Northern Highland State Forest: hunting and access
Northern Highland State Forest is 176,323 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Vilas, Iron and Oneida counties, next to Sayner. 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 forestOther county, city and regional landLand trusts and other open landNorthern Highland State ForestCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 176,323 acres in 73 pieces |
|---|---|
| Counties | Vilas County, Iron County and Oneida County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 117, DMU 121, DMU 122, Lac du Flambeau Reservation |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Northern Highland American Legion |
| Nearest towns | Sayner (next to it), Boulder Junction (next to it) and Mercer (next to it) |
What is Northern Highland State Forest like?
With over 236,000 acres and more than 900 lakes within its boundaries, the Northern Highland - American Legion State Forest provides wonderfully scenic opportunities for a variety of outdoor recreation from wild and remote campsites accessible only by boat, to developed family and group campgrounds, beaches, boat launches and trails. The forest is spread across three counties near the towns of Woodruff, Minocqua and Boulder Junction. There are two main contact stations at Crystal and Clear lakes. The Northern Highland-American Legion State Forest is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Northern Highland State Forest?
The DNR's property map lists Northern Highland 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 Northern Highland State Forest?
Northern Highland State Forest lies in 4 deer management units. The DNR registered 895 deer in DMU 117 in 2025.
| DMU | Northern Highland State Forest acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 117 | 85,165 | 895 |
| DMU 121 | 55,175 | 1,615 |
| DMU 122 | 35,935 | 802 |
| Lac du Flambeau Reservation | 45 |
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 Northern Highland State Forest?
Nearest towns: Sayner (next to it), Boulder Junction (next to it), Mercer (next to it) and Woodruff (next to it). Highways within 5 miles: US 51, WI 47, WI 70, WI 17 and WI 182.
What other public land is near Northern Highland State Forest?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- American Legion State Forest: 61,094 acres, next to it
- Powell Marsh Wildlife Area: 4,347 acres, next to it
- Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area: 35,782 acres, next to it
Public land within 3 miles of Northern Highland State Forest
Counting Northern Highland State Forest itself, 244,302 of the 553,177 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (44.2%), 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 | 222,806 |
| County forest | 20,085 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 1,169 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 214 |
| National forest | 22 |
| Other federal land | 6 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Northern Highland State Forest?
In Vilas, Iron and Oneida counties, next to Sayner. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Northern Highland 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 Northern Highland State Forest in?
DMU 117 (85,165 acres), DMU 121 (55,175 acres), DMU 122 (35,935 acres) and Lac du Flambeau Reservation (45 acres).
How much public land is around Northern Highland State Forest?
244,302 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Northern Highland State Forest included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is American Legion State 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, Northern Highland 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.