Bucks of -- the Badger --

Thrill of bowhunting Wisconsin whitetails in post-war ghost town is atypical
By James Card
Special to ESPNOutdoors.com

BARABOO, Wis. — The Badger Army Ammunition Plant has long been a legendary place for bowhunters in the know. Imagine a small, American suburb that has a few whitetail deer sneaking through the backyards; it's a common scene throughout the United States. Now imagine if the same suburb were abandoned — a ghost town, if you will — for a few decades. Weeds, prairie grasses, brush, thickets and saplings grow thick from neglect and deer would wander the overgrown streets of cracked concrete.

The deer slip in and out of shabby buildings with broken windows and others bed down on sun-warmed cement patios of dilapidated houses. That accurately describes Badger Army Ammunition Plant in Baraboo, Wis...

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If you are going...
Archery hunting at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant is based on a lottery system. Traditionally, about 1,000 hunters apply for 900 permits. Applications can be found at the Badger Web site. If you are a successful applicant you will receive a permit to hunt for a three-day weekend. The hunts are scheduled throughout the fall hunting season. There is an "Earn-a-Buck" program in place, wherein hunters must harvest an antlerless deer before pursuing a buck at the Badger.

The hunting areas are divided into five zones so hunters are more spread out and have a more enjoyable hunt. Hunters are only allowed to hunt in their given zone. Hunters are provided with maps that detail their zones, routes in and out, restricted areas and assigned parking areas. All hunters must abide by state hunting regulations. Treestands are permitted must be removed after each hunt.

Badger Army Ammunition Plant is in a chronic wasting disease management zone; game personnel there work with state officials monitor the herd. To date no chronic wasting disease has been detected.