Wisconsin’s Public Lands Are The Perfect Place To Pursue Birds This Spring
Each year, thousands of outdoor enthusiasts use Wisconsin’s public lands for a variety of activities, ranging from birdwatching to hunting. For those interested in exploring all Wisconsin has to offer, the department has several tools available to help users find a new favorite spot in the wild.
The DNR’s free Hunt Wild mobile app gives hunters the tools they need to plan their time in the field, combining public lands mapping, rules and regulations, shooting hours and the option to link their Go Wild account.
Through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, public access to nearly 40,000 acres of private land is available through the Voluntary Public Access-Habitat Incentive Program (VPA-HIP) and the Turkey Hunter Access Program (THAP). More information and interactive property maps for VPA-HIP and THAP are available on the DNR website.
Hunters who would like to pursue turkeys in a state park must hold a harvest authorization for the turkey management zone in which the park is located. Spring turkey hunting is allowed in select state parks during the two-day youth hunt and the first two time periods of the regular season. For more information regarding hunting in state parks, click here.
The Fort McCoy spring turkey hunting season is managed separately from the State of Wisconsin spring turkey hunt. Hunters who do not receive a harvest authorization through the Wisconsin spring turkey drawing are eligible to apply for a spring permit at Fort McCoy. Applications can be obtained from Fort McCoy by calling 608-388-3337 or visiting mccoy.isportsman.net (EXIT DNR). |