deer management unit · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
203 - Central Forest Zone
Wisconsin, United States
The map opens on this unit. Turn on Hunting units in Layers to see its boundary with public land, your pins and the forecast.
About 203 - Central Forest Zone
203 - Central Forest Zone is a deer management unit in Wisconsin, United States, set by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 1,246 km² (481 mi²). The town of Black River Falls is inside it.
HuntGrid draws its boundary from Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's data for the 2026 season. The agency uses this unit system for White-tailed deer.
- Unit code
- 203
- Area
- 1,246 km²
- Area (miles)
- 481 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 766 km² of public or protected land inside it, 62% of the unit. Some protected land is privately owned (a conservation group's, for one). By manager, as the source names it:
| Manager | km² | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Jackson County Parks | 485 | 39% |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | 275 | 22% |
| Necedah Wildlife Management Area | 6.9 | under 1% |
| NECEDAH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA | 6.9 | under 1% |
| County | 0.3 | under 1% |
| Unknown County | 0.1 | under 1% |
| Monroe County | 0.0 | under 1% |
| Bureau of Land Management | 0.0 | under 1% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 0.0 | under 1% |
Boundaries are approximate and aren't legal descriptions. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there: check your local regulations and posted signs.
Public land: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gap Analysis Project (GAP), 2025, Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US) 4.1
Seasons and regulations
Seasons for this unit that a person has checked against Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's regulations:
| Species | Dates | Details |
|---|---|---|
| White-tailed deer | Sep 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 | archery source |
| White-tailed deer | Sep 12, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027 | crossbow source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 21, 2026 to Nov 29, 2026 | firearm source |
| White-tailed deer | Nov 30, 2026 to Dec 9, 2026 | muzzleloader source |
| White-tailed deer | Dec 10, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlerless source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Next to it in the same unit system
- 202 - Central Forest Zone
- 204 - Central Forest Zone
- 205 - Central Forest Zone
- 206 - Central Forest Zone
- Fort McCoy - Central Farmland Zone
- Jackson - Central Farmland Zone
- Monroe - Central Farmland Zone
- Wood - Central Farmland Zone
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Turkey Zone 1 (turkey management zone)
- Turkey Zone 3 (turkey management zone)
- Zone A (ruffed grouse management zone)
- Bear Zone C (no hounds) (bear management zone)
- Central Zone (elk management zone)
- Central Forest Zone (deer management zone)
- South Zone (cottontail rabbit management zone)
- Southern Zone (ducks and coots) (duck zone)
- Southern Zone (geese) (goose zone)
What HuntGrid shows for 203 - Central Forest Zone
- Its boundary on the map; tap inside it for the unit's card with the agency's regulations link.
- Public land and the other hunting units in the same view, each with its source.
- Season dates once a person has checked them, and legal shooting hours where the rule is checked.
- Hourly wind with a scent cone for every stand, and official weather alerts.
- Offline maps: download the area and use the map, your pins and the forecast with no signal.
Questions
How big is 203 - Central Forest Zone (deer management unit)?
About 1,246 km² (481 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in 203 - Central Forest Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 766 km² of public or protected land, 62% of the unit; the largest share is managed by Jackson County Parks. Public land doesn't always mean you can hunt there.
Where are the season dates for 203 - Central Forest Zone?
This page lists 5 seasons a person has checked against Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's regulations; the official regulations have the final word.
Which units are next to 203 - Central Forest Zone?
In the same unit system: 202 - Central Forest Zone, 204 - Central Forest Zone, 205 - Central Forest Zone, 206 - Central Forest Zone, Fort McCoy - Central Farmland Zone, Jackson - Central Farmland Zone, Monroe - Central Farmland Zone and Wood - Central Farmland Zone.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Licence: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (published with a no-warranty disclaimer). Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.