Central Wisconsin has long been known as a deer hunter's paradise, and with over 10,000 acres of great whitetail habitat open to public hunting, successful hunters have zeroed in on Rome for decades. The 5,500 acre Colburn Public Hunting Area is only a short 15-minute drive away, plus the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge and Meadow Valley Wildlife Area, which offer public hunting opportunities for deer, turkey and waterfowl, are located on the west side of Lake Petenwell, about 30 minutes from Rome. Rome is located in Unit 53 for deer.

Both spring and fall wild turkey hunting seasons are offered in northern Adams County. Not so many years ago, if you told someone you saw a turkey here, you'd better have had a picture with you standing next to the bird to prove it. Now they seem to be everywhere, including an occasional visitor to the front stoop of Rome Realty! Remember your application for a spring turkey permit must be mailed to the DNR in early December of the year preceding your hunt. Rome is located in Zone 3.

23,000 acre Lake Petenwell, the state's second largest lake, was built in the late forties by flooding the Wisconsin River Valley. Although its main purpose is producing hydroelectric power, the creation of Petenwell has also benefited area wildlife enormously. Petenwell's waters host a wide variety of game fish including musky, walleye, northern pike, white bass, and catfish. Ducks and Canada geese thrive on Petenwell's diverse habitat, so naturally waterfowling is very popular. Petenwell is one of the few Wisconsin lakes that allows for open-water waterfowl hunting. Many non-game species also call Lake Petenwell home including bald eagles and blue herons. Seasonal visitors include loons, sandhill cranes, and tundra swans. Several quality public boat launches are located in the Town of Rome.

Lakes Arrowhead, Sherwood and Camelot are excellent largemouth bass fishing waters that continue to produce surprising large fish year after year. Rome's great lakes are also the perfect place to taking a kid fishing (that's why God created bluegills!). In addition to bass, panfish abound, along with the occasional walleye and northern pike.

Trout fishing is also very popular in Central Wisconsin. Located only minutes away from Rome is the 10-Mile Creek, one of the areas' best streams for trophy browns. If it's brookies you're after, check out the Roche-a-Cri in Adams County, West Ditch in Juneau County and the Buena Vista ditches in Wood County.

For additional area information, regulations, and licensing, contact the DNR office in Wisconsin Rapids at 715-421-7800 or go to dnr.wi.gov.