Ackley Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Ackley Wildlife Area is 1,104 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Langlade County, 9 miles from Antigo. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock and bear among the game here. Hunters registered 2,007 deer in DMU Langlade in 2025.
Data updated October 2026. Area facts: the DNR's DNR property data, read 2026-10. Harvest: DNR Deer Metrics.
State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR landCounty forestOther county, city and regional landAckley Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 1,104 acres in 3 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Langlade County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU Langlade |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock and bear |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Ackley Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Antigo (9 mi), Aniwa (11 mi) and Merrill (14 mi) |
What is Ackley Wildlife Area like?
Welcome to Ackley Wildlife Area, located on State Highway 64, 12 miles west of Antigo and 14 miles east of Merrill. Shortly after the turn of the century, harvest of the original hardwood, hemlock and pine timber types occurred in the area now known as the Ackley Wildlife Area. Later, wildfires and attempts at farming reduced the cover types to grasses, shrubs and aspen. These activities resulted in the wildlife area and surrounding lands developing into ideal habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. This property was originally created in 1951 as an area to manage for sharp-tailed grouse. Since that time, wildlife managers have developed 27 shallow waterfowl flowages encompassing more than 400 acres of water. The remainder of the property is a mix of native grasslands, aspen and northern hardwood stands.
If you like hunting, Ackley provides excellent opportunities to pursue a variety of game species, such as deer, turkey, black bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock and waterfowl. Beavers, muskrats, fishers and coyotes are abundant on this property and on the 27,000 acres of surrounding county forest lands. Ackley Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. Current management objectives include maintaining the health, vigor and diversity of northern hardwood stands and the aspen type to provide wildlife habitat and aesthetic values. Wetlands are managed to maintain and enhance the quality and extent of emergent marsh to benefit waterfowl.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Ackley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Ackley Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, ruffed grouse, woodcock and bear. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Ackley Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Ackley Wildlife Area as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
Activities the DNR lists for Ackley Wildlife Area: Biking, Birding, Camping (open seasonally, rustic pull-in spots with no amenities), Canoeing, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting, Kayaking, Snowmobiling trail, Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering, Wild rice harvesting and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Ackley Wildlife Area?
Ackley Wildlife Area lies in DMU Langlade. The DNR registered 2,007 deer in DMU Langlade in 2025.
| DMU | Ackley Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU Langlade | 1,104 | 2,007 |
Harvest for the whole deer management unit, not the property alone: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
How do you get to Ackley Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Antigo (9 miles), Aniwa (11 miles), Merrill (14 miles) and Maine (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 64.
What other public land is near Ackley Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Eau Claire River Fishery Area: 47 acres, 7.9 miles away
- State Ice Age Trail Area (SIATA): 4,676 acres, 8.2 miles away
- Plover River Fishery Area: 1,475 acres, 8.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Ackley Wildlife Area
Counting Ackley Wildlife Area itself, 22,307 of the 36,787 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (60.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| County forest | 21,201 |
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 1,106 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Ackley Wildlife Area?
In Langlade County, 9 miles from Antigo. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Ackley Wildlife Area open to hunting?
Yes. The DNR's property map lists it as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Posted refuges or closed areas, where there are any, are marked on site.
Which deer management unit is Ackley Wildlife Area in?
DMU Langlade.
How much public land is around Ackley Wildlife Area?
22,307 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Ackley Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Eau Claire River Fishery Area (7.9 miles).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Ackley Wildlife Area; Wisconsin DNR managed lands open to hunting.
- Boundary and acres: the DNR's map layer above. Surrounding public land: USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
- Deer harvest: Wisconsin DNR Deer Metrics (registered harvest by deer management unit).
FilledTag is not part of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Check the DNR's rules and posted signs before you go.