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WPA, west-central Wisconsin
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area hunting notes
312 acres of WPA in St. Croix County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area, by its record
Count Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area among the waterfowl production areas of St. Croix County. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. The Fish and Wildlife Service manages the land. By size (312 acres) it is number 23 among 103 waterfowl production areas on our list. Head northeast from Somerset for about 9 miles. The DNR and agency lists place it inside St. Croix Wetland Management District.
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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Zone lines at Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area within the rules
Who may hunt Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Federal WPA land is open for migratory birds, upland game and deer under Wisconsin seasons; daily equipment removal is required. Watch for the posted closures on St. Croix Prairie and Prairie Flats-South WPAs; Oak Ridge WPA allows deer hunting only in fall.
Statewide rules that reach Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area: the game on record
The source names ducks and geese, whitetails, wild turkeys, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area.
Ducks and geese
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Pheasant
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.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 42 segments reach Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 larger property around Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Within St. Croix Wetland Management District there are 46 units with pages, this one included.
Sister units to Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
| Unit | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Creek | WPA | Dunn | 672 |
| Oak Ridge | WPA | St. Croix | 632 |
| Ten Mile | WPA | St. Croix | 516 |
| Prairie Flats – South | WPA | St. Croix | 501 |
| Betterly | WPA | St. Croix | 485 |
| Erickson | WPA | St. Croix | 476 |
| Bass Lake | WPA | St. Croix | 423 |
| Stanton Prairie | WPA | St. Croix | 353 |
| Deer Park | WPA | St. Croix | 351 |
| Kostka | WPA | St. Croix | 350 |
| Red Cedar | WPA | Dunn | 336 |
| Bierbrauer | WPA | St. Croix, Polk | 275 |
| Three Lakes | WPA | St. Croix | 249 |
| Clapp | WPA | St. Croix | 239 |
| Prairie Flats – North | WPA | St. Croix | 219 |
Deer, bears and CWD around Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 | 9.3 mi | 3,382 | 12,025 |
| Osceola | Polk | 12 mi | 2,880 | 5,877 |
| Clear Lake | Polk | 12 mi | 1,103 | 7,120 |
| Emerald | St. Croix | 15 mi | — | 4,756 |
County hunting overviews: St. Croix County.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 1,715.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Prairie Seed Farm | Habitat area | 58 | 1.4 mi | east |
| Bierbrauer | Habitat area | 69 | 1.6 mi | east |
| Oak Ridge State Habitat Area-Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area | Habitat area | 196 | 2.1 mi | southeast |
| New Richmond | Habitat area | 77 | 2.7 mi | south |
| Wagon Landing Statewide Spring Pond | Fishery area | 69 | 3.5 mi | north |
| Spring Meadow State Habitat Area-Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area | Habitat area | 169 | 3.8 mi | northeast |
| Deer Park | Habitat area | 213 | 4.7 mi | east |
| Parker Creek | Habitat area | 587 | 6.1 mi | northeast |
| Oden | Habitat area | 250 | 6.4 mi | southeast |
| Apple River (Remnant) | Fishery area | 27 | 6.7 mi | northeast |
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.
DNR shooting hours for Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 92.51 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area: nearest ranges
Hudson Rod Gun and Archery Club in St. Croix County is the nearest DNR-map range, 18 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun, archery, trap, skeet on file
trap, rifle, archery, 3D archery, shotgun on file
trap, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area: the questions that come up
What turkey tag do I need for Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 4 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
It is in Bear Zone D, target 1,100 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Banned in St. Croix County. Not a CWD county.
Which duck and goose zones cover Star Prairie Waterfowl Production 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 Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Nearest on the list: Star Prairie Seed Farm Wildlife Area (1 mile), Bierbrauer Wildlife Area (2 miles) and Oak Ridge State Habitat Area-Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area (2 miles).
How do I get permission to hunt Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Whose property is Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
The Fish and Wildlife Service oversees this federal waterfowl production area.
Where does Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area fit?
It belongs to St. Croix Wetland Management District.
In which Wisconsin county is Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Somerset is closest (9 miles); the property is in St. Croix County.
How many acres does Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area cover?
312 acres, per FWS Realty GIS acres (SUM_GISACRES) for the unit.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit St Croix. 3,500 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Star Prairie Waterfowl Production Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: FWS realty layer · USFWS: hunting · USFWS: st croix wetland management district · eCFR: section 32.68; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Virginia State Parks staff (CC BY 2.0).