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Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area hunting guide
Everything we could verify about Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area: acreage, zones, property rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Mobilus In Mobili (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
The short version on Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
In Columbia County you will find Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, a federal waterfowl production area. On the DNR map it belongs to the South Central Region. The managing body is the Fish and Wildlife Service. At 337 acres it sits 20th by area in a field of 103 waterfowl production areas. About 2 miles north of Poynette. Look up Leopold Wetland Management District for the wider property it sits in.
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 Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area: what is allowed
How access works on Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
WPA rules: state seasons for ducks, geese, upland birds and deer; nothing left overnight, so blinds, stands, decoys and boats go home daily. Keep dogs under control. Gun-season ground blinds show 144 sq in of orange or pink. Blue Wing (Ozaukee) and Wilcox (Waushara) WPAs are closed to all hunting.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area: rules from the regulations
From the October youth hunt through the Holiday Hunt, blaze orange or pink covers half of your upper clothing and cap. Register deer, turkeys and bears through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery.
What Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area costs in licenses
Buy through Go Wild; the free Farmland tags and bonus tags are marked public-access or private-land, and only public-access ones work here.
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.
Tags and zones for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
For deer it lies in the Southern Farmland zone (Columbia). This season the unit quota is 8,800 antlerless deer. Zone F bear permits took 1 preference point in 2026; the target is 50 bears. The 2025 spring level for Turkey Zone 3 was 55,612 authorizations; 12,324 birds were registered. Columbia County: CWD found in wild deer, and a CWD-positive deer earns a replacement authorization. No deer bait or feed: Columbia County is a ban county.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area: antlerless quota and bonus tags
| Deer unit | Zone | 2026 quota | Public bonus left | Private bonus left | Free farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | Southern Farmland | 8,800 | 1,000 | 4,000 | 4 |
Every other zone Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area touches
| Zone | Detail | Figures | Points or note | Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear F | Hounds barred | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey zone 3 | 55,612 spring tags (2025) | 22% success | 12,324 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Duck zone | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Goose zone | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Gray wolf zone 6 | No season | Federally listed |
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.
Quarry and limits, Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
The list for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area reads: ducks and geese, whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Ducks and geese
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Pheasant
Small game
Furbearers
The list is what the agency names, not a limit: other Columbia County seasons apply under the same rules.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area season calendar, 2026-27
Archery, the nine-day gun hunt, muzzleloader, bear, turkey, upland birds, rabbits, furbearers and the duck and goose splits for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area.
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Units connected to Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area is one of 57 units that Leopold Wetland Management District lists.
Leopold Wetland Management District units beside Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
| Unit | Type | Where | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Rowe | WPA | Columbia | 334 |
| Kettle Moraine | WPA | Sheboygan | 303 |
| Schwengel | WPA | Ozaukee | 302 |
| Severson | WPA | Columbia | 251 |
| Island Lake | WPA | Dane | 245 |
| Swan Pond | WPA | Dane | 240 |
Nearest public ground to Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, mapped
10 more properties lie close to Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, shown with smaller pins. Acres across them: 7,964.
| Neighbour | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hinkson Creek | Fishery area | 235 | 1.6 mi | southwest |
| Rowan Creek | Fishery area | 644 | 2.6 mi | south |
| Rocky Run Oak Savanna | State natural area | 455 | 3.7 mi | northeast |
| Rocky Run | Fishery area | 740 | 3.7 mi | northeast |
| Mud Lake (Columbia County) | Wildlife area | 2,277 | 5.9 mi | east |
| Mud Lake Forest and Ponds | State natural area | 131 | 6.6 mi | east |
| Lost Lake | State natural area | 169 | 7.2 mi | northwest |
| Swan Lake Sedge Meadow and Barrens | State natural area | 698 | 7.3 mi | north |
| Swan Lake | Wildlife area | 2,499 | 7.4 mi | north |
| Empire Prairies | State natural area | 116 | 7.5 mi | east |
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.
Registered deer and bears near Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
The 2025 registered deer total for the Columbia County unit was 7,189 (3,299 antlered). 2020 was the busiest year shown (7,440 deer) and 2017 the leanest (5,828). The 2026 season to date shows 571 deer in Columbia; the DNR calls it preliminary. 616 samples, 169 positive: that is Columbia County in CWD year 2025. All years combined: 824 of 9,739. These numbers describe the county around Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, not the property alone.
Deer registered near Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
| Year | Bucks registered | Antlerless registered | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Columbia County CWD by year
| CWD year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area: nearest ranges
About 10 miles separates Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area from Columbia County Shooting Range, the nearest public map range. Closer club options sit beside it.
rifle, shotgun on file
archery, 3D archery on file
rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, muzzleloader, air gun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Towns, offices and services around Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
Towns, then services in this county and the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poynette | Columbia | 2.3 mi | 2,834 | 8,779 |
| Dekorra | Columbia | 3.3 mi | — | 14,996 |
| Wyocena | Columbia | 7.1 mi | 732 | 15,185 |
| Rio | Columbia | 8.5 mi | 1,126 | 13,789 |
Our county write-ups: Columbia County.
Butchers, mounts and gun counters near Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
Service centers near Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
For Columbia County, the DNR points to its 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.
When the shooting day opens and closes at Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area
The DNR tables are worked out for Zone A in the east; Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area lies in longitude Zone C, so add 8 minutes to each table time.
| Day | Reason | Northern table | Southern table |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 89.41 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area in questions and answers
How fast must I register a kill on Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Can pink replace orange at Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Yes while gun deer seasons are open; half your upper clothing and hat in orange or fluorescent pink.
What neighbours Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Closest first: Hinkson Creek Fishery Area (2 miles), Rowan Creek Fishery Area (3 miles) and Rocky Run Oak Savanna State Natural Area (4 miles).
Is a permit required for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Your Wisconsin license is enough; residents pay $24 for gun deer, $18 for small game.
Who is the land manager for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
The Fish and Wildlife Service manages it; the land is a federal waterfowl production area.
Is Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area part of a larger property?
It is a unit of Leopold Wetland Management District.
How far is the drive from Poynette to Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Columbia County, roughly 2 miles out of Poynette.
How large is Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, in acres?
Acreage on record: 337.
Is Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area forest or farmland deer country?
Columbia in the Southern Farmland zone. The unit quota stands at 8,800 antlerless deer this year.
Which game does Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area list?
The source lists ducks and geese, whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes. Other open seasons apply too, within the property rules.
Is Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area good turkey ground?
Apply for Zone 3; spring periods A-F run in 2027 from April 21.
Are hounds allowed for bear at Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Bear Zone F: 764 permits drawn for 2026.
What are the CWD and bait rules for Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area?
Deer bait is illegal in Columbia County. Columbia County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area, final notes
Print the Hinkson Creek Waterfowl Production Area map, carry your tags, and check the manager page the week you go.
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: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region (Public domain); USFWSmidwest (Public domain).