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Boulder Junction area, Vilas County
Hunting around Boulder Junction, Wisconsin
How far Boulder Junction sits from wildlife areas, county forest and federal land, which DMU and zones cover Vilas County, what the county registers each fall, and where to take a deer.
Photo: This is Eagle River-Florence Ranger District (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest), 8.8 mi from town. wackybadger (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Boulder Junction is a unincorporated community (a Census-designated place) in Vilas County, DNR Northern Region; Eagle River is the county seat. No listed town sits closer to Northern Highland State Forest; its line runs into Boulder Junction. 18 public properties reach inside 10 miles, together about 103,002 mapped acres. For the shortest trip, start with Northern Highland State Forest, which reaches the edge of town.
Town point, land area and population from the Census 2024 Gazetteer; public acreage and boundary distances within 10 miles are a GIS measure over the DNR managed lands layer, county forest, USFS, USFWS, NPS and DoD boundaries. Checked October 19, 2026.
Deer management around Boulder Junction
Quota, bonus authorizations and Farmland tags for the units that cover Boulder Junction, with the county’s CWD and bait status.
Vilas County is wholly Northern Forest Zone for deer. For 2026 the antlerless quota sums to 2,440. No public-land bonus authorizations remained for DMU 124 as of October 19.
| Unit | Zone | Antlerless quota 2026 | Bonus tags at start (public / private) | Still listed Oct 19 | Free Farmland tags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMU 122 | Northern Forest | 330 | 600 / 1,000 | 63 / 562 | – |
| DMU 117 | Northern Forest | 550 | 1,000 / 1,100 | 620 / 619 | – |
| DMU 121 | Northern Forest | 695 | 1,500 / 2,000 | 73 / 864 | – |
| DMU 120 | Northern Forest | 545 | 500 / 1,800 | 124 / 1,163 | – |
| DMU 116 | Northern Forest | 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | – |
| DMU 124 | Northern Forest | 320 | 650 / 800 | 0 / 123 | – |
No deer bait or feed is allowed in Vilas County. Vilas County CWD testing to date: 3,270 wild deer sampled, 2 positives. The 2025 CWD year added 221 samples (0 positive).
Harvest here is counted by habitat unit: DMU 122 802 deer, DMU 117 895 deer and DMU 121 1,615 deer in 2025. Preliminary 2026 numbers to October 19 (archery, crossbow and youth hunt): DMU 122 91, DMU 117 105 and DMU 121 213.
Units and zones from counties.json and the DNR 2026 antlerless quota and permit table; bonus counts listed on the DNR bonus availability page on October 19; Holiday Hunt and extended archery from the DNR 2026 map; CWD from the DNR CWD county summary; baiting from the DNR baiting page; harvest from DNR Deer Metrics and the preliminary 2026 harvest page. Checked October 19, 2026.
Boulder Junction public land, nearest first
Lands touching the 10-mile ring around Boulder Junction come first. Anchor tags mark the areas this town was picked for.
The largest property in the ring is Eagle River-Florence Ranger District (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest) at 319,429 acres. The closest state wildlife area is Powell Marsh Wildlife Area (4,342 acres). Northern Highland State Forest is the closest forest property (at town to its line). Closest federal tract: Eagle River-Florence Ranger District (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest). 14 State Natural Areas also fall inside 10 miles; most are small and open to hunting unless posted.
| Land | Kind | Edge | Middle | Acreage | Game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Highland State Forest southwest Anchor | State forest | at town | 3.2 mi SW | 176,094 | – |
| Nixon Lake State Natural Area east | Natural area | 4.1 mi | 4.0 mi E | 737 | – |
| Day Lake State Natural Area southwest | Natural area | 4.2 mi | 4.1 mi SW | 209 | – |
| Lost Canoe State Natural Area southeast | Natural area | 4.3 mi | 4.3 mi SE | 1,119 | – |
| Natural Area – Dedication north | Natural area | 5.6 mi | 7.3 mi N | 707 | – |
| Rice Creek State Natural Area northwest | Natural area | 5.6 mi | 5.5 mi NW | 435 | – |
| Allequash Lake and Pines State Natural Area south | Natural area | 5.9 mi | 5.9 mi S | 398 | – |
| Dunn Lake State Natural Area northeast | Natural area | 6.2 mi | 7.5 mi NE | 954 | – |
| Trout River State Natural Area southwest | Natural area | 6.7 mi | 6.7 mi SW | 108 | – |
| Trout Lake Conifer Swamp State Natural Area south | Natural area | 7.0 mi | 7.0 mi S | 22 | – |
| Van Vliet Hemlocks State Natural Area northwest | Natural area | 7.8 mi | 7.8 mi NW | 412 | – |
| Aurora Lake State Natural Area southeast | Natural area | 8.2 mi | 8.1 mi SE | 831 | – |
| Lake Alva Birch-Hemlock State Natural Area east | Natural area | 8.2 mi | 8.0 mi E | 314 | – |
| Camp Lake and Pines State Natural Area southwest | Natural area | 8.8 mi | 8.7 mi SW | 211 | – |
| Eagle River-Florence Ranger District (Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest) east | Ranger district | 8.8 mi | 42 mi E | 319,429 | deer, bear, turkey |
| Powell Marsh Wildlife Area west | Wildlife area | 9.8 mi | 12 mi W | 4,342 | deer, waterfowl, furbearers |
Lands, acreage and species from DNR property pages and federal hunting pages; boundary distances inside 10 miles from places.json (DNR managed lands, county forest, USFS, USFWS, NPS and DoD layers); centre distances are straight lines from the Census point for Boulder Junction. Checked October 19, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Where Boulder Junction hunters take deer and buy gear
Counts cover 15 and 35 mile rings around Boulder Junction; each group below shows the closest few businesses. Donated deer can go to TJ's Butcher Block. Strasburg's North Country Taxidermy hosts a DNR CWD sampling station.
| Category | Count, 15 mi | Count, 35 mi | First stop | Located in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meat processors | 0 | 3 | TJ's Butcher Block 16 mi south | Minocqua |
| Taxidermy | 3 | 16 | Al Smith Taxidermy 0.5 mi east | Boulder Junction |
| Guide services | 1 | 2 | Forrest Lodge 6.7 mi south | Woodruff |
| Gun and archery stores | 3 | 21 | Northern Highland Sports LLC 0.6 mi east | Boulder Junction |
Meat processors
Taxidermy
Guide services
Gun and archery stores
Processors from the DNR deer donation list, DNR CWD sampling stations and Yellow Pages; shops from the DNR license sales locations (license-only agents left out) and Yellow Pages; guides and preserves from Yellow Pages. Checked October 19, 2026; hours were not checked.
Where Boulder Junction hunters reach the DNR
For license help, permits and CWD questions, start with the nearest DNR service center to Boulder Junction. Field offices see visitors by appointment only.
DNR Woodruff Service Center, 15 mi south
Eagle River-Florence Ranger District Office, 24 mi southeast
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest Headquarters, 35 mi south
From the DNR office locations and field locations pages and the federal office pages listed in services.json, checked October 19, 2026.
Opening and closing days near Boulder Junction
Archery, the nine-day gun hunt, muzzleloader, bear, turkey, upland birds, rabbits, furbearers and the duck and goose splits for Boulder Junction.
| Game | Hunt | Zone | First day | Last day | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Archery and crossbow | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Jan 3, 2027 | |
| White-tailed deer | Youth and disabled gun deer 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 | Statewide antlerless-only (December 4-day hunt) | Statewide | Dec 10, 2026 | Dec 13, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear (Class A license by drawing) | Bear Zone B/A | Sep 9, 2026 | Sep 15, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear (Class A license by drawing) | Bear Zone B/A | Sep 16, 2026 | Oct 6, 2026 | |
| Black bear | Bear (Class A license by drawing) | 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 (hunting and trapping) | Northern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 1 (hunting and trapping) | Southern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Oct 17, 2026 | Dec 25, 2026 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 2 (hunting and trapping) | Northern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Bobcat | Bobcat Period 2 (hunting and trapping) | Southern Zone (State Hwy. 64 line) | Dec 26, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Unprotected species | Unprotected species (opossum, skunk, weasel, woodchuck, porcupine, starling, English sparrow, chukar, coturnix quail, etc.) | 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.
Drawing zones that cover Boulder Junction
Turkey authorization levels shown are the 2025 numbers; the DNR has not released spring 2027 levels.
For bear, Boulder Junction hunters apply for Zone B (the county also touches A). Zone B and A permits hound hunting. 70 bears came out of Vilas County in 2025. Turkey Zone 7 covers Boulder Junction; the DNR issued 4,401 spring authorizations there at 2025 levels (2027 levels are not out yet). Periods A-F: Apr 21 to Jun 1, 2027.
| Zone | Share | Dogs allowed | 2026 target | Drawn | Min. points | Registered 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bear Zone B | 82% | Allowed | 850 | 1,545 | 11 | 851 |
| Bear Zone A | 18% | Allowed | 1,100 | 1,675 | 11 | 1,235 |
| Zone | Area share | 2025 spring tags | 2025 success | 2025 spring harvest | 2025 fall harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey Zone 7 | 100% | 4,401 | 16% | 726 | 162 |
Bear zones from counties.json (DNR layer) and the DNR bear drawing summary; bear harvest from the DNR 2025 bear harvest report; turkey from the DNR spring turkey report. Checked October 19, 2026.
Boulder Junction: legal hunting light
Two tables cover the state, one for the Northern Area and one for the Southern Area, each for Zone A. West of 88 degrees you add 4 minutes per degree of longitude.
| Day | Season | North table | South table |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2026 | Archery, fall turkey and 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 89.65 W, checked October 19, 2026. Shooting hours for every county.
Dinners, trials and hunts near Boulder Junction
A 30-mile circle around Boulder Junction takes in 1 upcoming event. Types: DU dinner.
Still to come
| On | Event | Mi | Where held | Sign-up | Found at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 28, 2026 | Trout Lake Ducks Unlimited (Boulder Junction) / DU dinner | 0 | Gooch's 2 Bar and Grill Boulder Junction Vilas Co. | Buy tickets | Source |
Boulder Junction gun ranges
Boulder Junction Shooting Range is closest, about 4 miles from Boulder Junction.
rifle, handgun, trap, skeet, shotgun on file
rifle, handgun, trap, shotgun on file
rifle, handgun, archery, trap, shotgun on file
Straight-line miles from the town center; ranges checked October 19, 2026.
Boulder Junction hunters ask
What turkey zone covers Vilas County?
Turkey Zone 7 covers the town. At 2025 levels the zone got 4,401 spring tags; hunters succeeded 16% of the time.
When does deer camp open for Boulder Junction hunters?
Gun deer: Nov 21 to Nov 29, 2026. Then muzzleloader to Dec 9, 2026 and antlerless-only Dec 10 to Dec 13, 2026.
When is legal shooting light at Boulder Junction?
Use the DNR table for your side of the area line: 6:36 a.m. until 4:42 p.m. versus 6:31 a.m. until 4:48 p.m. on the opener.
Where can Boulder Junction hunters drop off a deer?
Try TJ's Butcher Block in Minocqua, about 16 miles off. 3 processing listings lie inside a 35-mile ring.
Which taxidermy shop is closest to Boulder Junction?
Al Smith Taxidermy in Boulder Junction is the nearest. 3 listings sit inside 15 miles, 16 inside 35.
Where can I buy a Wisconsin hunting license near Boulder Junction?
Buy through Go Wild or at an agent. Try Northern Highland Sports LLC, 0.6 mi from town. DNR service center: DNR Woodruff Service Center (15 miles).
What is the deer registration deadline near Boulder Junction?
GameReg handles it; the deadline is 5 p.m. the day after recovery. Nearest CWD station at a business: Strasburg's North Country Taxidermy.
Where is the nearest public ground to Boulder Junction, Wisconsin?
It is Northern Highland State Forest, which reaches the edge of town. A close second is Nixon Lake State Natural Area.
How many public acres lie within 10 miles of Boulder Junction?
Mapped public land within 10 miles totals about 103,002 acres. 2 of them are state wildlife or habitat areas.
Which DMU applies around Boulder Junction?
Pick DMU 122 (or DMU 117, DMU 121, DMU 120, DMU 116 and DMU 124 where those lines apply). The DNR set its quota at 330.
Are bonus deer tags left for DMU 122?
1,000 private-land and 600 public-land bonus tags were set for DMU 122. Still for sale on October 19: 63 public and 562 private. Sales run through Go Wild while supplies last.
Has chronic wasting disease been found in Vilas County?
3,270 deer tested, 2 positive. Bait and feed are not allowed in the county.
Answers drawn from the sources listed in each section above, checked October 19, 2026.
Ready to hunt from Boulder Junction?
The DNR can adjust quotas and bonus availability during the season. Re-check Go Wild and the Vilas County page before you go.
Other photos on this page: Anne Marie Peterson from Madison, WI, US (CC BY-SA 2.0); royal_broil (CC BY-SA 2.0); Doc Searls from Santa Barbara, USA (CC BY 2.0); Yellowstone National Park (Public Domain Mark 1.0); ianpreston (CC BY 2.0); Cindy Sue Causey (CC BY 2.0); cuatrok77 (CC BY-SA 2.0); Juliana Chong (CC BY 2.0).