McMillan Wildlife Area: hunting and access
McMillan Wildlife Area is 5,807 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Marathon County, 2 miles from Spencer. The DNR's page for it names wild turkey, pheasants and ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 12,041 deer in Marathon 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 landMcMillan Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 5,807 acres |
|---|---|
| County | Marathon County |
| Deer Management Unit | Marathon County |
| DNR lists for hunting | wild turkey, pheasants and ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Spencer (2 mi), Marshfield (3 mi) and Hewitt (5 mi) |
What is McMillan Wildlife Area like?
McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area is approximately 6,500 acres of mostly shallow marshes and shrub wetlands with scattered grasslands, upland hardwoods, and aspen stands. It provides a valuable habitat for many game and non-game species of wildlife throughout the year. Hunting, trapping, bird watching and hiking are some of the most popular activities on the property. A 5.5-mile seasonal (May 1- Aug. 31) bike trail is also a very popular attraction. McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area is just a short drive north of Marshfield with several easy access points into the property. Please also visit the Friends of Mead/McMillan Association which provides additional activities and property information.
McMillan Marsh Wildlife Area is managed to provide quality wetland, grassland and forest habitats for game and non-game species while also providing compatible public recreation opportunities. Most of the property is open year-round, but there is a seasonally closed refuge area (see maps section). Wetlands on Mead are managed to provide seasonally productive and diverse habitat types that benefit wetland-dependent species such as waterfowl, muskrats and Trumpeter Swans. Water levels are intensively managed by utilizing a system of water control structures, spillways and dikes. Grasslands on McMillan Marsh provide nesting and brood-rearing opportunities for waterfowl, wild turkeys and many other grassland-dependent birds. A combination of mechanical mowing, herbicide treatment and prescribed burning are occasionally used to maintain these areas in open grassland.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on McMillan Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for McMillan Wildlife Area names wild turkey, pheasants and ducks and geese. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on McMillan Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists McMillan 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 McMillan Wildlife Area: Hunting, Trapping, Hiking (no designated trail), Birding, Boating (non-motorized), Canoeing, Kayaking, Wildlife viewing, Dog training and trialing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Wild edibles/gathering and Seasonal biking (May 1-Aug. 31).
How many deer are taken around McMillan Wildlife Area?
McMillan Wildlife Area lies in Marathon County. The DNR registered 12,041 deer in Marathon County in 2025, against 11,715 in 2024.
| DMU | McMillan Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon County | 5,807 | 12,041 | 11,715 | 10,082 |
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 McMillan Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Spencer (2 miles), Marshfield (3 miles), Hewitt (5 miles) and Stratford (6 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 13, WI 97, WI 153 and WI 98.
What other public land is near McMillan Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Mead Wildlife Area: 32,664 acres, 7.2 miles away
- Winding Creek Rearing Station: 204 acres, 7.4 miles away
- Auburndale Transmitter Site: 22 acres, 8.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of McMillan Wildlife Area
Counting McMillan Wildlife Area itself, 6,139 of the 53,260 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (11.5%), 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 | 5,842 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 297 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is McMillan Wildlife Area?
In Marathon County, 2 miles from Spencer. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is McMillan 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 McMillan Wildlife Area in?
Marathon County.
How much public land is around McMillan Wildlife Area?
6,139 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, McMillan Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Mead Wildlife Area (7.2 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, McMillan 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.