Waukesha County, WI Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

Sec. 14-158 of the Waukesha County Code, titled "Fish, waterfowl, game birds," is the park system's wildlife-protection rule, and subsection (c) is its bird-nest provision: no person may take, catch, kill, hunt, trap, pursue or otherwise disturb any wild animal, or rob or disturb the nest of any bird, in any park unless the department authorizes it. The same section allows fishing unless posted signs prohibit it or state Department of Natural Resources rules say otherwise, and separately bars throwing objects into park waters in a way that injures or unnecessarily disturbs fish.

Hunting itself is permitted only on department-approved park properties designated in the Waukesha County Park and Open Space Plan, or where required as a grant condition of the property's purchase, and only by permit or general authorization; bag limits, daily hours and licensing all follow the Wisconsin DNR's own rules under Sec. 14-158(e). Sec. 14-158(g) adds that permanent hunting blinds and stands are never allowed and must be removed from a park at the close of each day, and that damaging trees or removing vegetation to build a blind is prohibited.

Sec. 14-158(h) separately bans target practice or shooting unconnected to the actual harvest of licensed game, except in areas the department designates for that purpose. Firearm possession and discharge in parks are additionally governed by Sec. 14-156 and remain subject to local municipal regulations under Sec. 14-158(f).