Vernon Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Vernon Wildlife Area is 4,355 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Waukesha County, next to Waukesha. 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 landVernon Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 4,355 acres in 2 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Waukesha County |
| Deer Management Unit | Waukesha County |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Vernon Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Waukesha (next to it), Mukwonago (next to it) and Vernon (2 mi) |
What is Vernon Wildlife Area like?
Vernon Wildlife Area is approximately 4,300 acres located just north of Mukwonago in Waukesha County. The Fox River is the central feature of the property, which is surrounded by an extensive mosaic of wetland habitat. The adjoining uplands consist of grasslands, oak and hardwood forests. It offers excellent wildlife habitat, especially for migrating and nesting waterfowl, and provides significant conservation opportunities. In 2024, a designated walking trail is being established on the property. The 5.1-mile loop is perfect for hikers, birders and recreational users, featuring newly established boardwalks and diverse habitats throughout the property. This trail and boardwalks will be completed by August 2024. The Fox River snaking through this property is a warm water fishery, while one of its tributaries, Mill Brook, is a classified trout stream.
Vernon Wildlife Area supports waterfowl, deer, turkey and a variety of other wildlife species, as well as stocks pheasants every fall. The property provides outstanding opportunities for hunting, fishing and trapping. Vernon Wildlife Area has two no-entry waterfowl refuges of 365 and 305 acres. These refuges are closed from Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, except for gun and muzzleloader deer hunting and retrieval of legally killed or crippled game. The property also features a 41-acre class 2 dog training area, and the area is closed to training from Apr. 15 through July 31. Vernon Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public use including hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Vernon Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Vernon 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 Vernon Wildlife Area: Birding, Boating (no gasoline-powered motors except on Fox River, and trolling motors may not exceed 5 mph), Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Dog trial grounds ( training permits required ), Fishing, Hiking (no designated trail), Kayaking, Snowmobiling trail, Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Vernon Wildlife Area?
Vernon Wildlife Area lies in Waukesha County. The DNR registered 3,320 deer in Waukesha County in 2025, against 3,021 in 2024.
| DMU | Vernon Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 | Deer, 2024 | Deer, 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha County | 4,355 | 3,320 | 3,021 | 2,888 |
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 Vernon Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Waukesha (next to it), Mukwonago (next to it), Vernon (2 miles) and North Prairie (4 miles). Highways within 5 miles: I-43, WI 59, WI 164 and WI 83.
What other public land is near Vernon Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Mukwonago River SHA: 150 acres, 1.1 miles away
- Genesee Oak Opening And Fen State Natural Area: 50 acres, 2.7 miles away
- Pebble Brook State Habitat Area: 35 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Glacial Drumlin State Trail: 1,021 acres, 3.3 miles away
- Kettle Moraine State Forest-Mukwonago River Unit: 986 acres, 3.5 miles away
- Honey Creek Streambank Protection Area: 506 acres, 4.5 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Vernon Wildlife Area
Counting Vernon Wildlife Area itself, 5,531 of the 51,596 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (10.7%), 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 | 4,535 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 996 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Vernon Wildlife Area?
In Waukesha County, next to Waukesha. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Vernon 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 Vernon Wildlife Area in?
Waukesha County.
How much public land is around Vernon Wildlife Area?
5,531 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Vernon Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Mukwonago River SHA (1.1 miles).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Wisconsin included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Vernon 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.