Glacial Habitat Restoration Area: hunting and access
Glacial Habitat Restoration Area is 11,308 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Dodge, Columbia and Waushara counties, next to Brandon. Hunters registered 4,642 deer in Fond du Lac 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 landCounty forestNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landVoluntary Public Access landGlacial Habitat Restoration AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 11,308 acres in 93 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Fond du Lac County, Winnebago County, Dodge County, Columbia County and Waushara County |
| Deer Management Unit | Fond du Lac County, Winnebago County, Dodge County, Columbia County, Waushara County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Glacial Habitat Restoration Areas |
| Nearest towns | Brandon (next to it), Eureka (next to it) and Oakfield (next to it) |
What is Glacial Habitat Restoration Area like?
The Glacial Habitat Restoration Area (GHRA) is a program that takes a regional approach to wildlife management by restoring, creating, and maintaining habitat for game and non-game birds; specifically Blue-winged Teal, Ring-necked Pheasant and Eastern Meadowlark. The program's focus is the creation of a patchwork of restored grasslands and wetlands amid the established croplands of Columbia, Dodge, Fond du Lac and Winnebago counties, thereby maximizing wildlife habitat. In an era of increasing rural development and disappearing farmland, grassland, and wetland, these areas are critical to the nesting, feeding and overall survival of birds and other wildlife populations.
Whether taking a casual hike or actively searching for that special species, we ask that you please respect the land and wildlife you are observing. Make sure you always view wildlife from a distance, and please avoid photographing or otherwise disrupting birds during their nesting activities. Respect others using the property, thereby giving them room to enjoy their activities and not disturb the wildlife they are observing. Please remember that all GHRA fee titles (state-owned properties) are open to hunting. Whether searching for spring turkeys or tracking white-tailed deer in fall, these properties have a wealth of opportunities to offer. Several GHRA properties also receive stocked pheasants each fall. To preserve a quality hunting experience for yourself and others we ask that you follow common hunting etiquette. Avoid farmed areas until after they are harvested.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
The DNR's property map lists Glacial Habitat Restoration Area as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
How many deer are taken around Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
Glacial Habitat Restoration Area lies in 5 deer management units. The DNR registered 4,642 deer in Fond du Lac County in 2025, against 4,546 in 2024.
| DMU | Glacial Habitat Restoration Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fond du Lac County | 5,770 | 4,642 | 4,546 | 4,068 |
| Winnebago County | 3,750 | 2,895 | 2,728 | 2,280 |
| Dodge County | 1,302 | 5,477 | 5,238 | 4,552 |
| Columbia County | 481 | 7,189 | 7,176 | 6,629 |
| Waushara County | 1 | 8,678 | 8,191 | 6,404 |
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 Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
Nearest towns: Brandon (next to it), Eureka (next to it), Oakfield (next to it) and Waukau (next to it). Highways within 5 miles: US 151, WI 49, WI 26, I-41 and US 41. 6 VPA properties within 3 miles.
What other public land is near Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Wild Goose State Trail: 431 acres, next to it
- Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area: 101 acres, next to it
- Upper Fox River Public Access: 401 acres, next to it
- Deppe Wildlife Area: 201 acres, next to it
- Poygan Marsh Wildlife Area: 3,574 acres, next to it
Public land within 3 miles of Glacial Habitat Restoration Area
Counting Glacial Habitat Restoration Area itself, 41,185 of the 561,981 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.3%), 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 | 25,168 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 9,001 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 6,001 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 954 |
| State parks | 48 |
| Other federal land | 13 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
In Fond du Lac, Winnebago, Dodge, Columbia and Waushara counties, next to Brandon. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Glacial Habitat Restoration 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 Glacial Habitat Restoration Area in?
Fond du Lac County (5,770 acres), Winnebago County (3,750 acres), Dodge County (1,302 acres), Columbia County (481 acres) and Waushara County (1 acres).
How much public land is around Glacial Habitat Restoration Area?
41,185 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Glacial Habitat Restoration Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Wild Goose State Trail (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Glacial Habitat Restoration 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.
Wisconsin hunting Fond du Lac County Winnebago County Dodge County Columbia County Waushara County Fond du Lac County Winnebago County Dodge County Columbia County Waushara County