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WPA · South Central region
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area in Dane County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: edenpictures (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area: record card
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area: a federal waterfowl production area, located in Dane County. Region on record: the DNR South Central Region. The Fish and Wildlife Service writes the rules on the ground. The 71 acres on record put it 76th of the 103 waterfowl production areas we list. Base town: Oregon, some 6 miles away. Leopold Wetland Management District is the larger unit around it.
From the source page (FWS Realty GIS acres (SUM_GISACRES) for the unit); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area deer unit, quota and game zones
The deer unit is Dane, in the Southern Farmland zone. The 2026 antlerless quota for that unit is 5,200. For black bear this is Zone F, with no hound hunting; 764 permits for 2026. Turkey hunting falls under Zone 2, which had 51,056 spring permits in 2025. The DNR counts Dane County among its CWD-affected counties. Dane County sits under the DNR deer baiting and feeding ban.
The deer unit around Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
| DMU | Deer zone | Antlerless quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Free tags per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane | Southern Farmland | 5,200 | 700 | 2,500 | 2 |
| Dane County Metro Sub-Unit | Metro sub-unit | Parent unit | 0 | 0 | — |
Bear, turkey and bird zones at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
| Zone | Rule | Numbers | Extra | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear F | Bait only | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Wild turkey 2 | 51,056 spring tags (2025) | 22% success | 11,024 gobblers | 2,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse zone B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Wolf zone 6 | Closed | Federally endangered |
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.
Rules on the ground at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Entry terms for Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Hunt waterfowl, upland game and big game here under state seasons, unless posted; remove all equipment at day's end. Leopold district rules add dog control and 144 sq in of orange or pink on ground blinds in gun deer season; Blue Wing and Wilcox are closed.
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
During any firearm deer season, everyone hunting except waterfowlers wears blaze orange or fluorescent pink on at least half the clothing above the waist, and on half of any cap. GameReg registration is due by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
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.
Game and bag limits at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Ducks and geese, whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
Ducks and geese
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Pheasant
Small game
Furbearers
Other legal game follows the Dane County season table below.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Every Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area season on one table
Private and public land share these dates. A state park, refuge or Fort McCoy can close sooner, so read the property page before you go.
| Animal | Segment | Scope | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: Madison | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 9, 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: Dane | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended archery and crossbow | Extended archery | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone F/E | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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.
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area and the land it belongs with
Parent property: Leopold Wetland Management District, which has 57 listed parts.
The rest of Leopold Wetland Management District
| Page | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Uihlein | WPA | Winnebago | 2,436 |
| Baraboo River | WPA | Columbia | 950 |
| Schoeneberg Marsh | WPA | Columbia | 735 |
| Harvey's Marsh | WPA | Dane, Rock | 681 |
| Trenton | WPA | Dodge | 514 |
| Oakfield | WPA | Fond du Lac | 430 |
| Becker | WPA | Columbia | 357 |
| Manthey | WPA | Columbia | 352 |
| New Chester | WPA | Adams | 343 |
| Hinkson Creek | WPA | Columbia | 337 |
| Rowe | WPA | Columbia | 334 |
| Kettle Moraine | WPA | Sheboygan | 303 |
| Schwengel | WPA | Ozaukee | 302 |
| Severson | WPA | Columbia | 251 |
| Island Lake | WPA | Dane | 245 |
Harvest numbers for the country around Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
2025 in Dane County: 2,247 bucks, 2,191 antlerless, 4,438 in all. Range since 2016: 3,630 to 4,948 deer a year. Early 2026 registrations (archery, crossbow, youth hunt): Dane 254. The DNR sampled 1,002 deer from Dane County in 2025; 193 had CWD. 2,116 positives overall, from 36,578 deer. Figures are for the whole county unit, not Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Dane County unit harvest
| Season | Bucks | Does and fawns | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,247 | 2,191 | 4,438 |
| 2024 | 2,084 | 2,319 | 4,403 |
| 2023 | 2,328 | 2,133 | 4,461 |
| 2022 | 2,170 | 2,303 | 4,473 |
| 2021 | 1,936 | 2,011 | 3,947 |
| 2020 | 2,421 | 2,527 | 4,948 |
CWD samples, Dane County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 64 | 13 |
| 2025 | 1,002 | 193 |
| 2024 | 964 | 166 |
| 2023 | 941 | 171 |
| 2022 | 1,016 | 198 |
| 2021 | 971 | 158 |
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.
Bed, fuel and a butcher near Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | Dane | 5.9 mi | 11,895 | 10,083 |
| Deerfield | Dane | 13 mi | 2,647 | 6,488 |
| Madison | Dane | 13 mi | 285,300 | 4,557 |
| Belleville | Dane | 14 mi | 2,635 | 7,306 |
Season and zone pages by county: Dane County.
Who processes a deer from Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Where to ask about Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Licenses and questions for Dane County go through 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.
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area and nearby public ground
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Combined, 4,461 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hook Lake Bog Grass Lake | Wildlife area | 874 | 2.4 mi | west |
| Hook Lake Bog | State natural area | 527 | 2.9 mi | west |
| Lake Kegonsa | State park | 355 | 3.3 mi | northeast |
| Lower Mud Lake | Fishery area | 409 | 3.7 mi | north |
| Anthony Branch (Remnant) | Fishery area | 2 | 4.1 mi | southwest |
| Anthony Branch Fisheries and | Habitat area | 684 | 4.6 mi | southwest |
| Badfish Creek | Wildlife area | 1,154 | 4.9 mi | south |
| Waubesa Wetlands | State natural area | 333 | 5.1 mi | northwest |
| Badfish Creek Wet Prairie and Spring Seeps | State natural area | 101 | 5.1 mi | south |
| Lake Waubesa | Fishery area | 22 | 5.3 mi | northwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (FWS National Realty FWSInterest_Simplified_Authoritative (unit centroid) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Shooting-hour table for Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Two tables cover the state, one for the Northern Area and one for the Southern Area, each for Zone A. West of 88 degrees you add 4 minutes per degree of longitude.
| Date | Why it matters | 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 89.28 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area: nearest ranges
The DNR-map range closest to Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area is Hope Rod & Gun Club (6 miles). Club ranges within 30 miles are included.
handgun, trap, shotgun, skeet, smallbore rimfire on file
trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, archery on file
trap, skeet, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Before-the-trip answers for Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
What deer tags work on Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
It is in Dane (Southern Farmland). This year the antlerless quota is 5,200.
How hard is a bear permit for Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
Zone F; hounds may not be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
Zone 2. Success in 2025 was 22%.
Which goose zone is Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area in?
Ducks follow the Southern zone, Canada geese the Southern zone. Opening day for Southern Zone ducks is Oct 3.
Can I bait deer at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
No bait or feed in Dane County. The county list for CWD includes Dane County.
When does orange apply at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area deer go into GameReg?
By 5 p.m. the following day, through GameReg; bears also go to a station or online the same way.
What paperwork does Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area need?
Gun deer ($24), archer ($24) or small game ($18) for residents; nonresident gun deer is $200.
Which public land sits closest to Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
Hook Lake Bog – Grass Lake Wildlife Area (2 miles), Hook Lake Bog State Natural Area (3 miles) and Lake Kegonsa State Park (3 miles), each with a page here.
What does Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area belong to?
A piece of Leopold Wetland Management District.
Is Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A federal waterfowl production area; the manager is the Fish and Wildlife Service.
Is Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area a big property?
71 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area?
Dane County; Oregon, the nearest town we cover, is 6 miles away.
Signing off on Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Gadwall Swamp Waterfowl Production Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: FWS realty layer · USFWS: hunting · USFWS: leopold · eCFR: section 32.68; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Yellowstone National Park (Public domain); Peter Sheik (CC BY 2.0).