Getting started deer hunting in Wisconsin

[kenhtake]

Can anyone offer me some pointers on getting started deer hunting in Wisconsin? I am a new resident to the state and would really like to do some hunting but have no idea where to start when it comes to finding land to hunt or getting tags.

I moved here from Kentucky, where I still own a farm but I cannot make it down for deer season. Instead I'm stuck leaving in a crappy apartment about an hour north of Madison and have been really trying to find some way to get out away from the city and get out into nature for a little fun.

I tried asking a DNR guy at one of the state parks, he didn't seem interested in having another yahoo with a gun running around the woods and told me to go ask around at the local Gander Mountain. So I went to GM and asked around. I've been down there twice, the first time the guy I talked to told me I have a snowballs chance in hell of getting into a park (wouldn't even tell me how to try) and instead recommended I just pay $2000 for a "guided" hunt with them. The next time I was told by another guy to just find someone who hunts, buy them a bunch of beer and brandy and ask to come along because "huntin' ain't huntin' unless you got plenty of booze."

Any suggestions?

 

[dispatch55126]

I'm next door in Minnesota, but head north to the Hayward area. I can't say what state parks are around there but last time I visited the area it was bulging with deer.

 

[.45Guy]

.....

 

[Gfrey]

Ken,
I live about an hour east of Madison.

Get a Map, There is a BIG wisconsin map by Delorme (?SP) with public hunting grounds listed. Anywhere north of Madison has lots of public hunting grounds. (There are deer, you just need to find them.) I know there is a DNR website, http://dnr.wi.gov/ to look at. A quick search using the words Public hunting grounds shows this link http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/reclands/southcentralmap.htm
With a map. Use them to find the public land. Other people WILL probably be there in two weeks, have a plan, a backup plan, and be willing to change both.

Have fun, and even now, if you ask, you may find a farmer willing to let you hunt. (Don't worry about no's, be nice, and ask about after opening weeekend.) I have easily got more land to hunt than time, without trying.

I hope this helps, I don't get on the web as much as I wanna....

Good Luck!


Gfrey

 

[ReadyontheRight]

I have hunted in Wisconsin just South of Lake Superior by Brule. Lots and lots of deer. There are no wolves!

5 or so years ago, I saw 14 one Saturday afternoon and finally shot two late on Sunday after seeing no bucks. I did the same thing the next year.

I do not know Madison area very well, but I would guess that the farther North you go, the better. Personally, I would head as far Northwest in Wisconsin as possible - just a lot fewer people and a longer drive for the hordes of Chicago and Milwaukee folks.

Even as far north as Brule, there is a lot of hunting pressure. Every time I hear one shot in WI, it seems to be followed by four more quick shots and a guy walking around looking for his deer a 1/2 hour later (OK...I had to get a little WI dig in now that Favre is doing so well..but this has happend to me twice in WI).

First off, I'd suggest finding at least one hunting buddy. It's safer to hunt with a friend and I think a little less likely to creep out the locals if there are two or more of you. If neither of you know a place to hunt, at least you can both ask around and give each other moral support. Definitely ask a few farmers and land owners if you can hunt their land. There is a lot of land people own just for logging. A platte (sp?) map can tell you who owns land. I think you get them at the local county courthouse, but that might just be Minnesota.

I am not sure how much time or money you want to spend, but if you want to drive North and stay somewhere for a few nights, you might want to do a Google search on Inns, motels, campgrounds (some have cabins), cabins, etc. in Northern Wisconsin. Call up a few and chat with the owner and tell him/her you are looking for a place to hunt. That might get you some good advice or contacts.

THE LOCAL BAR is the place to meet people and talk hunting in WI towns (count 'em...more bars than churches in every WI small town.) The Crow Bar in Brule is a nice little place. As anywhere, just be sure to always stay relatively sober and watch your six.

One option - especially when you are getting to know the area and if you want to stay closer to Madison - hunt the blackpowder season or the bow seaon. Get a good map, scope out some spots now. You will need fewer backup plans because there just are not nearly as many hunters.

For muzzleloading hunting day - which will be late in the season, probably snowy - get a good set of orange, thermal overalls, hat, gloves, boots, parka, etc, a cozy orange butt pad and drive around until you find a state forest with no cars parked in the parking lot. Don't bother with a tree stand for now. Walk to a good spot near a big tree, drag over a log as a chair and sit down with your back to the tree. To the deer, you blend into the tree if you stay still and are downwind. You will see hunters in front of you and be safe from shots behind you. (Also good advice if you hunt public land during rifle season. If there are a lot of hunters, you may want to tack a block of orange cloth on the back of the tree.)

Be sure to talk to people you meet about your interest. Great way to meet good new friends in a new place. It can be VERY tough to break into the clique, but there must be some WI hunting camps who would welcome a Southerner.

I think the big difference between your experience of hunting your own farm and hunting public land is that you will probably need to be more mobile than you would like. You may have to drive to your 4th or 5th spot before you find public land without boatloads of hunters. Sometimes you'll have to just cut your losses at 9am and drive on if a bunch of slob hunters show up.

Just get out there, stay off posted land and get to know Wisconsin. Good luck!

Oh - you may not know this from Kentucky. SNOW on the ground is your best hunting friend. Now that you live up North, get a pair of Sorels. Pay attention to when it snowed last and get to know old deer tracks vs. new deer tracks (for when it has not snowed in a while).

Definitely get out in the woods in the snow. There is no such thing as bad weather...only bad clothing.

 

[kenhtake]

Thanks for the replies, you guys are far more helpful than the local goof balls at Gander Mountain (which is still a good store, I'm just amused by the advice I hear there sometimes).

Being a southerner and a land owner, the idea of public lands is rather new to me. As I understand it, all I need is the correct license and tags to hunt on these lands, no DNR permission slips or anything else. Crazy, I remember friends who would have to enter drawings to hunt the parks in Kentucky.

I definitly agree on the "there is no such thing as bad weather...only bad clothing," yesterday it was raining/snowing and the wind was whipping around and I couldn't help but feel like I should be out in the woods with a rifle. I have a full set of wool hunting clothes already laid out with a blaze windbreaker and stocking cap to top it off.

Thank you for links and suggestions. I'm going to try to get out and scout some locations this weekend.