Paradise Valley Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Paradise Valley Wildlife Area is 1,788 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Waukesha and Jefferson counties, next to Dousman. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 3,320 deer in Waukesha 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 landState parksOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landParadise Valley Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,788 acres in 5 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Waukesha County and Jefferson County |
| Deer Management Unit | Waukesha County, Jefferson County |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey and ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Paradise Valley Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Dousman (next to it), Sullivan (2 mi) and Summit (3 mi) |
What is Paradise Valley Wildlife Area like?
Waterbodies on or adjacent to this property include the Bark River, Reagon Lake and Beaver Dam Lake. These water bodies provide habitat for resident and migratory wildlife. The Bark River is considered a Warm Main Stem river and is identified in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan as a Conservation Opportunity Area because of its waters containing significant populations of fish and rare invertebrates such as mussels and dragonflies. The Glacial Drumlin State Trail runs along the north side of the Bark River and offers unique access to this parcel of the wildlife area. Habitat management within Paradise Wildlife Area is focused on expanding and enhancing existing grasslands, oak forests and emergent wetlands. Major management tools include timber harvest, prescribed burning and mowing.
On March 25, 2009, the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board approved the Paradise Valley project. This project was originally conceived as an addition to the Kettle Moraine State Forest, but because of the project's focus on wildlife habitat and department program priorities, Paradise Valley was designated a State Wildlife Area in 2012. A feasibility and environmental assessment for the project provides additional details about the project. The Paradise Valley Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:. Hunters with disabilities are now able to use an accessible hunting blind on the Paradise Valley Wildlife Area-Bark River Unit. The Waukesha County Conservation Alliance generously donated the blind, providing a recreational opportunity for hunters with disabilities.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Paradise Valley Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey 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 Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley Wildlife Area: Birding, Boating (non-motorized), Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for waterfowl, deer and turkey), Kayaking, Snowshoeing (no designated trail), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
Paradise Valley Wildlife Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 3,320 deer in Waukesha County in 2025, against 3,021 in 2024.
| DMU | Paradise Valley Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County | 1,469 | 3,320 | 3,021 | 2,888 |
| Jefferson County | 319 | 3,843 | 3,816 | 3,579 |
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 Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Dousman (next to it), Sullivan (2 miles), Summit (3 miles) and North Prairie (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 67, I-94, WI 59, US 18 and WI 106.
What other public land is near Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail: 1,021 acres, next to it
- Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit: 21,556 acres, next to it
- Rome Pond Wildlife Area: 2,295 acres, 1.1 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Paradise Valley Wildlife Area
Counting Paradise Valley Wildlife Area itself, 11,092 of the 56,685 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (19.6%), 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 | 10,933 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 146 |
| State parks | 12 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
In Waukesha and Jefferson counties, next to Dousman. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Paradise Valley 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 Paradise Valley Wildlife Area in?
Waukesha County (1,469 acres) and Jefferson County (319 acres).
How much public land is around Paradise Valley Wildlife Area?
11,092 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Paradise Valley Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Glacial Drumlin State Trail (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Paradise Valley 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.
Wisconsin hunting Waukesha County Jefferson County Waukesha County Jefferson County