Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area is 11,181 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Dodge County, next to Kekoskee. Hunters registered 5,477 deer in Dodge 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 landNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasState parksOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landHoricon Marsh Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 11,181 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Dodge County |
| Deer Management Unit | Dodge County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Kekoskee (next to it), Horicon (next to it) and Burnett (next to it) |
What is Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area like?
Horicon Marsh is a 33,000-acre wetland carved out by a continental glacier thousands of years ago. Horicon Marsh was historically destroyed by settlers who dammed and dredged the marsh and later drained it for farming. However, after decades of hard restoration work pioneered by local conservationists, the marsh was designated a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ in the 1990s. Visitors to Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area can see this storied past first-hand by touring the interactive displays in the Explorium in the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center. Now, Horicon Marsh is co-managed by the Wisconsin DNR (Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area) and the US Fish and Wildlife Service ( Horicon National Wildlife Refuge ). Management of the wetland is principally directed toward enhancing habitat for migratory waterfowl and waterbirds.
Horicon is also open to hiking, paddling, foraging wild edibles, and more. There are over five miles of designated hiking trails through forest, prairie and wetland habitats, which provide scenic views and wildlife viewing throughout the year. Among these are a storybook trail and a wetland boardwalk where Canada geese, wood duck, marsh wren, painted turtles and other wildlife are commonly in close view from spring to fall. Dogs must be leashed while walking trails. Off trails, dogs must be leashed from Apr 15 - Jul 31 to avoid disturbance to nesting birds. A six-mile-long paddle trail along the Rock River goes through the core of the marsh and often provides views of bald eagles, great blue herons, and state-endangered black terns. Scenic overlooks and the viewing room in the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center offer great places to see the marsh and wildlife in every season.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Horicon Marsh Wildlife 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 Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area lies in Dodge County. The DNR registered 5,477 deer in Dodge County in 2025, against 5,238 in 2024.
| DMU | Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge County | 11,181 | 5,477 | 5,238 | 4,552 |
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 Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Kekoskee (next to it), Horicon (next to it), Burnett (next to it) and Mayville (2 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 26, WI 33, WI 28, WI 67 and US 151.
What other public land is near Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Wild Goose State Trail: 431 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Habitat Area: 62 acres, 0.6 miles away
- Sinnissippi Wildlife Area: 300 acres, 2.6 miles away
- Glacial Habitat Restoration Area: 11,308 acres, 5 miles away
- Theresa Wildlife Area: 5,763 acres, 7.3 miles away
- Shaw Marsh Wildlife Area: 918 acres, 7.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area
Counting Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area itself, 21,875 of the 66,127 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (33.1%), 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 | 11,461 |
| National wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areas | 9,726 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 356 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 325 |
| State parks | 7 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
In Dodge County, next to Kekoskee. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Horicon Marsh 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 Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area in?
Dodge County.
How much public land is around Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area?
21,875 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Horicon Marsh Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Wild Goose State Trail (0.6 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Horicon Marsh 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.