Wood County Wildlife Area

History

The Wood County Wildlife Area lies within Glacial Lake Wisconsin. The original vegetation consisted primarily of sedge, grasses, tamarack and black spruce in the wetlands and white and red pine forests mixed with oak on the uplands.

During the 1800s, the land was logged and burned to create openings. Pioneer farmers followed but their activities were limited by high water tables (little natural drainage was present), short growing seasons and poor soils. During the land boom of the early 1900s, efforts were made to drain the area. The first drainage ditch in the area was constructed in 1902. In all, about 60 miles of ditches were constructed. Although ditching was somewhat successful in improving drainage the attempt to develop an agricultural economy failed. Poor soils dominated by peat and sand, killing frosts during the growing season, high taxes, and the Great Depression hastened the end of the agricultural era.

Following the farming era, much of the land became tax delinquent and reverted to county ownership. By the late 1930s, most of the land was deserted and natural vegetation reclaimed the area. Repeated wild fires maintained the fields and openings as grasslands. These areas resembled the vast treeless prairies of the western states, and Greater Prairie-chickens flourished. During this period “Wood County” became famous for its superb prairie chicken hunting.

By the early 1940s however, advancing forest and shrub growth displaced prairie openings and prairie chickens, but created excellent habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Sharp-tails prospered until the 1960’s when forest growth displaced them in favor of the more traditional wooded species, the ruffed grouse. However, remnant openings on the western portion of the area remained to provide suitable habitat for sharp-tailed grouse which persist to present day.

In 1939, the State Conservation Department negotiated a long-term lease with Wood County. The lease transferred management responsibility to the Department for which the county received an annual lease payment. This lease dedicates the property as an area to be managed for wildlife production and public recreation. It reflects the commitment of Wood County and the State to a sound, long-term management program.

Management objective

Today, aspen, oak, lowland brush and sedges are the predominant vegetation types. Red, white and jack pine are also found on the Area. The eastern two-thirds of the property is largely forested upland mixed with small marshes. In contrast, the western one-third has an open almost treeless aspect dominated by wetlands. Many of the original drainage ditches have been plugged and water controls installed to create flowages and provide habitat for waterfowl, aquatic mammals, and other wildlife. Most flowages are shallow (less than 3 feet deep) and therefore unsuitable for game or panfish.

The natural habitat diversity of the property is conducive to a wide variety of wildlife. Principal game species include white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, woodcock, squirrels, rabbits, snowshoe hares, ducks and geese. A small number of Greater Prairie-chickens remain, but no hunting has been permitted of them since 1955. Muskrat, beaver, mink, otter and coyotes are the primary furbearers. The water-rich marshes of this 19,303-acre property attract many species of birds including herons, rails, sandhill cranes, great blue herons, eagles, hawks, owls, shorebirds and songbirds. Visitors to the grasslands in summer may see a Karner Blue Butterfly, a federally-endangered species, or may explore the woodlands for birds such as warblers, orioles and tanagers. This property has a small population of sharp-tailed grouse that populate the grasslands. Roads allow visitors to travel the property by motorized vehicle or bicycle.

Management of the Area will continue to encourage a wide variety of wildlife species. The current timber management program will be the highest priority to maximize habitat diversity for forest wildlife. Wetlands will be maintained for waterfowl and furbearers, while sharp-tailed grouse will be perpetuated by prescribed burning and non-commercial cutting.

Neither cross-country skiing or hiking have designated trails.

44.307011 -90.129718 – Entrance at Ball Road and CTH X
44.25643 -90.173912 – Entrance at Amundson Road and STH 173

Source: WDNR, Great Wisconsin Birding & Natural Trail Guide, Pers. Comm.