BABCOCK, Wis. — Wisconsin hunters can get a unique hunting experience this fall in Sandhill Wildlife Area.

What You Need To Know

  • The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources is offering a unique hunting experience this fall at the Sandhill Wildlife Area in Babcock to help with a research study on deer density

  • The special permit hunt will take place on Sept. 20 and Oct. 1, 2023

  • Applications are due on Aug. 14 and must be sent via mail to the DNR

  • The last time an archery hunt was held in Sandhill was 1968

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources announced Wednesday that it's offering up a two-day archery hunt in the Babcock nature area. It’s a part of a research study on deer density.

The special permit hunt will take place on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, 2023. Those interested must turn in applications by Aug. 14.

“The last time an archery hunt was held in Sandhill was 1968, so we are looking forward to offering this opportunity to archers this fall,” said Darren Ladwig, DNR wildlife biologist at Sandhill.

Anyone who is a licensed archery hunter is welcome to join the special hunt. Only crossbows and vertical bows will be allowed. Additionally, only a limited number of applicants will be accepted for the opportunity.

The DNR said those who get accepted will be notified a week after the August application deadline; those that aren’t accepted won’t be notified.

Participants in the two-day hunt will be required to review hunting rules and regulations for the Sandhill area beforehand. They’ll also be issued two harvest authorizations, including an either-sex permit and an antlerless-only harvest. The authorizations will only be valid at Sandhill Wildlife Area during the special hunt.

Wisconsinites interested in participating in the fall archery deer hunt at Sandhill can download a copy of the application on the DNR website and mail it to the following address:

DNR - Archery Deer Hunt
Sandhill Wildlife Area
PO Box 156
Babcock, WI 54413

The DNR research on deer density is mainly focused on the Sandhill Wildlife Area. In the area, it is using a trail camera grid and GPS-collared deer to study movement of the species. The goal is to find better methods for studying deer populations.