Unit Taylor

The Little Black River system provides the primary navigational anchor, flowing through the unit's center via its main stem and east/west branches. Mud Lake and Diamond Lake offer known reference points and potential water sources. Hay Creek, Pine Creek, McKenzie Creek, and Trappers Creek serve as secondary drainages that hunters can follow for navigation and access.

These creeks and their valleys create the few natural corridors through otherwise uniform private land. The town of Medford acts as the primary supply and staging point. Road density is very high, making traditional landmark navigation less critical than in remote units—the extensive road network itself becomes the navigation framework.

The entire unit sits in a narrow elevation band between 1,115 and 1,578 feet with no significant vertical relief. Habitat consists of open agricultural plains punctuated by moderate forest patches—a mix of hardwood remnants and managed timber typical of working Wisconsin landscape. The forest coverage is neither dense nor sparse, creating a patchwork of fields, woodlots, and brushy edges rather than continuous timber.

Lower-elevation forest means deciduous and mixed hardwood species dominate, with understory conditions varying by management intensity. Deer habitat exists throughout this mixed landscape, particularly in the brushy transitions between farm and forest.

This is the most accessible unit discussed—over 825 miles of roads distributed across 269 square miles creates a dense network of public highways, county roads, and township routes. Three major highways cross through (US and state routes total 21+ miles), with extensive secondary road coverage. High road density means easy staging from Medford and quick access to any area, but also means most suitable hunting zones receive regular pressure from vehicle access.

Private ownership at 99.9% means legal hunting depends almost entirely on public roads or landowner permission. Popular areas near town and main highways see consistent traffic; less-developed areas away from major corridors may experience lower pressure.

Taylor unit occupies roughly 270 square miles in north-central Wisconsin, anchored by the town of Medford to the south and extending through communities like Bellinger, Polley, and Stetsonville. The unit is entirely below 1,600 feet elevation with virtually no topographic relief—terrain defines itself by land use rather than slope. This is predominantly private agricultural and forestland with minimal public parcels, making access dependent on road availability and landowner relationships.

The unit's character is shaped by Wisconsin's transitional landscape: former logging country converted to farms and managed timber parcels.

Water is reliably present throughout Taylor via the Little Black River system and its multiple branches, plus several spring-fed creeks that maintain flow through most of the year. Mud Lake and Diamond Lake provide secondary water sources. The Propst Flowage and one smaller reservoir add additional surface water.

Drainage patterns are gentle and meandering rather than deeply incised, reflecting the flat topography. Creeks tend to run through narrow valleys with wooded banks—these riparian corridors become important travel routes and hunting zones. Water availability is not a limiting factor for hunting strategy; focus instead on accessing the best deer habitat regardless of water proximity.

Taylor supports white-tailed deer throughout its mixed forest-agricultural landscape, with mule deer present in lower numbers. Hunting strategy centers on edge habitat—the brushy transitions between open farm and scattered timber patches hold the highest deer concentration. Early season deer use field edges and open woods; as season progresses, deer shift into thicker timber and bedding cover.

The Little Black River valley and its tributary creeks provide natural travel corridors where deer concentrate, particularly during rut. Hunt creek bottoms and the wooded sections surrounding them. Given limited public land, focus on accessing productive habitat from public roads or negotiate landowner access on nearby private parcels.

Morning and evening hunts near field edges and timber boundaries are most effective.