Douglas County Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Douglas County Wildlife Area is 3,919 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Douglas County, 2 miles from Solon Springs. Hunters registered 1,194 deer in DMU 101 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 park landOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landDouglas County Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 3,919 acres in 4 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Douglas County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 101, DMU 107 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Douglas County Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Solon Springs (2 mi), Gordon (2 mi) and Minong (12 mi) |
What is Douglas County Wildlife Area like?
Douglas County Wildlife Area is located between Solon Springs and Gordon in Douglas County. It is locally known as “The Bird Sanctuary.” Find it 3 miles south of Solon Springs on Hwy 53 (or 3 miles north of Gordon on Hwy 53), west on County Road M about 3/4 mile, then northwest on Bird Road for about 1/4 mile to the information kiosk. The property is approximately 4,005 acres of pine barrens habitat consisting of brush prairie, warm season grasslands, small seepage lakes and wetlands woven in a mosaic across rolling topography.
This variety of open landscapes provides excellent bird-watching opportunities, vistas while hiking the North County Trail and blueberry picking along an easily accessible trail system. An extensive horseback trail system can be accessed for day use from the department parking area or overnight use with a rental of the horse stables owned by Douglas County. In April-May, there is a sharptailed grouse viewing blind available for reservation through the FOTBS to observe and photograph sharp-tailed grouse performing their spring mating rituals. The county-owned clubhouse, located in the heart of the wildlife area, is available for large or small group day-use or overnight rental. The local Friends group offers unique accommodation at a cabin located at the foot of the Gordon Fire Tower, which they own and operate and make available for public viewing. The Friends of the Bird Sanctuary Inc.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Douglas County Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Douglas County 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 Douglas County Wildlife Area: Auto travel, Birding, Clubhouse*, Cross-country skiing (no designated trail), Dog trials and training area, Dog kennels*, Horse trails, Horse stables and corrals*, Hiking (North Country Trail), Hunting, Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Douglas County Wildlife Area?
Douglas County Wildlife Area lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 1,194 deer in DMU 101 in 2025.
| DMU | Douglas County Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 101 | 2,128 | 1,194 |
| DMU 107 | 1,791 | 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 Douglas County Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Solon Springs (2 miles), Gordon (2 miles), Minong (12 miles) and Lake Nebagamon (14 miles). Highways within 5 miles: US 53.
What other public land is near Douglas County Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Wild Rivers State Trail: 1,158 acres, next to it
- Solon Springs State North Country Trail Area: 55 acres, 0.5 miles away
- Brule St Croix Legacy Forest: 74,457 acres, 1.7 miles away
- Brule River State Forest: 47,356 acres, 2.9 miles away
- Town of Gordon State Habitat Area: 20 acres, 4.3 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Douglas County Wildlife Area
Counting Douglas County Wildlife Area itself, 24,010 of the 43,952 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (54.6%), by USGS PAD-US 4.1 (fee land open to the public).
| Manager | Acres within 3 miles |
|---|---|
| County forest | 18,199 |
| State wildlife areas, forests and other DNR land | 5,751 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 52 |
| National park land | 8 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Douglas County Wildlife Area?
In Douglas County, 2 miles from Solon Springs. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Douglas County 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 Douglas County Wildlife Area in?
DMU 101 (2,128 acres) and DMU 107 (1,791 acres).
How much public land is around Douglas County Wildlife Area?
24,010 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Douglas County Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Wild Rivers State Trail (next to it).
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, Douglas County 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.