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County forest, the Northwoods
Rusk County Forest hunting notes
89,284 acres of county forest in Rusk County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Rusk County Forest
Rusk County Forest, by its record
Count Rusk County Forest among the county forests of Rusk County. It falls in the DNR Northern Region, the Northwoods. Rusk County Forestry Department manages the land. By size (89,284 acres) it is number 13 among 30 county forests on our list. Head southeast from Birchwood for about 9 miles. The DNR and agency lists place it inside 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.
Zone lines at Rusk County Forest
Deer rules follow the Northern Forest zone and DMU 109, DMU 112, DMU 111, DMU 110 and 1 more units. 2026 antlerless quotas in the 5 units range 625-1,870. In Bear Zone A the DNR drew 1,675 permits for a target of 1,100 bears; drawn hunters needed 11 points. Turkey Zone 6: 6,001 spring authorizations in 2025 and 23% hunter success. No ban in Rusk County: deer bait up to 2 gallons per 40 acres.
Rusk County Forest deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 109 | Northern Forest | 1,870 | 2,715 | 5,713 | — |
| DMU 112 | Northern Forest | 625 | 1,437 | 1,333 | — |
| DMU 111 | Northern Forest | 685 | 576 | 2,184 | — |
| DMU 110 | Northern Forest | 1,765 | 421 | 6,419 | — |
| DMU 115 | Northern Forest | 1,430 | 637 | 3,517 | — |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Rusk County Forest
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear A | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 1,675 permits | 11 points | 1,235 bears in 2025 |
| Bear D | Hound hunting | 1,100 target, 3,855 permits | 2 points | 931 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 6 | 6,001 spring tags (2025) | 23% success | 1,362 gobblers | — |
| Turkey 4 | 34,997 spring tags (2025) | 24% success | 8,472 gobblers | 1,500 fall bonus |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Elk zone | Northern (Clam Lake Elk Range) | 8 bulls, subject to 50% declaration by the Ojibwe tribes (ceded territory) | Public land approximately 68% | |
| Wolf zone 3/1 | Closed | Federal protection |
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.
Hunting Rusk County Forest within the rules
Who may hunt Rusk County Forest
County Forest Law land is public hunting ground. Read the county ordinance for blinds, stands and ATVs, and ask the forest office what is closed.
Statewide rules that reach Rusk County Forest
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Rusk County Forest license list
Residents often take the Conservation Patron, which bundles the hunting licenses. Antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
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.
Rusk County Forest: the game on record
The source names whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes for Rusk County Forest.
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Wild turkey
Ruffed grouse
Woodcock
Small game
Furbearers
Every other open season that reaches Rusk County applies too, within 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.
Rusk County Forest hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
21 species and 39 segments reach Rusk County Forest. The last column compares each one with today.
| Quarry | Season | Zone | From | To | Status 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 D/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear, Class A draw | Bear Zone D/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 6/4 | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring youth turkey hunt | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 17, 2027 | Apr 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period A | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 21, 2027 | Apr 27, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period B | Turkey Zone 6/4 | Apr 28, 2027 | May 4, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period C | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 5, 2027 | May 11, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period D | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 12, 2027 | May 18, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period E | Turkey Zone 6/4 | May 19, 2027 | May 25, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Spring turkey Period F | Turkey Zone 6/4 | 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.
The land at Rusk County Forest
This is the agency description, quoted.
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.
The larger property around Rusk County Forest
Within Wisconsin County Forest System there are 30 units with pages, this one included.
Sister units to Rusk County Forest
| Unit | Type | 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 |
| Lincoln | County forest | Lincoln | 100,843 |
| Price | County forest | Price | 92,294 |
| Oneida | County forest | Oneida | 82,960 |
| Eau Claire | County forest | Eau Claire | 52,712 |
| Oconto | County forest | Oconto | 43,792 |
Deer, bears and CWD around Rusk County Forest
Rusk County has no county-named deer unit, so the DNR reports harvest by forest DMU; 2025 is the only year under the new boundaries. So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): DMU 109 222 deer, DMU 112 109 deer and DMU 111 140 deer. In CWD year 2025, 53 Rusk County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 1,690 sampled, 0 positive. Bear hunters registered 255 bears in Rusk County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Rusk County Forest; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Rusk County
| Deer unit | Bucks 2025 | Antlerless 2025 | Total 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 109 | 1,590 | 1,091 | 2,681 |
| DMU 112 | 813 | 585 | 1,398 |
| DMU 111 | 779 | 587 | 1,366 |
| DMU 110 | 1,787 | 1,757 | 3,544 |
| DMU 115 | 1,549 | 1,464 | 3,013 |
CWD results near Rusk County Forest
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 53 | 0 |
| 2024 | 55 | 0 |
| 2023 | 88 | 0 |
| 2022 | 70 | 0 |
| 2021 | 68 | 0 |
Bear table, Rusk County
| Season | Total bears | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 291 | 149 | 142 |
| 2025 | 255 | 128 | 127 |
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.
Where Rusk County Forest hunters stay and shop
Every town listed has a hunting guide of its own on this site.
| Town | County | Distance | Population | Public ground (10 mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birchwood | Washburn | 9.4 mi | 408 | 66,882 |
| Bruce | Rusk | 9.8 mi | 754 | 23,421 |
| Ladysmith | Rusk | 18 mi | 3,187 | 3,414 |
| Radisson | Sawyer | 19 mi | 273 | 34,233 |
County hunting overviews: Rusk County.
Rusk County Forest: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Rusk County Forest
Rusk County is served by the DNR Spooner 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.
The closest public land to Rusk County Forest
Rusk County Forest is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 3,832.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Weirgor Creek | Habitat area | 116 | 11 mi | northeast |
| Chippewa River | Access site | 22 | 11 mi | east |
| Silver Creek | Fishery area | 3 | 12 mi | southwest |
| Little Weirgor Creek | Wildlife area | 41 | 14 mi | northeast |
| Potato Creek | Wildlife area | 941 | 14 mi | south |
| Tuscobia Creek | Ice Age Trail area | 2 | 14 mi | west |
| Weirgor Springs | Wildlife area | 1,955 | 15 mi | northeast |
| Benson Creek | Fishery area | 306 | 15 mi | north |
| Island Lake | Wildlife area | 39 | 16 mi | south |
| Ten Mile Creek (Rusk County) | Wildlife area | 407 | 16 mi | south |
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.
DNR shooting hours for Rusk County Forest
Wisconsin prints its shooting hours as tables. For deer, bear, elk, small game and fall turkey the day runs from 30 minutes before sunrise to 20 minutes after sunset; migratory birds and spring turkey stop at sunset.
| When | Event | North | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Bow, turkey, grouse opener | 6:11 a.m. to 7:43 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 7:42 p.m. |
| Oct 17, 2026 | Pheasant and duck dates | 6:55 a.m. to 6:37 p.m. | 6:54 a.m. to 6:40 p.m. |
| Nov 1, 2026 | Early November | 6:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:13 a.m. to 5:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer opener | 6:44 a.m. to 4:50 p.m. | 6:39 a.m. to 4:56 p.m. |
| Dec 1, 2026 | Muzzleloader week | 6:56 a.m. to 4:44 p.m. | 6:51 a.m. to 4:51 p.m. |
| Dec 24, 2026 | Holiday Hunt opener | 7:15 a.m. to 4:46 p.m. | 7:09 a.m. to 4:54 p.m. |
| Jan 3, 2027 | Archery close (most units) | 7:17 a.m. to 4:55 p.m. | 7:11 a.m. to 5:02 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 E offset of 16 minutes for longitude 91.45 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Rusk County Forest: nearest ranges
Josie Creek Park in Rusk County is the nearest DNR-map range, 23 miles out. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, handgun, archery on file
trap, rifle, handgun, smallbore rimfire, archery on file
trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Rusk County Forest: the questions that come up
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Rusk County Forest?
Northern Forest zone; unit DMU 109, DMU 112 and DMU 111. 1,870, 625, 685, 1,765 and 1,430 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which animals are listed at Rusk County Forest?
7 groups on the list: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
What turkey tag do I need for Rusk County Forest?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 6 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Rusk County Forest?
It is in Bear Zone A, target 1,100 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Rusk County Forest?
Allowed, up to 2 gallons per 40 acres. Not a CWD county.
Which duck and goose zones cover Rusk County Forest?
Use the Northern duck dates and the Northern goose dates. Regular duck hunting in the Northern Zone starts Sep 26.
Is there a check station for Rusk County Forest?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Rusk County Forest?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Rusk County Forest?
Nearest on the list: Big Weirgor Creek State Habitat Area (11 miles), Chippewa River State Public Access (11 miles) and Silver Creek Fishery Area (12 miles).
How do I get permission to hunt Rusk County Forest?
A regular Wisconsin license from Go Wild (gun deer $24 for residents); antlerless deer need a public-access tag.
Whose property is Rusk County Forest?
Rusk County Forestry Department oversees this county forest under the County Forest Law.
Where does Rusk County Forest fit?
It belongs to Wisconsin County Forest System.
In which Wisconsin county is Rusk County Forest?
Birchwood is closest (9 miles); the property is in Rusk County.
Rusk County Forest: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Rusk County Forest map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
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: Mark Nenadov (CC BY 2.0); Calistemon (CC BY-SA 4.0).