![Woman dressed warmly in camouflage and standing in marsh reeds aims a shotgun into the air](/sites/default/files/styles/scale_width_600/public/2020-12/Woman%20Duck%20Hunting.jpg?itok=DQC5hhRp)
The largest public hunting area near Madison and Milwaukee, Necedah NWR has become a popular destination for many Wisconsin deer hunters. As many as 2,000 deer hunters visit the 45,000-acre refuge on opening day, with many returning year after year. While turkey hunting is not nearly as popular, the refuge has a healthy population of birds that appears to be increasing. The spring season is a particularly good time to catch sight of a gobbler. Necedah offers a wide range of hunting opportunities on limited parts of the refuge including fall waterfowl hunting. Nearly the entire refuge is opened for the deer firearms season.