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State natural area, the Northwoods
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area hunting notes
403 acres of state natural area in Langlade County, with 2026-27 zones, quotas, rules, CWD testing and a map.
Photo: USDA Forest Service Eastern Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0)
Getting to Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 0.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 1.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 2.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 2.2 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.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area, by its record
Count Wolf River Woods State Natural Area among the state natural areas of Langlade County. It falls in the DNR Northern Region, the Northwoods. The Wisconsin DNR manages the land. By size (403 acres) it is number 148 among 449 state natural areas on our list. Natural area 697 lies in T31N-R14E, Sections 25, 36. T31N-R15E, Sections 30, 31. Head northwest from Suring for about 17 miles. The DNR and agency lists place it inside Upper Wolf River Fishery Area.
From the source page (WI DNR SNA parcel ownership GIS OWNER_ACRE_AMT, WDNR-owned parcels); region from the DNR county layer. Checked October 19, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Zone lines at Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Deer rules follow the Central Farmland zone and Langlade. For 2026 the antlerless quota stands at 1,100. In Bear Zone C the DNR drew 4,465 permits for a target of 875 bears; drawn hunters needed 2 points. Turkey Zone 5: 12,008 spring authorizations in 2025 and 20% hunter success. Langlade County is on the CWD list: a positive wild deer has been found. Deer may not be baited or fed in Langlade County.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area deer management units
| DMU | Zone | 2026 antlerless | Public bonus | Private bonus | Free per license |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langlade Central Farmland | Central Farmland | 1,100 | 723 | 3,253 | 2 |
Bear, turkey, grouse and waterfowl lines through Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
| Zone | Setting | Data | Also | Last season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear C | No hound hunting | 875 target, 4,465 permits | 2 points | 663 bears in 2025 |
| Turkey 5 | 12,008 spring tags (2025) | 20% success | 2,446 gobblers | — |
| Grouse A | Sep 12–Jan 3 | 5 a day | ||
| Ducks | Northern | Sep 26–Nov 24 | ||
| Canada geese | Northern | Sep 16–Dec 16 | ||
| Wolf zone 2B/2 | 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 Wolf River Woods State Natural Area within the rules
Who may hunt Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
The DNR keeps SNA land open to hunting and trapping by default; posted closures, and NR 45 bans on camping, vehicles, drones and plant collecting, still apply.
Statewide rules that reach Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Wisconsin asks for 50% blaze orange or fluorescent pink above the waist in firearm deer seasons, archers included, waterfowlers not. Ground blinds on DNR land in a firearm deer season show at least 144 square inches of solid orange or pink, visible from all sides. Unattended stands carry your name or customer ID; they may be left out north of State Hwy. 64 (up to two per county), never south of it. Registration through GameReg closes at 5 p.m. on the day after recovery.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area 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.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area: the game on record
No species list is published for Wolf River Woods State Natural Area, so every open season applies under the property rules.
See the 39 seasons listed for Langlade County below.
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.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area hunting dates, fall 2026 to spring 2027
20 species and 39 segments reach Wolf River Woods State Natural Area. 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 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.
The land at Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
This is the agency description, quoted.
Located along the Upper Wolf River in southern Langlade County, Wolf River Woods features one of the best examples of hemlock-hardwood and northern dry-mesic forest on the Upper Wolf River Fishery. It occupies the sandy loam-capped gravelly hummock complex found north of the river and is one of only a handful of upland forest stands in the entire Wolf River basin that has developed old-growth characteristics. The forest features a mix of dry-mesic and mesic northern forest types of very good quality.
The mesic forest is composed of sugar maple, hemlock, yellow birch, American beech, northern red oak and basswood with a diversity of size classes present. There is advanced regeneration of hemlock and a fair amount of coarse woody debris, both standing snags and downed logs. Along the Menominee Reservation border, the terrain is hummocky and hilly and descends to a cedar-dominated wet-mesic forest. The southern half is situated on a slight slope with several small springs and seeps that coalesce into spring runs.
The unstable substrate around the springs contains numerous tip-ups and downed trees while a few super-canopy white pine occur in more flat, dry areas.
Quoted from the property page, retrieved 2026-10-19; checked October 19, 2026.
The larger property around Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Within Upper Wolf River Fishery Area there are 3 units with pages, this one included.
Sister units to Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
| Unit | Type | County | Acres |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxbow Rapids, Upper Wolf River | State natural area | Langlade | 153 |
| Hunting River Alders | State natural area | Langlade | 150 |
Deer, bears and CWD around Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Last full season (2025) the Langlade County unit gave up 2,007 deer. Since 2016 the yearly total has ranged from 2,007 (2025) to 4,284 (2018). So far in 2026 (preliminary, Oct. 19): Langlade Central Farmland 161 deer. In CWD year 2025, 145 Langlade County deer were tested and 0 came back positive. Since 1999: 2,176 sampled, 1 positive. Bear hunters registered 169 bears in Langlade County in 2025. Property-level harvest does not exist for Wolf River Woods State Natural Area; county numbers stand in.
Deer table, Langlade County
| Season | Antlered | Antlerless | All deer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
CWD results near Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
| CWD year | Sampled | Positive |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (partial) | 6 | 0 |
| 2025 | 145 | 0 |
| 2024 | 159 | 0 |
| 2023 | 169 | 0 |
| 2022 | 144 | 1 |
| 2021 | 118 | 0 |
Bear table, Langlade County
| Season | Total bears | 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.
Where Wolf River Woods State Natural Area 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suring | Oconto | 17 mi | 519 | 28,377 |
| Keshena | Menominee | 19 mi | — | 696 |
| Wabeno | Forest | 22 mi | — | 119,637 |
| Antigo | Langlade | 23 mi | 8,096 | 18,960 |
County hunting overviews: Langlade County.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area: businesses in the area
Offices that answer for Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Langlade County is served by the 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.
The closest public land to Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area is the large pin, with 10 neighbours around it. Their acreage adds up to 6,306.
| Property | Type | Acres | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Langlade Rearing Station | Fishery area | 120 | 4.7 mi | north |
| Evergreen River | Fishery area | 1,149 | 6.3 mi | west |
| Clubhouse Lake-Sunshine Springs | Fishery area | 42 | 9.8 mi | west |
| Woods Flowage Fishery and | Fishery area | 1,219 | 12 mi | west |
| South Branch Oconto River | Fishery area | 582 | 13 mi | southeast |
| Rabes Lake | Fishery area | 120 | 16 mi | west |
| Lakewood Rearing Station | Fishery area | 195 | 16 mi | northeast |
| Lambert Springs | Fishery area | 166 | 17 mi | northwest |
| Peshtigo Brook | Wildlife area | 2,236 | 17 mi | east |
| Peshtigo Brook Meadow and Woods | State natural area | 477 | 17 mi | east |
Points from the DNR managed lands, SNA, county forest, FWS realty, USFS, NPS and DoD layers (WI DNR State Natural Areas parcel ownership GIS (centroid of WDNR-owned parcels) (polygon centroid)). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
DNR shooting hours for Wolf River Woods State Natural Area
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 | 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 88.68 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area: nearest ranges
Closest public range: Langlade (County forest), roughly 22 miles from the middle of Wolf River Woods State Natural Area. Nearby club or private ranges are shown too.
rifle, trap, shotgun on file
rifle, smallbore rimfire, handgun, shotgun, archery on file
trap, sporting clays, shotgun on file
From the DNR public range map and its map layer, checked October 19, 2026.
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area: the questions that come up
Whose property is Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
The Wisconsin DNR oversees this DNR-owned State Natural Area.
Where does Wolf River Woods State Natural Area fit?
It belongs to Upper Wolf River Fishery Area.
In which Wisconsin county is Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Suring is closest (17 miles); the property is in Langlade County.
How many acres does Wolf River Woods State Natural Area cover?
403 acres, per WI DNR SNA parcel ownership GIS OWNER_ACRE_AMT, WDNR-owned parcels.
Can I shoot antlerless deer on Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Central Farmland zone; unit Langlade. 1,100 antlerless deer is the 2026 quota.
Which game seasons apply on Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
All open seasons apply, subject to the property rules; the source names no species.
What turkey tag do I need for Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Your spring tag must be for Zone 5 and a period A-F.
What are the bear rules around Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
It is in Bear Zone C, target 875 bears in 2026.
Does the baiting ban cover Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Banned in Langlade County. Langlade County has had CWD-positive wild deer.
Which duck and goose zones cover Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
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 Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Use GameReg online or call 844-426-3734 by 5 p.m. the day after.
What does the orange rule mean at Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Yes, 50% orange or pink above the waist from the youth deer hunt through the Holiday Hunt.
Which properties are close to Wolf River Woods State Natural Area?
Nearest on the list: Langlade Rearing Station (5 miles), Evergreen River Fishery Area (6 miles) and Clubhouse Lake-Sunshine Springs Fishery Area (10 miles).
Wolf River Woods State Natural Area: confirm on the ground
A last look before the drive: the Wolf River Woods State Natural Area map, your Go Wild licenses and any posted closures.
Sources for this page: DNR: WolfRiverWoods · DNR GIS · DNR: StateNaturalAreas; regulations from the Fall 2026-Spring 2027 Wisconsin hunting regulations. Checked October 19, 2026.
Other photos on this page: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Southwest Region (Public Domain Mark 1.0); seabamirum (CC BY 2.0).