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2026-27 · State park
Copper Falls State Park, 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 Ashland County.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Copper Falls State Park
Parking, trailheads and gates near Copper Falls State Park
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 1.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 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.
What the record says about Copper Falls State Park
On paper it is a state park with hunting in its open areas; on the map it is in Ashland County. DNR staff of the Northern Region cover this part of the Northwoods. Manager: the Wisconsin DNR. Its 3,532 acres rank 6th of the 49 Wisconsin state parks with an acreage on file. From Mellen, our closest town page, it is roughly 4 miles to the north. It is the parent of 1 page on this site.
From the source page (WI DNR Managed Lands GIS ACRES field, whole property (hunting only in areas the property hunting map shows open)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Copper Falls State Park
Copper Falls State Park in the agency's words
Unedited text from the official page.
Hunting Copper Falls State Park Hunting and trapping are allowed in the open areas of the park during the Wisconsin state parks hunting and trapping time frame. Trapping is not permitted in closed areas as noted on the park hunting map or within 100 yards of any designated use area, including trails. Certain trap types are restricted on state park properties.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Copper Falls State Park rules and licenses
Access rules at Copper Falls State Park
The park time frame applies in open areas only: April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3, then Nov. 15-Dec. 15 (bows to the Sunday nearest Jan. 6). Buy the state park vehicle pass before you park.
State law on Copper Falls State Park
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 Copper Falls State Park needs
Get licenses on Go Wild or at an agent. Antlerless tags are unit-specific and labelled public or private land.
Closed and restricted areas inside Copper Falls State Park
1 closed or restricted area appear for Copper Falls State Park in the DNR layer. Usual exception: Hunting/trapping restrictions apply, check property map(s) at link provided.
| Name | Restriction | Closed | Acres | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Falls State Park | Hunting/trapping Restrictions | See property map link provided | 3,624 | NR 29.089(1m)(b) |
Copper Falls State Park: its own time frame
| Game | Period | When | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| All open seasons | Spring | April 1 through the Tuesday nearest May 3 (gun and archery hunting, limited trapping, open areas only) | |
| All open seasons | Fall/Winter | Nov. 15-Dec. 15 (gun and archery hunting and trapping in open seasons); archery through the Sunday nearest Jan. 6 | Exceptions for Buckhorn, Big Bay, Blue Mound, Governor Dodge, Rock Island and Tower Hill state parks. |
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.
Copper Falls State Park: DMU, bear zone and turkey zone
Deer management: DMU 118, DMU 113 and DMU 106, Northern Forest zone. The Natural Resources Board set 90, 1,155 and 710 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 7; the DNR issued 4,401 there in 2025, the newest level published. Baiting deer is lawful in Ashland County, at no more than 2 gallons a site.
Deer units that cover Copper Falls State Park
| Deer unit | Zone | Antlerless goal | Public tags left | Private tags left | Included tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 118 | Northern Forest | 90 | 23 | 0 | — |
| DMU 113 | Northern Forest | 1,155 | 1,369 | 2,244 | — |
| DMU 106 | Northern Forest | 710 | 521 | 2,092 | — |
Zones beyond deer for Copper Falls State Park
| 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 7 | 4,401 spring tags (2025) | 16% success | 726 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.
Copper Falls State Park: species with bag limits
Listed game at Copper Falls State Park: raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Furbearers
The Ashland 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 Copper Falls State Park
Copper Falls State Park 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 | 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 | |
| Elk | Elk, all weapons | Northern Elk Zone | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 6/7 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 6/7 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 6/7 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 6/7 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 6/7 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 6/7 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 6/7 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 6/7 | 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 inside Copper Falls State Park
Units inside Copper Falls State Park: 1, adding up to 746 acres.
| Unit | Type | Where | Size | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Falls | State natural area | Ashland | 746 | — |
Public property near Copper Falls State Park
The large pin is Copper Falls State Park; the others are the 10 closest public properties. Together they hold 71,242 acres.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Morse | Wildlife area | 722 | 1.4 mi | northeast |
| Devil's Creek | Wildlife area | 7 | 4.2 mi | south |
| Caroline Lake | State natural area | 131 | 8.4 mi | southeast |
| Ashland | County forest | 40,305 | 8.7 mi | south |
| White River | Wildlife area | 1,272 | 13 mi | northwest |
| White River Boreal Forest | State natural area | 446 | 13 mi | northwest |
| Town of Saxon | Wildlife area | 359 | 14 mi | north |
| Twin Lakes | Easement land | 13,991 | 14 mi | southeast |
| Snake Track | Wildlife area | 15 | 14 mi | east |
| Great Northern | Easement land | 13,994 | 16 mi | east |
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.
How the land around Copper Falls State Park hunts, by the numbers
Harvest for this part of Ashland County comes from the 2025 forest DMU counts. 2026 so far, still changing: DMU 118, 61, DMU 113, 140 and DMU 106, 113. CWD sampling in Ashland County, CWD year 2025: 20 wild deer sampled, 0 positive. Overall: 835 samples and 0 positives. Ashland County: 144 bears in 2025. The DNR reports deer by unit, not by property: read these as the Ashland County picture.
Ashland County bucks and antlerless
| Deer unit | Antlered | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 118 | 384 | 91 | 475 |
| DMU 113 | 990 | 786 | 1,776 |
| DMU 106 | 731 | 519 | 1,250 |
Ashland County CWD sampling
| Year | Sampled | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 20 | 0 |
| 2024 | 18 | 0 |
| 2023 | 18 | 0 |
| 2022 | 18 | 0 |
| 2021 | 24 | 0 |
Ashland County bears
| Year | Bears registered | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 147 | 83 | 64 |
| 2025 | 144 | 75 | 69 |
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.
Copper Falls State Park: nearest ranges
No range sits on Copper Falls State Park; the nearest on the DNR public range map is Snaketrack Shooting Range, about 14 miles away. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Home bases for a Copper Falls State Park trip
Closest towns, measured as the crow flies, then the businesses around them.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mellen | Ashland | 3.8 mi | 686 | 85,788 |
| Birch Hill | Ashland | 11 mi | — | 31,792 |
| Iron Belt | Iron | 16 mi | — | 90,192 |
| Glidden | Ashland | 17 mi | — | 89,026 |
Read up on the county: Ashland County.
Taxidermy and supplies for Copper Falls State Park hunters
Phone numbers for Copper Falls State Park questions
The DNR service center listed for Ashland County is DNR Woodruff Service Center, 715-356-5211.
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.
Copper Falls State Park: 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 | 6:07 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 90.64 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Straight answers on Copper Falls State Park
Is blaze pink legal at Copper Falls State Park?
Orange or pink, half of the upper clothing, whenever a gun deer season runs (not for waterfowl).
Where do I register game taken on Copper Falls State Park?
Register on GameReg by 5 p.m. the next day; the confirmation number starts with W.
Is there a separate permit for Copper Falls State Park?
The standard license for your game; no landowner permission on public ground.
Is Copper Falls State Park open to hunting all season?
The park time frame applies: spring April 1-early May; fall Nov. 15-Dec. 15; archery to about Jan. 6.
Which public properties lie near Copper Falls State Park?
Three to try: Town of Morse State Habitat Area (1 mile), Devil's Creek State Habitat Area (4 miles) and Caroline Lake State Natural Area (8 miles).
Which units make up Copper Falls State Park?
1 units, listed in the units section.
How is Copper Falls State Park classified?
State park with hunting in its open areas, under the Wisconsin DNR.
How much land is in Copper Falls State Park?
It covers 3,532 acres by the recorded figure.
Where in the state does Copper Falls State Park lie?
Ashland County holds it, 4 miles from Mellen.
What is Copper Falls State Park hunted for?
The agency names raccoons, foxes and coyotes; other legal game follows the county dates.
Which deer management unit holds Copper Falls State Park?
The Northern Forest zone, DMU 118, DMU 113 and DMU 106. Quota for 2026: 90, 1,155 and 710 antlerless.
Is bear hunting possible at Copper Falls State Park?
Zone A; hounds are legal there.
Can I turkey hunt Copper Falls State Park in spring?
Zone 7; 2025 saw 726 birds registered in the zone.
Last checks on Copper Falls State Park before you go
Treat this page as a starting point: the manager of Copper Falls State Park has the final say on closures and maps.
Sources for this page: DNR: hunt · DNR: hunting · DNR: copperfalls · DNR GIS · DNR GIS; 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); USFWS/Southeast (Public domain).