Turtle Valley Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Turtle Valley Wildlife Area is 2,292 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Walworth County, next to Turtle Lake. The DNR's page for it names ducks and geese among the game here. Hunters registered 2,132 deer in Walworth 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 landTurtle Valley Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 2,292 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Walworth County |
| Deer Management Unit | Walworth County |
| DNR lists for hunting | ducks and geese |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Turtle Valley Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Turtle Lake (next to it), Lake Lorraine (2 mi) and Lauderdale Lakes (4 mi) |
What is Turtle Valley Wildlife Area like?
Turtle Valley Wildlife Area is located in western Walworth County, northwest of the city of Elkhorn. County Highways P and O split the property into three areas. The property is approximately 2,300 acres with two small tracts of land on Turtle Lake and one large tract south of Turtle Lake. Turtle Valley Wildlife Area consists of mostly shallow marsh and wet meadows with tall grass prairie on the surrounding uplands. Cattails dominate the marshes and a few small woodlots exist on the property.
The wildlife area was created in 2000. Prior to the restoration of the wetlands, the muck soils were farmed for mint. Through the cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, wetlands were restored using a series of berms, breaking drainage tile and plugging ditches. Nine flowages were created through the restoration process, and the prairie was planted in the uplands. In 2024, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation transferred ownership of an additional 420 acres of restored wetlands to DNR ownership and management along the banks of Turtle Creek. This new area makes up the (new) western part of Turtle Valley Wildlife Area. Prescribed fire and drawdowns are the primary means of habitat management on the property.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Turtle Valley Wildlife Area names 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 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Turtle 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 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area: Birding, Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl), Trapping, Snowmobiling trail, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
Turtle Valley Wildlife Area lies in Walworth County. The DNR registered 2,132 deer in Walworth County in 2025, against 2,059 in 2024.
| DMU | Turtle Valley Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walworth County | 2,292 | 2,132 | 2,059 | 1,881 |
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 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Turtle Lake (next to it), Lake Lorraine (2 miles), Lauderdale Lakes (4 miles) and Elkhorn (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-43, WI 11, US 12, WI 67 and WI 89.
What other public land is near Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Turtle Creek Wildlife Area: 1,060 acres, 1.4 miles away
- Troy State Habitat Area: 590 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Kettle Moraine State Forest-Southern Unit: 21,556 acres, 3 miles away
- Clover Valley State Habitat Area: 636 acres, 4.2 miles away
- Clover Valley Fen State Natural Area: 66 acres, 4.2 miles away
- White River State Trail: 379 acres, 4.9 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Turtle Valley Wildlife Area
Counting Turtle Valley Wildlife Area itself, 2,675 of the 53,825 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (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 | 2,669 |
| Other federal land | 3 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 3 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
In Walworth County, next to Turtle Lake. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Turtle 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 Turtle Valley Wildlife Area in?
Walworth County.
How much public land is around Turtle Valley Wildlife Area?
2,675 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Turtle Valley Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Turtle Creek Wildlife Area (1.4 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Turtle 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.