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County forest, west-central Wisconsin
Chippewa County Forest hunting notes
34,738 acres of county forest in Chippewa County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Chippewa County Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Chippewa County Forest
- Parking areaParking · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.8 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Chippewa County Forest, by its record
Count Chippewa County Forest among the county forests of Chippewa County. It falls in the DNR West Central Region, west-central Wisconsin. Chippewa County Forestry Department manages the land. By size (34,738 acres) it is number 21 among 30 county forests on our list. Head west from Holcombe for about 4 miles. The DNR and agency lists place it inside Wisconsin County Forest System.
From the source page (WI DNR Forest Tax report "Wisconsin County Forest Acres as of July 01, 2021" (total incl. special use lands)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Chippewa County Forest
Zone lines at Chippewa County Forest
Deer rules follow the Northern Forest and Central Farmland zones and DMU 110 and Chippewa. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 1,765 and 5,000. Turkey Zone 4: 34,997 spring authorizations in 2025 and 24% hunter success. Chippewa County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Chippewa County.
Chippewa County Forest deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 110 | Northern Forest | 1,765 | 421 | 6,419 | — |
| Chippewa Central Farmland | Central Farmland | 5,000 | 592 | 3,178 | 2 |
| Chippewa County Metro Sub-Unit | Metro | Parent quota | 100 | 899 | 3 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Chippewa County Forest
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear A | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Bear C | No hound hunting | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Bear D | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 3,855 permits | 2 points | 931 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 3/4/6 | Closed | Federal protection |
Zones from the DNR zone layers as recorded in lands.json; quotas and bonus tags from the 2026 antlerless quota table; bear figures from the 2026 bear drawing summary and 2025 bear harvest; turkey from the 2025 spring turkey report; CWD and baiting lists from the DNR. Checked October 19, 2026.
Hunting Chippewa County Forest within the rules
Who may hunt Chippewa County Forest
County Forest Law land is public hunting ground. Read the county ordinance for blinds, stands and ATVs, and ask the forest office what is closed.
Statewide rules that reach Chippewa County Forest
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Chippewa County Forest license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Access from the source page; closures from the DNR closed and restricted areas layer; stocking and dove fields from the DNR upland bird layers; rules from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 regulations; prices from Go Wild. Checked October 19, 2026.
Chippewa County Forest: the game on record
The source names whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Chippewa County Forest.
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Wild turkey
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Small game
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Chippewa County applies too, within the property rules.
Species from the property record (General county forest hunting opportunities (DNR County Forests page; WCFA grouse/woodcock management areas). Bear/elk subject to zone.); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Chippewa County Forest hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 42 segments reach Chippewa County Forest. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth/disabled gun hunt | Statewide | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Gun deer (9-day) | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Metro sub-unit gun | Metro sub-unit: Eau Claire | Nov 21, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | December antlerless hunt | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | Antlerless-only Holiday Hunt | Holiday Hunt, Chippewa | Dec 24, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Extended archery and crossbow | Extended archery | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone C/E | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 4 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 4 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 4 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 4 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 4 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 4 | May 26, 2027 | Jun 1, 2027 | |
| Ruffed Grouse | Ruffed grouse | Grouse Zone A | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Pheasant | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Bobwhite Quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| Hungarian partridge | Hungarian partridge | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Squirrel | Squirrel | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Cottontail rabbit | Northern cottontail zone | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Snowshoe Hare | Snowshoe hare | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| American Crow | Crow | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Mar 24, 2027 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl hunt | Statewide | Sep 19, 2026 | Sep 20, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck | Northern Duck Zone | Sep 26, 2026 | Nov 24, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose | Northern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Dec 16, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (resident) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Raccoon (nonresident) | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Red and gray fox | Fox (red and gray) | Statewide | Oct 17, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Coyote (hunting) | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | North of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 1 | South of Hwy. 64 | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | North of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat, Period 2 | South of Hwy. 64 | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species | Statewide | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round |
From the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fall 2026-Spring 2027 hunting regulations and season dates, checked October 19, 2026.
The land at Chippewa County Forest
This is the agency description, quoted.
Part of the 30-county Wisconsin county forest system (more than 2.4 million acres, the largest public land ownership in the state).
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
The larger property around Chippewa County Forest
Within Wisconsin County Forest System there are 30 units with pages, this one included.
Sister units to Chippewa County Forest
| Unit | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas | County forest | Douglas | 281,853 |
| Marinette | County forest | Marinette | 229,978 |
| Bayfield | County forest | Bayfield | 175,557 |
| Iron | County forest | Iron | 175,343 |
| Washburn | County forest | Washburn | 150,196 |
| Clark | County forest | Clark | 134,742 |
| Langlade | County forest | Langlade | 130,717 |
| Jackson | County forest | Jackson | 122,685 |
| Sawyer | County forest | Sawyer | 115,196 |
| Burnett | County forest | Burnett | 111,516 |
| Lincoln | County forest | Lincoln | 100,843 |
| Price | County forest | Price | 92,294 |
| Rusk | County forest | Rusk | 89,284 |
| Oneida | County forest | Oneida | 82,960 |
| Eau Claire | County forest | Eau Claire | 52,712 |
Deer, bears and CWD around Chippewa County Forest
Last full season (2025) the Chippewa County unit gave up 6,315 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 4,095 (2016) to 6,783 (2022). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): DMU 110 313 deer and Chippewa Central Farmland 519 deer. In CWD year 2025, 162 Chippewa County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 2,024 sampled, 1 positive. Bear hunters registered 127 bears in Chippewa County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Chippewa County Forest; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Chippewa County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,776 | 3,539 | 6,315 |
| 2024 | 3,070 | 3,552 | 6,622 |
| 2023 | 2,615 | 3,007 | 5,622 |
| 2022 | 3,201 | 3,582 | 6,783 |
| 2021 | 3,000 | 3,171 | 6,171 |
| 2020 | 2,940 | 3,533 | 6,473 |
CWD results near Chippewa County Forest
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 3 | 0 |
| 2025 | 162 | 0 |
| 2024 | 105 | 1 |
| 2023 | 115 | 0 |
| 2022 | 133 | 0 |
| 2021 | 174 | 0 |
Bear table, Chippewa County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 129 | 72 | 57 |
| 2025 | 127 | 65 | 62 |
Deer from DNR Deer Metrics harvest history and the 2026 harvest to date; CWD from the DNR CWD summary; bears from the DNR bear harvest reports. Checked October 19, 2026.
Where Chippewa County Forest hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holcombe | Chippewa | 4.4 mi | — | 26,943 |
| Jim Falls | Chippewa | 12 mi | — | 6,843 |
| Sheldon | Rusk | 14 mi | 257 | 17,391 |
| Bruce | Rusk | 17 mi | 754 | 23,421 |
County hunting overviews: Chippewa County.
Chippewa County Forest: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Chippewa County Forest
Chippewa County is served by the DNR Eau Claire Service Center.
Towns and populations from the Census 2024 estimates; public acres within 10 miles from the land layers; businesses from store locators and listings (license-only agents left out); offices from DNR, USFS and USFWS pages. Checked October 19, 2026. Call ahead.
The closest public land to Chippewa County Forest
Chippewa County Forest is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 7,418.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firth Lake | Ice Age Trail area | 728 | 1.5 mi | south |
| Jean Brunet Woods | State natural area | 391 | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Brunet Island | State park | 1,140 | 3.5 mi | southeast |
| Plagge Woods | State natural area | 81 | 4.0 mi | north |
| Bob Lake | Habitat area | 40 | 6.7 mi | southwest |
| Chippewa Moraine Lakes | State natural area | 69 | 6.7 mi | west |
| Town of Arthur | Wildlife area | 202 | 8.1 mi | south |
| Washington Creek | Wildlife area | 516 | 8.2 mi | north |
| Townline Lake and Woods | State natural area | 700 | 8.3 mi | west |
| Chippewa Moraine | Recreation area | 3,551 | 8.9 mi | west |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Public Land GIS, County Forests layer (polygon centroid) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Chippewa County Forest
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:11 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:44 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:56 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:17 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:02 p.m. |
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey table times from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources shooting hours tables, plus the Zone E offset of 16 minutes for longitude 91.21 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Chippewa County Forest: nearest ranges
Cornell Shooting Range in Chippewa County is the nearest DNR-map range, 5 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun on file
trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Chippewa County Forest: the questions that come up
Whose property is Chippewa County Forest?
Chippewa County Forestry Department oversees this county forest under the County Forest Law.
Where does Chippewa County Forest fit?
It belongs to Wisconsin County Forest System.
In which Wisconsin county is Chippewa County Forest?
Holcombe is closest (4 miles); the property is in Chippewa County.
How many acres does Chippewa County Forest cover?
34,738 acres, per WI DNR Forest Tax report "Wisconsin County Forest Acres as of July 01, 2021" (total incl. special use lands).
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Chippewa County Forest?
Northern Forest and Central Farmland zones; unit DMU 110 and Chippewa. 1,765 and 5,000 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at Chippewa County Forest?
7 groups on the list: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for Chippewa County Forest?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 4 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Chippewa County Forest?
It is in Bear Zone A, target 1,100 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Chippewa County Forest?
Banned in Chippewa County. Chippewa County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover Chippewa County Forest?
Use the Northern duck dates and the Northern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Northern Zone starts Sep 26.
Is there a check station for Chippewa County Forest?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Chippewa County Forest?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Chippewa County Forest?
Nearest on the list: Firth Lake State Ice Age Trail Area (2 miles), Jean Brunet Woods State Natural Area (3 miles) and Brunet Island State Park (4 miles).
Chippewa County Forest: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Chippewa County Forest map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS · DNR: AcreageSummary · DNR: CountyForests · WCFA: county contacts; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: DaPuglet (CC BY-SA 2.0); USFWS Mountain Prairie (CC BY 2.0).