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Oneida County, Wisconsin
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: the hunter's file
Deer unit DMU 120 and DMU 123, bear and turkey zones, closures, licenses and the nearest towns and services.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Key facts for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement is a DNR conservation easement with public access in Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties. The DNR files it under its Northern Region (the Northwoods). Management sits with the Wisconsin DNR. Acreage: 67,369, which places it 2nd of 16 easement properties. The closest covered town is Mole Lake, around 12 miles off as the crow flies.
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 Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement by zone and unit
Deer: Northern Forest zone, DMU 120 and DMU 123. 545 and 795 antlerless deer: the 2026 quota for the units. Bear hunters here apply for Zone B: 5,071 applied for 2026 and 1,545 permits went out. In Zone 7 turkey hunters held 4,401 spring tags in 2025 (spring 2027 levels are not out yet). CWD-positive deer have been recorded in Oneida and Langlade counties; free testing is offered statewide. Baiting and feeding deer are banned in Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties.
DMU figures for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
| Unit | Deer zone | Quota | Public-access bonus | Private bonus | Farmland per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 120 | Northern Forest | 545 | 124 | 1,163 | — |
| DMU 123 | Northern Forest | 795 | 788 | 1,624 | — |
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement zone table
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone B | Dogs OK | 850 target, 1,545 permits | 11 points | 851 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 7 | 4,401 spring tags (2025) | 16% success | 726 gobblers | — |
| Turkey 5 | 12,008 spring tags (2025) | 20% success | 2,446 gobblers | — |
| Ruffed grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Duck | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Goose | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf 2 | No hunt | Endangered status |
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.
Access, closures and licenses for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: open to whom, and how
The land stays private, but its DNR easement opens it to public hunting and fishing; posted areas near buildings are closed.
Orange, stands and GameReg at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Bowhunters too: when a gun deer season is on, 50% of the coat and hat must be orange or pink, unless you are hunting waterfowl. A ground blind on DNR property needs 144 sq in of orange or pink during gun deer seasons. South of Hwy. 64 every stand and blind leaves with you; north of it, two portable stands per county may stay out Sept. 1-Jan. 31. Use GameReg (online or 844-426-3734) before 5 p.m. the day after the harvest.
Tags and licenses for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Licenses sell on Go Wild. On public land, antlerless deer need a public-access authorization for the unit.
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.
Which animals Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement lists
The agency names no particular game for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: all open seasons apply, within the property rules.
The Oneida County dates (38 rows) follow.
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.
Which seasons are open in Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Deer dates are statewide in Wisconsin; bear, turkey, grouse, cottontail and waterfowl dates follow zone lines, so only the rows for Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement are listed.
| Species | Season | Where it applies | Opens | Closes | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 7/5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 7/5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 7/5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 7/5 | 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.
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: county harvest and CWD tests
Deer harvest here is reported by Northern Forest DMU, and only 2025 exists since the 2025 boundary change. Preliminary 2026 count to Oct. 19: 110 in DMU 120 and 135 in DMU 123. Oneida County CWD testing (2025): 5 positives out of 437 samples. Cumulative total 14 positives in 5,365 tests. Oneida County bear harvest, 2025: 151. Harvest and CWD figures cover Oneida County as a whole.
Oneida County deer by year
| DMU | Antlered | Antlerless | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 120 | 726 | 429 | 1,155 |
| DMU 123 | 1,027 | 699 | 1,726 |
Testing for CWD, Oneida County
| Year | Deer tested | CWD positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 36 | 1 |
| 2025 | 437 | 5 |
| 2024 | 361 | 3 |
| 2023 | 421 | 0 |
| 2022 | 443 | 1 |
| 2021 | 466 | 0 |
Bears by year, Oneida County
| Year | Bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 144 | 79 | 65 |
| 2025 | 151 | 79 | 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.
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement pinned among its neighbours
Map of Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement and the 10 nearest public places. That is 4,613 acres of public ground.
| Area | Category | Acreage | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkins Lake and Hiles Swamp | State natural area | 830 | 6.2 mi | northeast |
| Spur Lake | State natural area | 426 | 7.7 mi | north |
| Little Rice | Wildlife area | 2,284 | 8.0 mi | east |
| Enterprise Hemlocks | State natural area | 601 | 8.5 mi | southwest |
| Sugar Camp Hemlocks | State natural area | 80 | 11 mi | north |
| Bishop Lake | Fishery area | 21 | 11 mi | southeast |
| Pine Lake | Wildlife area | 20 | 11 mi | northeast |
| Town of Three Lakes | Wildlife area | 210 | 11 mi | north |
| Crandon Ribbed Fen | State natural area | 96 | 12 mi | east |
| Campbell Springs State Spring Ponds | Fishery area | 45 | 13 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 of hunting-open parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Towns, processors and DNR desks near Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Start with a town, then line up a cooler, a butcher and a mount.
| Town | County | Miles off | People | Public acres (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mole Lake | Forest | 12 mi | — | 53,945 |
| Post Lake | Langlade | 13 mi | — | 75,672 |
| Rhinelander | Oneida | 13 mi | 8,286 | 45,679 |
| Crandon | Forest | 13 mi | 1,737 | 70,336 |
For the wider county picture: Oneida County, Forest County, Langlade County.
Venison, mounts and ammo near Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: agency contacts
County service center: DNR Rhinelander Service Center (715-365-8900).
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.
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: nearest ranges
Vilas County Gov't Range in Vilas County is the nearest DNR-map range, 27 miles out. Two nearby club ranges follow.
rifle, handgun on file
sporting clays, muzzleloader, handgun, action pistol, benchrest on file
archery, 3D archery on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
First and last legal minute at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
Deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey: 30 minutes before sunrise until 20 minutes after sunset. Ducks, geese, doves and spring turkey: same start, done at sunset.
| Date | Season moment | Northern Area | Southern Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 89.16 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Questions hunters raise about Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement
When must I register a turkey from Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
Deer: online, phone or station by 5 p.m. next day. Turkeys: online or phone only.
Which tags work on Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
No special permit for most of it; buy the license on Go Wild and carry public-access antlerless tags.
Is there other public ground around Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
By straight-line distance: Atkins Lake and Hiles Swamp State Natural Area (6 miles), Spur Lake State Natural Area (8 miles) and Little Rice Wildlife Area (8 miles).
What type of property is Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement on the record?
It is a DNR conservation easement with public access, managed by the Wisconsin DNR.
What size is Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement on the record?
About 67,369 acres.
What is the nearest town to Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
Base in Mole Lake, 12 miles away; the ground is in Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties.
Which species are allowed at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
There is no species list. Any season open in the county works here within the rules.
What is the antlerless quota at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
DMU 120 and DMU 123, part of the Northern Forest zone. Antlerless goal for 2026: 545 and 795.
Which bear permit zone holds Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
B. You need a Class A license from the drawing.
How many turkey permits go to the Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement zone?
Turkey Zone 7/5. 4,401 spring tags were issued there in 2025.
What waterfowl dates apply at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
Duck zone: Northern; goose zone: Northern. Northern Zone ducks open Sep 26, 2026-27.
Can I put out corn for deer at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
Not here: Oneida, Forest and Langlade counties is under the ban. CWD has been found in wild deer in Oneida and Langlade counties.
How much orange do I wear at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement?
During any firearm deer season: 50% of your outer clothing above the waist and 50% of any cap, blaze orange or pink. Waterfowl hunters are exempt.
Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement: one more look before the drive
Signs on the ground beat any web page. Read the posted boundaries at Pelican River Forest Conservation Easement when you arrive.
Sources for this page: DNR GIS; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: USDA NRCS Montana (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USFWS/Southeast (CC BY 2.0).