  • Nov. 11, 2023 – Deer Butchering Workshop 
    • Registration has not yet opened. More information to come soon.
  • Dec. 9, 2023 – Winter Tracking Workshop [PDF]

Note: Check back often, as new workshop and events information will be added throughout the year.

Sandhill Trapping Permit

The application period for the 2022-2023 managed trapping season is closed. The next anticipated application period is August 2023.

Learn To Hunt Deer

The Department is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Sandhill Learn to Hunt Deer workshop. The deadline to apply is July 1, 2023.