Yellowstone Wildlife Area

Yellowstone Wildlife Area is a 4,000-acre property in the Southwest Savanna Ecoregion of Wisconsin. Its rolling topography, indicative of the Driftless Area, makes it one of the larger state-owned properties in southwestern Wisconsin. Half of the property was purchased in 1989 as the first Knowles-Nelson Stewardship acquisition.

Yellowstone provides numerous opportunities for hunting, trapping, and fishing. Over 1,000 pheasants are annually stocked for fall hunting seasons, and a Class II trout stream and Yellowstone Lake provide numerous fishing opportunities.

Many hunters take advantage of the shooting range on site, which consists of 100-, 50-, and 25-yard ranges. Additionally, Yellowstone offers 30 miles of equestrian trails and is the only wildlife area to do so.

Management Objectives

Yellowstone Wildlife Area is managed to provide numerous habitat types across the property. Large areas of ridge-top grasslands and oak savanna restoration work are a priority, while oak forests are maintained and improved. These habitats benefit game species such as pheasants, turkeys, and deer, as well as non-game species such as bobolinks and meadowlarks.

Shooting Range Information

The Yellowstone Wildlife Area Shooting Range, located in northeastern Lafayette County, is owned by the Department of Natural Resources and is managed in cooperation with the Fayette Sportsman's Club. The shooting range is open daily each week throughout the year, except for Tuesdays, when the range is closed for use by state and local law enforcement agencies. There are no fees required for use of the range. Please abide by all the rules for the use of the shooting range. Everyone is responsible for safe shooting practices, courtesy to others, and litter pickup and disposal are everyone's responsibility. Acts of vandalism, unsafe shooting and violation of any of the other rules listed below will not be tolerated and may result in restricted hours of operation in the future. Please cooperate to keep this range safe, open and free to the public.

Driving Directions to the Yellowstone Wildlife Area Shooting Range

GPS = 42o45.938 N x 090o00.236 W

From Darlington — Follow County Highway F north of Darlington, which is approximately 8.5 miles from the shooting range, located on the right-hand side of Highway F.

From Blanchardville — Follow County Highway F south of Blanchardville, approximately 9 miles. Go past the entrance to Yellowstone Lake State Park (Lake Road), approximately 1.2 miles to the shooting range, located on the left-hand side of Highway F.

From Argyle — Follow State Highway 81 approximately 1 mile west of Argyle to County Highway G. Go right on Highway G approximately 7 miles to County Highway F. Go right on Highway F approximately 3/4 mile to the shooting range, located on the right-hand side of Highway F.