Hunt Fish Camp WI

WI Rules and Regulations - Hunting and Trapping in State Parks

Hunting and trapping are allowed in most state parks and on some linear trails each year from November 15 – December 15. Hunting with legal bow and crossbow methods is allowed Dec. 15 through the Sunday nearest January 6. Also, hunting and trapping are allowed April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3.

Some parks and trails have weapons restrictions, variances in season dates, or are closed or have areas closed to hunting and trapping. For questions on specific parks, check with the park office and consult the park’s hunting map for specific dates and allowable activities.

Park Regulations and General Information

1. Park vehicle admission stickers are required on all motorized vehicles that enter a state park. Hunters are encouraged to purchase stickers before opening morning to avoid delays at the office or self-registration stations.

2. Hunters are responsible for parking in designated parking areas and other approved areas. All parking and traffic regulations apply during the hunting seasons. Off-road motor vehicle operation is prohibited.

3. Non-hunting visitors are also enjoying the park during hunting and trapping seasons; they may or may not be wearing blaze orange. Make sure you know where closed areas, campgrounds, buildings, and trails are located to avoid user conflicts. Hunters should be especially aware of gun safety and be certain of your target and what is beyond it.

4. Fishing with bow and spears is allowed no closer than 100 yards from a designated swimming beach or boat launch. 5. Please see the DNR website or check hunting regulations regarding hunting blinds on state lands.

6. All state regulations relating to baiting apply.

7. Fires are permitted for campers in designated campfire rings only. No fires are permitted while hunting. Be sure all smoking material is extinguished.

8. Certain exemptions from rules are allowed for Class A and certain Class B disabled permit holders.

9. Local ordinances may apply within the boundaries of DNR property prohibiting actions such as the discharge of firearms. Please contact local officials for additional details. 10. Please respect private lands within or near the state park while enjoying the outdoors.

11. You are responsible for undertaking your recreational activity in a safe and legal manner.

12. It is illegal to hunt within 50 feet of a roadway’s center or discharge a firearm, bow, crossbow, or air gun from or across a paved park road.

13. Discharge a firearm, bow, crossbow, or air gun from, on, or across a state trail corridor or state park area which is closed to hunting.

14. Shoot a firearm within 100 yards of a building devoted to human occupancy on lands you do not own without permission.

15. Hike or snowshoe on designated cross-country ski trails when the ski trails are snow covered.

16. Take, catch, kill, hunt, trap or pursue any wild animal or bird, or discharge any firearm on state park lands closed to hunting.

17. Target shoot in a state park.  Damage trees on state land. Cutting shooting lanes, marking trees, and use of screw-in tree-stands or steps are considered damaging and are illegal.

Trapping:

18. Trapping is allowed in all areas open to hunting, except within 100 yards of a designated trail or other designated use area, such as a campground and a picnic area, as shown on the property’s map. Trapping is prohibited in all closed areas. No person may place a trap on dry land unless the trap is an enclosed trigger trap. Completely submerged water set traps are also allowed.

Hunting and Trapping Hours

19. Standard park hours are 6 am – 11 pm. Only registered campers who are in the campground or who are traveling to their campsites and those actively involved in fishing may be in the park after 11 p.m.

20. Hunters can enter a state park one hour prior to the daily start of hunting hours. When DNR regulations do not establish daily opening and closing times, hunters and trappers may enter the park one hour prior to sunrise.

For more information on hunting rules, regulations and season dates, please see the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov, and search keyword: regulations.