New Munster Wildlife Area: hunting and access
New Munster Wildlife Area is 1,502 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Kenosha County, next to New Munster. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 510 deer in Kenosha 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 federal landOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landNew Munster Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,502 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Kenosha County |
| Deer Management Unit | Kenosha County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | New Munster Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | New Munster (next to it), Lily Lake (next to it) and Twin Lakes (2 mi) |
What is New Munster Wildlife Area like?
In 1947, the Wisconsin Conservation Commission created the New Munster Wildlife Area. The wildlife area was established to provide important pheasant and upland game habitat in a rapidly developing area of Wisconsin. In the project protects water quality, improves fish habitat, and provides public access for fishing, hunting and trapping. The New Munster Bog Island State Natural Area is found within the boundaries of the property and was one of the early state natural areas, designated in 1967. A 177-acre Department of Transportation wetland mitigation site was added to the property in 2008, encompassing 3,050 linear feet of bank frontage on both sides of the Fox River.
The wildlife area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. Shelterwood harvests are used to maintain the oak types. The shrub-carr, emergent wetland and grassland types are maintained with brushing, mowing and prescribed fire. The New Munster Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on New Munster Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for New Munster Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, pheasants, ducks and geese and small game. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on New Munster Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists New Munster 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 New Munster Wildlife Area: Birding;, Canoeing;, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);, Fishing (Palmer Creek class III trout stream);, Hiking;, Hunting (especially noted for deer, small game, waterfowl, pheasant [12 p.m. closing] and turkey);, Trapping;, Wild edibles/gathering; and and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around New Munster Wildlife Area?
New Munster Wildlife Area lies in Kenosha County. The DNR registered 510 deer in Kenosha County in 2025, against 419 in 2024.
| DMU | New Munster Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenosha County | 1,502 | 510 | 419 | 481 |
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 New Munster Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: New Munster (next to it), Lily Lake (next to it), Twin Lakes (2 miles) and Powers Lake (3 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 50, WI 83, US 12, WI 142 and WI 75.
What other public land is near New Munster Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Karcher Marsh Wildlife Area: 282 acres, 1.8 miles away
- Silver Lake Marsh Fishery Area: 35 acres, 1.9 miles away
- Peat Lake State Habitat Area: 480 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Burlington State Habitat Area: 437 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Richard Bong State Recreation Area: 4,694 acres, 2.8 miles away
- Camp Lake Fishery Area: 227 acres, 3.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of New Munster Wildlife Area
Counting New Munster Wildlife Area itself, 2,970 of the 37,517 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (7.9%), 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 | 2,251 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 718 |
| Other federal land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is New Munster Wildlife Area?
In Kenosha County, next to New Munster. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is New Munster 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 New Munster Wildlife Area in?
Kenosha County.
How much public land is around New Munster Wildlife Area?
2,970 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, New Munster Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Karcher Marsh Wildlife Area (1.8 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, New Munster 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.