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Wildlife area, northeast Wisconsin
Wolf River Wildlife Area hunting notes
1,981 acres of wildlife area in Winnebago County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Wolf River Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Wolf River Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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.
Wolf River Wildlife Area, by its record
Count Wolf River Wildlife Area among the state wildlife areas of Winnebago County. It falls in the DNR Northeast Region, northeast Wisconsin. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (1,981 acres) it is number 78 among 285 state wildlife areas on our list. Head northeast from Tustin for about 5 miles.
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 Wolf River Wildlife Area
Zone lines at Wolf River Wildlife Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and Winnebago. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 2,000. In Bear Zone F the DNR drew 764 permits for a target of 50 bears; drawn hunters needed 1 point. Turkey Zone 3: 55,612 spring authorizations in 2025 and 22% hunter success. Winnebago County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Winnebago County.
Wolf River Wildlife Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winnebago | Central Farmland | 2,000 | 364 | 1,096 | 3 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Wolf River Wildlife Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear F | No hound hunting | 50 target, 764 permits | 1 point | 27 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 3 | 55,612 spring tags (2025) | 22% success | 12,324 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse B | Oct 17–Dec 8 | 2 a day | ||
| Ducks | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Canada geese | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| 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 Wolf River Wildlife Area within the rules
Who may hunt Wolf River Wildlife Area
It works like other DNR wildlife ground: statewide seasons, regular licenses, posted closures and NR 45 property rules.
Statewide rules that reach Wolf River 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.
Wolf River 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.
Wolf River Wildlife Area: the game on record
The source names whitetails, ducks and geese and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Wolf River Wildlife Area.
White-tailed deer
Ducks and geese
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Winnebago 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.
Wolf River Wildlife Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 44 segments reach Wolf River 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 | 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: Winnebago | 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 3/2 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 3/2 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 3/2 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 3/2 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 3/2 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 3/2 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 3/2 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 3/2 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 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 | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 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 | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 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.
The land at Wolf River Wildlife Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
Wolf River Wildlife Area is located in northwest Winnebago County in the Town of Wolf River. The state owns and manages approximately 1,800 acres. The property consists of two slightly disjunct units dominated by wetlands. The northern section, known as Deltox Marsh, was once a wire grass (sedge) marsh, important to the local rug industry. Over time, it transitioned to a canary grass marsh with scattered willow stands. The southern section, Metzig Marsh, is located at the confluence of the Wolf and Rat Rivers.
It consists of a large sedge meadow-shrub carr marsh complex with cattail in the wetter sites. Soft maple and brush stands occupy the narrow ridges along the river channel and oxbows. Find Wolf River Wildlife Area one mile southwest of Zittau. A parking area is located at the end of Schmidt Lane. There is an additional walk-in access point off of HWY II.
The hunting sentence for Wolf River Wildlife Area
- The Wolf River Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
- Hunting (noted for waterfowl and deer)
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Deer, bears and CWD around Wolf River Wildlife Area
Last full season (2025) the Winnebago County unit gave up 2,895 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 1,799 (2019) to 2,895 (2025). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Winnebago 333 deer. In CWD year 2025, 66 Winnebago County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 786 sampled, 1 positive. Property-level harvest does not exist for Wolf River Wildlife Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Winnebago County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1,485 | 1,410 | 2,895 |
| 2024 | 1,474 | 1,254 | 2,728 |
| 2023 | 1,211 | 1,069 | 2,280 |
| 2022 | 1,078 | 975 | 2,053 |
| 2021 | 1,007 | 817 | 1,824 |
| 2020 | 1,052 | 1,019 | 2,071 |
CWD results near Wolf River Wildlife Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 66 | 0 |
| 2024 | 86 | 0 |
| 2023 | 76 | 0 |
| 2022 | 60 | 1 |
| 2021 | 88 | 0 |
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 Wolf River 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tustin | Waushara | 5.3 mi | — | 9,695 |
| Winchester | Winnebago | 7.5 mi | — | 7,592 |
| Dale | Outagamie | 8.0 mi | — | 11,116 |
| Poy Sippi | Waushara | 11 mi | — | 8,114 |
County hunting overviews: Winnebago County.
Wolf River Wildlife Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Wolf River Wildlife Area
Winnebago County is served by the DNR Oshkosh 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 Wolf River Wildlife Area
Wolf River Wildlife Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 9,689.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winchester Meadow | State natural area | 444 | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Pony Creek (Remnant) | Fishery area | 16 | 6.1 mi | southwest |
| Rat River | Wildlife area | 4,584 | 6.9 mi | east |
| Wolf River Colic Slough | Fishery area | 276 | 7.4 mi | north |
| Shaky Lake | State natural area | 221 | 8.0 mi | northeast |
| Poygan Marsh | Wildlife area | 3,570 | 8.5 mi | southwest |
| Deppe | Wildlife area | 200 | 10 mi | south |
| Eckstein | WPA | 199 | 11 mi | south |
| Mukwa Bottomland Forest | State natural area | 171 | 12 mi | north |
| Pine River (Remnant) | Fishery area | 8 | 12 mi | southwest |
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 Wolf River 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 | 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 88.81 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Wolf River Wildlife Area: nearest ranges
Closest public range: Twin City Rod & Gun Club, roughly 11 miles from the middle of Wolf River Wildlife Area. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, archery, trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
trap, skeet, shotgun on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Wolf River Wildlife Area: the questions that come up
What turkey tag do I need for Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 3 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Wolf River Wildlife Area?
It is in Bear Zone F, target 50 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Banned in Winnebago County. Winnebago County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Use the Southern duck dates and the Southern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Southern Zone starts Oct 3.
Is there a check station for Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Nearest on the list: Winchester Meadow State Natural Area (3 miles), Pony Creek Fishery Area (Remnant) (6 miles) and Rat River Wildlife Area (7 miles).
How do I get permission to hunt Wolf River Wildlife Area?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
How many acres does Wolf River Wildlife Area cover?
1,981 acres, per WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting.
Whose property is Wolf River Wildlife Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR state wildlife area.
Which animals are listed at Wolf River Wildlife Area?
3 groups on the list: whitetails, ducks and geese and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
In which Wisconsin county is Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Tustin is closest (5 miles); the property is in Winnebago County.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Wolf River Wildlife Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit Winnebago. 2,000 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Wolf River Wildlife Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Wolf River Wildlife Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: Wolfriver · DNR GIS · DNR: alpha; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: hedera.baltica (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).