Home › Wisconsin › Public land › Vilas County Forest
Vilas County · County forest
Hunting at Vilas County Forest
Vilas County Forest, 41,151 acres in Vilas County: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys and ruffed grouse, zones and tags, property rules, county harvest and the land nearby.
Photo: aarongunnar (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Getting to Vilas County Forest
Parking, trailheads and gates near Vilas County Forest
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 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.
Vilas County Forest on one card
Hunters reach Vilas County Forest in Vilas 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 Vilas County Forestry Department. Measured at 41,151 acres, it comes in 17th of 30 county forests. Eagle River is the nearest town with a guide on this site, about 8 miles away; the land lies north 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 Vilas County Forest
Zones that take in Vilas County Forest
Vilas County Forest is Northern Forest deer country, unit DMU 122 and DMU 121. Antlerless quota, 2026: 330 and 695. The Zone B bear quota for 2026 is 850, spread over 1,545 drawn permits. Zone 7 turkey numbers for 2025: 4,401 spring tags, 16% success. Wild deer with CWD have been confirmed in Vilas County. Leave the corn at home; Vilas County bans deer baiting.
Antlerless tags near Vilas County Forest
| Unit | Zone | Quota 2026 | Bonus, public | Bonus, private | Farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 122 | Northern Forest | 330 | 63 | 562 | — |
| DMU 121 | Northern Forest | 695 | 73 | 864 | — |
Vilas County Forest: other game zones
| Zone | Detail | Numbers | More | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear zone B | Hounds allowed | 850 target, 1,545 permits | 11 points | 851 bears in 2025 |
| 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 | 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 Vilas 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 Vilas County Forest requires of hunters
Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas 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 Vilas County Forest sits in the larger property
Wisconsin County Forest System takes in Vilas County Forest and 29 other units.
Sibling pages of Vilas 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 |
| Lincoln | County forest | Lincoln | 100,843 |
| 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 |
What hunters pursue at Vilas 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 Vilas 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.
Vilas County Forest: opening and closing days
From bear baiting in September to the last spring turkey period, 38 season segments apply to Vilas 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 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.
Vilas County harvest near Vilas County Forest
No history before 2025 exists for these forest DMUs, the DNR says. Through Oct. 19, 2026: 54 antlered and 37 antlerless in DMU 122 and 122 antlered and 91 antlerless in DMU 121 (preliminary). CWD year 2025 brought 221 Vilas County samples and 0 positives. Running total since 1999: 3,270 tested. The 2025 bear count for Vilas County was 70. No harvest is published for Vilas County Forest itself, so the county unit is the finest level.
Registered deer in the Vilas County Forest county unit
| Unit | Bucks | Does | Registered 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 122 | 472 | 330 | 802 |
| DMU 121 | 1,001 | 614 | 1,615 |
CWD tests in Vilas County
| CWD year | Wild deer sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 31 | 0 |
| 2025 | 221 | 0 |
| 2024 | 272 | 1 |
| 2023 | 234 | 0 |
| 2022 | 292 | 0 |
| 2021 | 214 | 1 |
Bear numbers near Vilas County Forest
| Year | Total | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
Around Vilas County Forest: more places to hunt
The big marker is Vilas County Forest. Smaller ones are its 10 closest neighbours. The neighbours add 3,617 acres between them.
| Nearby | Kind | Acres | Miles | Heading |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conover Rearing Station | Fishery area | 2 | 1.6 mi | northwest |
| Spruce Grouse Swamp | State natural area | 396 | 3.9 mi | north |
| Tamarack Rearing Station | Fishery area | 170 | 4.9 mi | northwest |
| Upper Buckatabon Springs | State natural area | 120 | 5.3 mi | west |
| Lac Vieux Desert | Fishery area | 67 | 9.6 mi | northeast |
| Lake Laura Hardwoods | State natural area | 852 | 11 mi | west |
| Spring Lake | Wildlife area | 122 | 11 mi | northwest |
| Johnson Lake Barrens and Springs | State natural area | 1,130 | 12 mi | northwest |
| Big Sand Lake Vilas | Fishery area | 11 | 12 mi | east |
| Plum Lake Hemlock Forest | State natural area | 747 | 13 mi | west |
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.
Vilas County Forest: nearby towns and businesses
Town pages first, then shops, processors and DNR desks.
| Base town | County | Away | Residents | Public acres near |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle River | Vilas | 8.2 mi | 1,681 | 58,199 |
| Sayner | Vilas | 16 mi | — | 123,140 |
| Three Lakes | Oneida | 17 mi | — | 59,498 |
| Boulder Junction | Vilas | 21 mi | — | 103,002 |
County-level hunting pages: Vilas County.
Shops a short drive from Vilas County Forest
DNR desks closest to Vilas County Forest
Service center for Vilas County business: 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.
Vilas County Forest: nearest ranges
About 3 miles separates Vilas County Forest from Vilas County Gov't Range, the nearest public map range. Nearby rod and gun clubs round out the list.
rifle, handgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Shooting light at Vilas County Forest by date
At Vilas 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 89.23 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
What people ask about hunting Vilas County Forest
Is deer baiting legal near Vilas County Forest?
No: Vilas County bans deer baiting and feeding. Wild deer with CWD are documented in Vilas County.
What are the waterfowl zones for Vilas County Forest?
It sits in the Northern duck and Northern goose zones. In the Northern Zone the regular duck split begins Sep 26.
How do I register a deer from Vilas County Forest?
Through GameReg (online, phone or a station) by 5 p.m. the day after recovery.
Do I need blaze orange at Vilas County Forest?
In any open firearm deer season, wear blaze orange or pink on at least half your coat and cap.
If Vilas County Forest is full, where next?
Within a short drive: Conover Rearing Station (2 miles), Spruce Grouse Swamp State Natural Area (4 miles) and Tamarack Rearing Station (5 miles).
Which Wisconsin license covers Vilas County Forest?
Go Wild sells everything needed; antlerless tags on public land must be public-access tags.
Which agency sets the rules on Vilas County Forest?
Vilas County Forestry Department treats it as a county forest under the County Forest Law.
Which property holds Vilas County Forest?
The parent is Wisconsin County Forest System.
Where do Vilas County Forest hunters spend the night?
Start from Eagle River; the land is 8 miles off, in Vilas County.
What acreage is listed for Vilas County Forest?
Roughly 41,151 acres.
Which DMU takes in Vilas County Forest?
Deer unit DMU 122 and DMU 121; zone Northern Forest. The 2026 antlerless quota is 330 (DMU 122) and 695 (DMU 121); use a public-access antlerless tag here.
Which species are hunted on Vilas County Forest?
Listed: whitetails, black bears, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, cottontails and hares and raccoons, foxes and coyotes.
Which turkey zone is Vilas County Forest in?
Zone 7, one bird per spring authorization.
Check Vilas County Forest once more
Refuges, closed areas and park windows at Vilas 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: USFWS Midwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); USDAgov (Public domain).