Learn to Hunt Deer Program in Central Wisconsin

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – You can apply now for this year’s two day learn to hunt hosted through the DNR at the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Wood County.

Sandhill’s Learn to Hunt workshops combine classroom and hands-on field experience with a mentored hunt on thousands of acres of intensively managed wildlife habitat.

This unique opportunity provides participants with an exciting educational experience, while helping the DNR reach deer management numbers on their 9,150-acre property.

Open to young hunters aged 12 to 15, adults 16 and older without previous experience hunting deer with a firearm may also apply.

A chaperone must accompany all hunters and registration for the program costs $40.

Applications will be accepted now through July 1st, 2024.

In-person workshop dates are August 21st, 23rd and 24th.

Each of the three classes will cover:

• 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.”

The program will culminate with a two-day hunt on November 2nd and 3rd, 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.