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Wildlife area, west-central Wisconsin
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area hunting notes
1,244 acres of wildlife area in St. Croix County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 1.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area, by its record
Count St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area among the state wildlife areas of St. Croix County. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (1,244 acres) it is number 107 among 285 state wildlife areas on our list. Head northwest from Somerset for about 4 miles. 2 smaller units sit inside it, each with its own page.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Zone lines at St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and St Croix. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 3,500. In Bear Zone D the DNR drew 3,855 permits for a target of 1,100 bears; drawn hunters needed 2 points. Turkey Zone 4: 34,997 spring authorizations in 2025 and 24% hunter success. Deer may not be baited or fed in St. Croix County.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix | Central Farmland | 3,500 | 494 | 1,496 | 2 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear D | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 3,855 permits | 2 points | 931 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 6 | Closed | Federal protection |
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.
Hunting St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area within the rules
Who may hunt St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
It works like other DNR wildlife ground: statewide seasons, regular licenses, posted closures and NR 45 property rules.
Statewide rules that reach St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Ground blinds on DNR land in a firearm deer season show at least 144 square inches of solid orange or pink, visible from all sides. Unattended stands carry your name or customer ID; they may be left out north of State Hwy. 64 (up to two per county), never south of it. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
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.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area: the game on record
The source names whitetails, wild turkeys, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area.
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Small game
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches St. Croix County applies too, within the property rules.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 42 segments reach St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status 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 | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: Hudson | 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: St. Croix | 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 D | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone E | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 4 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 4 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 4 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 4 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 4 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| 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 | Northern cottontail zone | Sep 12, 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 | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| 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.
The land at St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
The St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area is a 1,082-acre property located in northwestern St. Croix County. This unique property includes numerous islands and wetland habitats of the St. Croix River, and the property contains the confluence of the Apple and St. Croix rivers. The Apple River Canyon State Natural Area and the St. Croix River State Natural Area are also located within the property. The majority of the property is wooded bluff land along the St. Croix River, an area that has been designated as a National Scenic Riverway.
The property is located about 4.5 miles northwest of Somerset. Follow County Road I north of Somerset for 2 miles. The property can be accessed off of 192nd Avenue or 208th Avenue Access to the St. Croix River is available through carry-in boat access off of Rice Lake Road.
The hunting sentence for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
- The property is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, wildlife observation and other nature-based outdoor recreation.
- Hunting (noted for deer, turkey and small game)
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area, unit by unit
The 2 parts of St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area total 1,035 acres.
| Page | Type | County | Acres | Listed game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Croix Islands | State natural area | St. Croix | 852 | — |
| Apple River Canyon | State natural area | St. Croix | 183 | — |
Deer, bears and CWD around St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Last full season (2025) the St. Croix County unit gave up 4,858 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 3,825 (2019) to 4,858 (2025). In CWD year 2025, 132 St. Croix County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 1,431 sampled, 0 positive. Bear hunters registered 31 bears in St. Croix County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, St. Croix County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,261 | 2,597 | 4,858 |
| 2024 | 1,922 | 2,280 | 4,202 |
| 2023 | 1,762 | 2,338 | 4,100 |
| 2022 | 2,051 | 2,604 | 4,655 |
| 2021 | 1,970 | 2,257 | 4,227 |
| 2020 | 2,083 | 2,632 | 4,715 |
CWD results near St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 7 | 0 |
| 2025 | 132 | 0 |
| 2024 | 119 | 0 |
| 2023 | 78 | 0 |
| 2022 | 94 | 0 |
| 2021 | 80 | 0 |
Bear table, St. Croix County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 2025 | 31 | 22 | 9 |
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.
Where St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | St. Croix | 3.8 mi | 3,382 | 12,025 |
| Houlton | St. Croix | 6.5 mi | — | 6,454 |
| Osceola | Polk | 12 mi | 2,880 | 5,877 |
| Hudson | St. Croix | 13 mi | 15,031 | 6,712 |
County hunting overviews: St. Croix County.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
St. Croix County is served by the DNR Eau Claire 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.
The closest public land to St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 1,701.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Somerset | WPA | 65 | 3.4 mi | southeast |
| Twelve Ponds | WPA | 94 | 4.8 mi | east |
| Prairie Flats – South | WPA | 501 | 5.0 mi | northeast |
| White (St. Croix County) | WPA | 56 | 5.6 mi | southeast |
| Prairie Flats – North | WPA | 219 | 6.3 mi | northeast |
| Beyl | WPA | 126 | 6.5 mi | northeast |
| Farmington | WPA | 30 | 6.6 mi | northeast |
| St. Croix Prairie | WPA | 141 | 6.6 mi | east |
| Bass Lake | WPA | 423 | 6.9 mi | southeast |
| Steffan | WPA | 46 | 7.2 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 of hunting-open parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:15 a.m. to 7:47 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 7:46 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:59 a.m. to 6:41 p.m. | 6:58 a.m. to 6:44 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:20 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. | 6:17 a.m. to 5:21 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:48 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 7:00 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. | 6:55 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:19 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 7:13 a.m. to 4:58 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:21 a.m. to 4:59 p.m. | 7:15 a.m. to 5:06 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 F offset of 20 minutes for longitude 92.74 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Practice before hunting St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area
Hudson Rod Gun and Archery Club in St. Croix County is the nearest DNR-map range, 11 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun, archery, trap, skeet on file
sporting clays, 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.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area: the questions that come up
In which Wisconsin county is St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Somerset is closest (4 miles); the property is in St. Croix County.
What size is St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area on the record?
1,244 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit St Croix. 3,500 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
4 groups on the list: whitetails, wild turkeys, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 4 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
It is in Bear Zone D, target 1,100 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Banned in St. Croix County. Not a CWD county.
Which duck and goose zones cover St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Use the Northern duck dates and the Northern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Northern Zone starts Sep 26.
Is there a check station for St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
Nearest on the list: Somerset Waterfowl Production Area (3 miles), Twelve Ponds Waterfowl Production Area (5 miles) and Prairie Flats – South Waterfowl Production Area (5 miles).
How do I get permission to hunt St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Whose property is St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR state wildlife area.
St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the St. Croix Islands Wildlife Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: Stcroixislands · DNR GIS · DNR: alpha; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: btrentler (CC BY 2.0); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).