Metro Sub-Unit 203, Wisconsin

DMU 203 covers 480.7 square miles of west-central Wisconsin's Jackson County within the Central Forest Zone, a landscape shaped by glacial outwash that left behind flat to gently rolling sandy plains punctuated by dramatic sandstone bluffs overlooking the Black River corridor. The East Fork and West Fork of the Black River cut through the unit, creating productive lowland habitats of black spruce bogs, tamarack swamps, and alder thickets. Uplands are dominated by jack pine barrens and red pine plantations on sandy soils, transitioning to stands of black oak and white oak on better-drained ground. Elevations range from roughly 800 to 1,200 feet, with the most pronounced relief along the river bluffs. Agricultural fields are limited to scattered valley floors and the eastern edge of the county near Black River Falls.

DMU 203 draws moderate hunting pressure overall, lighter than Wisconsin's southern farmland counties but busier than some remote Northern Forest units. The nine-day gun season concentrates hunters on public land, particularly on opening weekend near trailheads and established roads in the Black River State Forest. Archery and muzzleloader seasons are noticeably quieter, and hunters who walk a half-mile or more from parking areas rarely encounter competition. ATV traffic on designated forest trails can be significant in October and early November, which may push deer off heavily trafficked corridors by late season. The presence of bear hunters in September and October overlaps with early archery season but does not materially increase deer hunting pressure.

DMU 203 falls within the Central Forest Zone, so hunters do not receive free farmland antlerless authorizations with their deer license. Bonus antlerless harvest authorizations must be purchased separately through the Go Wild portal or at a licensed sales location. For the 2026 season, the WDNR allocated 1,125 public-land authorizations and 750 private-land authorizations for DMU 203, available starting August 17 at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Cost is $12 for Wisconsin residents, $20 for nonresidents, and $5 for youth under age 12. Each bonus authorization is unit-specific and designated either public land or private land; hunters must select the correct type at purchase. A standard deer hunting license provides one any-deer (either sex) tag valid during the gun season. There is no earn-a-buck requirement in this unit.

The 2026 deer archery and crossbow season runs September 12 through January 3, 2027. The nine-day gun deer season opens the third Saturday of November (November 21 through 29 in 2026). Muzzleloader season follows immediately, November 30 through December 9. CWD has been confirmed in Jackson County; mandatory carcass transport restrictions apply and hunters are encouraged to submit harvested deer for testing. Elk were reintroduced to the Black River State Forest area in 2015 and 2016 after a 125-year absence — there is currently no elk hunting season in this zone, but sightings are possible. Black bear hunting is available in Jackson County with an over-the-counter license. Wild turkey spring season runs mid-April through late May; a limited fall season may be available by permit. Ruffed grouse and American woodcock hunting is excellent in young aspen regeneration areas throughout the county forest. Waterfowl hunting is possible along the Black River corridor.

DMU 203 is one of central Wisconsin's best-kept public-land deer hunting values: roughly 200,000 combined acres of state and county forest in a single county creates genuine options for hunters who want to cover ground and scout before committing. The Black River State Forest's jack pine barrens and sandstone bluff country provide a visually striking backdrop uncommon elsewhere in the Midwest. Black River bottomlands and their alder and willow fringe hold deer year-round and become productive travel funnels during the November rut as bucks cruise the edges of sandy uplands and wet lowlands. Trophy potential is real in interior tracts where hunting pressure rarely reaches; Jackson County regularly produces respectable bucks in the 120-140 class on public land. Multi-species hunters can pursue bear, turkey, grouse, and catch a rare elk sighting in the same outing. First-time visitors should obtain the Jackson County Sportsman Map from the county forestry office and target the transition zones between young aspen clearcuts and mature pine stands, where deer concentrate during early archery season.