elk management zone · Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Central 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 Central Zone
Central Zone is a elk management zone in Wisconsin, United States, set by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It covers about 4,521 km² (1,745 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 Elk (wapiti).
- Unit code
- Central
- Area
- 4,521 km²
- Area (miles)
- 1,745 mi²
- Boundaries
- 2026
Public and protected land mapped inside it
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,587 km² of public or protected land inside it, 35% 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 | 491 | 11% |
| Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources | 364 | 8% |
| Clark County | 232 | 5% |
| Necedah Wildlife Management Area | 219 | 5% |
| NECEDAH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA | 219 | 5% |
| Necedah National Wildlife Refuge | 178 | 4% |
| NECEDAH NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE | 177 | 4% |
| Wood County | 71 | 2% |
| Other or unnamed managers | 37 | 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlered, residents, draw, Unit Group E (units 8, 11, 14); 2 licences source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw, Unit Group E (units 8, 11, 14); 3 licences source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlered, residents, draw, Unit Group F (unit 10); 2 licences source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlered, residents, draw, Unit Group G (units 9, 12, 13); 2 licences source |
| Elk (wapiti) | Oct 17, 2026 to Dec 13, 2026 | antlerless, residents, draw, Unit Group G (units 9, 12, 13); 3 licences source |
The official regulations have the final word: check them before you hunt.
Official regulations: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Units around it
Other hunting units that cover part of it
- Turkey Zone 1 (turkey management zone)
- Turkey Zone 3 (turkey management zone)
- 202 - Central Forest Zone (deer management unit)
- 203 - Central Forest Zone (deer management unit)
- 205 - Central Forest Zone (deer management unit)
- 206 - Central Forest Zone (deer management unit)
- Zone A (ruffed grouse management zone)
- Bear Zone C (no hounds) (bear management zone)
- Central Farmland Zone (deer management zone)
- Central Forest Zone (deer management zone)
- Bear Zone E (no hounds) (bear management zone)
- Jackson - Central Farmland Zone (deer management unit)
- South Zone (cottontail rabbit management zone)
- Southern Zone (ducks and coots) (duck zone)
- Southern Zone (geese) (goose zone)
What HuntGrid shows for Central 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 Central Zone (elk management zone)?
About 4,521 km² (1,745 mi²), as HuntGrid maps Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources's boundary.
How much public or protected land is in Central Zone?
HuntGrid's public land layers map about 1,587 km² of public or protected land, 35% 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 Central 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.
More on huntgrid.net
Sources
Unit boundary: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; U.S. Census Bureau; USGS. Licence: Public domain (U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line, USGS NHD); zone rule NR 10.37. Boundaries for the 2026 season.
HuntGrid isn't affiliated with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The official regulations and maps have the final word.