Otter Creek Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Otter Creek Wildlife Area is 236 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Dunn County, 4 miles from Wheeler. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 9,118 deer in Dunn 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 landVoluntary Public Access landOtter Creek Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 236 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Dunn County |
| Deer Management Unit | Dunn County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Otter Creek Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Wheeler (4 mi), Ridgeland (6 mi) and Tainter Lake (7 mi) |
What is Otter Creek Wildlife Area like?
Otter Creek Wildlife Area ranges between 1-5 miles north/northwest of Wheeler. This property is comprised of several small parcels scattered throughout the western half of Otter Creek Township. An additional 400 acres make up the Otter Creek State Natural Area, and 347 acres are managed by the Fisheries program, bringing the total acreage for the fish, wildlife and natural areas properties to 1,039. Access to these properties can be gained through parking lots located on the south side of County Highway N, the south side of 570th Street, on the east side of 530th Street and at the end of 1150th Avenue. All other parcels required roadside parking. The 400-acre state natural area located in Section 16 is landlocked but is accessible via a walk-in easement off 1150th Avenue. Many of these properties have short segments of Otter Creek flowing through them.
The Otter Creek State Natural Area provides a small-scale glimpse of what this portion of the county may have looked like several decades ago. This is one of the few remaining areas exhibiting the oak and jackpine barrens community that was once prevalent in this area. Acquisition of lands for the Otter Creek Wildlife Area occurred between 1960 and 1965. The purpose was to protect and provide public access to Otter Creek and the associated wetland complex. The 400-acre natural area was purchased as recently as 2008 as a way to protect the barrens that are disappearing from the local landscape. Historically, the management objective was to protect the waters of Otter Creek and provide wildlife habitat for species that utilize wetlands and woods. These same objectives remain true today. In addition, protecting the barrens and increasing ruffed grouse habitat are goals for these properties.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Otter Creek Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear 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 Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek Wildlife Area: Birding, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for deer, bear, turkey, waterfowl and small game), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
Otter Creek Wildlife Area lies in Dunn County. The DNR registered 9,118 deer in Dunn County in 2025, against 7,819 in 2024.
| DMU | Otter Creek Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dunn County | 236 | 9,118 | 7,819 | 6,979 |
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 Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Wheeler (4 miles), Ridgeland (6 miles), Tainter Lake (7 miles) and Colfax (9 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 25, WI 64 and WI 170.
What other public land is near Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Otter Creek Oak Barrens State Natural Area: 406 acres, next to it
- Red Cedar River Savanna State Natural Area: 182 acres, 6.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Otter Creek Wildlife Area
Counting Otter Creek Wildlife Area itself, 1,096 of the 24,839 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (4.4%), 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 | 1,096 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
In Dunn County, 4 miles from Wheeler. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Otter Creek 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 Otter Creek Wildlife Area in?
Dunn County.
How much public land is around Otter Creek Wildlife Area?
1,096 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Otter Creek Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Otter Creek Oak Barrens State Natural Area (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Otter Creek 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.