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2026-27 · Wildlife area
Chief River Wildlife Area, a hunter's guide
Who runs it, which deer unit and bear zone cover it, what it holds (raccoons, foxes and coyotes), and the public land and towns around it in Sawyer County.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Chief River Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Chief River Wildlife Area
- Hay Creek Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 3.4 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.
What the record says about Chief River Wildlife Area
On paper it is a DNR state wildlife area; on the map it is in Sawyer County. DNR staff of the Northern Region cover this part of the Northwoods. Manager: the Wisconsin DNR. Its 1,186 acres rank 109th of the 285 Wisconsin state wildlife areas with an acreage on file. From Chief Lake, our closest town page, it is roughly 7 miles to the northeast.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, sum of parcels open to hunting); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Chief River Wildlife Area
Chief River Wildlife Area in the agency's words
Unedited text from the official page.
Chief River Wildlife Area is located in central Sawyer County, north of the Chippewa Flowage and east of Hayward, Wisconsin. Surrounded primarily by private land, Chief River Wildlife Area provides public recreation and access to upland, swamp hardwoods, lowland conifer and Mud-Callahan lakes. The 1,183-acre Chief River Wildlife Area was acquired during the late 1940s and early 1950s, with the last purchase made in 1952. A limited network of roads was constructed in 1954, and two easements were granted to improve access at no cost to the state.
The property provides public upland hunting opportunities, and the boat landing and parking area provide access to the Chief River as well as Mud and Callahan lakes. Mud and Callahan lakes offer fishing opportunities for gamefish (musky, largemouth bass) and panfish (bluegill, black crappie). Fishing opportunities also exist in Chief River, though shallow water means that fishing from a paddlecraft may be the only viable option.
Chief River Wildlife Area hunting wording
- They also provide hunters access to all portions of the property.
- The property is managed for hunting, hiking, trapping, wildlife viewing, fishing, birding, berry picking, canoeing and snowmobiling on alliance-maintained and designated trails.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Chief River Wildlife Area rules and licenses
Access rules at Chief River Wildlife Area
Buy the license, hunt in season, and respect posted refuges and the NR 45 code.
State law on Chief River Wildlife Area
Orange or pink, 50% above the waist and 50% of the head covering, is the rule while gun deer seasons run; duck and goose hunters are exempt. Gun-season ground blinds on DNR property display 144 sq in of orange or pink from every direction. No screw-in steps or cut shooting lanes on DNR land. Overnight stands are legal north of Hwy. 64 from Sept. 1 to Jan. 31; south of it, remove them every day. By 5 p.m. the following day, register the deer on GameReg (online, phone or station).
Which licenses Chief River Wildlife Area needs
Get licenses on Go Wild or at an agent. Antlerless tags are unit-specific and labelled public or private land.
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.
Chief River Wildlife Area: DMU, bear zone and turkey zone
Deer management: DMU 111, Northern Forest zone. The Natural Resources Board set 685 antlerless deer as the 2026 quota there. Bear Zone A has a 2026 harvest target of 1,100 with 1,675 Class A permits drawn; it took 11 preference points to win one. Spring turkey tags are sold for Zone 6; the DNR issued 6,001 there in 2025, the newest level published. Baiting deer is lawful in Sawyer County, at no more than 2 gallons a site.
Deer units that cover Chief River Wildlife Area
| Deer unit | Zone | Antlerless goal | Public tags left | Private tags left | Included tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 111 | Northern Forest | 685 | 576 | 2,184 | — |
Zones beyond deer for Chief River Wildlife Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear A | Dogs legal | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey zone 6 | 6,001 spring tags (2025) | 23% success | 1,362 gobblers | — |
| Grouse zone A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck zone | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Goose zone | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 1/1B | No season | Listed 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.
Chief River Wildlife Area: species with bag limits
Listed game at Chief River Wildlife Area: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Furbearers
The Sawyer County calendar below covers the rest.
Species from the property record (species named by the source); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Season dates that cover Chief River Wildlife Area
Chief River Wildlife Area sits in the Northern Forest deer zone. These 39 rows are the dated hunting segments the DNR schedule puts there, from the September archery opener into spring turkey.
| Game | Season | Applies in | Begins | Through | Right 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 | 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 A/D | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A/D | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone A/D | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Northern Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 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.
Public property near Chief River Wildlife Area
The large pin is Chief River Wildlife Area; the others are the 10 closest public properties. Together they hold 26,837 acres.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mud Callahan | Wildlife area | 93 | 1.3 mi | southwest |
| Dead Creek Springs | Fishery area | 84 | 3.7 mi | north |
| Chippewa Flowage | Riverway | 7,436 | 4.6 mi | south |
| Town of Spider Lake | Wildlife area | 42 | 7.3 mi | north |
| Mosquito Brook | Wildlife area | 226 | 7.5 mi | west |
| Lake Helane | State natural area | 391 | 7.6 mi | north |
| Grindstone Creek | Fishery area | 409 | 8.4 mi | southwest |
| McDermott Brook | Fishery area | 148 | 9.1 mi | northwest |
| Uhrenholdt Memorial Timber Demonstration Forest | Demonstration forest | 123 | 9.5 mi | northwest |
| Chippewa Flowage | Easement land | 17,885 | 12 mi | south |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS (polygon centroid of hunting-open parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
How the land around Chief River Wildlife Area hunts, by the numbers
Harvest for this part of Sawyer County comes from the 2025 forest DMU counts. 2026 so far, still changing: DMU 111, 140. CWD sampling in Sawyer County, CWD year 2025: 60 wild deer sampled, 0 positive. Overall: 1,917 samples and 0 positives. Sawyer County: 241 bears in 2025. The DNR reports deer by unit, not by property: read these as the Sawyer County picture.
Sawyer County bucks and antlerless
| Deer unit | Antlered | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 111 | 779 | 587 | 1,366 |
Sawyer County CWD sampling
| Year | Sampled | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 60 | 0 |
| 2024 | 57 | 0 |
| 2023 | 95 | 0 |
| 2022 | 81 | 0 |
| 2021 | 74 | 0 |
Sawyer County bears
| Year | Bears registered | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 296 | 133 | 163 |
| 2025 | 241 | 134 | 107 |
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.
Chief River Wildlife Area: nearest ranges
No range sits on Chief River Wildlife Area; the nearest on the DNR public range map is Cable Rod & Gun Club, about 13 miles away. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
trap, skeet, shotgun, sporting clays, handgun on file
sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Home bases for a Chief River Wildlife Area trip
Closest towns, measured as the crow flies, then the businesses around them.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chief Lake | Sawyer | 7.2 mi | — | 31,269 |
| Little Round Lake | Sawyer | 7.3 mi | — | 34,951 |
| New Post | Sawyer | 7.7 mi | — | 59,626 |
| Hayward | Sawyer | 12 mi | 2,587 | 64,530 |
Read up on the county: Sawyer County.
Taxidermy and supplies for Chief River Wildlife Area hunters
Phone numbers for Chief River Wildlife Area questions
The DNR service center listed for Sawyer County is DNR Spooner Service Center, 715-635-2101.
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.
Chief River Wildlife Area: legal shooting time, table by date
Big game and small game hunters get 20 minutes after sunset in Wisconsin, not 30. Waterfowl and spring gobbler hunters quit at sunset.
| Date | Hunt | Northern Area hours | Southern Area hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 91.23 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Straight answers on Chief River Wildlife Area
Is bear hunting possible at Chief River Wildlife Area?
Zone A; hounds are legal there.
Can I turkey hunt Chief River Wildlife Area in spring?
Zone 6; 2025 saw 1,362 birds registered in the zone.
When can I hunt ducks at Chief River Wildlife Area?
Northern for ducks, Northern for geese. The regular Northern Zone duck season opens Sep 26.
Has CWD turned up in the county around Chief River Wildlife Area?
There is no county baiting ban here; the 2-gallon rules apply. CWD has not been found in this county's wild deer.
Is blaze pink legal at Chief River Wildlife Area?
Orange or pink, half of the upper clothing, whenever a gun deer season runs (not for waterfowl).
Where do I register game taken on Chief River Wildlife Area?
Register on GameReg by 5 p.m. the next day; the confirmation number starts with W.
Is there a separate permit for Chief River Wildlife Area?
The standard license for your game; no landowner permission on public ground.
Which public properties lie near Chief River Wildlife Area?
Three to try: Mud Callahan State Habitat Area (1 mile), Dead Creek Springs Fishery Area (4 miles) and Chippewa Flowage (5 miles).
How is Chief River Wildlife Area classified?
DNR state wildlife area, under the Wisconsin DNR.
How much land is in Chief River Wildlife Area?
It covers 1,186 acres by the recorded figure.
Where in the state does Chief River Wildlife Area lie?
Sawyer County holds it, 7 miles from Chief Lake.
What is Chief River Wildlife Area hunted for?
The agency names raccoons, foxes and coyotes; other legal game follows the county dates.
Which deer management unit holds Chief River Wildlife Area?
The Northern Forest zone, DMU 111. Quota for 2026: 685 antlerless.
Last checks on Chief River Wildlife Area before you go
Treat this page as a starting point: the manager of Chief River Wildlife Area has the final say on closures and maps.
Sources for this page: DNR: Chiefriver · DNR GIS · DNR: alpha; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: The Hidden Hide with Ray (CC BY 2.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0).