Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Statewide, Wisconsin
How we verified this
As of August 2026 Wisconsin DNR law-enforcement traffic on WISCOM is in the clear — "501 DNRLAW — Department Common — D" and "502 DNRWARDEN — Credentialed Statewide — D" — while the forestry channel is encrypted, "613 DNRFRCOM — Forestry Comm — D enc".
Encryption Details
What This Means
Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources radio encrypted?
Yes — Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's radio system runs on P25 DES-OFB encryption. Coverage here is uneven — parts of the system are locked and parts are open, so a scanner gives you an incomplete rather than an empty picture.
Can I listen to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources on a police scanner?
Partially. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encrypt their radio?
Officer safety and operational security are the reasons agencies give. What rarely comes with that explanation is Statewide County-specific evidence that open communications ever caused a problem, while the loss of public oversight and the friction with still-unencrypted neighboring agencies are both immediate and real.
Can Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
Yes. Encryption is a policy choice made by department leadership or elected officials, not a technical requirement, so it can be reversed the same way. Public pressure, city council advocacy, and organized local coalitions have reversed encryption decisions elsewhere.
What can I do about Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources encryption?
Start local: show up when Statewide County officials discuss the budget for Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and ask specifically why full encryption was chosen over a delayed feed or tactical-only approach. File a FOIA request for recordings or policy documents, and connect with others nearby who want the same information — a coordinated ask carries more weight than an individual one.