Deer Management Program
There is a lot of interest in hunting on Conservancy lands and a limited number of permits. Permits are processed on a first-come first-served, random basis based upon the date we receive them. We try to process the permits in a way that is both fair and allows for the maximum numbers of hunters at our preserves. Because of the level of interest, unfortunately not everyone who applies will receive a permit.
Changes in Conservancy deer hunting rules for 2009:
- Permits will be made available on the website starting Wednesday, April 15.
- We will start accepting and processing permits on Thursday, April 16.
- Permits must be mailed in to the Madison office. No permits will be accepted in person at any of our offices.
- Due to revised Knowles-Nelson State Stewardship funding rules there will be no fee to hunt at the Meyer Preserve or for the first five permits issued at Spring Green Preserve. This change applies for 2009 only and may be revised in subsequent seasons. If you are applying for either of these two preserves submit your application and fee as usual. Hunters receiving a 2009 permit at the Meyer Preserve and the first five hunters at Spring Green will have their application fee returned with their approved permit.
The Nature Conservancy Uses Hunting as a Management Tool
Managing white-tailed deer populations through hunting is an important step in reducing deer damage and protecting the biodiversity of our preserves. At some of our preserves, deer populations have grown well beyond the ability of the natural communities to withstand their effects. For this reason, we employ hunting as a tool to reduce populations in order to reduce the damage that the deer are causing, allowing natural communities to recover their full vigor and diversity.
A map of all the Conservancy preserves in Wisconsin where deer hunting is allowed can be found on the accompanying map of Wisconsin TNC Preserves in the Deer Management Program [67.8KB PDF]. (For maps of the individual preserves, click on the word “Map” in the table below next to the preserve you would like a map of. They are also PDFs.) Click the link at the bottom of the page if you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Open Hunting At Some Conservancy Preserves
The Nature Conservancy allows open hunting, no permit or fee required, at several of our preserves. Please refer to the table below for a breakdown of which sites are open and which sites still require a permit and fee. Please click on the hightlighted preserve names in the table to get information about each preserve, or the word “Map” next to the preserve name if you would like a hunting map for that preserve.
* Space is limited on our Door Peninsula preserves. Please call the Conservancy’s Door Peninsula Office at (920) 743-8695 for permission and maps.
** The Nature Conservancy also allows hunting of wild turkey and pheasant at our Military Ridge preserves during the regular seasons, with no prior permission from the Conservancy required. Dogs are allowed off-leash for pheasant hunting during pheasant season. Dogs must be on-leash the rest of the year, especially during the breeding bird season.
Hunting Guidelines
To hunt on Nature Conservancy lands, regardless of whether you hunt a preserve which requires a permit or not, hunters must agree to the following rules and statements.
Season Dates
Follow this link to find out the season dates at Conservancy preserves.
Application Process and Dates
The application period for 2009 deer hunting season permits has closed. Follow this link for more information on the application process.
Hunter Safety
For safety reasons, the number of hunters allowed at each Conservancy preserve follows the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' suggested limits of 2 gun hunters and 2 bow hunters per 40 acres. Volunteers monitor parking lots and roads near these preserves during the hunting season. Hunters must wear an I.D. badge at all times while on Conservancy land.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have several opportunities to get involved at our preserves throughout the year. This is a great way to visit preserves and gain first-hand knowledge of the lay of the land before hunting season starts. Work that we do on the preserves includes using chain saws to clear fire breaks, cutting buckthorn (a non-native tree), and planting trees. And, if you have the required training, you could become a member of our Prescribed Fire Crew. If you are interested in volunteering with The Nature Conservancy, please visit our Volunteer page.
Information About Nature Conservancy Preserves
Before you visit a preserve, please see the Conservancy’s Preserve Visitation Guidelines to learn more about the use of Conservancy preserves in Wisconsin, including other permitted activities.
You can also find information online about preserves in Wisconsin, or you may order the Conservancy’s Wisconsin preserve guide, “The Places We Save,” free plus shipping and handling, by contacting our Madison office at (608) 251-8140.
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