Brule River State Forest: hunting and access
Brule River State Forest is 47,356 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Douglas and Bayfield counties, next to Brule. Hunters registered 2,184 deer in DMU 102 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 forestNational wildlife refuges and waterfowl production areasNational park landOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landBrule River State ForestCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 47,356 acres in 27 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Douglas County and Bayfield County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 102, DMU 107 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Brule River |
| Nearest towns | Brule (next to it), Gordon (next to it) and Lake Nebagamon (3 mi) |
What is Brule River State Forest like?
The Brule River State Forest offers exceptional recreational opportunities, including river paddling, world-class trout fishing, wildlife viewing, a 23-mile stretch of the North Country National Scenic Trail and 9 miles of Lake Superior shoreline. All 44 miles of the Bois Brule River are contained in the forest. Two campgrounds offer family campsites and access to canoe landings on the Bois Brule River.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Brule River State Forest?
The DNR's property map lists Brule 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 Brule River State Forest?
Brule River State Forest lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 2,184 deer in DMU 102 in 2025.
| DMU | Brule River State Forest acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 102 | 46,319 | 2,184 |
| DMU 107 | 1,031 | 2,406 |
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 Brule River State Forest?
Nearest towns: Brule (next to it), Gordon (next to it), Lake Nebagamon (3 miles) and Solon Springs (3 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 53, WI 13, WI 27, US 2 and WI 1.
What other public land is near Brule River State Forest?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Brule St Croix Legacy Forest: 74,457 acres, next to it
- Solon Springs State North Country Trail Area: 55 acres, next to it
- Wild Rivers State Trail: 1,158 acres, 1 mile away
- Lake Nebagamon State Habitat Area: 38 acres, 1.7 miles away
- SSLSFA - Iron River Unit: 989 acres, 2.7 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Brule River State Forest
Counting Brule River State Forest itself, 118,680 of the 264,567 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (44.9%), 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 | 84,504 |
| County forest | 33,570 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 359 |
| National park land | 193 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 52 |
| State parks | 2 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Brule River State Forest?
In Douglas and Bayfield counties, next to Brule. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Brule 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 Brule River State Forest in?
DMU 102 (46,319 acres) and DMU 107 (1,031 acres).
How much public land is around Brule River State Forest?
118,680 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Brule River State Forest included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Brule St Croix Legacy Forest (next to it).
Get a Wisconsin hunt plan when they open
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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, Brule 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.