DNR: Apply for Sandhill State Wildlife Area Learn to Hunt event

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the 2024 Learn to Hunt Deer program at Sandhill Wildlife Area. Applications will be accepted through July 1, 2024.

Sandhill’s Learn to Hunt workshops combine classroom instruction and hands-on field experience with a mentored hunt on thousands of acres of intensively managed wildlife habitat. This unique opportunity will provide participants with an exciting educational experience while helping the DNR reach deer management objectives associated with an ongoing study within the 9,150-acre property.

The program is open to young hunters aged 12-15. Adults (age 16+) without previous experience hunting deer with a firearm may also apply. A chaperone must accompany all hunters. Registration for the program is $40.

In-person workshop dates for this year are Aug. 21, 23 and 24.

Each of the three workshops will cover the same material, including:

Deer biology and management

Hunting rules and regulations

Ethical hunter behavior

Basic firearm safety

Practice sighting and firing a hunting rifle

“Generations of hunters have come through this long-standing program, and we are excited to offer this opportunity again in 2024,” said Darren Ladwig, DNR wildlife biologist at Sandhill Wildlife Area. “This hunt will aid in reaching our deer harvest quota which, for this year, has been set to maintain the population at its current level.”

All participants (and accompanying mentors) must attend one of the workshops. The program will culminate with a two-day hunt on Nov. 2 and 3, 2024 at Sandhill Wildlife Area in Wood County. All participants must complete a hunter education course before the hunt.

Sandhill Wildlife Area lies within the bed of ancient Glacial Lake Wisconsin — an expansive region of flat, marshy land interspersed with forests covering parts of seven counties in central Wisconsin. The property features low, sandy uplands of oak, aspen and jack pine forests, large marshes and many flowages. A small herd of American bison, white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, Canada geese, ducks, loons, bald eagles, sandhill cranes, shorebirds, songbirds, hawks, owls and furbearers call Sandhill home.

Apply for the 2024 Sandhill Learn to Hunt on the application webpage by July 1.