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Lincoln County · County forest
Hunting at Lincoln County Forest
Lincoln County Forest, 100,843 acres in Lincoln County: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys and ruffed grouse, zones and tags, property rules, county harvest and the land nearby.
Photo: ThreeIfByBike (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Lincoln County Forest
Lincoln County Forest on one card
Hunters reach Lincoln County Forest in Lincoln County; it is a county forest under the County Forest Law. This is the Northwoods, in the DNR Northern Region. Day-to-day it is in the hands of Lincoln County Forestry Department. Measured at 100,843 acres, it comes in 11th of 30 county forests. Tomahawk is the nearest town with a guide on this site, about 12 miles away; the land lies west of it. It sits within Wisconsin County Forest System.
From the source page (WI DNR Forest Tax report "Wisconsin County Forest Acres as of July 01, 2021" (total incl. special use lands)); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Lincoln County Forest
Zones that take in Lincoln County Forest
Lincoln County Forest is Northern Forest deer country, unit DMU 119, DMU 116 and DMU 120. Antlerless quota, 2026: 1,190 and 545. The Zone A bear quota for 2026 is 1,100, spread over 1,675 drawn permits. Wild deer with CWD have been confirmed in Lincoln County. Leave the corn at home; Lincoln County bans deer baiting.
Antlerless tags near Lincoln County Forest
| Unit | Zone | Quota 2026 | Bonus, public | Bonus, private | Farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 119 | Northern Forest | 1,190 | 487 | 3,743 | — |
| DMU 116 | Northern Forest | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| DMU 120 | Northern Forest | 545 | 124 | 1,163 | — |
Lincoln County Forest: other game zones
| Zone | Detail | Numbers | More | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone A | Hounds allowed | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Bear zone B | Hounds allowed | 850 target, 1,545 permits | 11 points | 851 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Turkey 5 | 12,008 spring tags (2025) | 20% success | 2,446 gobblers | — |
| Turkey 7 | 4,401 spring tags (2025) | 16% success | 726 gobblers | — |
| Ruffed grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck zone | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada goose | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf 2/1 | No harvest | Federal listing |
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.
How the managing agency describes Lincoln County Forest
The managing agency's own text.
Part of the 30-county Wisconsin county forest system (more than 2.4 million acres, the largest public land ownership in the state).
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
What Lincoln County Forest requires of hunters
Lincoln County Forest access terms
Enrolled county forest is open to hunters under state regulations; the county sets its own stand, blind, ATV and camping ordinances.
The rule book on Lincoln County Forest
Half of your outer clothing above the waist, and half of your hat, must be blaze orange or pink whenever a firearm deer season is open (waterfowl hunters excepted). Deer and turkeys go into GameReg online or by phone by 5 p.m. the next day.
Go Wild shopping list for Lincoln County Forest
A gun deer or archery license comes with a buck authorization; antlerless deer on this land need a public-access authorization.
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.
Where Lincoln County Forest sits in the larger property
Wisconsin County Forest System takes in Lincoln County Forest and 29 other units.
Sibling pages of Lincoln County Forest
| Unit | Category | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas | County forest | Douglas | 281,853 |
| Marinette | County forest | Marinette | 229,978 |
| Bayfield | County forest | Bayfield | 175,557 |
| Iron | County forest | Iron | 175,343 |
| Washburn | County forest | Washburn | 150,196 |
| Clark | County forest | Clark | 134,742 |
| Langlade | County forest | Langlade | 130,717 |
| Jackson | County forest | Jackson | 122,685 |
| Sawyer | County forest | Sawyer | 115,196 |
| Burnett | County forest | Burnett | 111,516 |
| Price | County forest | Price | 92,294 |
| Rusk | County forest | Rusk | 89,284 |
| Oneida | County forest | Oneida | 82,960 |
| Eau Claire | County forest | Eau Claire | 52,712 |
| Oconto | County forest | Oconto | 43,792 |
What hunters pursue at Lincoln County Forest
Species the agency lists here: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Wild turkey
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Small game
Furbearers
Unlisted species follow the Lincoln County dates below, subject to the property rules.
Species from the property record (General county forest hunting opportunities (DNR County Forests page; WCFA grouse/woodcock management areas). Bear/elk subject to zone.); bag limits from the DNR regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Lincoln County Forest: opening and closing days
From bear baiting in September to the last spring turkey period, 39 season segments apply to Lincoln County Forest.
| Species | Hunt type | Zone or unit | Opening | Closing | 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 B/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone C | Sep 9, 2026 | Oct 13, 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 4/5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 4/5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 4/5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 4/5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 4/5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 4/5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 4/5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 4/5 | 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.
Lincoln County harvest near Lincoln County Forest
Deer registered in the Lincoln County unit, 2025: 1,426. The decade peaked at 4,346 in 2017 and bottomed at 1,426 in 2025. Through Oct. 19, 2026: 136 antlered and 100 antlerless in DMU 119, 105 antlered and 8 antlerless in DMU 116 and 62 antlered and 48 antlerless in DMU 120 (preliminary). CWD year 2025 brought 152 Lincoln County samples and 0 positives. Running total since 1999: 2,880 tested. The 2025 bear count for Lincoln County was 123. No harvest is published for Lincoln County Forest itself, so the county unit is the finest level.
Registered deer in the Lincoln County Forest county unit
| Year | Antlered | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 718 | 708 | 1,426 |
| 2024 | 1,930 | 1,207 | 3,137 |
| 2023 | 1,694 | 1,107 | 2,801 |
| 2022 | 2,278 | 1,538 | 3,816 |
| 2021 | 1,860 | 1,048 | 2,908 |
| 2020 | 1,664 | 1,258 | 2,922 |
CWD tests in Lincoln County
| CWD year | Wild deer sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 9 | 0 |
| 2025 | 152 | 0 |
| 2024 | 148 | 0 |
| 2023 | 164 | 0 |
| 2022 | 166 | 0 |
| 2021 | 219 | 0 |
Bear numbers near Lincoln County Forest
| Year | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 142 | 63 | 79 |
| 2025 | 123 | 54 | 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.
Around Lincoln County Forest: more places to hunt
The big marker is Lincoln County Forest. Smaller ones are its 10 closest neighbours. The neighbours add 8,328 acres between them.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Falls | Wildlife area | 489 | 4.5 mi | southwest |
| Rice River Flowage | Wildlife area | 330 | 8.3 mi | east |
| Gobler Lake | State natural area | 393 | 11 mi | north |
| Swamp Lake | Fishery area | 56 | 12 mi | northeast |
| Knob Creek | Ice Age Trail area | 141 | 12 mi | south |
| Lower Tomahawk River Pines | State natural area | 242 | 13 mi | northeast |
| Willow Flowage Scenic Waters Area Dick Steffes Unit | Riverway | 2,031 | 13 mi | northeast |
| New Wood | Wildlife area | 2,700 | 13 mi | south |
| Camp 27 | Ice Age Trail area | 1,929 | 13 mi | south |
| Marimor | Ice Age Trail area | 17 | 13 mi | southwest |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR Public Land GIS, County Forests layer (polygon centroid) (point inside polygon (centroid falls outside))). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Lincoln County Forest: nearby towns and businesses
Town pages first, then shops, processors and DNR desks.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomahawk | Lincoln | 12 mi | 3,390 | 41,459 |
| Prentice | Price | 17 mi | 565 | 14,704 |
| Rib Lake | Taylor | 18 mi | 913 | 34,287 |
| Westboro | Taylor | 19 mi | — | 30,070 |
County-level hunting pages: Lincoln County.
Shops a short drive from Lincoln County Forest
DNR desks closest to Lincoln County Forest
Service center for Lincoln County business: DNR Rhinelander 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.
Lincoln County Forest: nearest ranges
About 24 miles separates Lincoln County Forest from Cranberry Creek, the nearest public map range. Nearby rod and gun clubs round out the list.
trap, archery, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Shooting light at Lincoln County Forest by date
At Lincoln County Forest the offset is 8 minutes (Zone C). The times below already include it for both DNR shooting-hours areas.
| Day | Season | North table | South 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 89.95 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
What people ask about hunting Lincoln County Forest
How do I register a deer from Lincoln County Forest?
Through GameReg (online, phone or a station) by 5 p.m. the day after recovery.
Do I need blaze orange at Lincoln County Forest?
In any open firearm deer season, wear blaze orange or pink on at least half your coat and cap.
If Lincoln County Forest is full, where next?
Within a short drive: Spirit Falls State Habitat Area (4 miles), Rice River Flowage State Habitat Area (8 miles) and Gobler Lake State Natural Area (11 miles).
Which Wisconsin license covers Lincoln County Forest?
Go Wild sells everything needed; antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Which agency sets the rules on Lincoln County Forest?
Lincoln County Forestry Department treats it as a county forest under the County Forest Law.
Which property holds Lincoln County Forest?
The parent is Wisconsin County Forest System.
Where do Lincoln County Forest hunters spend the night?
Start from Tomahawk; the land is 12 miles off, in Lincoln County.
What acreage is listed for Lincoln County Forest?
Roughly 100,843 acres.
Which DMU takes in Lincoln County Forest?
Deer unit DMU 119, DMU 116 and DMU 120; zone Northern Forest. The 2026 antlerless quota is 1,190 (DMU 119) and 545 (DMU 120); use a public-access antlerless tag here.
Which species are hunted on Lincoln County Forest?
Listed: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Which turkey zone is Lincoln County Forest in?
Zone 4, one bird per spring authorization.
Which bear management zone holds Lincoln County Forest?
Bear Zone A/B. Zone A took 11 preference points in 2026.
Is deer baiting legal near Lincoln County Forest?
No: Lincoln County bans deer baiting and feeding. Wild deer with CWD are documented in Lincoln County.
Check Lincoln County Forest once more
Refuges, closed areas and park windows at Lincoln County Forest can shift mid-season; the property page and the DNR map have the current picture.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS · DNR: AcreageSummary · DNR: CountyForests · WCFA: county contacts; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Shenandoah National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0); urbanwoodchuck (CC BY 2.0).