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Dunn Lake State Natural Area hunting guide
Everything we could verify about Dunn Lake State Natural Area: acreage, zones, property rules, harvest around it and nearby ground.
Photo: wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Dunn Lake State Natural Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Dunn Lake State Natural Area
- Parking areaParking · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.4 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.6 mi from the centreDirections
- Moosehead Lake Boat LaunchBoat ramp · 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.
The short version on Dunn Lake State Natural Area
In Vilas County you will find Dunn Lake 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 954 acres it sits 53rd by area in a field of 449 state natural areas. It is State Natural Area No. 237, in T43N-R7E, Section 12, 13, 24. T43N-R8E, Section 18. About 7 miles northeast of Boulder Junction.
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 Dunn Lake State Natural Area
Dunn Lake State Natural Area, as the managers tell it
Word for word from the property page.
Dunn Lake features a mosaic of communities surrounding the lake, giving the area a wilderness aspect. The site contains an outstanding example of the northern mesic forest, with super-canopy white pine above large hemlock, yellow birch, sugar maple, and basswood. This undisturbed stand lies on the northeast side of Dunn Lake and extends eastward across the Presque Isle River. Another old-growth stand lies on an upland peninsula west of Sanborn Lake. The Presque Isle River is a meandering, soft, warm water stream that supports a high diversity of native aquatic plants.
Bordering the stream are excellent examples of northern sedge meadows, alder thickets, and northern wet forest communities. Recent beaver activity has altered the composition of these. The uplands to the south have been subjected to intensive timber harvest. Bald eagles have nested in the large white pines. Dunn Lake is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 1990.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
Dunn Lake State Natural Area: what is allowed
How access works on Dunn Lake 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.
Dunn Lake 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 Dunn Lake 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 Dunn Lake State Natural Area
For deer it lies in the Northern Forest zone (DMU 122). This season the unit quota is 330 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. Vilas County: CWD found in wild deer, and a CWD-positive deer earns a replacement authorization. No deer bait or feed: Vilas County is a ban county.
Dunn Lake State Natural Area: antlerless quota and bonus tags
| Deer unit | Zone | 2026 quota | Public bonus left | Private bonus left | Free farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 122 | Northern Forest | 330 | 63 | 562 | — |
Every other zone Dunn Lake 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, Dunn Lake State Natural Area
Dunn Lake State Natural Area has no species list on record. Any season open in Vilas County is fair game, subject to the property rules.
Below: 38 season rows for Vilas 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.
Dunn Lake 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 Dunn Lake 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 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 7 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 7 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 7 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 7 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 7 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 7 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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.
Nearest public ground to Dunn Lake State Natural Area, mapped
10 more properties lie close to Dunn Lake State Natural Area, shown with smaller pins. Acres across them: 242,104.
| Neighbour | Type | Acres | Miles off | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Area – Dedication | State natural area | 707 | 5.1 mi | west |
| Nixon Lake | State natural area | 737 | 6.8 mi | south |
| Johnson Lake Barrens and Springs | State natural area | 1,130 | 7.5 mi | southeast |
| Lake Alva Birch-Hemlock | State natural area | 314 | 8.3 mi | south |
| Stateline Lake | Wildlife area | 1 | 8.7 mi | northwest |
| Rice Creek | State natural area | 435 | 9.2 mi | west |
| Van Vliet Hemlocks | State natural area | 412 | 9.3 mi | west |
| Lost Canoe | State natural area | 1,119 | 9.4 mi | south |
| Spring Lake | Wildlife area | 122 | 9.8 mi | east |
| Northern Highland-American Legion | State forest | 237,127 | 10 mi | south |
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) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Registered deer and bears near Dunn Lake State Natural Area
The DNR has no Vilas County deer series; its forest DMUs carry 2025 totals only. The 2026 season to date shows 91 deer in DMU 122; the DNR calls it preliminary. 221 samples, 0 positive: that is Vilas County in CWD year 2025. All years combined: 2 of 3,270. 70 bears came out of Vilas County in 2025. These numbers describe the county around Dunn Lake State Natural Area, not the property alone.
Deer registered near Dunn Lake State Natural Area
| Unit | Bucks | Antlerless | Deer 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 122 | 472 | 330 | 802 |
Vilas County CWD by year
| CWD year | Samples | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 31 | 0 |
| 2025 | 221 | 0 |
| 2024 | 272 | 1 |
| 2023 | 234 | 0 |
| 2022 | 292 | 0 |
| 2021 | 214 | 1 |
Vilas County bear harvest
| Year | Bear harvest | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 88 | 43 | 45 |
| 2025 | 70 | 41 | 29 |
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.
Dunn Lake State Natural Area: nearest ranges
About 11 miles separates Dunn Lake State Natural Area from Boulder Junction Shooting Range, the nearest public map range. Closer club options sit beside it.
rifle, handgun, trap, skeet, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Towns, offices and services around Dunn Lake State Natural Area
Towns, then services in this county and the next one over.
| Town | County | Distance | People | Public acres, 10 mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder Junction | Vilas | 7.5 mi | — | 103,002 |
| Sayner | Vilas | 15 mi | — | 123,140 |
| Woodruff | Oneida | 22 mi | — | 68,581 |
| Lac du Flambeau | Vilas | 23 mi | — | 37,716 |
Our county write-ups: Vilas County.
Butchers, mounts and gun counters near Dunn Lake State Natural Area
Service centers near Dunn Lake State Natural Area
For Vilas County, the DNR points to its DNR Woodruff 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 Dunn Lake State Natural Area
The DNR tables are worked out for Zone A in the east; Dunn Lake 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 89.56 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Dunn Lake State Natural Area in questions and answers
Is Dunn Lake 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.
Is Dunn Lake State Natural Area good turkey ground?
Apply for Zone 7; spring periods A-F run in 2027 from April 21.
Can pink replace orange at Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Yes while gun deer seasons are open; half your upper clothing and hat in orange or fluorescent pink.
What are the CWD and bait rules for Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Deer bait is illegal in Vilas County. Vilas County: CWD-positive deer on record.
Is a permit required for Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Your Wisconsin license is enough; residents pay $24 for gun deer, $18 for small game.
How fast must I register a kill on Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
GameReg by 5 p.m. the day after you recover the animal.
Who is the land manager for Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
The Wisconsin DNR manages it; the land is a DNR-owned State Natural Area.
What neighbours Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Closest first: Natural Area – Dedication (5 miles), Nixon Lake State Natural Area (7 miles) and Johnson Lake Barrens and Springs State Natural Area (8 miles).
How far is the drive from Boulder Junction to Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Vilas County, roughly 7 miles out of Boulder Junction.
How large is Dunn Lake State Natural Area, in acres?
Acreage on record: 954.
Is Dunn Lake State Natural Area forest or farmland deer country?
DMU 122 in the Northern Forest zone. The unit quota stands at 330 antlerless deer this year.
Is there a game list for Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
The record lists none, which means all open seasons, within the property rules.
Are hounds allowed for bear at Dunn Lake State Natural Area?
Bear Zone B: 1,545 permits drawn for 2026.
Dunn Lake State Natural Area, final notes
Print the Dunn Lake State Natural Area map, carry your tags, and check the manager page the week you go.
Sources for this page: DNR: DunnLake · DNR GIS · DNR: StateNaturalAreas; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: James St. John (CC BY 2.0); Joe Mabel (CC BY-SA 4.0).