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Story Creek Streambank Protection Area hunting guide
Everything we could verify about Story Creek Streambank Protection Area: acreage, zones, property rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: edenpictures (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Brooklyn Wildlife Area ParkingParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 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.
The short version on Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
In Dane County you will find Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, a DNR habitat area. On the DNR map it belongs to the South Central Region. The managing body is the Wisconsin DNR. At 496 acres it sits 14th by area in a field of 58 habitat areas. About 4 miles east of Belleville.
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 Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
Story Creek Streambank Protection Area: what is allowed
How access works on Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
Check the DNR public access lands map: the open parcels of this habitat land can be hunted and trapped in season.
Story Creek Streambank Protection 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. Mark a ground blind with 144 square inches of blaze orange or pink while firearm deer seasons run. Tree stands: no tree damage, ID on unattended stands, overnight only north of Hwy. 64 during Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Register deer, turkeys and bears through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery.
What Story Creek Streambank Protection 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.
Pheasants and doves at Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
1 dove field on the 2026 DNR layer: Kaltenberg, SE corner of field.
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 Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
For deer it lies in the Southern Farmland zone (Dane). This season the unit quota is 5,200 antlerless deer. Zone F bear permits took 1 preference point in 2026; the target is 50 bears. The 2025 spring level for Turkey Zone 1 was 64,574 authorizations; 13,813 birds were registered. Dane County: CWD found in wild deer, and a CWD-positive deer earns a replacement authorization. No deer bait or feed: Dane County is a ban county.
Story Creek Streambank Protection Area: antlerless quota and bonus tags
| Deer unit | Zone | 2026 quota | Public bonus left | Private bonus left | Free farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dane | Southern Farmland | 5,200 | 700 | 2,500 | 2 |
Every other zone Story Creek Streambank Protection 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 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 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, Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
The list for Story Creek Streambank Protection Area reads: mourning doves.
Mourning dove
The list is what the agency names, not a limit: other Dane 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.
Story Creek Streambank Protection 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 Story Creek Streambank Protection 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 | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: Madison | 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: Dane | 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 1/2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1/2 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1/2 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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.
Nearest public ground to Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, mapped
10 more properties lie close to Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, shown with smaller pins. Acres across them: 6,755.
| Neighbour | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | Wildlife area | 2,923 | 1.6 mi | southwest |
| Swan Pond | WPA | 240 | 5.4 mi | north |
| Anthony Branch Fisheries and | Habitat area | 684 | 6.3 mi | east |
| Northrup King | WPA | 85 | 6.6 mi | north |
| Harvey's Marsh | WPA | 681 | 7.0 mi | east |
| Anthony Branch (Remnant) | Fishery area | 2 | 7.1 mi | east |
| Liberty Creek | Wildlife area | 564 | 8.0 mi | south |
| Hook Lake Bog | State natural area | 527 | 8.2 mi | northeast |
| Lund | WPA | 175 | 8.5 mi | east |
| Hook Lake Bog Grass Lake | Wildlife area | 874 | 8.6 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) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Registered deer and bears near Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
The 2025 registered deer total for the Dane County unit was 4,438 (2,247 antlered). 2020 was the busiest year shown (4,948 deer) and 2017 the leanest (3,630). The 2026 season to date shows 254 deer in Dane; the DNR calls it preliminary. 1,002 samples, 193 positive: that is Dane County in CWD year 2025. All years combined: 2,116 of 36,578. These numbers describe the county around Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, not the property alone.
Deer registered near Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
| Year | Bucks registered | Antlerless registered | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,247 | 2,191 | 4,438 |
| 2024 | 2,084 | 2,319 | 4,403 |
| 2023 | 2,328 | 2,133 | 4,461 |
| 2022 | 2,170 | 2,303 | 4,473 |
| 2021 | 1,936 | 2,011 | 3,947 |
| 2020 | 2,421 | 2,527 | 4,948 |
Dane County CWD by year
| CWD year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 64 | 13 |
| 2025 | 1,002 | 193 |
| 2024 | 964 | 166 |
| 2023 | 941 | 171 |
| 2022 | 1,016 | 198 |
| 2021 | 971 | 158 |
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.
Story Creek Streambank Protection Area: nearest ranges
For a public range, drive about 14 miles to Hope Rod & Gun Club. Closer club options sit beside it.
handgun, trap, shotgun, skeet, smallbore rimfire on file
trap, shotgun on file
trap, skeet, sporting clays, 5-stand, archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Towns, offices and services around Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
Towns, then services in this county and the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belleville | Dane | 4.3 mi | 2,635 | 7,306 |
| Oregon | Dane | 5.1 mi | 11,895 | 10,083 |
| Madison | Dane | 15 mi | 285,300 | 4,557 |
| Brodhead | Green | 18 mi | 3,229 | 6,448 |
Our county write-ups: Dane County.
Butchers, mounts and gun counters near Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
Service centers near Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
For Dane 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 Story Creek Streambank Protection Area
The DNR tables are worked out for Zone A in the east; Story Creek Streambank Protection 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 89.46 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Story Creek Streambank Protection Area in questions and answers
How fast must I register a kill on Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Can pink replace orange at Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Yes while gun deer seasons are open; half your upper clothing and hat in orange or fluorescent pink.
What neighbours Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Closest first: Brooklyn Wildlife Area (2 miles), Swan Pond Waterfowl Production Area (5 miles) and Anthony Branch Fisheries and Wildlife Area (6 miles).
Is a permit required for Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Your Wisconsin license is enough; residents pay $24 for gun deer, $18 for small game.
How large is Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, in acres?
Acreage on record: 496.
Who is the land manager for Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
The Wisconsin DNR manages it; the land is a DNR habitat area.
Which game does Story Creek Streambank Protection Area list?
The source lists mourning doves. Other open seasons apply too, within the property rules.
How far is the drive from Belleville to Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Dane County, roughly 4 miles out of Belleville.
Are hounds allowed for bear at Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Bear Zone F: 764 permits drawn for 2026.
Is Story Creek Streambank Protection Area forest or farmland deer country?
Dane in the Southern Farmland zone. The unit quota stands at 5,200 antlerless deer this year.
Is Story Creek Streambank Protection Area in the northern or southern duck zone?
Southern duck zone and Southern goose zone. First regular duck day in the Southern Zone: Oct 3.
Is Story Creek Streambank Protection Area good turkey ground?
Apply for Zone 1; spring periods A-F run in 2027 from April 21.
What are the CWD and bait rules for Story Creek Streambank Protection Area?
Deer bait is illegal in Dane County. Dane County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Story Creek Streambank Protection Area, final notes
Print the Story Creek Streambank Protection Area map, carry your tags, and check the manager page the week you go.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS · DNR GIS; 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); Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0).