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Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area hunting guide
Everything we could verify about Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area: acreage, zones, property rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: Aaron Volkening (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
- TrailheadTrailhead · 1.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Wildcat Lot Black River State ForestParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Smrekar Lot Black River State ForestParking · 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.
The short version on Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
In Jackson County you will find Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, a DNR-owned State Natural Area. On the DNR map it belongs to the West Central Region. The managing body is the Wisconsin DNR. At 379 acres it sits 159th by area in a field of 449 state natural areas. It is State Natural Area No. 615, in T21N-R2W, Sections 27, 34. About 5 miles north of Millston. Look up Black River State Forest for the wider property it sits in.
From the source page (WI DNR SNA parcel ownership GIS OWNER_ACRE_AMT, WDNR-owned parcels); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, as the managers tell it
Word for word from the property page.
Wildcat Ridge is a long sandstone ridge that rises to a height of about 300 feet above the surrounding plain. The mound itself is an eroded sandstone bluff that supports an extensive unfragmented, mostly deciduous dry-mesic forest, especially on the cooler northern and eastern slopes and in saddles and coves along the ridge. Dominant trees are red oak and white oak. The understory includes interrupted fern, lady fern, tick-trefoil, lopseed, Canada mayflower, big-leaved aster, and wild sarsaparilla.
Witch-hazel and maple-leaved viburnum are among the shrubs present. Very old, charred stumps are present, indicating past episodes of logging and wildfire. A drier forest of jack pine and black/Hill's oak occurs on south-facing slopes with Pennsylvania sedge, bracken fern, and various prairie species. Two rare species that are found in the oak barrens, dry woods, and savannas of Wisconsin's Central Sand Plains occur here. Wildcat Ridge is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2010.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area: what is allowed
How access works on Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Hunters and trappers are welcome on DNR-owned SNA acres unless posted; leave vehicles, drones and tents outside and take no plants.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural 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 Wildcat Ridge State Natural 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.
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 Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
For deer it lies in the Central Forest zone (DMU 203). This season the unit quota is 450 antlerless deer. Zone C bear permits took 2 preference points in 2026; the target is 875 bears. The 2025 spring level for Turkey Zone 1 was 64,574 authorizations; 13,813 birds were registered. Jackson County: CWD found in wild deer, and a CWD-positive deer earns a replacement authorization. No deer bait or feed: Jackson County is a ban county.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area: antlerless quota and bonus tags
| Deer unit | Zone | 2026 quota | Public bonus left | Private bonus left | Free farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 203 | Central Forest | 450 | 0 | 268 | — |
Every other zone Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area touches
| Zone | Detail | Figures | Points or note | Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear C | Hounds barred | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey zone 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 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 | ||
| Elk zone | Central (Black River Elk Range) | 6 bull and 6 antlerless | Public land nearly 70% | |
| Gray wolf zone 5 | 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, Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area has no species list on record. Any season open in Jackson County is fair game, subject to the property rules.
Below: 42 season rows for Jackson County.
Species from the property record (No species list published for this property; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations where hunting is allowed.); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural 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 Wildcat Ridge State Natural 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 | 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, Jackson | 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 E/C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Central Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 1/3 | 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 | 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.
Units connected to Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area is one of 13 units that Black River State Forest lists.
Black River State Forest units beside Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
| Unit | Type | Where | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Komensky Barrens | State natural area | Jackson | 1,831 |
| Upper Black River | State natural area | Jackson | 1,533 |
| Starlight Wetlands | State natural area | Jackson | 1,052 |
| Washburn Marsh | State natural area | Jackson | 604 |
| East Fork of the Black River | State natural area | Jackson, Clark | 513 |
| Ketchum Creek Pines | State natural area | Jackson | 424 |
| Arbutus Oaks | State natural area | Clark | 214 |
| Milllston Ridge Barrens | State natural area | Jackson | 193 |
| Waazija Haci | State natural area | Jackson | 142 |
| Robinson Creek Pines | State natural area | Jackson | 126 |
| Castle Mound Pine Forest | State natural area | Jackson | 115 |
| Catfish Eddy Terraces | State natural area | Jackson | 75 |
Nearest public ground to Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, mapped
10 more properties lie close to Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, shown with smaller pins. Acres across them: 178,395.
| Neighbour | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauer-Brockway Barrens | State natural area | 120 | 7.3 mi | west |
| Jay Creek Pine Forest | State natural area | 441 | 7.7 mi | southeast |
| Jackson | County forest | 122,685 | 7.8 mi | northeast |
| Monroe | County forest | 7,443 | 8.6 mi | southeast |
| Mill Creek | Fishery area | 35 | 14 mi | south |
| Rathbone Creek | Fishery area | 21 | 14 mi | southwest |
| Kingston Pines | State natural area | 535 | 16 mi | east |
| Fort McCoy | Army post | 45,648 | 16 mi | south |
| Cataract Pond | Fishery area | 2 | 16 mi | southwest |
| Big Creek | Fishery area | 1,465 | 17 mi | southwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR State Natural Areas parcel ownership GIS (centroid of WDNR-owned parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Registered deer and bears near Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
The 2025 registered deer total for the Jackson County unit was 4,911 (2,333 antlered). 2022 was the busiest year shown (6,250 deer) and 2025 the leanest (4,911). The 2026 season to date shows 79 deer in DMU 203; the DNR calls it preliminary. 198 samples, 1 positive: that is Jackson County in CWD year 2025. All years combined: 4 of 3,127. 47 bears came out of Jackson County in 2025. These numbers describe the county around Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, not the property alone.
Deer registered near Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
| Year | Bucks registered | Antlerless registered | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,333 | 2,578 | 4,911 |
| 2024 | 2,940 | 2,780 | 5,720 |
| 2023 | 2,884 | 2,403 | 5,287 |
| 2022 | 3,230 | 3,020 | 6,250 |
| 2021 | 3,143 | 2,533 | 5,676 |
| 2020 | 3,198 | 3,018 | 6,216 |
Jackson County CWD by year
| CWD year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 19 | 0 |
| 2025 | 198 | 1 |
| 2024 | 213 | 1 |
| 2023 | 225 | 2 |
| 2022 | 204 | 0 |
| 2021 | 186 | 0 |
Jackson County bear harvest
| Year | Bear harvest | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 110 | 48 | 62 |
| 2025 | 47 | 25 | 22 |
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.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area: nearest ranges
About 18 miles separates Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area from Sherwood Shooting Range, the nearest public map range. Closer club options sit beside it.
rifle, trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Towns, offices and services around Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Towns, then services in this county and the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Millston | Jackson | 5.3 mi | — | 115,461 |
| Sand Pillow | Jackson | 8.9 mi | — | 102,555 |
| Mission | Jackson | 9.5 mi | — | 101,157 |
| Warrens | Monroe | 10 mi | 541 | 79,341 |
Our county write-ups: Jackson County.
Butchers, mounts and gun counters near Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
Service centers near Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
For Jackson County, the DNR points to its DNR La Crosse 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 Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area
The DNR tables are worked out for Zone A in the east; Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area lies in longitude Zone D, so add 12 minutes to each table time.
| Day | Reason | Northern table | Southern table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:07 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:51 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:12 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:40 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:52 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:11 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:13 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:58 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 D offset of 12 minutes for longitude 90.61 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area in questions and answers
How fast must I register a kill on Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Can pink replace orange at Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Yes while gun deer seasons are open; half your upper clothing and hat in orange or fluorescent pink.
What neighbours Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Closest first: Bauer-Brockway Barrens State Natural Area (7 miles), Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area (8 miles) and Jackson County Forest (8 miles).
Is a permit required for Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Your Wisconsin license is enough; residents pay $24 for gun deer, $18 for small game.
Who is the land manager for Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
The Wisconsin DNR manages it; the land is a DNR-owned State Natural Area.
Is Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area part of a larger property?
It is a unit of Black River State Forest.
How far is the drive from Millston to Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Jackson County, roughly 5 miles out of Millston.
How large is Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, in acres?
Acreage on record: 379.
Is Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area forest or farmland deer country?
DMU 203 in the Central Forest zone. The unit quota stands at 450 antlerless deer this year.
Is there a game list for Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the property rules.
Is Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area good turkey ground?
Apply for Zone 1; spring periods A-F run in 2027 from April 21.
Are hounds allowed for bear at Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Bear Zone C: 4,465 permits drawn for 2026.
What are the CWD and bait rules for Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area?
Deer bait is illegal in Jackson County. Jackson County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area, final notes
Print the Wildcat Ridge State Natural Area map, carry your tags, and check the manager page the week you go.
Sources for this page: DNR: WildcatRidge · DNR GIS · DNR: StateNaturalAreas; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Tom Shockey (CC BY 2.0); Intermountain Region US Forest Service (Public domain).