*** The 2011 Bow Deer Season is closed***

The City of Wausau revised the Municipal Code in 2008 creating ordinance 9.08.010(b) which allows archery hunting of whitetail deer within the city limits.  The ordinance is restrictive to protect the public and the rights of property owners.  (The use of firearms for hunting deer is not permitted within city limits.)

The Archery Deer Hunt ordinance requires the following be met:

• 200 feet of separation between the point where the hunting arrow is released and any public or commercial buidling, public road, park, or residence unless the hunter owns or resides at that residence.
• The hunter must release the arrow from an elevated deer stand which is positioned at least six feet above the ground level.
• No feeding or baiting of deer.
• Compliance with all rules and regulations of  the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (to include blaze orange requirement during certain dates) and City ordinances.  (Hunting season dates for archery hunting deer in the City of Wausau are the same as Wisconsin DNR Archery Deer Season dates.)
• Register with the Police first - any person wishing to hunt deer by bow and arrow within the City must register in person with the Wausau Police Department.  The hunter completes a registration form, provides photo identification and  their WI DNR archery deer hunting license.  Also, a letter of consent from the property owner for hunters planning to hunt property owned by another is required at time of registration.
• There is no limit on the number of hunters allowed to register for City Property.
• The hunter is expected to remove the hunting stand at the end of each day.  Complaint of a stand left on City property will result in its confiscation.
• The hunter must be respectful of the private property of adjacent businesses.  DO NOT TRESPASS.
• HUNTERS MUST BE COURTEOUS TO EACH OTHER WHEN HUNTING THIS CITY PROPERTY.  IT IS A PRIVILEGE FOR THE CITY TO PROVIDE THIS AS AN ADDITIONAL HUNTING OPPORTUNITY.  PROBLEMS FROM HUNTERS MAY RESULT IN ITS LOSS.

  After the hunter registers the registration is reviewed and a letter of approval or disapproval is mailed to the hunter within several days.  The approval letter should be retained by the hunter as proof of registration.

Registration for  the 2012 season begins August 13th. The registration forms will be available online and at the Wausau Police Department (515 Grand Avenue) Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm after this date.

Map of public hunting in the City of Wausau

 For Questions Contact: