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Grant County, Wisconsin
Nelson Dewey State Park: the hunter's file
Deer unit Grant, bear and turkey zones, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: Tony Webster (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Nelson Dewey State Park
Key facts for Nelson Dewey State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park is a state park with hunting in its open areas in Grant County. The DNR files it under its South Central Region (south-central Wisconsin). Management sits with the Wisconsin DNR. Acreage: 744, which places it 31st of 49 state parks. The closest covered town is Bagley, around 12 miles off as the crow flies. It holds 1 listed unit, linked below.
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 Nelson Dewey State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park by zone and unit
Deer: Southern Farmland zone, Grant. 6,500 antlerless deer: the 2026 quota for the unit. Bear hunters here apply for Zone E: 2,628 applied for 2026 and 2,628 permits went out. In Zone 1 turkey hunters held 64,574 spring tags in 2025 (spring 2027 levels are not out yet). CWD-positive deer have been recorded in Grant County; free testing is offered statewide. Baiting and feeding deer are banned in Grant County.
DMU figures for Nelson Dewey State Park
| Unit | Deer zone | Quota | Public-access bonus | Private bonus | Farmland per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | Southern Farmland | 6,500 | 750 | 3,000 | 2 |
Nelson Dewey State Park zone table
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone E | No dogs | 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 |
| 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 | ||
| Goose | Mississippi River | — | ||
| Wolf 6 | No hunt | Endangered status |
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.
Nelson Dewey State Park: the property description
Copied from the official listing.
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.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Access, closures and licenses for Nelson Dewey State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park: open to whom, and how
State park rules limit hunting to the open zones and two windows, April 1 to early May and Nov. 15 to Dec. 15, plus archery until about Jan. 6. A state park vehicle admission pass is required.
Orange, stands and GameReg at Nelson Dewey State Park
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 Nelson Dewey State Park
Licenses sell on Go Wild. On public land, antlerless deer need a public-access authorization for the unit.
Where you cannot hunt at Nelson Dewey State Park
Mind these 1 area before you set up. The common carve-out: Hunting/trapping restrictions apply, check property map(s) at link provided.
| Area | Restriction | Dates | Acres | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nelson Dewey State Park | Hunting/trapping Restrictions | See property map link provided | 717 | NR 29.089(1m)(b) |
Dates specific to Nelson Dewey State Park
| Game | Window | Dates | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
What Nelson Dewey State Park is made of
Together its 1 units cover 30 acres.
| Unit | Category | County | Acres | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewey Heights Prairie | State natural area | Grant | 30 | — |
Which animals Nelson Dewey State Park lists
Game on the record for Nelson Dewey State Park: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Furbearers
Seasons not named here still apply if they are open in Grant 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 Nelson Dewey State Park
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for Nelson Dewey State Park 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: Grant | 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 | 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 1) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Mississippi River Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| 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.
Nelson Dewey State Park: county harvest and CWD tests
Hunters registered 5,741 deer in the Grant County unit in 2025: 2,728 bucks and 3,013 antlerless. High year on the chart: 2018 at 7,615; low year: 2025 at 5,741. Preliminary 2026 count to Oct. 19: 304 in Grant. Grant County CWD testing (2025): 82 positives out of 396 samples. Cumulative total 621 positives in 9,043 tests. Grant County bear harvest, 2024: 1. Harvest and CWD figures cover Grant County as a whole.
Grant County deer by year
| Year | Buck | Antlerless | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,728 | 3,013 | 5,741 |
| 2024 | 2,760 | 3,254 | 6,014 |
| 2023 | 3,004 | 3,460 | 6,464 |
| 2022 | 2,802 | 3,591 | 6,393 |
| 2021 | 2,884 | 3,516 | 6,400 |
| 2020 | 3,296 | 4,083 | 7,379 |
Testing for CWD, Grant County
| Year | Deer tested | CWD positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 10 | 1 |
| 2025 | 396 | 82 |
| 2024 | 389 | 84 |
| 2023 | 489 | 89 |
| 2022 | 479 | 78 |
| 2021 | 577 | 83 |
Bears by year, Grant County
| Year | Bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
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.
Nelson Dewey State Park pinned among its neighbours
Map of Nelson Dewey State Park and the 10 nearest public places. That is 42,973 acres of public ground.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cassville Bluffs | State natural area | 55 | 5.7 mi | southeast |
| Upper Mississippi River Refuge Winona District | Refuge district | 37,789 | 6.1 mi | southeast |
| Gasner Hollow Prairie | State natural area | 50 | 14 mi | north |
| Wyalusing | State park | 2,620 | 17 mi | north |
| Wyalusing Hardwood Forest | State natural area | 403 | 18 mi | north |
| Wyalusing Walnut Forest | State natural area | 135 | 19 mi | north |
| Douglas Hallock Demonstration Forest | Demonstration forest | 452 | 20 mi | north |
| Mount Hope Rearing Station | Fishery area | 200 | 22 mi | northeast |
| Millville Oak Woodlands | State natural area | 1,267 | 22 mi | north |
| Big Green River (Remnant) | Fishery area | 2 | 23 mi | northeast |
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.
Towns, processors and DNR desks near Nelson Dewey State Park
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a butcher and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagley | Grant | 12 mi | 353 | 11,330 |
| Lancaster | Grant | 18 mi | 4,042 | — |
| Prairie du Chien | Crawford | 22 mi | 5,472 | 16,036 |
| Sandy Hook | Grant | 24 mi | — | 4,682 |
For the wider county picture: Grant County.
Venison, mounts and ammo near Nelson Dewey State Park
Nelson Dewey State Park: 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.
Nelson Dewey State Park: nearest ranges
Yellowstone Shooting Range in Lafayette County is the nearest DNR-map range, 52 miles out. Two nearby club ranges follow.
rifle, handgun, archery, shotgun on file
trap, shotgun on file
trap, rifle, archery, 3D archery, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
First and last legal minute at Nelson Dewey State Park
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 | 6:11 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:44 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:56 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:17 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:02 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 E offset of 16 minutes for longitude 91.02 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Questions hunters raise about Nelson Dewey State Park
How is Nelson Dewey State Park divided?
1 listed units, such as Dewey Heights Prairie State Natural Area.
What type of property is Nelson Dewey State Park on the record?
It is a state park with hunting in its open areas, managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
What size is Nelson Dewey State Park on the record?
About 744 acres.
What is the nearest town to Nelson Dewey State Park?
Base in Bagley, 12 miles away; the ground is in Grant County.
Which game is named for Nelson Dewey State Park?
The property record lists raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What is the antlerless quota at Nelson Dewey State Park?
Grant, part of the Southern Farmland zone. Antlerless goal for 2026: 6,500.
Which bear permit zone holds Nelson Dewey State Park?
E. You need a Class A license from the drawing.
How many turkey permits go to the Nelson Dewey State Park zone?
Turkey Zone 1. 64,574 spring tags were issued there in 2025.
What waterfowl dates apply at Nelson Dewey State Park?
Duck zone: Southern; goose zone: Southern and Mississippi River. Southern Zone ducks open Oct 3, 2026-27.
Can I put out corn for deer at Nelson Dewey State Park?
Not here: Grant County is under the ban. CWD has been found in wild deer in Grant County.
How much orange do I wear at Nelson Dewey State Park?
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 Nelson Dewey State Park?
Deer: online, phone or station by 5 p.m. next day. Turkeys: online or phone only.
Which tags work on Nelson Dewey State Park?
No special permit for most of it; buy the license on Go Wild and carry public-access antlerless tags.
Nelson Dewey State Park: one more look before the drive
Signs on the ground beat any web page. Read the posted boundaries at Nelson Dewey State Park when you arrive.
Sources for this page: DNR: hunt · DNR: recreation · DNR: nelsondewey · DNR GIS · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: The Hidden Hide with Ray (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).