Furbearer trapping occurs on the refuge under a limited permit trapping program and is an important management tool in meeting refuge goals and objectives. Wetland habitats, dike maintenance, and migratory bird management are influenced by furbearer management. The primary targets of the refuge trapping program are muskrat and raccoon, but other species can be taken pursuant to State of Wisconsin Trapping laws.
Horicon Marsh Trapping Auction - October 14th 2026
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) will hold a public trapping auction at the Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, N7725 Highway 28, Horicon, WI 53032 on Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. to allow trappers the opportunity to ask questions and review information. The auction will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. USFWS and DNR personnel will then review trapping seasons and regulations, unit boundaries, special conditions and restrictions pertaining to each individual unit before bidding. Trapping permits will be issued to the successful bidders following the auction.
All USFWS and DNR trapping units will be sold to the highest bidder with a limit of one unit per trapper. Bidders must be at least 18 years of age at the time of the auction. Trappers who are bidding must be present at the auction and will be required to make full payment at that time. The USFWS will accept payments by check, money order, debit card, or credit card. No cash will be accepted. The DNR will only accept checks or cash. Both the USFWS and the DNR reserve the right to reject any or all bids.
The USFWS (Horicon National Wildlife Refuge) will offer 11 wetland units for bid at the auction. In addition to these units, one unit will be reserved for youth between the ages of 12 to 17, and one unit will be reserved for seniors (62 or older) or trappers with a disabled permit from the DNR. Two permits will be issued free of charge for the senior/disable unit by a random drawing at the auction. Trappers do not have to be present at the drawing. Upland trapping area permits will also be available free to any interested trapper. Please contact Sadie O'Dell, Refuge Wildlife Biologist, at (920) 948-4336 for details.
USFWS will allow scouting on refuge trapping units on Tuesday, October 13 and prior to the auction on Wednesday, October 14, daylight hours only. Interested trappers must obtain a scouting permit at the Visitor Center (W4279 Headquarters Road, Mayville, WI 53050) prior to accessing the units.
For more information, contact 920-948-4336 or sadie_odell@fws.gov.
Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area (WDNR) Units
The DNR (Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area) will offer 11 wetland units for bid at the auction. In addition to these units, one wetland unit will be issued free of charge to a senior (62 and older) or trapper with a disabled hunting permit from the DNR. This permit will be issued by a random drawing at the auction. Upland trapping permits will also be available free of charge. Trapping season dates and regulations are unit-specific. Please contact Eric Kilburg, DNR Property Manager at (920) 763-6405 for details.
