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Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area for Wisconsin hunters
A hunter's summary of Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area in Douglas County: zones and quota, rules, CWD numbers and local help.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.9 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 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.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area: record card
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area: a DNR-owned State Natural Area, located in Douglas County. Region on record: the DNR Northern Region. The Wisconsin DNR writes the rules on the ground. The 2,656 acres on record put it 16th of the 449 state natural areas we list. The DNR numbers it SNA 161 (legal description T45N-T11W Sections 3, 4, 8, 9, 17. T46N-R10W, Sections 20, 29, 20. T46N-R11W Sections 2, 35, 36). Base town: Lake Nebagamon, some 6 miles away. Brule River State Forest is the larger unit around it.
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 Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area deer unit, quota and game zones
The deer unit is DMU 102, in the Northern Forest zone. The 2026 antlerless quota for that unit is 925. For black bear this is Zone A, where hounds are legal; 1,675 permits for 2026. Turkey hunting falls under Zone 6, which had 6,001 spring permits in 2025. In Douglas County baiting is allowed, capped at 2 gallons per 40 acres.
The deer unit around Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
| DMU | Deer zone | Antlerless quota | Public-land bonus | Private-land bonus | Free tags per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 102 | Northern Forest | 925 | 404 | 1,718 | — |
Bear, turkey and bird zones at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
| Zone | Rule | Numbers | Extra | 2025 result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear A | With hounds | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Wild turkey 6 | 6,001 spring tags (2025) | 23% success | 1,362 gobblers | — |
| Grouse zone A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 1 | Closed | Federally endangered |
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.
Rules on the ground at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Entry terms for Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Hunting and trapping are generally allowed on DNR-owned State Natural Area land unless a spot is posted closed. Camping, vehicles, drones and collecting plants are not (NR 45).
Wisconsin rules that follow you to Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
During any firearm deer season, everyone hunting except waterfowlers wears blaze orange or fluorescent pink on at least half the clothing above the waist, and on half of any cap. DNR land rule: 144 sq in of solid orange or pink on any ground blind in gun season. Leave no stand overnight south of Hwy. 64. North of the highway, two per hunter per county may stay from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31. GameReg registration is due by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area: licenses and tags
Go Wild carries every license. For antlerless deer on public ground, use a public-access tag for the right DMU.
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.
Game and bag limits at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
With no species list from the source, read it this way: every open Wisconsin season applies here under the property rules.
Use the Douglas County season list (40 rows) below.
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.
Every Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area season on one table
Private and public land share these dates. A state park, refuge or Fort McCoy can close sooner, so read the property page before you go.
| Animal | Segment | Scope | Starts | Ends | Open now? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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: Superior | 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 | Extended archery and crossbow | Metro sub-unit | Jan 4, 2027 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 6 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 6 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 6 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 6 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 6 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 6 | 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.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area described by the DNR
Quoted as published; nothing here is our wording.
Following the retreat of the glaciers, Lake Superior drained southwestward through what are now the Bois Brule and St. Croix River valleys. This created the long, narrow, steep-sided and relatively straight valley, which exists today and possesses many unusual ecological attributes. The present Brule River originates from springs within an extensive conifer swamp near Solon Springs and flows north to Lake Superior. The upper stretches of the river are slow, with many meanders, and receive cold, clean water from numerous springs and seepages.
Just above Stone's Bridge the character of the river changes; the gradient begins to grow steeper; the bottom materials include gravel, cobbles and boulders; meanders are much less frequent; and several large spring ponds feed the main stem. This reach of the Brule is very scenic and flows through a conifer swamp of mature white cedar, balsam fir, and spruce with occasional pockets of black ash and alder. The ground layer is rich, with many ferns, mosses and several species of orchids present.
The swamp floor is uneven and occupies a seepage slope with a noticeable gradient from the uplands to the river.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area and the land it belongs with
Parent property: Brule River State Forest, which has 5 listed parts.
The rest of Brule River State Forest
| Page | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motts Ravine | State natural area | Douglas | 655 |
| Brule River Boreal Forest | State natural area | Douglas | 652 |
| Bear Beach | State natural area | Douglas | 96 |
| Brule Rush Lake | State natural area | Douglas | 25 |
Harvest numbers for the country around Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Forest-unit figures for 2025 stand in for a county total in Douglas County. Early 2026 registrations (archery, crossbow, youth hunt): DMU 102 184. The DNR sampled 63 deer from Douglas County in 2025; 0 had CWD. 0 positives overall, from 1,608 deer. In 2025, Douglas County produced 145 registered bears. Figures are for the whole county unit, not Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area alone; the DNR does not report harvest by property.
Douglas County unit harvest
| DMU | Buck | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 102 | 1,280 | 904 | 2,184 |
CWD samples, Douglas County
| Year | Tested | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 63 | 0 |
| 2024 | 56 | 0 |
| 2023 | 60 | 0 |
| 2022 | 71 | 0 |
| 2021 | 78 | 0 |
Bears registered in Douglas County
| Season | Bears | Boars | Sows |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 124 | 68 | 56 |
| 2025 | 145 | 73 | 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.
Bed, fuel and a butcher near Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Where to sleep, where to buy shells, where to drop off a deer.
| Town | County | Miles | Population | Public land nearby |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Nebagamon | Douglas | 6.1 mi | 1,136 | 88,730 |
| Solon Springs | Douglas | 6.6 mi | 679 | 122,350 |
| Gordon | Douglas | 12 mi | — | 111,471 |
| Brule | Douglas | 13 mi | — | 84,777 |
Season and zone pages by county: Douglas County.
Who processes a deer from Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Where to ask about Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Licenses and questions for Douglas County go through the DNR Spooner 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.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area and nearby public ground
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area at the big pin; the nearest 10 public places around it. Combined, 535,952 acres are on record.
| Public land | Type | Acres | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solon Springs | NCT area | 55 | 5.3 mi | southwest |
| Lake Nebagamon | Wildlife area | 38 | 5.6 mi | north |
| Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest | Easement land | 74,398 | 7.8 mi | south |
| Douglas County | Wildlife area | 3,916 | 10.0 mi | southwest |
| Pickerel Lake | Fishery area | 5 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Bayfield | County forest | 175,557 | 12 mi | east |
| Cranberry Lake | Wildlife area | 30 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Mid Eau Claire Lake | Fishery area | 56 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Douglas | County forest | 281,853 | 14 mi | west |
| Jones Lake | State natural area | 44 | 15 mi | northeast |
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.
Shooting-hour table for Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Two tables cover the state, one for the Northern Area and one for the Southern Area, each for Zone A. West of 88 degrees you add 4 minutes per degree of longitude.
| Date | Why it matters | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 91.73 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area: nearest ranges
About 11 miles separates Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area from Northwoods Range Inc., the nearest public map range. Club ranges within 30 miles are included.
trap, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Before-the-trip answers for Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Does a Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area deer go into GameReg?
By 5 p.m. the following day, through GameReg; bears also go to a station or online the same way.
What paperwork does Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area need?
Gun deer ($24), archer ($24) or small game ($18) for residents; nonresident gun deer is $200.
Which public land sits closest to Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Solon Springs State North Country Trail Area (5 miles), Lake Nebagamon State Habitat Area (6 miles) and Brule St. Croix Legacy Forest (8 miles), each with a page here.
What does Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area belong to?
A piece of Brule River State Forest.
Is Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area DNR, county or federal ground?
A DNR-owned State Natural Area; the manager is the Wisconsin DNR.
Is Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area a big property?
2,656 acres in the source data.
Which town works as a base for Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Douglas County; Lake Nebagamon, the nearest town we cover, is 6 miles away.
Can I hunt any species on Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Every open Wisconsin season applies under the property rules; no list narrows it.
What deer tags work on Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
It is in DMU 102 (Northern Forest). This year the antlerless quota is 925.
How hard is a bear permit for Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Zone A; hounds may be used there.
Which zone do I apply for to hunt turkeys at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Zone 6. Success in 2025 was 23%.
Which goose zone is Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area in?
Ducks follow the Northern zone, Canada geese the Northern zone. Opening day for Northern Zone ducks is Sep 26.
Can I bait deer at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area?
Bait is allowed here with limits. No CWD-positive wild deer are on record for the county.
Signing off on Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area
Gates, refuges and open areas at Brule Glacial Spillway State Natural Area are the manager's call; confirm them before opening day.
Sources for this page: DNR: BruleGlacialSpillway · DNR GIS · DNR: StateNaturalAreas; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0).