Youth Hunt Package

A Youth Hunt offers an adult and child hunting experience that will build family memories deep rooted in tradition. We will provide the proper safety instruction and an experienced guide. With you by their side, your child will cherish this experience for several years.

The Wilderness Reserve takes pride in the management of their whitetail deer herd. At times, we offer the opportunity to harvest management buck hunts by youth hunters. This provides a great educational opportunity for a young, inexperienced hunter and allows us to accomplish our herd management goals.

Youth Hunt Details

The Youth Hunt Package accommodates 1 adult and 1 child. The child must be 8-16 yrs. old, and the child must be the shooter. The Youth Hunt Package also includes:

  • The harvest of 1 management buck
  • Whitetail hunting introduction lesson
  • Basic firearms introduction lesson
  • Lodging and food
  • Experienced guide service

By providing safety instruction and experienced guides, The Wilderness Reserve strives to create a family friendly hunting environment that keeps everyone involved, safe, and comfortable. We hope to see you in 2017 and for many years to come! Please fill out the form below if you are interested in our Youth Hunt Package.

Youth Hunt Package

Please fill out and submit this form if you are interested in our Youth Hunt Package.

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Hunting Packages for 2017

The Wilderness Reserve is pleased to announce some exciting hunting packages for 2017. These exclusive combo packages are designed to challenge your outdoor passions and competitive spirit. Choose from a variety of options to create your ultimate outdoor adventure.

These limited hunting packages include meals and lodging, guided hunts and our no game, no pay policy guarantee. Our 5,500 acre private ranch includes forests, marshes, and fields giving hunters the challenge of a fair chase hunt. If you love the outdoors and are seeking a unique challenge for 2017, we hope you consider the opportunities at The Wilderness Reserve!

 

2017 Hunting Packages

Whitetail & Cow Elk Combo

Trophy whitetail buck and elk combo hunting trip

This package is designed with the hunting enthusiast in mind. Set your sights on a trophy whitetail and complete your journey with a cow elk. This is a excellent opportunity to harvest two big game animals in one excursion. Double your hunting pleasure during 5 days of adrenaline-pumping action exploring our vast wilderness!

Hoof & Wing Combo

hoof and wing combo bird and elk graphic

Encounter the thrill of a big game hunt and the exhilaration of a pheasant hunt. There are several big game options to choose from between Rocky Mountain elk and whitetail deer at various sizes. This gives you the chance to experience two distinct hunts in one expedition. Master the forests and marshes to harvest your trophy and finish in the uplands with a classic pheasant hunt!

Blast & Cast Combo

Fish & hunt combo hunting package

This package is perfect for the eager hunter and devoted angler. We combined two great outdoor pursuits into one action-packed trip. In our fish & hunt combo package, you have your choice of a trophy whitetail deer or Rocky Mountain elk. After the rush of harvesting your trophy, revel in line-zipping action on the water with a guided fishing trip!

Antler & Club Combo

Elk or Deer Hunt with golf combo vacation package

Score big in the wilderness and on the green in one visit. This is a fantastic mix of activities for a personal challenge. After an inspiring hunt for your trophy whitetail or elk on our impressive property, savor 18 holes of golf at Timberstone Golf Club! Timberstone Golf Club is ranked in the Top 100 courses in the country.

The Wilderness Reserve is excited about our special packages for 2017, and we hope to see you this year when booking your hunting trip. For more information on our 2017 hunting packages and pricing, please download our 2017 brochure. We look forward to providing you with a premier outdoor excursion!

Brochure Download

Get your free brochure on our hunting packages and rates today!

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Examining the Benefits of Hunting Preserves

Hunting is one of the most time-honored traditions, linking all mankind over the ages. Throughout history, the chase of wild game was done for necessity, sport, and excitement. Hunting preserves, like The Wilderness Reserve, seek to keep these outdoor traditions alive, and to enhance the experience for the next generation. However, with public land hunting and land lease options available, some question the benefits of preserve hunting.

The reality is that preserves offer opportunities to individuals that might otherwise never have the chance, and a higher level of quality game than can be found on public lands. The entire experience of hunting is improved on a preserve, and the idea that it is more expensive or ‘easier’ than public land hunting is often overstated. If you haven’t yet enjoyed hunting The Wilderness Reserve, read on to see why you should make this a tradition!

Hunting Reserves Open to All Outdoor Enthusiasts

Hunting preserves bring a successful hunt into the grasp of those that may otherwise miss out. Perhaps you have a busy work schedule, and can’t get away long enough to find a solid hunting spot and track your game. And traditional hunting seasons are confining for all. Or maybe you would like to introduce your wife and/or child to the joys in a more controlled environment. A hunting preserve may well be the answer to your hunting obstacles!

High fence operations work well for hunters of all ages, abilities and challenges. Only at a preserve can you hunt in a group comprised of a first-time youth shooter, a well-experienced sportsman seeking a challenge, and an aged hunter who would prefer to avoid the physical demands of public lands. Disabilities can easily be accommodated in a quality managed setting, and experienced guides are available to assist newcomers to the sport.

Find High Quality Trophies at Hunting Preserves

If you are looking to capture the trophy of a lifetime, a hunting preserve is your best option! Outside these unique hunting grounds, deer and elk populations are met by eager shooters looking to capture the biggest buck or bull. This can sometimes mean that the strongest genes are disappearing from the forests, leaving smaller males with lower quality genes to thrive and repopulate.

On a hunting preserve, quality big game animals are the winners and the breeders. This means that, when you are hunting at a quality managed preserve like The Wilderness Reserve, you are chasing trophies that you might never even have the chance to see on public lands. And with professional guides available to offer insight into the animal’s patterns, your likelihood of success is greatly improved. Still, as a The Wilderness Reserve team member says, you have to put in the effort if you want to harvest a trophy animal.

Myths about Hunting Preserves

Some hunters may believe that preserve hunting is not as challenging as hunting on public lands or private property. That belief is far from the truth, especially when it comes to large reserves like The Wilderness Reserve, which boasts of over 5,500 acres of managed forest, marshes, and fields. It is possible, without guidance, to wander the acres without seeing a whitetail deer or an elk for days. The challenge is still there, but the chances of harvesting the trophy is higher. Win-win situation for hunters of all abilities!

The second myth about hunting preserves is the expense. In reality, a trip out west to hunt big game could cost considerably more than a trip to The Wilderness Reserve, especially if you live in the Midwest. And you can’t simply fly to Colorado, get off the plane, harvest an elk, and head home the next day! Prep time, tracking, finding an animal and actually capturing the trophy all add up to more time away from work or your family, and more expenses. Travel, lodging, food, licenses, equipment – it all adds up.

At The Wilderness Reserve, your guided hunt trip is all-inclusive, including lodging in one of our secluded cabins, meals, guide service and quartering and capering of the game. You get ‘Out West’ big game hunting at a convenient location for an affordable price. No hidden fees or unexpected costs. And we have the amenities to ensure a memorable experience that will have you eager to return!

Elk Hunting in the Midwest

Benefits of preserve hunting elkHunting for a trophy elk can be one of the biggest challenges, no matter how experienced of a sportsman you are. The elusive bulls are difficult to find and uncanny in their ability to evade, and elk hunts are all too often unsuccessful on public lands. At The Wilderness, you will find trophy elk exceeding 400” B&C, freely roaming 5,500 acres of spectacular forests in Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. And with our experienced guides, you are sure to be presented with the opportunity to harvest a bull bigger than you had ever hoped!

Midwest Whitetail Deer Hunting

Hunting preserves have the unique ability to inspire a lifelong love of nature and passion for hunting in youth. Hunting public lands can mean long periods of waiting before even seeing the first whitetail, and your young one may grow impatient and lose interest. With preserve hunting, new hunters will be caught up in the excitement and amazed with each sighting of huge trophy deer, many more than 200” B&C and a few 300″B&C. And with the wonders of nature all around you, it’s impossible to ignore the call of the wild!

Supreme Midwest Pheasant Hunting

Preserve hunting Wisconsin pheasant Hunting preserves play an important role in the longstanding tradition of pheasant hunting as each protects a piece of our natural resources and preserves forested lands. Shrinking rural habitats often mean smaller bird populations, and hunting preserves fight this obstacle. In fact, the North American Gamebird Association & Foundation discuss the value of preserves, saying “Hunting preserves offer the opportunity for young and old alike to savor the flavor of bird hunting as it once was”. The Wilderness Reserve is happy to accommodate pheasant hunters of all abilities and skills levels.

Are you ready to try out a new bird dog, or fine tune a young ones skills? A pheasant hunting preserve is the place to do it, with the assurance of presenting the dog with its prey. Missing out on pheasant hunting because you don’t have a well-trained furry friend to assist in the hunt? The Wilderness Reserve offers dog/guide packages to ensure a successful experience!

No matter the wild game you seek to chase, The Wilderness Reserve is your Midwest hunting destination!

Check out our Ranch Today!

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Find Experienced Whitetail Guides at The Wilderness Reserve

If you are traveling to Northern Wisconsin or Upper Michigan for a whitetail deer hunt, our experienced hunting guides can make all of the difference! You need to know the lay of the land and the habits of the area’s animals, and that’s difficult if you only have a few days to hunt. Luckily for you, The Wilderness Reserve is building a team of hunting professionals to ensure that your reserve experience is as rewarding and successful as possible.

Whitetail Hunting Guide with Passion and Expertise

One such Wilderness team member is Tom Nicholson of Uncle Tom’s Outfitters. Tom has been hunting and trapping for his whole life, starting at a young age as part of his family hunting tradition. He continued the tradition with his own four children, with the youngest joining him in the hunting stand at the age of 4. His kids inherited Tom’s passion, and have continued in his footsteps.

Given his experience and success in the outdoor sport, he began Uncle Tom’s Guide Service & Fly Tying in 1981 to share his knowledge and passion with others. He now runs Uncle Tom’s Outfitters in Portage, Wisconsin, with the help of his wife and family. Uncle Tom’s Outfitters covers all of your hunting and fishing gear needs with the family’s gun and archery expertise. Whether you are looking to buy or need repairs, Uncle Tom’s Outfitters works with guns, archery, and fishing rods to help get you ready to hit the woods or the waters.

Tom hosts guided hunts around Wisconsin for turkey, bear, and whitetail deer. He is also a great fishing and bow fishing guide, as well as an instructor for hunting, bow hunting and trapping safety and education classes in Wisconsin. Tom’s passion for hunting runs so deep that he helps to make sure that anyone can enjoy the wonders of the hunt, by coordinating annual hunts for disabled hunters and youth, and educates women and children in gun handling and hunting. He’s proud to be involved with such wonderful organizations as United Foundation for Disabled Archers, National Wild Turkey Federation Wheelin’ Sportsmen and the NWTF Women in the Outdoors.

As a whitetail deer hunting guide at The Wilderness Reserve, Tom looks forward to guiding hunts on the unique property. He explains that reserve hunting, although challenging, provides a unique experience attainable for hunters of all ages and abilities. And you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful and secluded location for a whitetail hunt! To learn more about Tom Nicholson and Uncle Tom’s Outfitters, visit the website or find them on Facebook!

All-Inclusive Whitetail Deer Hunts at The Wilderness Reserve

Whitetail Deer Hunt Phelps WisconsinThe Wilderness Reserve offers a quality whitetail deer hunting experience in the Northwoods. Located in the beautiful forests of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, this historic reserve includes 5,500 acres of quality managed habitat brimming with whitetail deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and a variety of Northwoods wildlife. With our experienced hunting guides and unique property, you are sure to enjoy a successful hunt, whether it is your first or hundredth hunt.

All-inclusive hunt packages include a 4 day, 3 night stay in one of our secluded cabin rentals, each located on its own private lake. Bringing the family along for your hunting vacation? No problem! The Wilderness Reserve encourages multi-generational hunts, and the vast property offers great outdoor experiences for all ages. Take a row around the lake and enjoy the scenery or try your hand at shooting sporting clays on our professionally designed course. You may come for the deer, but you will love every moment!

Check Out a Guided Whitetail Hunt at The Wilderness Reserve Today!

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Whitetail Deer Hunting: Master the Quiet Hunt

We have all been there – you are geared up and ready to capture that whitetail trophy you have been waiting for all year long. You finally spot the perfect buck and, oops, accidentally step on a twig and alert him to your presence. As the whitetail buck bounds off, you are left hitting yourself on the forehead for missing a great opportunity.

The Supreme Hearing of Whitetail Deer

The fact is that as humans, we can’t help but make noises that do not blend well into a natural setting or a whitetail’s habitat. And as hunters, we are up against hearing skills that are far superior to our own. Deer are blessed with incredible ears that can hear a small noise at least a quarter of a mile away. The funnel shaped sensitive area inside their ear even allows the deer to distinguish fairly accurately how far away the sound was made. How can you beat super hearing like that?

Whitetail deer, and Rocky Mountain elk and other members of the deer family, can turn their ears 180 degrees to pinpoint where a noise came from. If you have ever observed these wondrous creatures in their natural habitat, you will see them aiming their ears in different directions. Often, they are listening for a fawn or the rest of their herd, but sometimes it is a sign that they are aware of danger.

When a whitetail deer hears a noise, it will come instantly alert and point its ears in that direction. Then it holds as still as a statue while utilizing its other senses, like sight and smell, to determine if there is a threat. It may seem like a buck is looking directly at you, but if his ears are pointed a different direction, you are probably safe.

So what can you do to be more agile and stealthy when hunting that trophy buck? Well, it’s impossible to be completely silent while on the move, and if you prefer stalking your buck to sitting in a stand, you have to accept that fact. Nonetheless, we have to try, right? That’s why The Wilderness Reserve has put together some tips to help you master the quiet hunt.

Plan Ahead for a Quiet Hunt

  • ​The right footwear goes a long way – go for something with a softer sole that will mask any noises and allow you to tread lightly.
  • Dress appropriately – wool or soft cotton clothing won’t make a strange sound when brushing against tree branches or other pieces of clothing.
  • Silence all electronics before heading out for your hunt; you don’t want to scare away your trophy buck by a chirping cell phone!

Environmental Conditions Can Help Your Whitetail Hunt

Whitetail Hunt Environmental Conditions

  • Time your hunt to work with Mother Nature and take advantage of when the forest floor is softer, and thus quieter, like when the leaves are covered in an early morning dew.
  • Rainy days can mask any small noises that you do make, helping to provide a sound barrier between you and your trophy buck.
  • If you listen to the sounds of nature around you, you can time your movements as to mask them behind the call of a bird or a clap of thunder.

Watch Where You Step and How

Quiet Walking Hunting Whitetail

  • Know your terrain – what type of ground cover are you likely to encounter? What possible path would offer the quietest footing.
  • Whenever possible, watch for moss, solid rock or grassy spots to step.
  • Move on the balls of your feet, minimizing the area that your foot makes contact with potential noise makers.
  • Keep your weight on your back foot with your front foot testing the ground ahead.
  • Clear your path of twigs and branches with a good walking stick.
  • Walk in a step-step-pause pattern that mimics the natural footsteps of the wildlife around you.
  • Pause at random intervals, as an animal would. Constantly moving forward can give you away and it’s worth your time to move slower and pause to blend in.

Discover Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting at The Wilderness Reserve of Wisconsin!

The Wilderness Reserve of Wisconsin is THE Whitetail deer hunting destination of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan! Capture the trophy you have been waiting for while enjoying the beauty of Northwoods nature on a 5,500 acre reserve. Stay in a secluded cabin on its own private lake and wake up more rested than you have ever been in your life. Plan a trip with your favorite hunting buddies, come with the family, or book a solo hunt – you will love the results!

Book your Wisconsin Whitetail Deer Hunt Today!

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Elevated Whitetail Deer Hunting

The debate about hunting whitetail deer from the ground or from elevated positions brings many different views. Some feel that elevated hunting positions require less skill, reducing the true sportsmanship of the hunt. Others argue that it requires more skill and preparation for the hunt. But most hunting experts agree that positioning yourself in an elevated blind or stand greatly raises your chances of capturing a trophy whitetail buck.

Advantages of Elevated Hunting

Elevated Blind for HuntingHunting from an elevated position brings many advantages. Whether you choose a raised stand or box blind, you gain a unique observation point that allows you to study the behavior and learn more about the deer’s patterns. The larger range of view increases your chances of spotting that trophy buck, while giving you the advantage of a downward trajectory shot. Your direct view won’t be blocked by brush or trees, and it’s hard to argue with a clearer and wider view.

If you choose to hunt from a tree stand, your scent is elevated and out of the direct path of the bucks. An elevated box blind further masks your scent, while also concealing your movement and muffling any sounds you make. This affords you almost total invisibility for your hunt. And, especially when hunting in the colder climates of Upper Peninsula and Northern Wisconsin, you will appreciate the protection from the elements that will allow you to hunt longer in greater comfort.

If you are hoping to introduce your child to the wonders of whitetail deer hunting, an elevated box blind is highly recommended. Children can get impatient with long periods of waiting in between action, and the blind’s walls can mask their antsy movements. Being up off the ground can add to the excitement of the hunt for young hunters, and they will appreciate the unique view of the wildlife and environment.

Choosing the Location for your Elevated Whitetail Deer Hunt

Choose Good Location for Elevated HuntBox blinds usually require more permanency in location, and it’s recommended that this hunting platform be used when you intend to hunt the same location for several seasons. Elevated stands, on the other hand, can be usually be put into place easier, fairly quickly and with little noise to alert the deer of your presence.

Choosing the right location for your stand is crucial to your hunting success. The first priority should be finding a location that the game congregates at. If you are experienced at reading the whitetail deer signs, and choose your spot accordingly, you will have a better chance at capturing your trophy. But don’t ignore the environmental factors around you!

Consider what time of day you will be hunting. Where will the sun be? You don’t want to be blinded by looking directly into the sun, nor do you want to be highlighted by the sun at your back. Whitetail deer don’t see well in direct light, so that allows you some leeway in selecting your spot. Give attention to wind patterns – even with an elevated position, you don’t want to be upwind from where the deer will linger. Make sure to find a straight tree that you can climb safely and that allows you a clear view of the terrain.

Practice Safety with Elevated Hunting

Practice Safety with Elevated HuntingRecommendations regarding the appropriate height of box blinds and elevated stands vary from 5 feet to 20 feet off the ground, but regardless of height, it’s crucial to make safety a priority. A fall from even a few feet off of the ground can leave you with a broken arm and down for the hunting season. Purchase a safety strap and know how to correctly follow safety procedures. Stay alert – you don’t want to nod off and find yourself on the ground. Educate young hunters on climbing and rifle safety to ensure a positive hunting experience.

Experience the thrill of big game hunting at a convenient Midwest location. With 5,500 acres of Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan terrain and a variety of blinds and stands to fit your hunting style, you will find a challenging environment to fit any level of experience. The Wilderness Reserve’s big game hunt packages are all-inclusive, and you will love your stay in one of the secluded cabins, each on its own private lake. Ready to capture the whitetail deer or elk trophy of a lifetime?

Book Your Trophy Elk or Whitetail Deer Hunt at The Wilderness Reserve!

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