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Big Swamp State Natural Area hunting guide
Everything we could verify about Big Swamp State Natural Area: acreage, zones, property rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Big Swamp State Natural Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Big Swamp State Natural Area
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 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.
The short version on Big Swamp State Natural Area
In Oneida County you will find Big Swamp State Natural Area, a DNR-owned State Natural Area. On the DNR map it belongs to the Northern Region. The managing body is the Wisconsin DNR. At 2,914 acres it sits 15th by area in a field of 449 state natural areas. It is State Natural Area No. 512, in T38N-R8E, Sections 1-4, 10, 11, 12. T38N-R9E, Section 7. T39N-R8E, Sections 34, 35, 36. About 6 miles east of Lake Tomahawk. Look up American Legion State Forest for the wider property it sits in.
From the source page (WI DNR SNA parcel ownership GIS OWNER_ACRE_AMT, WDNR-owned parcels); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Big Swamp State Natural Area
Big Swamp State Natural Area, as the managers tell it
Word for word from the property page.
Big Swamp is a vast peatland that harbors extensive stands of muskeg, open bog, poor fen, sedge meadow, and an undeveloped seepage lake. In the southern and central portion of the site is a muskeg community with scattered, stunted black spruce and tamarack with ericaceous shrubs, sedges, and sphagnum. Jack pine is occasionally present. Characteristic species are bog rosemary, bog laurel, leather-leaf, small cranberry, black chokeberry, bog birch, bog willow, few-seeded sedge, and creeping sedge. Areas with a more dense cover of spruce support species such as Labrador tea, three-seeded sedge, tussock cotton grass, and three-leaved Solomon's-seal.
The 62-acre Clear Lake is a seepage lake containing very soft water. Adjacent to the lake is a boggy, sphagnum lawn that features pitcher plants, arrowgrass, round-leaved sundew, and a rare orchid. Near the southern upland border, tamarack is much more dominant than spruce and is associated with alder, northern blue-flag iris, and mountain holly. The westernmost section contains a gently sloping sandy peninsula that supports a dry-mesic forest dominated by red pine, red oak, and white pine.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Big Swamp State Natural Area: what is allowed
How access works on Big Swamp State Natural Area
Hunters and trappers are welcome on DNR-owned SNA acres unless posted; leave vehicles, drones and tents outside and take no plants.
Big Swamp State Natural Area: rules from the regulations
From the October youth hunt through the Holiday Hunt, blaze orange or pink covers half of your upper clothing and cap. Mark a ground blind with 144 square inches of blaze orange or pink while firearm deer seasons run. Tree stands: no tree damage, ID on unattended stands, overnight only north of Hwy. 64 during Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Register deer, turkeys and bears through GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after recovery.
What Big Swamp State Natural Area costs in licenses
Buy through Go Wild; the free Farmland tags and bonus tags are marked public-access or private-land, and only public-access ones work here.
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.
Tags and zones for Big Swamp State Natural Area
For deer it lies in the Northern Forest zone (DMU 121). This season the unit quota is 695 antlerless deer. Zone B bear permits took 11 preference points in 2026; the target is 850 bears. The 2025 spring level for Turkey Zone 7 was 4,401 authorizations; 726 birds were registered. Oneida County: CWD found in wild deer, and a CWD-positive deer earns a replacement authorization. No deer bait or feed: Oneida County is a ban county.
Big Swamp State Natural Area: antlerless quota and bonus tags
| Deer unit | Zone | 2026 quota | Public bonus left | Private bonus left | Free farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 121 | Northern Forest | 695 | 73 | 864 | — |
Every other zone Big Swamp State Natural Area touches
| Zone | Detail | Figures | Points or note | Taken |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black bear B | Hounds legal | 850 target, 1,545 permits | 11 points | 851 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey zone 7 | 4,401 spring tags (2025) | 16% success | 726 gobblers | — |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck zone | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Goose zone | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Gray wolf zone 2 | No season | Federally listed |
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.
Quarry and limits, Big Swamp State Natural Area
Big Swamp State Natural Area has no species list on record. Any season open in Oneida County is fair game, subject to the property rules.
Below: 38 season rows for Oneida County.
Species from the property record (No species list published for this property; open seasons follow statewide/zone regulations where hunting is allowed.); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Big Swamp State Natural Area season calendar, 2026-27
Archery, the nine-day gun hunt, muzzleloader, bear, turkey, upland birds, rabbits, furbearers and the duck and goose splits for Big Swamp State Natural Area.
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 9, 2026 | |
| White-tailed deer | December antlerless hunt | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B/A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B/A | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 7/5 | 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.
Units connected to Big Swamp State Natural Area
Big Swamp State Natural Area is one of 7 units that American Legion State Forest lists.
American Legion State Forest units beside Big Swamp State Natural Area
| Unit | Type | Where | Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Wetlands | State natural area | Oneida | 2,357 |
| Wind Pudding Lake | State natural area | Oneida | 340 |
| Tomahawk Lake Hemlocks | State natural area | Oneida | 247 |
| Stone Lake Pines | State natural area | Oneida | 206 |
| Two Lakes Pine-Oak Forest | State natural area | Oneida | 112 |
| Shallow Lake | State natural area | Oneida | 103 |
Nearest public ground to Big Swamp State Natural Area, mapped
10 more properties lie close to Big Swamp State Natural Area, shown with smaller pins. Acres across them: 6,930.
| Neighbour | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germain Hemlocks | State natural area | 91 | 9.5 mi | southwest |
| Big St Germain | Fishery area | 1 | 9.6 mi | north |
| Arthur A. Oehmcke Fish Hatchery | Fishery area | 106 | 11 mi | northwest |
| One Stone Lake Hemlocks | State natural area | 342 | 11 mi | east |
| Rice Lake | State natural area | 1,242 | 11 mi | east |
| Sugar Camp Hemlocks | State natural area | 80 | 11 mi | east |
| Bittersweet Lakes | State natural area | 1,070 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Thunder Lake | Wildlife area | 3,250 | 12 mi | east |
| Brandy Lake | Fishery area | 1 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Plum Lake Hemlock Forest | State natural area | 747 | 14 mi | north |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR State Natural Areas parcel ownership GIS (centroid of WDNR-owned parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Registered deer and bears near Big Swamp State Natural Area
The DNR has no Oneida County deer series; its forest DMUs carry 2025 totals only. The 2026 season to date shows 213 deer in DMU 121; the DNR calls it preliminary. 437 samples, 5 positive: that is Oneida County in CWD year 2025. All years combined: 14 of 5,365. 151 bears came out of Oneida County in 2025. These numbers describe the county around Big Swamp State Natural Area, not the property alone.
Deer registered near Big Swamp State Natural Area
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 121 | 1,001 | 614 | 1,615 |
Oneida County CWD by year
| CWD year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 36 | 1 |
| 2025 | 437 | 5 |
| 2024 | 361 | 3 |
| 2023 | 421 | 0 |
| 2022 | 443 | 1 |
| 2021 | 466 | 0 |
Oneida County bear harvest
| Year | Bear harvest | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 144 | 79 | 65 |
| 2025 | 151 | 79 | 72 |
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.
Big Swamp State Natural Area: nearest ranges
No range sits on Big Swamp State Natural Area; the nearest on the DNR public range map is C.W. Caywood Memorial Shooting Range, about 15 miles away. Closer club options sit beside it.
rifle, handgun, trap, shotgun on file
sporting clays, muzzleloader, handgun, action pistol, benchrest on file
rifle, handgun, trap, skeet, 5-stand on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Towns, offices and services around Big Swamp State Natural Area
Towns, then services in this county and the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tomahawk | Oneida | 5.9 mi | — | 71,243 |
| Rhinelander | Oneida | 12 mi | 8,286 | 45,679 |
| Eagle River | Vilas | 12 mi | 1,681 | 58,199 |
| Woodruff | Oneida | 13 mi | — | 68,581 |
Our county write-ups: Oneida County.
Butchers, mounts and gun counters near Big Swamp State Natural Area
Service centers near Big Swamp State Natural Area
For Oneida County, the DNR points to its DNR Rhinelander 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.
When the shooting day opens and closes at Big Swamp State Natural Area
The DNR tables are worked out for Zone A in the east; Big Swamp State Natural Area lies in longitude Zone C, so add 8 minutes to each table time.
| Day | Reason | Northern table | Southern table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:03 a.m. to 7:35 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 7:34 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:47 a.m. to 6:29 p.m. | 6:46 a.m. to 6:32 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:08 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. | 6:05 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:36 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 6:31 a.m. to 4:48 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:48 a.m. to 4:36 p.m. | 6:43 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:07 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:09 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 4:54 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 C offset of 8 minutes for longitude 89.45 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Big Swamp State Natural Area in questions and answers
Is Big Swamp State Natural Area good turkey ground?
Apply for Zone 7; spring periods A-F run in 2027 from April 21.
Are hounds allowed for bear at Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Bear Zone B: 1,545 permits drawn for 2026.
What are the CWD and bait rules for Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Deer bait is illegal in Oneida County. Oneida County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Is Big Swamp State Natural Area in the northern or southern duck zone?
Northern duck zone and Northern goose zone. First regular duck day in the Northern Zone: Sep 26.
How fast must I register a kill on Big Swamp State Natural Area?
GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Can pink replace orange at Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Yes while gun deer seasons are open; half your upper clothing and hat in orange or fluorescent pink.
What neighbours Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Closest first: Germain Hemlocks State Natural Area (10 miles), Big St Germain Public Access (10 miles) and Arthur A. Oehmcke Fish Hatchery (11 miles).
Is a permit required for Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Your Wisconsin license is enough; residents pay $24 for gun deer, $18 for small game.
Who is the land manager for Big Swamp State Natural Area?
The Wisconsin DNR manages it; the land is a DNR-owned State Natural Area.
Is Big Swamp State Natural Area part of a larger property?
It is a unit of American Legion State Forest.
How far is the drive from Lake Tomahawk to Big Swamp State Natural Area?
Oneida County, roughly 6 miles out of Lake Tomahawk.
How large is Big Swamp State Natural Area, in acres?
Acreage on record: 2,914.
Is Big Swamp State Natural Area forest or farmland deer country?
DMU 121 in the Northern Forest zone. The unit quota stands at 695 antlerless deer this year.
Big Swamp State Natural Area, final notes
Print the Big Swamp State Natural Area map, carry your tags, and check the manager page the week you go.
Sources for this page: DNR: BigSwamp · DNR GIS · DNR: StateNaturalAreas; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: GlacierNPS (Public domain); Wesley Fryer (CC BY 2.0).