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Columbia County, Wisconsin
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: the hunter's file
Deer unit Columbia, bear and turkey zones, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: Mobilus In Mobili (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Key facts for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds is a DNR state wildlife area in Columbia County. The DNR files it under its South Central Region (south-central Wisconsin). Management sits with the Wisconsin DNR. Acreage: 248, which places it 175th of 285 state wildlife areas. Without a mapped point, this page uses the centre of Columbia County for every distance (Wyocena is nearest).
From the source page (DNR property page (248-acre)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds by zone and unit
Deer: Southern Farmland zone, Columbia. 8,800 antlerless deer: the 2026 quota for the unit. Bear hunters here apply for Zone F: 764 applied for 2026 and 764 permits went out. CWD-positive deer have been recorded in Columbia County; free testing is offered statewide. Baiting and feeding deer are banned in Columbia County.
DMU figures for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
| Unit | Deer zone | Quota | Public-access bonus | Private bonus | Farmland per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Southern Farmland | 8,800 | 1,000 | 4,000 | 4 |
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds zone table
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone F | No dogs | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Ruffed grouse B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Duck | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Goose | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 |
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.
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: the property description
Copied from the official listing.
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds is a 248-acre property located in Columbia County along the Crawfish River. Find it by taking Lewis Street from Columbus, which turns into old Highway 73. The grounds are just north of the Highway 151 bridge on the west side of the road. The property consists of approximately 175 acres of wetland, 60 acres of upland and 20 forested acres. This public hunting ground was established to provide the public with additional hunting and recreating opportunities.
In the late 1990s, a wetland restoration project was completed, creating a habitat for wildlife, especially waterfowl.
Hunting lines from the Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds page
- The Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds are primarily managed as a restored wetland complex to provide opportunities for hunting, trapping and wildlife viewing.
- The Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds offers many recreational opportunities:
- Hunting (especially noted for deer, waterfowl, turkey [Zone 3] and furbearers)
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Access, closures and licenses for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: open to whom, and how
Open to public hunting and trapping in state seasons with the right Wisconsin licenses. Posted refuges and closed areas are off limits, and the NR 45 state land rules apply.
Orange, stands and GameReg at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Bowhunters too: when a gun deer season is on, 50% of the coat and hat must be orange or pink, unless you are hunting waterfowl. A ground blind on DNR property needs 144 sq in of orange or pink during gun deer seasons. South of Hwy. 64 every stand and blind leaves with you; north of it, two portable stands per county may stay out Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Use GameReg (online or 844-426-3734) before 5 p.m. the day after the harvest.
Tags and licenses for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Licenses sell on Go Wild. On public land, antlerless deer need a public-access authorization for the unit.
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.
Which animals Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds lists
Game on the record for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: whitetails, wild turkeys, ducks and geese and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Ducks and geese
Furbearers
Seasons not named here still apply if they are open in Columbia County and the property rules allow.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Which seasons are open in Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds are listed.
| Species | Season | Where it applies | Opens | Closes | 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 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt: Columbia | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone F | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 3/1/2 | 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.
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: county harvest and CWD tests
Hunters registered 7,189 deer in the Columbia County unit in 2025: 3,299 bucks and 3,890 antlerless. High year on the chart: 2020 at 7,440; low year: 2017 at 5,828. Preliminary 2026 count to Oct. 19: 571 in Columbia. Columbia County CWD testing (2025): 169 positives out of 616 samples. Cumulative total 824 positives in 9,739 tests. Harvest and CWD figures cover Columbia County as a whole.
Columbia County deer by year
| Year | Buck | Antlerless | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,299 | 3,890 | 7,189 |
| 2024 | 3,317 | 3,859 | 7,176 |
| 2023 | 3,203 | 3,426 | 6,629 |
| 2022 | 3,219 | 3,658 | 6,877 |
| 2021 | 3,016 | 3,151 | 6,167 |
| 2020 | 3,357 | 4,083 | 7,440 |
Testing for CWD, Columbia County
| Year | Deer tested | CWD positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 44 | 14 |
| 2025 | 616 | 169 |
| 2024 | 595 | 129 |
| 2023 | 534 | 112 |
| 2022 | 477 | 93 |
| 2021 | 510 | 74 |
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.
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds pinned among its neighbours
No pin for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: the DNR gives no point. Distances are from the middle of Columbia County. That is 7,627 acres of public ground.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Run Oak Savanna | State natural area | 455 | 1.3 mi | southwest |
| Rocky Run | Fishery area | 740 | 1.4 mi | southwest |
| Rowe | WPA | 334 | 3.6 mi | south |
| Roelke Creek | Fishery area | 40 | 4.2 mi | east |
| Mud Lake (Columbia County) | Wildlife area | 2,277 | 4.7 mi | southeast |
| Mud Lake Forest and Ponds | State natural area | 131 | 4.7 mi | southeast |
| Hinkson Creek | WPA | 337 | 5.0 mi | southwest |
| Swan Lake Sedge Meadow and Barrens | State natural area | 698 | 5.4 mi | northwest |
| Empire Prairies | State natural area | 116 | 5.5 mi | southeast |
| Swan Lake | Wildlife area | 2,499 | 5.7 mi | northwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (county centre, no point published). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Towns, processors and DNR desks near Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a butcher and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wyocena | Columbia | 2.1 mi | 732 | 15,185 |
| Rio | Columbia | 4.7 mi | 1,126 | 13,789 |
| Pardeeville | Columbia | 4.7 mi | 2,258 | 16,019 |
| Dekorra | Columbia | 6.6 mi | — | 14,996 |
For the wider county picture: Columbia County.
Venison, mounts and ammo near Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: agency contacts
County service center: DNR Fitchburg Service Center (608-275-3266).
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.
First and last legal minute at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey: 30 minutes before sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset. Ducks, geese, doves and spring turkey: same start, done at sunset.
| Date | Season moment | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 89.33 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Questions hunters raise about Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds
How much orange do I wear at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
During any firearm deer season: 50% of your outer clothing above the waist and 50% of any cap, blaze orange or pink. Waterfowl hunters are exempt.
When must I register a turkey from Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
Deer: online, phone or station by 5 p.m. next day. Turkeys: online or phone only.
Which tags work on Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
No special permit for most of it; buy the license on Go Wild and carry public-access antlerless tags.
Is there other public ground around Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
By straight-line distance: Rocky Run Oak Savanna State Natural Area (1 mile), Rocky Run Fishery Area (1 mile) and Rowe Waterfowl Production Area (4 miles).
What type of property is Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds on the record?
It is a DNR state wildlife area, managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
What size is Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds on the record?
About 248 acres.
What is the nearest town to Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
Base in Wyocena, 2 miles away; the ground is in Columbia County. Counted from the middle of Columbia County.
Which game is named for Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
The property record lists whitetails, wild turkeys, ducks and geese and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What is the antlerless quota at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
Columbia, part of the Southern Farmland zone. Antlerless goal for 2026: 8,800.
Which bear permit zone holds Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
F. You need a Class A license from the drawing.
What waterfowl dates apply at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
Duck zone: Southern; goose zone: Southern. Southern Zone ducks open Oct 3, 2026-27.
Can I put out corn for deer at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds?
Not here: Columbia County is under the ban. CWD has been found in wild deer in Columbia County.
Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds: one more look before the drive
Signs on the ground beat any web page. Read the posted boundaries at Columbus Wetland Public Hunting Grounds when you arrive.
Sources for this page: DNR: columbus · DNR: alpha · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Joe K Gage (CC BY-SA 2.0); GA-Kayaker (CC BY 2.0).