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Vernon Wildlife Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Vernon Wildlife Area in Waukesha County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: hmalsch (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Vernon Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Vernon Wildlife Area
- Vernon State Wildlife Area Parking LotParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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 areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 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.
Vernon Wildlife Area: record card
Vernon Wildlife Area: a DNR state wildlife area, located in Waukesha County. Region on record: the DNR Southeast Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 4,349 acres on record put it 34th of the 285 state wildlife areas we list. Base town: Mukwonago, some 4 miles away.
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 Vernon Wildlife Area
Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife Area
Entry terms for Vernon Wildlife Area
Anyone licensed can hunt and trap here in season. Watch for posted refuges and closed areas, and follow NR 45.
- Listed use: class 2 dog training.
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Vernon Wildlife 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.
Vernon Wildlife Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
Vernon Wildlife Area closed zones
Closed or limited zones on Vernon Wildlife Area: 1. Most common exception: Except gun and muzzleloader deer, retrieval of legally killed or crippled game in posted zones.
| Closed area | Type | Period | Acres | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vernon Wildlife Area | No entry wildlife refuge | SEP 1–NOV 30 | 666 | NR 11.07(14)(b) |
Vernon Wildlife Area upland bird notes
Stocked rooster ground: 800 birds proposed for 2026 on 1,500 acres. It is a noon-closure property: weekdays, pheasant hunting stops at noon until Nov. 3. Hens are legal here, as on all hen-and-rooster properties.
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 Vernon Wildlife Area
Whitetails, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, per the property record.
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Ducks and geese
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 Vernon Wildlife 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.
Vernon Wildlife Area described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
Vernon Wildlife Area is approximately 4,300 acres located just north of Mukwonago in Waukesha County. The Fox River is the central feature of the property, which is surrounded by an extensive mosaic of wetland habitat. The adjoining uplands consist of grasslands, oak and hardwood forests. It offers excellent wildlife habitat, especially for migrating and nesting waterfowl, and provides significant conservation opportunities. In 2024, a designated walking trail is being established on the property. The 5.1-mile loop is perfect for hikers, birders and recreational users, featuring newly established boardwalks and diverse habitats throughout the property.
This trail and boardwalks will be completed by August 2024. The Fox River snaking through this property is a warm water fishery, while one of its tributaries, Mill Brook, is a classified trout stream. In 2023, the Fox River was recognized as a designated National Water Trail, The Fabulous Fox! Water Trail. Vernon Wildlife Area provides two rustic access points to the trail and offers excellent recreational opportunities for canoeing and kayaking.
Vernon Wildlife Area: hunting text as published
- Vernon Wildlife Area supports waterfowl, deer, turkey and a variety of other wildlife species, as well as stocks pheasants every fall.
- The property provides outstanding opportunities for hunting, fishing and trapping.
- 30, except for gun and muzzleloader deer hunting and retrieval of legally killed or crippled game.
- Vernon Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public use including hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
- Historically, land in the wildlife area was first leased in 1946 as a public hunting ground.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Harvest numbers for the country around Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mukwonago | Waukesha | 4.2 mi | 8,512 | 19,552 |
| Waukesha | Waukesha | 4.2 mi | 8,573 | 7,230 |
| Waukesha | Waukesha | 7.3 mi | 71,461 | 4,565 |
| Wales | Waukesha | 7.4 mi | 2,913 | 13,151 |
Season and zone pages by county: Waukesha County.
Who processes a deer from Vernon Wildlife Area
Where to ask about Vernon Wildlife 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.
Vernon Wildlife Area and nearby public ground
Vernon Wildlife Area at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Combined, 3,514 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mukwonago River | State natural area | 43 | 4.0 mi | south |
| Genesee Oak Opening and Fen | State natural area | 50 | 4.6 mi | northwest |
| Mukwonago River | Wildlife area | 132 | 5.0 mi | southwest |
| Pebble Brook | Wildlife area | 32 | 6.2 mi | northeast |
| Potters Lake | Fishery area | 1 | 7.1 mi | south |
| Kettle Moraine State Forest Mukwonago River Unit | State forest | 985 | 7.4 mi | southwest |
| Tichigan | Wildlife area | 1,601 | 7.7 mi | southeast |
| Honey Creek Streambank Protection Area | Wildlife area | 506 | 8.1 mi | south |
| Beulah Bog | State natural area | 78 | 8.5 mi | southwest |
| Tichigan Springs and Fen | State natural area | 86 | 8.5 mi | south |
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.
Shooting-hour table for Vernon Wildlife 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.
Vernon Wildlife Area: nearest ranges
About 5 miles separates Vernon Wildlife Area from Wern Valley Sportsmen's Club, the nearest public map range. Club ranges within 30 miles are included.
rifle, sporting clays, shotgun on file
shotgun, rifle on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Before-the-trip answers for Vernon Wildlife Area
Are there restrictions inside Vernon Wildlife Area?
Not all of it. The DNR layer lists 1 zone such as Vernon Wildlife Area.
Which public land sits closest to Vernon Wildlife Area?
Mukwonago River State Natural Area (4 miles), Genesee Oak Opening and Fen State Natural Area (5 miles) and Mukwonago River State Habitat Area (5 miles), each with a page here.
Is Vernon Wildlife Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR state wildlife area; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is Vernon Wildlife Area a big property?
4,349 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Vernon Wildlife Area?
Waukesha County; Mukwonago, the nearest town we cover, is 4 miles away.
Which species does the record give for Vernon Wildlife Area?
Whitetails, wild turkeys, ducks and geese, pheasants, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes, plus any other season open in the county.
What deer tags work on Vernon Wildlife Area?
It is in Waukesha (Southern Farmland). This year the antlerless quota is 3,000.
How hard is a bear permit for Vernon Wildlife Area?
Zone F; hounds may not be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Vernon Wildlife Area?
Zone 2. Success in 2025 was 22%.
Which goose zone is Vernon Wildlife 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 Vernon Wildlife Area?
No bait or feed in Waukesha County. The county list for CWD includes Waukesha County.
When does orange apply at Vernon Wildlife Area?
Pink counts the same as orange: 50% above the waist in firearm deer seasons.
Does a Vernon Wildlife 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.
Signing off on Vernon Wildlife Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Vernon Wildlife Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: DNR: Vernon · DNR GIS · DNR: alpha · DNR GIS · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (CC BY-SA 2.0); scostello22 (CC BY 2.0).