Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge no longer carries federal recreational lands passes. Nearby recreation sites to obtain passes includes Upper Mississippi River Wildlife and Fish Refuge in La Crosse, WI and Necedah National Wildlife Refuge. For more information on passes and where to obtain them click on the link below.

2016 Gun Permits and Information 

Dates: November 19, 2016 through November 27, 2016

Hunters may apply to hunt on the refuge during the Wisconsin Nine-Day firearms season (November 19th, 2016 through November 27th, 2016). Hunters may download a Nine-Day Gun Deer Hunt Application and send the completed application with a $10 processing fee to the refuge. Applications will be placed in a random drawing. Special regulations apply. Read all application information carefully. Only permitted hunters for the gun hunt will be allowed to hunt.
Gun Deer Hunt Application - 2016 

This year, Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge encourages deer hunters to use non-toxic ammunition during the refuge deer hunt.

Recent scientific studies show a strong link between spent lead ammunition and lead poisoning in scavenging birds. Eagles eat lead when they feed on animal carcasses or gut piles that contain toxic lead bullet fragments. Lead fragments the size of a couple of grains of rice can be lethal. Once lead enters the bloodstream, it damages a bird's nervous system and paralyzes its digestive tract. 

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge hosts a large number of bald eagles during the fall and winter. It is one of several refuges in the Midwest encouraging hunters to switch to non-toxic ammunition for deer hunting. 
Deer Hunting & Lead 
Non-Toxic Ammunition FAQs 

2016 Early Archery Permits and Information

Dates: September 17 through November 13, 2016

New this season, the refuge is opening up archery hunting during the regular state archery season, starting September 17, 2016. The season dates for the refuge early archery is September 17 through November 13, 2016. Hunters may download an early archery permit application and send the completed application with a $10 processing fee to the refuge. Applications will be placed in a random drawing and selected hunters will be notified. Only selected archery hunters will be permitted to hunt on the refuge. Special regulations apply. Read all information on the permit and fact sheets carefully.
The 2016 Early Archery Application deadline is closed.

2016-17 Late Archery Permits and Information 

Dates: November 28, 2016 through January 8, 2017  

The season dates for the refuge late archery is November 28, 2016 through January 8, 2017. Late archery permit applications may be downloaded or obtained in person at the refuge office. Late archery hunters should complete and submit an application with a $10 processing fee to the refuge. Special regulations apply. Read all information on the permit and fact sheets carefully.
Late Archery Application - 2016  

2016 Waterfowl Hunt Information

2016-17 Trapping

Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge offers trapping units for muskrat and beaver during the Wisconsin trapping seasons.  Bidding for the units take place during a trapping auction in early October annually. 2016 bidding will take place Tuesday evening, October 4, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at the refuge Outdoor Wonders Learning Center building, located next to the refuge office. There are twelve muskrat units and four beaver units available for bid. Trappers must show a current Wisconsin state trapping license (paper copy) when registering to bid. Bids will start at $40.00 per unit. Trappers must be present at the auction to bid. Payment for units is due at the close of the auction.

Muskrat units are also available for both Youth (18 years of age and younger) and Senior Citizen (65 years of age and older), free of charge. If you would like to enter in the drawing for these units, you must be present for bidding and provide a current Wisconsin trapping license and proof of age. 
For more trapping information click here.

Certain activities such as research, commercial tours and large group visits may require a special use permit.  Contact the refuge manager for more information or to apply for a special use permit.