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Jackson County, Wisconsin
Black River State Forest: the hunter's file
Deer unit DMU 203 and Jackson, bear and turkey zones, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: Aaron Volkening (CC BY 2.0)
Getting to Black River State Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Black River State Forest
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- TrailheadTrailhead · 4.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Wildcat Lot Black River State ForestParking · 4.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 5.1 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.
Key facts for Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest is a Wisconsin state forest in Jackson and Clark counties. The DNR files it under its West Central Region (west-central Wisconsin). Management sits with the Wisconsin DNR. Acreage: 68,861, which places it 4th of 16 state forests. The closest covered town is Sand Pillow, around 6 miles off as the crow flies. It holds 13 listed units, linked below.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, parcels open to hunting); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest by zone and unit
Deer: Central Forest and Central Farmland zones, DMU 203, Jackson and DMU 202. 450, 5,000 and 775 antlerless deer: the 2026 quota for the units. Bear hunters here apply for Zone C: 7,605 applied for 2026 and 4,465 permits went out. In Zone 1 turkey hunters held 64,574 spring tags in 2025 (spring 2027 levels are not out yet). CWD-positive deer have been recorded in Jackson and Clark counties; free testing is offered statewide. Baiting and feeding deer are banned in Jackson and Clark counties.
DMU figures for Black River State Forest
| Unit | Deer zone | Quota | Public-access bonus | Private bonus | Farmland per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 203 | Central Forest | 450 | 0 | 268 | — |
| Jackson Central Farmland | Central Farmland | 5,000 | 0 | 1,481 | 2 |
| DMU 202 | Central Forest | 775 | 0 | 1,436 | — |
Black River State Forest zone table
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone C | No dogs | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Bear zone E | No dogs | 185 target, 2,628 permits | 1 point | 128 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 1 | 64,574 spring tags (2025) | 21% success | 13,813 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Turkey 3 | 55,612 spring tags (2025) | 22% success | 12,324 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Ruffed grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck | Southern | Oct 3–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 | ||
| Goose | Southern | Sep 16–Oct 11 Oct 17–Dec 6 Dec 19–Jan 2 | ||
| Elk | Central (Black River Elk Range) | 6 bull and 6 antlerless | Public land nearly 70% | |
| Wolf 5/6 | No hunt | Endangered status |
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.
Black River State Forest: the property description
Copied from the official listing.
Hunting Black River State Forest Excellent hunting opportunities exist on the Black River State Forest. Common species that can be found on the forest include the following. Beaver Black bear Bobcat Fisher Raccoon Ruffed grouse Squirrels Waterfowl Whitetail deer Wild turkey Woodcock The forest is open to public hunting during designated seasons with the appropriate license. Areas where hunting is not allowed include: State forest campgrounds (Castle Mound, Pigeon Creek and East Fork) Day use areas (Oxbow Pond and Perry Creek) Any areas signed as closed to hunting Private land within the forest boundary* *Exception: Unless permission is given to the hunter by the landowner or the land is open to hunting through the private tax law lands designation.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Access, closures and licenses for Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest: open to whom, and how
Licenses and state seasons are all that is needed, outside campgrounds, picnic areas and posted special-use spots.
Orange, stands and GameReg at Black River State Forest
Bowhunters too: when a gun deer season is on, 50% of the coat and hat must be orange or pink, unless you are hunting waterfowl. A ground blind on DNR property needs 144 sq in of orange or pink during gun deer seasons. South of Hwy. 64 every stand and blind leaves with you; north of it, two portable stands per county may stay out Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Use GameReg (online or 844-426-3734) before 5 p.m. the day after the harvest.
Tags and licenses for Black River State Forest
Licenses sell on Go Wild. On public land, antlerless deer need a public-access authorization for the unit.
Where you cannot hunt at Black River State Forest
Mind these 2 areas before you set up.
| Area | Restriction | Dates | Acres | Rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black River State Forest | Closed to hunting and trapping | Jan 1–Dec 31 | 39 | NR 45.09(1) |
| Black River State Forest | Closed to Public | Jan 1–Dec 31 | 146 | NR 23.09(10) |
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.
What Black River State Forest is made of
Together its 13 units cover 7,201 acres.
| Unit | Category | County | Acres | Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Komensky Barrens | State natural area | Jackson | 1,831 | — |
| Upper Black River | State natural area | Jackson | 1,533 | — |
| Starlight Wetlands | State natural area | Jackson | 1,052 | — |
| Washburn Marsh | State natural area | Jackson | 604 | — |
| East Fork of the Black River | State natural area | Jackson, Clark | 513 | — |
| Ketchum Creek Pines | State natural area | Jackson | 424 | — |
| Wildcat Ridge | State natural area | Jackson | 379 | — |
| Arbutus Oaks | State natural area | Clark | 214 | — |
| Milllston Ridge Barrens | State natural area | Jackson | 193 | — |
| Waazija Haci | State natural area | Jackson | 142 | — |
| Robinson Creek Pines | State natural area | Jackson | 126 | — |
| Castle Mound Pine Forest | State natural area | Jackson | 115 | — |
| Catfish Eddy Terraces | State natural area | Jackson | 75 | — |
Which animals Black River State Forest lists
Game on the record for Black River State Forest: whitetails, wild turkeys, black bears, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock and squirrels, cottontails and hares.
White-tailed deer
Wild turkey
Black bear
Ducks and geese
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Small game
Seasons not named here still apply if they are open in Jackson County and the property rules allow.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Which seasons are open in Black River State Forest
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for Black River State Forest are listed.
| Species | Season | Where it applies | Opens | Closes | 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 | 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, Jackson | 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 E/C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Central Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 1/3 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 1/3 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 1/3 | 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 | Southern cottontail zone | Oct 17, 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 (split 1) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Regular duck (split 2) | Southern Duck Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Sep 9, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 1) | Southern Goose Zone | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 11, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (split 2) | Southern Goose Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Geese | Regular goose (holiday split) | Southern Goose Zone | Dec 19, 2026 | Jan 2, 2027 | |
| 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.
Black River State Forest: county harvest and CWD tests
Hunters registered 4,911 deer in the Jackson County unit in 2025: 2,333 bucks and 2,578 antlerless. High year on the chart: 2022 at 6,250; low year: 2025 at 4,911. Preliminary 2026 count to Oct. 19: 79 in DMU 203, 394 in Jackson Central Farmland and 114 in DMU 202. Jackson County CWD testing (2025): 1 positives out of 198 samples. Cumulative total 4 positives in 3,127 tests. Jackson County bear harvest, 2025: 47. Harvest and CWD figures cover Jackson County as a whole.
Jackson County deer by year
| Year | Buck | Antlerless | Deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,333 | 2,578 | 4,911 |
| 2024 | 2,940 | 2,780 | 5,720 |
| 2023 | 2,884 | 2,403 | 5,287 |
| 2022 | 3,230 | 3,020 | 6,250 |
| 2021 | 3,143 | 2,533 | 5,676 |
| 2020 | 3,198 | 3,018 | 6,216 |
Testing for CWD, Jackson County
| Year | Deer tested | CWD positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 19 | 0 |
| 2025 | 198 | 1 |
| 2024 | 213 | 1 |
| 2023 | 225 | 2 |
| 2022 | 204 | 0 |
| 2021 | 186 | 0 |
Bears by year, Jackson County
| Year | Bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 110 | 48 | 62 |
| 2025 | 47 | 25 | 22 |
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.
Black River State Forest pinned among its neighbours
Map of Black River State Forest and the 10 nearest public places. That is 131,493 acres of public ground.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bauer-Brockway Barrens | State natural area | 120 | 4.8 mi | west |
| Jackson | County forest | 122,685 | 9.5 mi | east |
| Jay Creek Pine Forest | State natural area | 441 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Monroe | County forest | 7,443 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Tank Creek | Fishery area | 503 | 15 mi | west |
| Rathbone Creek | Fishery area | 21 | 15 mi | southwest |
| Albion Fish Rearing Station | Fishery area | 63 | 16 mi | west |
| Mill Creek | Fishery area | 35 | 16 mi | south |
| Cataract Pond | Fishery area | 2 | 16 mi | southwest |
| S Branch Trempealeau River (Remnant) | Fishery area | 180 | 17 mi | northwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS (polygon centroid) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Towns, processors and DNR desks near Black River State Forest
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a butcher and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sand Pillow | Jackson | 6.1 mi | — | 102,555 |
| Mission | Jackson | 6.6 mi | — | 101,157 |
| Millston | Jackson | 7.0 mi | — | 115,461 |
| Black River Falls | Jackson | 9.3 mi | 3,563 | 59,992 |
For the wider county picture: Jackson County, Clark County.
Venison, mounts and ammo near Black River State Forest
Black River State Forest: agency contacts
County service center: DNR La Crosse Service Center (608-785-9000).
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.
Black River State Forest: nearest ranges
Sherwood Shooting Range in Clark County is the nearest DNR-map range, 18 miles out. Two nearby club ranges follow.
rifle, trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
First and last legal minute at Black River State Forest
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey: 30 minutes before sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset. Ducks, geese, doves and spring turkey: same start, done at sunset.
| Date | Season moment | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:07 a.m. to 7:39 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 7:38 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:51 a.m. to 6:33 p.m. | 6:50 a.m. to 6:36 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:12 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. | 6:09 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:40 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 6:35 a.m. to 4:52 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:52 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 4:47 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:11 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:13 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. | 7:07 a.m. to 4:58 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 D offset of 12 minutes for longitude 90.66 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Questions hunters raise about Black River State Forest
Which bear permit zone holds Black River State Forest?
C/E. You need a Class A license from the drawing.
How many turkey permits go to the Black River State Forest zone?
Turkey Zone 1/3. 64,574 spring tags were issued there in 2025.
What waterfowl dates apply at Black River State Forest?
Duck zone: Southern; goose zone: Southern. Southern Zone ducks open Oct 3, 2026-27.
Can I put out corn for deer at Black River State Forest?
Not here: Jackson and Clark counties is under the ban. CWD has been found in wild deer in Jackson and Clark counties.
How much orange do I wear at Black River State Forest?
During any firearm deer season: 50% of your outer clothing above the waist and 50% of any cap, blaze orange or pink. Waterfowl hunters are exempt.
When must I register a turkey from Black River State Forest?
Deer: online, phone or station by 5 p.m. next day. Turkeys: online or phone only.
Which tags work on Black River State Forest?
No special permit for most of it; buy the license on Go Wild and carry public-access antlerless tags.
Does Black River State Forest have a refuge?
No: 2 closed or restricted areas are listed, starting with Black River State Forest.
Is there other public ground around Black River State Forest?
By straight-line distance: Bauer-Brockway Barrens State Natural Area (5 miles), Jackson County Forest (9 miles) and Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area (11 miles).
How is Black River State Forest divided?
13 listed units, such as Arbutus Oaks State Natural Area and Castle Mound Pine Forest State Natural Area.
What type of property is Black River State Forest on the record?
It is a Wisconsin state forest, managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
What size is Black River State Forest on the record?
About 68,861 acres.
What is the nearest town to Black River State Forest?
Base in Sand Pillow, 6 miles away; the ground is in Jackson and Clark counties.
Black River State Forest: one more look before the drive
Signs on the ground beat any web page. Read the posted boundaries at Black River State Forest when you arrive.
Sources for this page: DNR: hunting · DNR GIS · DNR: blackriver · DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS/Southeast (Public domain); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Southeast Region (Public domain).