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2026-27 · Wildlife area
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area, a hunter's guide
Who runs it, which deer unit and bear zone cover it, and the public land and towns around it in Langlade County.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
What the record says about Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
On paper it is a DNR state wildlife area; on the map it is in Langlade County. DNR staff of the Northern Region cover this part of the Northwoods. Manager: the Wisconsin DNR. Its 19 acres rank 266th of the 285 Wisconsin state wildlife areas with an acreage on file. From Mole Lake, our closest town page, it is roughly 5 miles to the southeast.
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 Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area rules and licenses
Access rules at Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
Buy the license, hunt in season, and respect posted refuges and the NR 45 code.
State law on Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat 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 Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat 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.
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area: DMU, bear zone and turkey zone
Deer management: DMU 126, Northern Forest zone. The Natural Resources Board set 1,105 antlerless deer as the 2026 quota there. Bear Zone B has a 2026 harvest target of 850 with 1,545 Class A permits drawn; it took 11 preference points to win one. Spring turkey tags are sold for Zone 5; the DNR issued 12,008 there in 2025, the newest level published. Chronic wasting disease has turned up in wild deer in Langlade County; DNR testing is free and voluntary statewide. The deer baiting ban covers Langlade County.
Deer units that cover Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
| Deer unit | Zone | Antlerless goal | Public tags left | Private tags left | Included tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 126 | Northern Forest | 1,105 | 0 | 1,105 | — |
Zones beyond deer for Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear B | Dogs legal | 850 target, 1,545 permits | 11 points | 851 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey zone 5 | 12,008 spring tags (2025) | 20% success | 2,446 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 2 | 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.
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area: species with bag limits
The record lists no species. Every season open in Langlade County works here within the rules above.
That makes the Langlade County calendar (39 rows) the one to read.
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.
Season dates that cover Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area sits in the Northern Forest and Central Farmland 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 B | 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 | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone B | Oct 7, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall turkey | Turkey Zone 5 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 5 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 5 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 5 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 5 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 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.
Public property near Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
The large pin is Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area; the others are the 10 closest public properties. Together they hold 25,282 acres.
| Name | Type | Size (ac) | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Springs State Spring Ponds | Fishery area | 71 | 1.5 mi | northwest |
| Swamp Creek Fen | State natural area | 80 | 4.0 mi | northwest |
| Lily Lake | Fishery area | 46 | 4.5 mi | east |
| Forest | County forest | 15,251 | 4.8 mi | north |
| Hemlock Springs | Wildlife area | 154 | 5.1 mi | northeast |
| Bishop Lake | Fishery area | 21 | 5.9 mi | northwest |
| Upper Wolf River | Fishery area | 9,205 | 6.1 mi | southwest |
| Bog Brook | Wildlife area | 267 | 6.3 mi | southeast |
| Lambert Springs | Fishery area | 166 | 7.9 mi | southeast |
| Knoke Spring State Spring Ponds | Fishery area | 21 | 8.1 mi | west |
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 Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area hunts, by the numbers
Langlade County hunters registered 2,007 deer in 2025, 905 of them bucks. Totals swing between 2,007 and 4,284 across the years charted. 2026 so far, still changing: DMU 126, 278. CWD sampling in Langlade County, CWD year 2025: 145 wild deer sampled, 0 positive. Overall: 2,176 samples and 1 positives. Langlade County: 169 bears in 2025. The DNR reports deer by unit, not by property: read these as the Langlade County picture.
Langlade County bucks and antlerless
| Year | Bucks | Antlerless | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 905 | 1,102 | 2,007 |
| 2024 | 1,963 | 1,678 | 3,641 |
| 2023 | 1,908 | 1,459 | 3,367 |
| 2022 | 2,378 | 1,716 | 4,094 |
| 2021 | 1,853 | 807 | 2,660 |
| 2020 | 1,766 | 1,147 | 2,913 |
Langlade County CWD sampling
| Year | Sampled | Positives |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 145 | 0 |
| 2024 | 159 | 0 |
| 2023 | 169 | 0 |
| 2022 | 144 | 1 |
| 2021 | 118 | 0 |
Langlade County bears
| Year | Bears registered | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 201 | 103 | 98 |
| 2025 | 169 | 87 | 82 |
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.
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area: nearest ranges
No range sits on Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area; the nearest on the DNR public range map is Langlade (County forest), about 25 miles away. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, trap, shotgun 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.
Home bases for a Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area trip
Closest towns, measured as the crow flies, then the businesses around them.
| Town | County | Straight line | 2024 pop. | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mole Lake | Forest | 4.5 mi | — | 53,945 |
| Post Lake | Langlade | 7.7 mi | — | 75,672 |
| Crandon | Forest | 9.8 mi | 1,737 | 70,336 |
| Wabeno | Forest | 13 mi | — | 119,637 |
Read up on the county: Langlade County.
Taxidermy and supplies for Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area hunters
Phone numbers for Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area questions
The DNR service center listed for Langlade County is 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.
Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat 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 | 5:59 a.m. to 7:31 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:43 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. | 6:42 a.m. to 6:28 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:04 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. | 6:01 a.m. to 5:05 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:32 a.m. to 4:38 p.m. | 6:27 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:44 a.m. to 4:32 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:39 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:03 a.m. to 4:34 p.m. | 6:57 a.m. to 4:42 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:05 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. | 6:59 a.m. to 4:50 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 B offset of 4 minutes for longitude 88.93 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Straight answers on Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area
Which deer management unit holds Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
The Northern Forest zone, DMU 126. Quota for 2026: 1,105 antlerless.
Is bear hunting possible at Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
Zone B; hounds are legal there.
Can I turkey hunt Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area in spring?
Zone 5; 2025 saw 2,446 birds registered in the zone.
When can I hunt ducks at Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
Northern for ducks, Northern for geese. The regular Northern Zone duck season opens Sep 26.
Has CWD turned up in the county around Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
The deer baiting ban applies in Langlade County. CWD: yes, in Langlade County.
Is blaze pink legal at Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat 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 Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
Register on GameReg by 5 p.m. the next day; the confirmation number starts with W.
Is there a separate permit for Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
The standard license for your game; no landowner permission on public ground.
Which public properties lie near Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
Three to try: Martin Springs State Spring Ponds (1 mile), Swamp Creek Fen State Natural Area (4 miles) and Lily Lake State Public Access (4 miles).
How is Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area classified?
DNR state wildlife area, under the Wisconsin DNR.
How much land is in Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area?
It covers 19 acres by the recorded figure.
Where in the state does Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area lie?
Langlade County holds it, 5 miles from Mole Lake.
Does Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area limit which species I hunt?
No species list is published, so every open season applies under the property rules.
Last checks on Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area before you go
Treat this page as a starting point: the manager of Rolling Stone Lake State Habitat Area has the final say on closures and maps.
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: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); scostello22 (CC BY 2.0).