Metro Sub-Unit 111, Wisconsin

DMU 111 covers the north-central Wisconsin Northwoods across portions of southern Bayfield, central Sawyer, and northern Rusk counties. Elevation peaks around 1,391 feet in the Flambeau River State Forest and rolls through gently glaciated terrain of drumlins, moraines, and kettles typical of the region. Land cover is dominated by mixed northern mesic forest with stands of white pine, red pine, hemlock, yellow birch, sugar maple, aspen, and balsam fir. Conifer swamps, sphagnum peatlands, black ash wetlands, and spruce bogs are interspersed throughout. The North and South Forks of the Flambeau River converge within the unit, providing over 75 miles of mostly undeveloped river corridor. The unit contains a National Natural Landmark section of old-growth conifers and hardwoods. Agricultural land is minimal — this is classic north-woods big timber country with dense forest and abundant wetland edge.

Hunting pressure in DMU 111 is moderate overall, with heavier pressure concentrated along main forest roads and near well-known river access points during the nine-day gun season. The vast acreage of public land disperses hunters across a large landscape, and those willing to penetrate a mile or more from roads encounter significantly less competition. Northern Wisconsin draws a mix of resident hunters from the Chippewa Valley and Twin Cities metropolitan area to the west. Opening weekend of gun season sees the highest concentrations. Archery pressure is light to moderate, especially on public land away from roads. The combination of deep forest, extensive wetlands, and river terrain creates natural barriers that push pressure-avoiders into productive unpressured areas.

DMU 111 falls within the Northern Forest zone. No antlerless authorizations are included automatically with the base deer license for Northern Forest units — hunters must purchase bonus antlerless authorizations separately. For the 2025-2026 season, DMU 111 has 750 bonus public land antlerless authorizations and 2,500 bonus private land antlerless authorizations available, with sales opening August 18 at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at $12 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. Authorizations are land-type specific — hunters must choose public or private at purchase. Any-deer (buck or antlerless) hunting requires an antlerless authorization in addition to the base license. Buck-only hunting with a single deer license is the default without a bonus tag. Tags sell out in popular units so early purchase is recommended.

Deer seasons for 2026: archery and crossbow September 12 through January 3, 2027; youth and disabled gun hunt October 10-11; regular nine-day gun season November 21-29; muzzleloader November 30 through December 9; statewide antlerless-only December 10-13. DMU 111 is in the Northern Forest zone and does not have the extended metro sub-unit archery or gun season dates. Wild turkey hunting is available with spring and fall seasons; the fall turkey season overlaps with early archery deer. Black bear hunting is a major draw in the Flambeau River corridor and Rusk-Sawyer timber blocks, with Wisconsin bear harvest among the highest in the Midwest. Ruffed grouse hunting is considered some of the finest in northern Wisconsin, with aspen stands and forest edge creating ideal drumming and covey habitat. Waterfowl opportunities exist along the Flambeau River and surrounding wetland complexes. No CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) has been documented in this far-northern unit as of recent reporting, making it one of the cleaner zones in the state.

DMU 111 delivers a classic north-woods deer hunt with genuine wilderness character. The combination of the Flambeau River State Forest, Rusk County forest lands, and multiple state wildlife areas gives hunters one of the largest contiguous public land blocks available to Wisconsin deer hunters at no cost. The absence of CWD in this zone is a significant advantage over central and southern Wisconsin units. Mature bucks are present in the mixed hardwood-conifer forest, particularly in areas with good mast production from yellow birch and oak components, and along the river corridors. The Flambeau River itself provides natural funnel terrain where deer travel predictably during the rut. Hunters targeting the rut in mid-November will find bucks cruising regenerating aspen cuts and river bottom edge. Multi-species trips are a genuine asset here — combining a deer hunt with bear, grouse, and turkey opportunities in the same block of land is realistic. Access is good by northern Wisconsin standards with a network of forest roads, though a willingness to pack in past the road pressure is rewarded. Early archery and the muzzleloader season offer quality solitude hunts with good buck activity on public land.