Dane County Parks Hunting Opportunities: 2009 Archery Access Permits

August 04, 2009
Darren Marsh Parks Director Dane County Parks (608)224-3766
Land & Water Resources

There is a new online application process for hunters seeking a Dane County Parks Archery Access Permit this year, Parks Director Darren Marsh said today. The program provides opportunities to hunt deer and turkeys on specific county lands to those archers with the required State licenses. With the increasing popularity of the archery program, the Park Commission has established a lottery system to select Permit applicants rather than a first come first served process. In recent years, some hunters have waited in line almost 20 hours in advance in the hope of securing a permit, stated Marsh.

Since 2002, Dane County Parks has issued a limited number of Archery Access Permits to hunt deer within Dane County properties, offering hunters a safe and enjoyable recreational experience. The program now includes approximately 4,000 acres of county lands. This year, 186 Limited  Archery Access Permits will be available. Youths 15 years of age and younger, may accompany and hunt under the direction of a valid permit holder.

Participants 16 years of age and older are limited to one permit, non-transferable, for one property for the fall hunting season. Archers who would like to participate in the archery program will have until midnight, August 23, 2009, to apply online at http://www.co.dane.wi.us/lwrd/parks/hunting.aspx. Applicants can apply one time only for any sites they may be interested in. The fee for the online application is $3.00. On August 24, 2009, there will be a random computer drawing and successful applicants will then have until September 4, 2009, to pick up their Access Permits at the Dane County Parks Office, 1 Fen Oak Ct., Room 208, Madison WI 53718. The cost of the permit remains at $12 to cover the program administration costs.

Dane County also offers hunting and trapping opportunities that require no access permit. Since 2007, the Park Commission has designated specific lands as County Wildlife Areas, similar to State Wildlife Areas. Dane County has approximately 600 acres designated as Wildlife Areas and is working on plans for additional properties. To find out more information on the County Wildlife Areas and all public lands open to hunting and trapping within Dane County, please check the Hunting Opportunities page of the Parks web site at http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/ or contact Dane County Parks at (608) 224-3730.