Hunting Opportunities in Chippewa County
If you were to poll a group of hunters on top hunting locations in Wisconsin, it’s unlikely that Chippewa County would be at the top of the list. With so many premier destinations in the state, it’s easy for folks to overlook. If we’re really being honest with ourselves though, why are we neglecting it?
Chippewa County is home to thousands of acres of public land and nearly every major game species the Midwest offers can be found here. Sounds about perfect, right? When you really think about it, variety is what sets Chippewa County apart from the rest. It combines habitats of every major type, making the ultimate mix for wildlife of all kinds. Rolling hills, open farmland, hardwood ridges, and expansive marshes – what more could you ask for?
No matter what you like to hunt, there’s an opportunity for you here.
Public Access
With thousands of acres of public lands, there’s no shortage of prospects in Chippewa County. County forest, state wildlife areas, state parks, and other lands open to the public account for seemingly endless opportunity – whether you want something close to home or something in middle of nowhere.
Chippewa County Forest
The largest expanse of public hunting land lies in the Chippewa County Forest. Spanning more than 33,000 acres, this area offers a unique mix of just about everything a hunter could ask for – including hardwood forest, wetlands, rolling hills, lakes, and more.
The Chippewa County Forest is located in the northern portion of the county extending across communities like Cornell, New Auburn, Holcombe, Bloomer, and others. A network of roads and trails, in addition to numerous access points, make travel throughout the region far from a problem. Whitetail deer, turkey, and small game are among the top targets.
Tom Lawin Wildlife Area
The Tom Lawin Wildlife Area is among the most popular public hunting destinations in this part of the state. At 2,282 acres, this property is a true public hunting gem in this part of the state. The area features a distinctive landscape including elements native to both northern and southern Wisconsin. Such a diverse mix of habitats – like wetlands, grasslands, and forest – offer the ideal environment for everything from pheasants and waterfowl to deer, turkey, and more.
Despite being just two miles from the Town of Jim Falls, the Wildlife Area offers a real remote feel with very few maintained trails.
State Parks & Recreation Areas
In addition to the Chippewa County Forest and Tom Lawin Wildlife Area, Chippewa County is home to a number of state parks and recreation areas. Areas like Lake Wissota State Park, Brunet Island State Park, and the Chippewa Moraine State Recreation Area all offer opportunities for hunting. The best part – these locations often fly under the radar.
Despite the access, it’s important to closely monitor which areas are open to hunting – as each of these locations have areas that are specifically off limits to hunting. Maps, available from the Wisconsin DNR, can help hunters differentiate these locations.
Other Public Access
Beyond the state and county managed options, there are also thousands of acres of other lands that are open to the public for hunting – such as Managed Forest Law (MFL), Forest Crop Law (FCL), and Voluntary Public Access (VPA). These privately owned lands are offered up for public access by generous landowners for activities like hunting.
It’s important to note that these lands can change from year to year, so make sure you’re verifying what’s enrolled for access. The Wisconsin DNR’s Public Access Landing online mapping application is a great resource for staying up to date.
Big Game
For the big game hunter, Chippewa County is far from lacking. With so much land open to the public, the prospects for both deer and bear are promising across the county.
Deer Hunting
There’s no question that the whitetail deer is Chippewa County’s most sought-after game species. If you’ve been here, you can understand why – there’s a perfect blend of agricultural and forest lands. Whitetail opportunities for both quality and quantity can be found here. Between the Forest, Wildlife Area, and the other public lands, there’s no lack of deer hunting habitat.
The county is home to two different deer management zones, so depending on where you’re at harvest limitations vary.
Bear Hunting
While it’s less available than deer hunting, the black bear hunting in these parts is what most would consider “fairly solid.” If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can often be rewarded. Some of the best bear habitat is found throughout private lands open for public access.
Four different bear management zones intersect in Chippewa County, so it’s important to brush up on regulations related to season dates, baiting methods, dog use, and others.
Waterfowl, Turkey, and Small Game
If small game is more your style, the opportunities in this part of the world are seemingly endless. Whether you’re after grouse, pheasant, turkey, squirrel, or waterfowl, there’s a place here for you.
Turkey Hunting
After whitetail, turkeys are a top target for hunters in Chippewa County. In these parts, the spring turkey tradition is alive and well. Fall hunting is faint in popularity but the opportunities are still here. Populations in the county have been thriving, so finding huntable turkeys is the least of your problems.
With such a diverse habitat, Chippewa County offers turkey hunters the ability to find turkeys across a variety of public lands.
Grouse and Pheasant Hunting
With so much potential across the state, upland birds are some of the more overlooked species in the region. That being said, there are some great prospects for both in Chippewa County.
For grouse hunters, the Chippewa County Forest is among the top options – with well-maintained trails and actively managed forest tracts. For pheasant hunters, look no further than the Tom Lawin Wildlife Area, which is specifically managed for pheasants and offers the unique ability to harvest both roosters and hens.
Waterfowl Hunting
Waterfowl is another hunting opportunity that gets neglected in Chippewa County. Truth be told though, this area is home to excellent waterfowl hunting. The countless lakes, rivers, and ponds, coupled with productive agricultural fields has a way of drawing waterfowl.
Chippewa County falls entirely within the Northern Zone for both duck and geese.
Chippewa County is truly a sportsman’s paradise – and hunting is no exception. The county is home to thousands of acres of lands that are open for public access. The region offers an ideal mix of forested land, agricultural land, expansive wetlands, and numerous lakes – making it a great place for many targets.
