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Habitat area · Southeast region
Scuppernong River Habitat Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Scuppernong River Habitat Area in Waukesha County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: hmalsch (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Scuppernong River Habitat Area: record card
Scuppernong River Habitat Area: a DNR habitat area, located in Waukesha County. Region on record: the DNR Southeast Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 2,000 acres on record put it 6th of the 58 habitat areas we list. There is no map pin: the DNR gives no coordinates, so Waukesha County's centre stands in, with Waukesha closest.
From the source page (DNR property page (over 2,000 acres)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Scuppernong River Habitat Area deer unit, quota and game zones
The deer unit is Waukesha, in the Southern Farmland zone. The 2026 antlerless quota for that unit is 3,000. 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 Waukesha County among its CWD-affected counties. Waukesha County sits under the DNR deer baiting and feeding ban.
The deer unit around Scuppernong River Habitat Area
| DMU | Deer zone | Antlerless quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Free tags per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | Southern Farmland | 3,000 | 1,100 | 1,900 | 2 |
| Waukesha County Metro Sub-Unit | Metro sub-unit | Parent unit | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Bear, turkey and bird zones at Scuppernong River Habitat 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 Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Entry terms for Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Only the parcels shown open on the DNR map can be hunted; there, state seasons and NR 45 apply.
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Scuppernong River Habitat 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. DNR land rule: 144 sq in of solid orange or pink on any ground blind in gun season. Leave no stand overnight south of Hwy. 64. North of the highway, two per hunter per county may stay from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31. GameReg registration is due by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area upland bird notes
The DNR page marks it as stocked.
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 Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Pheasant
Small game
Furbearers
Other legal game follows the Waukesha 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 Scuppernong River Habitat 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: Milwaukee | 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: Waukesha | 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 | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 2 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 2 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 2 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 2 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 2 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area is the largest wet prairie east of the Mississippi, at over 2,000 acres. The property consists of wetlands, wet prairie, mesic prairie and hardwood forest. Scuppernong Creek flows through it. The property is located within the Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit, 1 mile northwest of Eagle in Waukesha County. Access is off of State Highway 59, State Highway 67, County Highway N and County Highway ZZ.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area: hunting text as published
- Hunting and viewing opportunities include many migratory songbirds, stocked pheasants, deer, small game, turkey, furbearers and sandhill cranes.
- Hunting (noted for: deer and pheasants)
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Harvest numbers for the country around Scuppernong River Habitat Area
2025 in Waukesha County: 1,649 bucks, 1,671 antlerless, 3,320 in all. Range since 2016: 2,140 to 3,320 deer a year. Early 2026 registrations (archery, crossbow, youth hunt): Waukesha 186. The DNR sampled 317 deer from Waukesha County in 2025; 26 had CWD. 78 positives overall, from 5,973 deer. Figures are for the whole county unit, not Scuppernong River Habitat Area alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Waukesha County unit harvest
| Season | Bucks | Does and fawns | Registered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,649 | 1,671 | 3,320 |
| 2024 | 1,504 | 1,517 | 3,021 |
| 2023 | 1,450 | 1,438 | 2,888 |
| 2022 | 1,341 | 1,478 | 2,819 |
| 2021 | 1,306 | 1,422 | 2,728 |
| 2020 | 1,354 | 1,470 | 2,824 |
CWD samples, Waukesha County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 17 | 1 |
| 2025 | 317 | 26 |
| 2024 | 268 | 5 |
| 2023 | 348 | 8 |
| 2022 | 319 | 11 |
| 2021 | 222 | 3 |
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 Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | Waukesha | 3.1 mi | 71,461 | 4,565 |
| Wales | Waukesha | 3.5 mi | 2,913 | 13,151 |
| Waukesha | Waukesha | 4.9 mi | 8,573 | 7,230 |
| Nashotah | Waukesha | 7.1 mi | 1,313 | 4,319 |
Season and zone pages by county: Waukesha County.
Who processes a deer from Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Where to ask about Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Licenses and questions for Waukesha County go through the DNR Waukesha 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.
Scuppernong River Habitat Area and nearby public ground
Scuppernong River Habitat Area is not pinned (no point on record); the neighbours are measured from Waukesha County's centre. Combined, 4,914 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allen Valley | Ice Age Trail area | 25 | 4.4 mi | west |
| Pebble Brook | Wildlife area | 32 | 5.4 mi | southeast |
| Genesee Oak Opening and Fen | State natural area | 50 | 5.7 mi | southwest |
| Ottawa SIATA | Ice Age Trail area | 108 | 7.0 mi | west |
| Delafield | Habitat area | 104 | 7.0 mi | northwest |
| Nemahbin Lake | Access site | 26 | 7.3 mi | west |
| Vernon | Wildlife area | 4,349 | 7.3 mi | south |
| Ottawa Lake Fen | State natural area | 45 | 10 mi | southwest |
| Mukwonago River | State natural area | 43 | 11 mi | south |
| Mukwonago River | Wildlife area | 132 | 11 mi | south |
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.
Shooting-hour table for Scuppernong River Habitat 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 | 5:59 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:43 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 6:28 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:04 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:32 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:44 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:03 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:05 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:50 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 B offset of 4 minutes for longitude 88.30 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Before-the-trip answers for Scuppernong River Habitat Area
What deer tags work on Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
It is in Waukesha (Southern Farmland). This year the antlerless quota is 3,000.
How hard is a bear permit for Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Zone F; hounds may not be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Zone 2. Success in 2025 was 22%.
Which goose zone is Scuppernong River Habitat 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 Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
No bait or feed in Waukesha County. The county list for CWD includes Waukesha County.
When does orange apply at Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a Scuppernong River Habitat 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 Scuppernong River Habitat Area need?
Gun deer ($24), archer ($24) or small game ($18) for residents; nonresident gun deer is $200.
Which public land sits closest to Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Allen Valley State Ice Age Trail Area (4 miles), Pebble Brook State Habitat Area (5 miles) and Genesee Oak Opening and Fen State Natural Area (6 miles), each with a page here.
Is Scuppernong River Habitat Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR habitat area; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is Scuppernong River Habitat Area a big property?
2,000 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Waukesha County; Waukesha, the nearest town we cover, is 3 miles away. (Measured from the Waukesha County centre: no point is published.)
Which species does the record give for Scuppernong River Habitat Area?
Whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, plus any other season open in the county.
Signing off on Scuppernong River Habitat Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Scuppernong River Habitat Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: DNR: Scuppernong · DNR: alpha · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: btrentler (CC BY 2.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).