Pine-Popple Wild Rivers: hunting and access
Pine-Popple Wild Rivers is 11,648 acres of land managed by the Wisconsin DNR in Florence County, 5 miles from Florence. Hunters registered 1,226 deer in DMU 124 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 forestState parksLand trusts and other open landPine-Popple Wild RiversCounty lineLakeHighway
| Size | 11,648 acres in 14 pieces |
|---|---|
| County | Florence County |
| Deer Management Unit | DMU 124, DMU 125 |
| Public access (DNR) | Open to Hiking, Fishing, Hunting and Trapping |
| DNR property page | Pine-Popple Wild Rivers |
| Nearest towns | Florence (5 mi), Newald (8 mi) and Long Lake (9 mi) |
What is Pine-Popple Wild Rivers like?
The 89-mile Pine River and its major tributary, the 62-mile Popple River, offer a true wild experience, being among Wisconsin's more remote river systems. The rivers alternate from quiet sections to swift, rocky riffles, low rapids and waterfalls, offering high-quality paddling and fishing in a secluded, natural environment.
In the DNR's words, from its page for the property.
What are the rules on Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
The DNR's property map lists Pine-Popple Wild Rivers 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 Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
Pine-Popple Wild Rivers lies in 2 deer management units. The DNR registered 1,226 deer in DMU 124 in 2025.
| DMU | Pine-Popple Wild Rivers acres in it | Deer, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| DMU 124 | 8,311 | 1,226 |
| DMU 125 | 3,337 | 2,310 |
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 Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
Nearest towns: Florence (5 miles), Newald (8 miles), Long Lake (9 miles) and Niagara (10 miles). Highways within 5 miles: WI 101, WI 70, US 2 and US 141.
What other public land is near Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
DNR properties within 10 miles:
- Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area: 473 acres, next to it
- Wild Rivers/Pine Popple Conservation Easement: 58,880 acres, next to it
- Spread Eagle Barrens State Natural Area: 7,889 acres, next to it
- Woods Creek State Habitat Area: 78 acres, next to it
Public land within 3 miles of Pine-Popple Wild Rivers
Counting Pine-Popple Wild Rivers itself, 95,383 of the 153,564 acres within 3 miles of its boundary are public land open to the public (62.1%), 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 | 50,211 |
| National forest | 24,999 |
| County forest | 19,953 |
| Land trusts and other open land | 162 |
| State parks | 57 |
| Other county, city and regional land | 1 |
Questions hunters ask
Where is Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
In Florence County, 5 miles from Florence. The DNR's property page has its maps and parking.
Is Pine-Popple Wild Rivers 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 Pine-Popple Wild Rivers in?
DMU 124 (8,311 acres) and DMU 125 (3,337 acres).
How much public land is around Pine-Popple Wild Rivers?
95,383 acres within 3 miles of its boundary, Pine-Popple Wild Rivers included, by PAD-US 4.1. The closest other DNR property is Haley Creek Swamp State Natural Area (next to it).
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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, Pine-Popple Wild Rivers; 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.