Wisconsin Bow Hunting Trip

[slickyboyboo]

So my best friend and I have decided to check out Wisconsin this year sometime between November 3rd and November 14th to do some archery hunting.

So a couple questions?

What would be the best dates to target in that range?

What are some good public properties to check out, with a better chance at a good deer? I’m hoping that targeting weekday archery hunting may leave the woods a bit less packed. Not looking for anyone’s specific honey holes, just looking for some direction. If you don’t won’t to post on a public forum, I understand, send me a message.

Any help is much appreciated in advance.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

What part of the state are you looking at? I know a lot of areas.

 

[Bucky]

Recommend central WI or western WI public land for quality bucks. Stevens Point has some good public land you can kill a nice buck at those times of the year with the bow.

Anything off the Mississippi is tough but if you have the right mindset and transportation can kill something nice too

 

[WI-Carcosa]

What part of the state are you looking at? I recommend some e scouting and looking for overlooked areas. Some of the best spots I have found are small overlooked pieces, where the 2000 plus acre pieces not far away are insanely crowded. Getting to thick patches where doe bedding meets pinch points has been my best strategy for a new piece. As far as dates go, the 4-8th are usually pretty full of cruising bucks, but the latter half is when I have seen the biggest deer more vulnerable after breeding the bulk of does in their honey hole. Any time in that range you stated will be good. If you can hunt Monday-Friday the pressure will be much less than on the weekend.

 

[slickyboyboo]

What part of the state are you looking at? I recommend some e scouting and looking for overlooked areas. Some of the best spots I have found are small overlooked pieces, where the 2000 plus acre pieces not far away are insanely crowded. Getting to thick patches where doe bedding meets pinch points has been my best strategy for a new piece. As far as dates go, the 4-8th are usually pretty full of cruising bucks, but the latter half is when I have seen the biggest deer more vulnerable after breeding the bulk of does in their honey hole. Any time in that range you stated will be good. If you can hunt Monday-Friday the pressure will be much less than on the weekend.

Looking at the central to western part of the state, and probably the southern half of the state. That’s kind of what I’m thinking at the moment, just getting suggestions right now and trying to hone in on an area better.

 

[longspeak74]

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

 

[T3clay]

I’d go earlier, oct 25-Nov 3… I’d shoot for areas between lacrosse and Chippewa falls. Lots of public land and in the hills enough to find quality deer

 

[slickyboyboo]

I’d go earlier, oct 25-Nov 3… I’d shoot for areas between lacrosse and Chippewa falls. Lots of public land and in the hills enough to find quality deer

I’d love to got at that time, but I have prior required training already scheduled during that time for work.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

My brothers live there, north of Crivitz. They claim the deer population is out of control. PM me if you want some more info in the SW part of the state.

 

[Fogalo]

Wolves are worse in the northern part of the state than anywhere out west. Southern part is mostly private. Expect public to be heavily hunted. Door knocking will get you nowhere nowadays.

It can be done but I’d set your expectations very low. If you do luck out be sure to get it tested for CWD.

 

[Westernwannabe]

The dates you have available are all good. I’d recommend the earlier part of your window from prior experience. As others have said, focus in the southernish half of state if your after deer numbers. There are big bucks everywhere in the state, don’t expect them to be easy on public. The majority of trophies are taken on private but it’s definitely doable on public with persistence and luck. Stay away from large cities and heavily populated areas and expect to see lots of hunters on public. It’s very easy to get P&Y and B&C information. You’ll find that nearly every county puts them out. Marsh ground is hard to hunt but there’s a ton of public marsh ground and big bucks love to live in and around them. Agricultural areas are easier to hunt but less public and high hunter volume. Heavy timber is hard to hunt without experience. I hunted public in Dunn county in college and did well. I wouldn’t go farther north than that personally.

Tons of WI guys go hunt out west, if you have anything to offer in that regard you may be able to get a foot in the door with someone with private.

Good luck.

 

[WiscoHoundsman]

I would shoot for the earlier part of your date range. Pm me what part of the state you decide and if I can offer any guidance I will. There’s a pretty bid difference in the forest types as you move north/south through the state.

 

[BravoNovember]

I live in the SE part of the state. It gets a lot of activity but there are still great opportunities. You will see a lot of people hunting that week, but as you said, weekday will be a bit less. Feel free to message me.

 

[nighthawkf-117]

I live in the SW part of the state. There are a ton of deer around this year. I think two mild winters has lead to a population explosion. As other have said the south has better deer numbers but also more pressure. I spend some time in the northern part of the state and there are plenty of areas where you won't find pressure. Huge deer are still around in these areas they just take higher effort and skill to hunt. Good luck!