For hunting and trapping rules and regulations, please see below. Hunting and trapping are NOT permitted on the School District of River Falls – School Forest. Only in the areas indicated in the map below.
On Friday, January 29th, 2021, we celebrated a new gem on the Kinni! Because of over 100 donors, foundations, organizations, and community members, we were able to reach the fundraising goal of $500,000 and fully purchase and protect The Community Forest.
The Community Forest is a key 40-acre, old-growth forest in the lower river canyon downstream of the City of River Falls. The preserve contains 1,500 feet of river frontage and includes the mouth of Rocky Branch. The purchase of The Community Forest helped to provide access to The School Forest, owned by the River Falls School District, which has been landlocked for years.
Restoration and development of the property has begun. This includes improved trail systems, preserve signage, parking lot, and working with the River Falls School District to improve access and outdoor educational opportunities.
We work to respect the privacy of the surrounding residential properties. Please be aware of your surroundings and avoid trespassing onto private property.
Access to the preserve is off of HWY FF south of River Falls, WI, or through the City of River Falls public hiking trails.
Click here for parking lot location and directions!
Permitted Activities:
- Wildlife observation and photography.
- Environmental education and interpretation.
- Hiking.
- Fishing according to state regulations.
- Mountain biking.
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
- Colleting wild edibles for personal consumption according to state regulations.
- For hunting information please contact our office at 715-425-5738.
Prohibited Activities:
- Unleashed pets.
- Horseback riding.
- Camping, campfires, or overnight use.
- Littering.
- Use of motorized vehicles.
- Firearms or other weapons unless engaged in a legal hunting activity.
- No personal property, including hunting equipment, may be stored overnight. No target shooting allowed.
*Please see below for hunting and trapping regulations*
Thank you to all that made the protection of The Community Forest possible.
The Community Forest Hunting and Trapping Rules and Regulations
Hunting and trapping are NOT permitted on the School District of River Falls – School Forest. Only in the areas indicated in the map below.
Hunting and trapping are allowed on open areas of the Community Forest as shown on the Hunting and Trapping Map. Caution! The Community Forest abuts a school forest, residential areas, city parklands and private land. Specific rules for those lands may prohibit possession of firearms, hunting and trapping and/or trespass. Please respect adjoining landowner rights. THANK YOU!
For more information on hunting and trapping rules, regulations and season dates, please refer to The State of Wisconsin Hunting and Trapping Regulations or see the DNR website at dnr.wi.gov and search keyword: regulations.
Community Forest Regulations and General Information
- The parking lot and access lane to the Community Forest is closed to Hunting and Trapping (see map).
- Areas designated as high-use areas are closed to Hunting and Trapping (see map).
- Off-road motor vehicle use is prohibited.
- Certain exemptions from rules are allowed for Class A and certain Class B disabled hunters. Contact the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust office for more information (phone 715-425-5738).
- All pets must remain on a leash at all times.
- Non-hunting visitors are also enjoying the Community Forest during the hunting and trapping season; they may or may not be wearing blaze orange. Make sure you know where closed areas, buildings, school grounds, and trails are located to avoid user conflicts. Hunters should be especially aware of gun safety and be certain of your target and what is beyond it.
- Future local or state ordinances may apply within the boundaries of the Community Forest Property, prohibiting actions such as the possession or discharge of firearms. Please contact the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust office for more information (phone 715-425-5738).
- Please respect private lands near the Community Forest while enjoying the outdoors.
- You are responsible for undertaking your recreational activity in a safe and legal manner.
It is illegal to:
- Discharge a firearm, bow, crossbow, or air gun from, on, or across a designated trail (see map or designated trails).
- Shoot a firearm within 100 yards of a building devoted to human occupancy on lands you do not own without permission.
- Take, catch, kill, hunt, trap or pursue any wild animal or bird, or discharge any firearm on the Community Forest area closed to hunting and trapping.
- Target shoot on the Community Forest.
- Park in the Community Forest parking lot over-night.
- Camp anywhere on the Community Forest.
- Start fires or have campfires on the Community Forest.
- Store personal property on the Community Forest.
Tree Stands and Hunting Blinds:
- Only portable tree stands and hunting blinds are permitted and must be removed daily after use.
- Damaging trees, cutting shooting lanes, marking trees, and use of screw-in tree-stands or steps are considered damaging and are illegal.
Trapping:
- Trapping is prohibited in all closed areas (see map).
- Trapping is allowed in all open areas, except within 100 yards of a designated trail or other designated high use areas, such as the Community Forest parking lot and access lane and designated high use area by the river, as shown on the hunting and trapping map.
- No person may place a trap on dry land unless the trap is an enclosed trigger trap.