There is some land up north Wisconsin that is in the family and scouting it out earlier I noticed some of the better shooting positions would place the shooter near a public road.  Shooting away from the road, so no issue there, but just wanted to make sure there was not some sort of “min distance” from public road law.  Road is very rural and sees maybe 1 car every hour.  I am target shooting and not hunting on private land.

IIRC, it's 50'  from the centerline.


And not within 100' of a structure.

Just check with the SD.  If they're not sure, they'll probably just refer you to a game warden.

It is 100 yards. Don't forget the "while on the lands of another" part. You can be within 100 yards of a "dwelling devoted to human occupancy" if you are on your own property. Or have permission of any dwelling's owners on someone else's land.

example: I sometimes duck hunt from a blind that's not 100' from my buddy's lake home. I'm legal because he not only allows it...he hunts with me. It's his property, his home. We're also within 100 yards of the home next door. Which belongs to his brother, who also hunts on occasion, and gives me permission to shoot within 100 yards of his house also. First brother doesn't need any permission from second like I do, as he's on his own land.

And it's not a "structure". A "structure" could include a garage, shed, pole barn, lean to, wood shed, even a duck blind or other permanent hunting blind. They don't matter. The law only applies to homes, or any other "dwelling devoted to human occupancy". Somewhere people would normally reside. ie... motel, hotel, lodge, bunkhouse/barracks (thinking about summer camps here). Not sure on this part... campers, RVs, tents... or any other "temporary dwelling". I believe they would count if occupied, but not if just parked for storage reasons.


The law is 50' from the centerline of a highway.

Hunting near roadways
It is illegal to:
•  Hunt within 50 feet of the roadway’s center.
•  Discharge a firearm, shoot an arrow from a bow or shoot a bolt from a crossbow:    
   •  from or across a highway.    
   •  within 50 feet of the roadway’s center.
The above prohibition applies to all public roads.

Note: Certain exceptions are allowed for Class A and Class B shoot from vehicle disabled permit holders, and for hunting small game from dirt or gravel roads with shotguns loaded with fine shot. Visit dnr.wi.gov, keywords “disabled permits” for more information



Some "legal definitions":

Highway
The entire width between the boundary lines of every public road, but does not include private roads and driveways.

Public road
Roads shown on the current official highway map available from the Department of Transportation for public use. This does not include private roads or driveways.

Roadway
The portion of the highway which is improved or ordinarily used for vehicle travel, excluding the berm or shoulder.

Sounds like I will be good then, thanks all.