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State park, south-central Wisconsin
Blue Mound State Park hunting notes
1,162 acres of state park in Iowa and Dane counties, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aliivibrio (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Blue Mound State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Blue Mound State Park
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Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Blue Mound State Park, by its record
Count Blue Mound State Park among the state parks of Iowa and Dane counties. It falls in the DNR South Central Region, south-central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (1,162 acres) it is number 21 among 49 state parks on our list. Head south from Arena for about 10 miles.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, whole property (hunting only in areas the property hunting map shows open)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Blue Mound State Park
Zone lines at Blue Mound State Park
Deer rules follow the Southern Farmland zone and Iowa and Dane. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 3,000 and 5,200. In Bear Zone E the DNR drew 2,628 permits for a target of 185 bears; drawn hunters needed 1 point. Turkey Zone 1: 64,574 spring authorizations in 2025 and 21% hunter success. Iowa and Dane counties are on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Iowa and Dane counties.
Blue Mound State Park deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | Southern Farmland | 3,000 | 650 | 2,000 | 1 |
| Dane | Southern Farmland | 5,200 | 700 | 2,500 | 2 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Blue Mound State Park
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear E | No hound hunting | 185 target, 2,628 permits | 1 point | 128 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Canada geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Wolf zone 6 | Closed | Federal protection |
Zones from the DNR zone layers as recorded in lands.json; quotas and bonus tags from the 2026 antlerless quota table; bear figures from the 2026 bear drawing summary and 2025 bear harvest; turkey from the 2025 spring turkey report; CWD and baiting lists from the DNR. Checked October 19, 2026.
Hunting Blue Mound State Park within the rules
Who may hunt Blue Mound State Park
Hunt only in open areas and only in the park windows: early spring to early May, and mid-November to mid-December, with archery into early January. A vehicle admission sticker is needed.
Statewide rules that reach Blue Mound State Park
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Ground blinds on DNR land in a firearm deer season show at least 144 square inches of solid orange or pink, visible from all sides. Unattended stands carry your name or customer ID; they may be left out north of State Hwy. 64 (up to two per county), never south of it. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Blue Mound State Park license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Blue Mound State Park: refuges and closures
Blue Mound State Park carries 1 posted restriction. Typical exception: Hunting/trapping restrictions apply, check property map(s) at link provided.
| Area | Rule | Dates | Acres | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Mound State Park | Hunting/trapping Restrictions | See property map link provided | 1,126 | NR 29.089(1m)(b) |
Season windows on Blue Mound State Park
| Species | Season | Dates | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| All open seasons | Spring | April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3 (gun and archery hunting, limited trapping, open areas only) | |
| All open seasons | Fall/Winter | Nov. 15-Dec. 15 (gun and archery hunting and trapping in open seasons); archery through the Sunday nearest Jan. 6 | Exceptions for Buckhorn, Big Bay, Blue Mound, Governor Dodge, Rock Island and Tower Hill state parks. |
Access from the source page; closures from the DNR closed and restricted areas layer; stocking and dove fields from the DNR upland bird layers; rules from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations; prices from Go Wild. Checked October 19, 2026.
Blue Mound State Park: the game on record
The source names whitetails and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Blue Mound State Park.
White-tailed deer
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Iowa County applies too, within the property rules.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Blue Mound State Park hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 39 segments reach Blue Mound State Park. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth/disabled gun hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun deer (9-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | December antlerless hunt | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone E/F | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 1 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone B | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 8, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite Quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Hungarian partridge | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Cottontail rabbit | Southern cottontail zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe hare | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| American Crow | Crow | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl hunt | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 1) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 2) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Southern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (holiday split) | Southern Goose Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (resident) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (nonresident) | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote (hunting) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | North of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | South of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | North of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | South of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations and season dates, checked October 19, 2026.
The land at Blue Mound State Park
This is the agency description, quoted.
Hunting Blue Mound State Park Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties. For more information, please see: Hunting and trapping in Wisconsin State Parks Blue Mound State Park hunting and trapping map In addition to the opportunities that are available during the state parks hunting/trapping time frame, hunting opportunities in state parks that were already established by rule and in place prior to the enactment of 2011 ACT 168, remain in place.
At Blue Mound State Park, this includes archery deer hunting, which is allowed in the park from Oct. 15 through the Sunday nearest Jan. 6.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Deer, bears and CWD around Blue Mound State Park
Last full season (2025) the Iowa County unit gave up 2,948 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 2,948 (2025) to 5,424 (2018). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Iowa 168 deer and Dane 254 deer. In CWD year 2025, 724 Iowa County deer were tested and 170 came back positive. Since 1999: 54,695 sampled, 4,732 positive. Property-level harvest does not exist for Blue Mound State Park; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Iowa County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,578 | 1,370 | 2,948 |
| 2024 | 1,555 | 1,465 | 3,020 |
| 2023 | 1,879 | 1,654 | 3,533 |
| 2022 | 1,731 | 1,919 | 3,650 |
| 2021 | 1,780 | 1,963 | 3,743 |
| 2020 | 2,325 | 3,085 | 5,410 |
CWD results near Blue Mound State Park
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 34 | 12 |
| 2025 | 724 | 170 |
| 2024 | 694 | 175 |
| 2023 | 885 | 243 |
| 2022 | 934 | 264 |
| 2021 | 1,047 | 324 |
Deer from DNR Deer Metrics harvest history and the 2026 harvest to date; CWD from the DNR CWD summary; bears from the DNR bear harvest reports. Checked October 19, 2026.
Where Blue Mound State Park hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arena | Iowa | 9.8 mi | 894 | 13,858 |
| Mazomanie | Dane | 10 mi | 1,769 | 10,420 |
| Dodgeville | Iowa | 15 mi | 5,077 | 8,926 |
| Blanchardville | Lafayette | 15 mi | 827 | 5,562 |
County hunting overviews: Iowa County, Dane County.
Blue Mound State Park: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Blue Mound State Park
Iowa County is served by the DNR Fitchburg Service Center.
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 19, 2026. Call ahead.
The closest public land to Blue Mound State Park
Blue Mound State Park is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 3,938.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Military Ridge | State trail | 518 | 0.9 mi | southwest |
| Elvers Creek (Remnant) | Fishery area | 105 | 4.5 mi | north |
| Trout Creek (Iowa County) | Fishery area | 953 | 6.0 mi | northwest |
| Smith-Conley Creek | Wildlife area | 10 | 7.0 mi | southwest |
| Black Earth Creek | Fishery area | 411 | 7.2 mi | northeast |
| Love & Strutt Creeks | Fishery area | 578 | 7.3 mi | west |
| Ridgeway Pine Relict | State natural area | 542 | 8.4 mi | west |
| Arena Pines and Sand Barrens | State natural area | 93 | 11 mi | north |
| Perry-Primrose Grasslands (Southwest Grassland and Stream Conservation Area) | Wildlife area | 351 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Mount Vernon Creek | Fishery area | 377 | 12 mi | southeast |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS (polygon centroid) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Blue Mound State Park
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:03 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:47 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:08 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:36 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:48 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:09 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey table times from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shooting hours tables, plus the Zone C offset of 8 minutes for longitude 89.85 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Ranges within reach of Blue Mound State Park
Yellowstone Shooting Range in Lafayette County is the nearest DNR-map range, 20 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun, archery, shotgun on file
archery, 3D archery on file
trap, sporting clays, archery, 3D archery, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Blue Mound State Park: the questions that come up
In which Wisconsin county is Blue Mound State Park?
Arena is closest (10 miles); the property is in Iowa and Dane counties.
How many acres does Blue Mound State Park cover?
1,162 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, whole property (hunting only in areas the property hunting map shows open).
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Blue Mound State Park?
Southern Farmland zone; unit Iowa and Dane. 3,000 and 5,200 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at Blue Mound State Park?
2 groups on the list: whitetails and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for Blue Mound State Park?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 1 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Blue Mound State Park?
It is in Bear Zone E, target 185 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Blue Mound State Park?
Banned in Iowa and Dane counties. Iowa and Dane counties has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover Blue Mound State Park?
Use the Southern duck dates and the Southern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Southern Zone starts Oct 3.
Is there a check station for Blue Mound State Park?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Blue Mound State Park?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
What is the hunting window at Blue Mound State Park?
Yes, the state park time frame: April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3, then Nov. 15-Dec. 15.
How do I get permission to hunt Blue Mound State Park?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Whose property is Blue Mound State Park?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this state park with hunting in its open areas.
Blue Mound State Park: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Blue Mound State Park map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: hunt · DNR: hunting · DNR: bluemound · DNR GIS · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: tuchodi (CC BY 2.0); Flappy Pigeon (CC BY-SA 4.0).