Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area: hunting and access
Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area is 14,503 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Iron and Ashland counties, 4 miles from Park Falls. The DNR's page for it names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear and small game among the game here. Hunters registered 895 deer in DMU 117 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 forestLand trusts and other open landHay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife AreaCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 14,503 acres in 11 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Iron County and Ashland County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 117 |
| DNR lists for hunting | deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear and small game |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Hay Creek Wildlife Area |
| Nearest towns | Park Falls (4 mi), Butternut (5 mi) and Mercer (11 mi) |
What is Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area like?
Hay Creek Wildlife Area is a 387-acre property approximately 3 miles southwest of Sand Creek on State Highway 64. This property is divided into two units. This property may be accessed by parking along the roadsides on 850th Street or 780th Street, or from a small parking lot on the north side of Highway 64 across from 810th Street. Hay Creek flows through this property from west to east and, along with the associated wetland/marsh, is the dominant feature on this wildlife area. The remaining portion of the property is primarily wooded. Acquisition of lands for the Hay Creek Wildlife Area occurred mostly in the early 1960s, with a final acquisition in 1973. The purpose was to protect and provide public access to Hay Creek and the associated wetland complex.
Historically, the management objective was to protect the trout waters of Hay Creek and provide wildlife habitat for species that utilize wetlands and woods. These same objectives remain true today. Primary management on this property involves management of the woodlands. The property is monitored for invasive species. The use of forest management and timber sales helps maintain a healthy, vigorous woodland for wildlife. The Hay Creek Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What can you hunt on Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
The DNR's page for Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area names deer, wild turkey, ducks and geese, bear and small game. Each follows Wisconsin's statewide season and, for deer, the tags and rules of the deer management unit.
What are the rules on Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
The DNR's property map lists Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake 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 Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area: Birding, Hiking (no designated trail), Hunting (noted for deer, bear, turkey, waterfowl and small game), Trapping, Wild edibles/gathering and Wildlife viewing.
How many deer are taken around Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area lies in DMU 117. The DNR registered 895 deer in DMU 117 in 2025.
| DMU | Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 117 | 14,503 | 895 |
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 Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
Nearest towns: Park Falls (4 miles), Butternut (5 miles), Mercer (11 miles) and Glidden (13 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 182 and WI 13.
What other public land is near Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Flambeau River State Forest: 89,904 acres, next to it
- Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area: 35,782 acres, next to it
- Bosner Creek Conservation Easement Area: 21 acres, 1.2 miles away
- Springstead Muskeg State Natural Area: 632 acres, 4.4 miles away
Public land within 3 miles of Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area
Counting Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area itself, 44,422 of the 82,070 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 | 30,427 |
| National forest | 10,349 |
| County forest | 3,646 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
In Iron and Ashland counties, 4 miles from Park Falls. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake 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 Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area in?
DMU 117.
How much public land is around Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area?
44,422 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake Wildlife Area included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Flambeau River State Forest (next to it).
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Where these facts come from
- Area description, species, rules and directions: DNR, Hay Creek-Hoffman Lake 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.