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Two Types of Hunting Opportunities

The Wisconsin Damage and Abatement Claims Program (WDACP) provides two types of hunting opportunities:

  1. Hunting access during the open season.
  2. Agricultural deer damage shooting permit program.

Hunting Access During Open Seasons

Farmers enrolled in either one of the two programs must provide hunting access to the public for the species they are enrolled for (generally deer) during the regular open hunting season(s) for that species.

Farmers have two options for providing access to hunters during the open seasons:

  • Managed Access: The farmer can limit access to 2 hunters per 40 acres of land suitable for hunting. (The county damage specialist determines the amount of land suitable for hunting. Open fields are not considered land suitable for hunting). All hunters must ask permission of the farmer prior to hunting and must sign in on the farmer's log book. This is the most common option chosen by farmers.
  • Open Access: Any number of hunters may hunt on the farmer's land during the open season. All hunters must notify the farmer of their intent to hunt on the farmer's land.

  • List of farmers enrolled in the WDACP for deer.
  • List of farmers enrolled in the WDACP for bear.
  • List of farmers enrolled in the WDACP for goose.
  • List of farmers enrolled in the WDACP for turkey.

    • For a list of farmers enrolled in the WDACP in other counties, contact the county official in the county or counties you are interested in hunting in.

    Agricultural Damage Shooting Permit Program

    Farmers who receive agricultural damage shooting permits have the option to provide some of their tags to hunters who would like to help them shoot deer, bear, turkeys, or geese that are damaging their crops. Again, farmers are not required to allow hunters to use their damage tags. The permits are valid both inside and outside of the regular hunting seasons.

  • List of farmers who have received deer damage shooting permits.
  • List of farmers who have received bear damage shooting permits.
  • List of farmers who have received goose damage shooting permits.
  • List of farmers who have received turkey damage shooting permits.

    • Regulations

    Regulations you should know for hunting on lands enrolled in the damage program.

    Commonly Asked Questions

    Answers to commonly asked questions about agricultural damage shooting permits for deer.

    Remember . . .

    During the regular season - Farmers must allow a certain number of hunters access to their property to hunt.

    Outside of the regular season - Farmers may allow you to help them fill their damage tags.

    Farmers in either program cannot charge any fees for hunting.

    Please be courteous to farmers! Call ahead to plan your hunt, and please refrain from calling them after 8 p.m.

    For more information on this topic, send mail to: Wildlife Damage Biologist

    Questions for Wildlife Management

    Last Revised: Monday April 13 2009