Richard Bong State Recreation Area

While not traditionally 'Driftless' in the classic sense, Bong SRA, located in southeastern Wisconsin, offers a unique public land bowhunting opportunity for whitetails that often gets overlooked by hunters heading west. Its diverse habitats, including prairies, woodlands, and wetlands, support a healthy deer population. What makes Bong special is its controlled access and hunting structure, which limits pressure compared to open public land. You need to apply for a hunting permit through a lottery system, significantly reducing the number of hunters afield. This often leads to less disturbed deer. The area is relatively flat to gently rolling. Best access is directly off County Highway H. Early season and rut hunts can be excellent here. Fitness level required is moderate, as long walks are common. Permits are mandatory and competitive to draw. Trade-offs include the non-Driftless topography and the lottery system for permits, which means you might not always draw. However, when you do, it's a solid experience. **Highlights** * Controlled hunter numbers via lottery system * Diverse habitat including woodlands, prairies, and wetlands * High deer densities * Close proximity to urban areas but feels remote * Excellent opportunities for stand hunting or still hunting **Watch-outs** * Lottery draw for hunting permits * Not truly 'Driftless' topography * Potential for high numbers of non-hunting recreational users * Mandatory check-in/check-out procedures