Buena Vista Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Buena Vista Wildlife Area is 12,552 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Portage County, next to Bancroft. The DNR's page for it names deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and woodcock among the game here. Hunters registered 8,384 deer in Portage County in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's DNR property data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Metrics.
State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR landOther county, city and regional landBuena Vista Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 12,552 acres in 24 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Portage County |
| Deer Management Unit | Portage County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and woodcock |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Buena Vista Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Bancroft (next to it), Plover (4 mi) and Lake Wazeecha (5 mi) |
What is Buena Vista Wildlife Area like?
Buena Vista Wildlife Area is a 12,700-acre property located in southwestern Portage County. Buena Vista Wildlife Area consists of scattered parcels 10 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids and 4 miles south of Plover. The area is predominately grassland with some woodland. This property is dominated by surrogate grasslands, which are dominated by non-native cool season grasses such as Canada bluegrass, orchard grass, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome. Warm-season grasses such as big and little bluestem and switchgrass are found in scattered areas. Forests on the property occur as scattered woodlots, primarily aspen with lesser amounts of oak.
The hydrology of this area has been greatly altered by ditching, drainage and groundwater withdrawals. Despite this, there are several designated trout streams, some of which have a considerably high density of brook trout. Much of the natural channel habitat has been altered, but some natural habitat remains that allows trout populations to persist. There are many trout fishing opportunities along the ditches present on the property. Additionally, the ditches and scattered ponds on the property provide opportunities for duck and goose hunting.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Buena Vista Wildlife Area names deer, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse and woodcock. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Buena Vista Wildlife Area as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
Activities the DNR lists for Buena Vista Wildlife Area: Birding, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Dog training/trialing, Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for deer, woodcock, duck, goose, grouse and mourning dove), Trapping, Snowmobiling trail, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
Buena Vista Wildlife Area lies in Portage County. The DNR registered 8,384 deer in Portage County in 2025, against 7,641 in 2024.
| DMU | Buena Vista Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage County | 12,552 | 8,384 | 7,641 | 6,559 |
Harvest for the whole deer management unit, not the property alone: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
How do you get to Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Bancroft (next to it), Plover (4 miles), Lake Wazeecha (5 miles) and Lake Camelot (5 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 51, I-39, WI 54 and WI 73.
What other public land is near Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Ten Mile Creek-North Branch SHA: 101 acres, 1.5 miles away
- Leola Marsh Wildlife Area: 2,518 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Ten Mile Creek Streambank Protection Area: 518 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Lake Camelot State Habitat Area: 160 acres, 4.1 miles away
- Tomorrow River State Trail: 376 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Buena Vista Wildlife Area
Counting Buena Vista Wildlife Area itself, 12,938 of the 102,445 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (12.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 12,938 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
In Portage County, next to Bancroft. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Buena Vista Wildlife Area open to hunting?
Yes. The DNR's property map lists it as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Posted refuges or closed areas, where there are any, are marked on site.
Which deer management unit is Buena Vista Wildlife Area in?
Portage County.
How much public land is around Buena Vista Wildlife Area?
12,938 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Buena Vista Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Ten Mile Creek-North Branch SHA (1.5 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Buena Vista Wildlife Area; Wisconsin DNR managed lands open to hunting.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
FilledTag is not part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.