Deansville Wildlife Area

Deansville Wildlife Area is a 1,970 acre (1690 DNR owned, 280 leased) property consisting of approximately 215 acres of upland grassland/agricultural land, 90 acres of mixed hardwood upland forest, 840 acres of open marshland and sedge meadow, and 500 acres of shrub carr and brushy areas.

Deansville Wildlife Area is located approximately 4 miles northeast of Sun Prairie. From Sun Prairie, head East on State HWY 19 about 6 miles to CTH TT. Head North on TT for about 2 miles and turn left onto Deansville Rd. Head North on Deansville Rd. 2 miles to Sun Prairie Rd. Turn left and head West on Sun Prairie Rd. 1.5 miles to the Wildlife Area.

Management

Management Objective

The Deansville Marsh was originally leased for hunting in the early 1930’s by the Dane County Conservation League. In 1938, the leases were turned over to the state, making the Deansville property Wisconsin’s first leased Public Hunting Ground. Acquisition of property by the state began in 1946 with a 40 acre purchase from Mr. Fred Berlin. Federal approval for the establishment of Deansville Wildlife Area was received in February 1, 1962.

Today, prescribed burning and chemical and mechanical brush control are used on the property to maintain open grasslands and wetlands. Occasional timber harvests are conducted to maintain and enhance the oak/hickory woodlands.

Recreation

The following recreational opportunities exist at Deansville Wildlife Area:

Hunting - Pheasants, deer (DMU 76), waterfowl, turkey (zone 26), small game

Trapping

Hiking

Berry picking, etc..

Wildlife Viewing

Fishing

Bird watching

Canoeing

Map

Download [PDF 195KB] a map of this property.

Useful Links

Hunting in Wisconsin
Hunting and Trapping Regulations
Season Dates
Dane County Information [Exit DNR]
Plan your trip to Dane County [Exit DNR]

For more information on Deansville Wildlife Area contact the property manager.

Questions for Wildlife Management

Last Revised: Wednesday October 28 2009