Black River State Forest: hunting and access
Black River State Forest is 68,941 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Jackson and Clark counties, next to Mission. Hunters registered 1,167 deer in DMU 203 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 forestNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasOther county, city and regional landVoluntary Public Access landBlack River State ForestCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 68,941 acres in 20 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Jackson County and Clark County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 203, DMU Jackson, DMU 202, DMU 205 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Black River |
| Nearest towns | Mission (next to it), Sand Pillow (next to it) and Millston (next to it) |
What is Black River State Forest like?
Two forks of the Black River flow through this 68,000-acre forest comprised of pine and oak woods under high sandstone abutments. This central Wisconsin property offers many recreational opportunities, including camping, canoeing, hunting, hiking, skiing and ATV riding. Visitors may even see elk roaming the forest. Elk were released in 2015 and 2016 after being absent from the area for over 125 years.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Black River State Forest?
The DNR's property map lists Black River State Forest as "Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping". Hunting follows Wisconsin's statewide seasons and the rules posted on the property.
How many deer are taken around Black River State Forest?
Black River State Forest lies in 4 deer management units. The DNR registered 1,167 deer in DMU 203 in 2025.
| DMU | Black River State Forest acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 203 | 67,243 | 1,167 |
| DMU Jackson | 1,352 | 4,911 |
| DMU 202 | 334 | 1,586 |
| DMU 205 | 1 | 448 |
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 Black River State Forest?
Nearest towns: Mission (next to it), Sand Pillow (next to it), Millston (next to it) and Black River Falls (next to it). Highways within 5 miles: I-94, WI 54, US 12, WI 27 and WI 95.
What other public land is near Black River State Forest?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area: 442 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Black River Falls Service Center: 41 acres, 0.7 miles away
- Bauer-Brockway Barrens State Natural Area: 120 acres, 2.4 miles away
- Albion Rearing Station: 64 acres, 4.3 miles away
- Meadow Valley Wildlife Area: 58,144 acres, 5.1 miles away
- Mill Creek Fishery Area: 109 acres, 5.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Black River State Forest
Counting Black River State Forest itself, 136,621 of the 252,315 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (54.1%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 69,649 |
| County forest | 66,884 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 81 |
| Other federal land | 7 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Black River State Forest?
In Jackson and Clark counties, next to Mission. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Black River State Forest 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 Black River State Forest in?
DMU 203 (67,243 acres), DMU Jackson (1,352 acres), DMU 202 (334 acres) and DMU 205 (1 acres).
How much public land is around Black River State Forest?
136,621 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Black River State Forest included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Jay Creek Pine Forest State Natural Area (0.5 miles).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
Hunt plans for Wisconsin are coming. Join the list and you'll hear first. The first 50 hunters in each new state get their plan free.
Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Wisconsin included.
Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Black River State Forest; 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.