Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Hunting Rules Overview

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust’s Preserves provide a wide variety of public uses including hiking, bird watching, canoeing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, scientific research and hunting. Hunting, trapping and fishing is permitted on all lands owned by NEWLT to the extent such activities are not contrary to state law or local ordinance (please review preserve-specific guidelines below). In order to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all visitors to our preserves, we ask hunters to review and comply with our hunting program policies and guidelines.

NEWLT has been able to provide public access with the help of the DNR’s Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Fund, the Fox River/Green Bay Trustee Council, grants from private foundations, and private donations. With your continued support we will be able to provide more huntable acres and fishable stretches of rivers.  Please call us at (920)738-7265 to find out how you can help.

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust recognizes that hunting is an important wildlife management tool, and the excise tax dollars generated from the sale of guns, ammunition and outdoor equipment has benefited natural habitats for all wildlife species. Hunters play an important role as conservation partners with NEWLT by helping control the populations of white-tailed deer and turkeys. If the populations of these species are not kept in balance, it could negatively impact the long-term health of our preserved lands.

Please be aware that lands NEWLT has preserved through conservation easements are private property and the Land Trust does not have the authority to grant permission to hunt on these lands. General rules on Land Trust owned preserves are indicated below. Please visit the link for individual rules and directions.

  

Hunting Rules on Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Preserves
 

• Use of Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust Preserves is a privilege extended to all legally-permitted hunters who abide by the rules and regulations of the WI-DNR and NEWLT. Failure to do so may result in loss of hunting privileges and if warranted, to referral to the WI-DNR and/or county Sheriff for possible enforcement action. Please visit the WI-DNR site for current regulations: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/regs/ 

• Portable hunting stands and structures are permitted for day use only and must be removed each night. All stands and structures must contain ownership information (name, address, and phone number). If a stand or other structure is left overnight it will be dismantled and removed by staff or preserve stewards.
  

• Hunters are NOT allowed to cut trees, shooting lanes, vegetation, or to remove brush from properties.
  

• Baiting is NOT allowed.
  

• Deer drives are NOT allowed. 
  

• Hunters need to respect adjacent private property. If a hunter needs to follow a wounded animal onto private lands, prior permission needs to be obtained from the neighboring landowner before tracking it. See the NRA Hunter’s Code of Ethics at www.nrahq.org/hunting/nraethics.asp for further guidance.  

• Motorized vehicles of any kind are NOT allowed.  

• Hunting dogs are NOT allowed off-leash.
  

• Hunters are asked to help “keep an eye” on things when hunting and to inform the Land Trust if there are any activities taking place on the property of which we should be aware. 

 

NEWLT Owned Preserves - Specific Uses and Hunting Overview: 

Gilson Creek Preserve: Public uses include hiking, bird watching, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, scientific research or nature study, nature photography and hunting. Currently, the preserve is closed to the public during the traditional 9 day Gun-Deer season. At this time, gun hunting during this timeframe is prohibited; we anticipate opening the Preserve during the traditional Gun-Deer season beginning in 2016. Please call the Land Stewardship Coordinator at NEWLT with questions. For more information visit: http://www.newlt.org/ProtectedLand/GilsonCreekBrownCounty.aspx

Guckenberg-Sturm Preserve: Town of Menasha regulations prohibit hunting on this preserve. Other acceptable uses include hiking, bird watching, canoeing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, scientific research or nature study, and nature photography. Put on your boots and enjoy your visit! For more information visit: http://www.newlt.org/ProtectedLand/GuckenbergSturmPreserveWinnebagoCounty.aspx

Reeve Reserve: Public uses include hiking, bird watching, canoeing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, scientific research or nature study, nature photography and hunting. For more information visit: http://www.newlt.org/ProtectedLand/ReeveReserveWaupacaCounty.aspx

 

NEWLT Preserved Lands Donated to WI-DNR for Public Access and Management: 

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust sometimes preserves land and donates it to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for management and increased accessibility by the public. The following properties have been preserved by NEWLT and donated to the WI-DNR and are open to the public. Please visit the WI-DNR website for information and hunting rules regarding the specific property:

Puchyan Prairie State Natural Area: NEWLT purchased 50 acres in 2010 and donated the property to the WI-DNR for management and to add on to the existing state owned Puchyan Prairie SNA. Please see the WI-DNR’s site for information: http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/er/sna/index.asp?SNA=172

Winneconne Wetlands State Natural Area: NEWLT purchased this 442 acre property and donated it to the WI-DNR in 2008. The WI-DNR website does not have information regarding this property yet, so please contact staff at the WI-DNR for more information: http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/staffdir/SearchSubjListing.asp

Summary of Exceptions & Restrictions for Hunters  

Northeast Wisconsin Land Trust seeks to maximize opportunities for low-impact outdoor recreational activities on NEWLT-owned lands to the extent those activities do not adversely affect the ecology of the properties or violate state law or local ordinances. Please stay informed and visit with care.