Hunting
The 33,000-acre Horicon Marsh is divided into Horicon National Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources). Known as the largest freshwater cattail marsh in the United States, it provides rich habitat for a variety of birds and wildlife. Here you can witness one of the greatest wildlife spectacles in the Upper Midwest that takes place every fall – the migration of thousands of geese, ducks and other waterfowl species. The two areas have different hunting regulations and season dates. Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, the northern two-thirds of Horicon Marsh, is a refuge for migrating birds. No waterfowl hunting is permitted other than an annual mentored duck hunt and state woodcock season. Opportunities are available for waterfowl hunting on the southern one-third of the Horicon Marsh, which is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and on private lands surrounding the marsh. The refuge is open for hunting of deer, turkey, bear, small game and upland birds. For more information see the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge Hunt brochure.
Learn to Hunt Waterfowl
Thirty novice hunters from ages 10 through adult will have the unique opportunity to experience a mentored hunt at Horicon Marsh on the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge. The program will be hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ducks Unlimited, Friends of Horicon National Wildlife Refuge, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Wildlife Federation. Successful applicants must also complete the mandatory four hour orientation and training class prior to their drawn hunt date. The class will include waterfowl identification, gun safety, water safety, duck calling, range estimation and hunting tactics. The hunts will be mentored by experienced waterfowl hunters. There will be one mentor per hunter and only the novice hunter will be allowed to hunt. Applicants are not required to have completed hunter education certification in order to participate
in a mentored Learn to Hunt program but do need to obtain a DNR customer number prior to class.
Applications are available annually starting June 15.
Archery and Gun Deer Hunts for Hunters with Disabilities
The refuge will be offering hunters with disabilities an opportunity to hunt in several hunts this fall. These permit hunts are restricted to a 936-acre area near the Refuge Office/Visitor center on County Road Z on the east side of the marsh. These Refuge sponsored deer hunts require a Special Use Permit issued from Horicon NWR, in addition to the appropriate State issued license and carcass tag(s). Ten wheelchair accessible blinds are available. Early scouting is not permitted, but if you are a new hunter, appointments are available to show you around so that you are familiar with the boundary, location of the blinds, and access points. Blinds will not be reserved but will be first come, first served. The hunts are limited to ten hunters per hunt.
You must have a State issued Class A, B, C, or D hunter disability permit in order to hunt. If you have a Class B permit for the October hunt, it must be one that authorizes hunting from a vehicle and has been issued for more than one year. You may have an assistant with you. Assistants are not allowed to hunt in any of the hunts.
Applications are available annually starting July 15.
