Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Buckhorn Barrens (No. 360)

Overview

Location

Within Buckhorn State Park, Juneau County. T17N-R4E, Sections 14, 15, 16, 22, 23, 27. 1,680 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highways 21 and 80 in Necedah, go east on 21 about 1 mile, then south on G 8.1 miles to the park entrance. Get a park map. Go south on the park road 0.35 miles to a sandblow vista or continue south 1.2 miles to a parking area. Numerous hiking trails traverse the natural area. Access to the site is also available via a canoe interpretive trail.

Description

Description

Buckhorn Barrens is a large expanse of sand barrens and sand blows, flooded wetlands with shrub-carr and northern sedge meadow, and a second-growth forest. The barrens contains dense patches of Jack pine and oak with scattered openings of characteristic prairie grasses and forbs. Species include little bluestem, flowering spurge, puccoon, and lead-plant. Ant lions, mottled sand grasshoppers, and the uncommon little white tiger beetle (Cicindela lepida) can be found on the sand blows. State-threatened osprey (Pandion haliaetus) use the adjacent Castle Rock Flowage for nesting. Buckhorn Barrens is owned by the DNR and was designated a State Natural Area in 2002.

Maps

The WDNR's State Natural Areas Program is comprised of lands owned by the state, private conservation organizations, municipalities, other governmental agencies, educational institutions, and private individuals. Therefore, while the majority of SNAs are open to the public, access may vary accordingly. Public use restrictions may apply due to public safety, or to protect endangered or threatened species or unique natural features. Lands may be temporarily closed due to specific management activities. Users are encouraged to contact the land owner for more specific details.

The data shown on these maps have been obtained from various sources, and are of varying age, reliability, and resolution. The data may contain errors or omissions and should not be interpreted as a legal representation of legal ownership boundaries.

• Detailed Map [PDF, 260 KB]

Objectives

Site Objectives

Manage the site as an oak/pine barrens reserve, as an aquatic reserve and wetland protection area, and as an ecological reference area. Natural processes and prescribed vegetation manipulation (see below) will determine the structure of the savanna. Provide opportunities for research and education on the highest quality native oak/pine barrens.

Management Approach

The native dominant tree species (primarily jack pine and black oak) are managed actively. However, some trees such as scattered black oak, white oak, and red pine are not harvested. After jack pine is thinned, additional shrub control via brushing or fire may be needed to mimic natural disturbance patterns. Other allowable activities include control of invasive plants and animals, maintenance of existing facilities, and access to suppress wildfires. Salvage of trees after a major wind event can occur if the volume of woody material inhibits fire prescriptions.

Site-Specific Considerations

• Although removal of hazardous trees from over and near trails and park roads is an allowed activity, manipulation/removal of vegetation and soil disturbance should be minimized to the extent possible.
• An interpretive nature trail has signs describing the features that will be changing as the savanna develops a more open character and new species enter the system.

Activities

Please come prepared for your visit. Amenities vary from site to site with most SNAs being primitive and without facilities. See Guidelines for Visitation for details.

Allowable Activities

Most DNR-owned SNAs allow:

• Hiking
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Trapping
• Skiing

Some exceptions apply. Properties closed to the public or closed to specific use, such as hunting, will be posted.

***For non-DNR-owned SNAs: Additional use guidelines may apply. Please verify any use restrictions with the landowner or contact the SNA Program. Landowners may require additional permits or restrict the number of hunters at a given SNA to provide a quality hunting experience. SNA landowners can be found at the bottom of each SNA description page.

Prohibited Activities

• Horseback riding
• Rock climbing
• Vehicles, including bicycles, ATVs, aircraft, and snowmobiles except on trails and roadways designated for their use
• Collecting of plants (including fruits, nuts, or edible plant parts), animals, fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, archaeological artifacts, soil, downed wood, or any other natural material, alive or dead

Please note that a permit is required for scientific collection and research on State Natural Areas. For more information, contact Thomas Meyer, State Natural Areas Program Specialist.

For more information on rules governing state-owned SNAs and other state lands, please consult Wisconsin's Administrative Code Chapter NR 45 (exit DNR)