2025 Archery Limited Access Permits Application Process Now Open

July 07, 2025
Joleen Stinson, 6084220657
Land & Water Resources

MADISON, WI – July 7, 2025 - Archers interested in applying for an opportunity to receive a 2025 Dane County Parks Archery Limited Access Permit may apply July 7, 2025 through Monday, August 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM. The program provides opportunities for archers to hunt deer and fall turkey on specific county lands with the required Wisconsin DNR hunting licenses. 

The program includes approximately 6,300 acres of county lands: 

• Archery Permit Lottery Webpage: https://www.danecountyparks.com/recreation/hunting#ArcheryPermitLottery 

• Overview Map: https://www.danecountyparks.com/documents/PDFs/archery/DaneCo-AllArcheryProperties2025.pdf 

 
“As a mom of four boys who are avid archers and passionate deer hunters - I know firsthand how valuable opportunities like this are,” said Dane County Executive Melissa Agard. “This program helps connect people to our public lands, fosters responsible outdoor recreation, and supports our efforts to manage wildlife in an ecologically sustainable way.”  

This year, 213 Limited Access Archery Permits will be available.  Youths 15-years of age and younger may accompany and hunt under the direction of a valid permit holder.  Participants 16 years of age and older are limited to one permit, non-transferable, for one property for the fall hunting season.  Archers who would like to participate in the archery program will have until midnight, Monday, August 11, 2025 to apply online at https://www.danecountyparks.com/recreation/hunting/archery.  The fee for the online application is $3.  Winners will be selected through a random computer drawing on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.  

Winners will be notified via email with a link to purchase the permit for the property won. Permits must be purchased online by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2025, or will be forfeited and entered into a second drawing. Once purchased, a plastic permit will be mailed which must be carried and visibly displayed (on person) by the permit holder while hunting. The cost of the permit is $20 and helps offset the program administration costs. 

“This has been an increasingly popular program,” stated Joleen Stinson, Parks Director for Dane County.  “The Dane County Parks Commission introduced the management program in 2002 to help curb deer numbers within the county’s public lands.”  Stinson says it’s an opportunity for archers to have a quality hunting experience while helping the county manage its lands.  Interest in the program has stayed steady over the years with over 600 annual applicants seeking approximately 200 permits.   

Dane County also offers hunting opportunities that require no access permit.  Since 2007, the Park Commission has designated specific lands as County Wildlife Areas, similar to State Wildlife Areas.  Dane County has approximately 4,800 acres designated as Wildlife Areas. To find out more information on the County Wildlife Areas and all public lands open to hunting within Dane County, please check the Hunting Opportunities page of the Parks website at www.danecountyparks.com/Parks-Recreation/Hunting or contact Dane County Parks at (608) 224-3730. 

 

About Dane County Parks  

Dane County Parks offers a variety of recreational opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast and natural environments for quiet getaways or special events.  Dane County Parks takes an active role to enhance and preserve the county’s finest natural resources. 

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