ranges/public-land
Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm & Sporting Clays
Menomonie
•234.6 miles from Milwaukee
Bruce Olson started Whispering Emerald Ridge in October 1988 when Wisconsin farmers could no longer accommodate outside hunters. He invested in land to raise pheasants, quail, and chukars for his family and friends. What started as a side business—friends buying birds from him—evolved into a full hu...
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01 // OVERVIEW
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Overview
Location details and information
Bruce Olson started Whispering Emerald Ridge in October 1988 when Wisconsin farmers could no longer accommodate outside hunters. He invested in land to raise pheasants, quail, and chukars for his family and friends. What started as a side business—friends buying birds from him—evolved into a full hunting and shooting destination that's now a staple in northwestern Wisconsin.
Whispering Emerald Ridge sits on over 250 acres divided into seven hunting fields near Menomonie, WI. Each field covers approximately 40 acres with varied cover including grain sorghum, prairie grass, brush rows, bluestem, and switch grasses. Walking paths are plowed throughout so you can access every corner.
| **Hunting Field Features** | **Details** |
|---|---|
| Total Acreage | 250+ acres |
| Number of Fields | 7 |
| Per-Field Size | ~40 acres each |
| Cover Types | Sorghum, prairie grass, brush, bluestem, switch grass |
| Path Access | Plowed walking paths throughout |
Birds aren't set until you arrive, so you get a genuine hunt every time. You can hunt alone, bring guests, or book as a corporate group. Three guides are available:
- •Dustin Olson - 20+ years with yellow lab retrievers, available daily
- •Bruce Neverdahl - 30+ years with German Wirehaired Pointers
- •Ryan Lester - 5+ years with black lab retrievers, afternoons and weekends
- •Daily Visits ($30-$35/participant)
- •No state hunting license required
- •No bag limit on roosters or hens
- •4-bird minimum with first gun, 2-bird minimum per gun after
- •September-October: $24.95/pheasant | November-December: $25.95 | January: $25.50 | February: $26.00 | March: $26.50
- •Chukars year-round: $19.95-$20.95
- •Scratch birds (mixed roosters/hens): $11.95
- •Hunt Schedule: Morning hunts 8:00 AM-1:00 PM | Afternoon hunts 1:00 PM-dusk | All hunts booked in advance
Scratch hunting (hunting without pre-booking birds) is available to members only, Monday-Thursday. Weekends by availability.
They offer three membership tiers. Annual memberships include no state license requirement, no bag limits, unlimited guests, scratch hunting access, discounted birds, and discounted shooting cards.
| **Membership Type** | **Cost** | **Bird Price (Sept-Apr)** |
|---|---|---|
| Hunting Only (Annual) | $250 + $50 initiation | $27.50/pheasant |
| Pond Membership (Annual) | $250 + $50 initiation | — |
| Hunting + Pond (Annual) | $450 + $50 initiation | $27.50/pheasant |
| Corporate 5-Year | $1,664.20 | Pre-booked discount rates |
| Corporate 3-Year | $1,298.52 | Pre-booked discount rates |
- •Corporate memberships include: 3 free one-day gun rentals, 5 free five-stand passes, 5 free walk-thru sporting clays passes, free bird cleaning, free group safety training, 5 free hours of lessons, and ability to add up to 3 associate members at $200/member/year.
They run a full sporting clays course and a covered five-stand with lights and heat for winter league shooting. Five-stand has five shooting stations bordered by eight traps—the full 25-target course gives you 25 different shooting scenarios.
- •Standard (108mm) - Simulates large birds like pheasants and mallards
- •Rabbits - Hardened clay that rolls and bounces
- •Midi (90mm) - Simulates doves, teal, woodcock
- •Mini (60mm) - Mimics quail speed
- •Battue - Flat discs that rise then turn for duck-diving simulation
| **Option** | **Price** |
|---|---|
| Five-Stand 25 targets | $17.00 |
| Five-Stand Discount (10 rounds) | $150.00 |
| Five-Stand Discount (20 rounds) | $260.00 |
| Sporting Clays Walk-Thru 50 targets | $25.00 |
| Sporting Clays Discount (10 rounds) | $210.00 |
| Sporting Clays Discount (20 rounds) | $400.00 |
- •Winter Hours (Jan-Mar): Tuesday & Thursday 4:00 PM-9:00 PM | Sunday 12:00 PM-dusk | Other times by reservation
- •Summer Hours (April-Nov 13): Reservations required at all times
They host corporate retreats, fundraisers, bachelor parties, family reunions, birthdays, and graduations. Options scale based on group size and duration. After your event, relax at the Lookout Lounge with burgers, sandwiches, and hot/cold drinks.
Catering is available for events. Contact them for menu and pricing details.
- •Pistol and Rifle Range - Call to schedule time slots
- •Wedding Venue - Indoor/outdoor space with scenic views
- •Bird Cleaning Service - Minimum $2/bird, or clean yourself using clubhouse facilities (running water, knives, cutting boards, stainless steel tables)
- •Trade-In Program - Exchange shot birds for processed pheasant sticks, bacon, hotdogs, or jerky
- •Shooting Lessons - $0.75 per target thrown (members only, by appointment)
Whispering Emerald Ridge has donated to over 30 conservation organizations and provides hunting experiences for disabled hunters and veterans who can't easily traverse fields.
"The owners are amazing folks, always super friendly and helpful. Our family has been to WER numerous times over the last 8 years and always looking forward to our next visit." — Donald L.
"Beautiful place to hunt! Great countryside, and great fields. I hunt my pointing dog here. The clubhouse is well appointed." — Randal G.
- •Wisconsin hunting license not required on the property
- •All hunters must wear blaze orange (minimum: orange hat)
- •No 3" shells | No steel shot | Shot no heavier than #4
- •No smoking while hunting (fire hazard)
- •No alcohol before/during hunt (welcome in clubhouse after)
- •Dogs must be under control
- •Check in/out at clubhouse required
- •All birds leaving property must have receipt
- •Safety glasses and hearing protection required for clay shooting
Whispering Emerald Ridge Game Farm N3954 640th St, Menomonie, WI 54751
- •Phone: 715-233-1281
- •Email: [email protected] | [email protected]
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Hours: 8:00 AM–Dusk (by appointment only)
- •Online Booking: Available for hunts and events
Safety Information
- •Check current conditions before visiting
- •Follow all posted safety guidelines
- •Respect other shooters and maintain safe distances
Restrictions
- •Membership or daily fee required
- •Appointments required for pistol/rifle range access
- •Hunting season restricted to September 1 - March 31
- •Minimum bird purchase requirements apply
- •Eye and ear protection required
Pro Tips for Visiting
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Dustin Olson - 20+ years with yellow lab retrievers, available daily
///
Bruce Neverdahl - 30+ years with German Wirehaired Pointers
///
Ryan Lester - 5+ years with black lab retrievers, afternoons and weekends
///
No state hunting license required
///
No bag limit on roosters or hens
///
4-bird minimum with first gun, 2-bird minimum per gun after
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