Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Deer Mountain (No. 455)

Overview

Location

Within the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Forest County. T34N-R16E, Sections 1-4, 10, 11, 12. T35N-R16E, Sections 25, 34, 35, 36. 2,089 acres.

Access

From the intersection of Highway 32 and County C (Rogers St) in Wabeno, go east on C 2.75 miles, then north on Camp 1 Road 8.1 miles to the intersection with Bay Shore Road. The site lies south of this intersection.

Description

Description

Situated on hummocky topography, Deer Mountain features a northern mesic forest with a canopy of sugar maple, basswood, and occasional beech. The groundlayer is dominated by sugar maple seedlings, Canada mayflower, Pennsylvania sedge, bloodroot, and large-flowered bellwort. The rich habitat and leaf litter of the forest supports the state-endangered little goblin moonwort (Botrychium mormo), a tiny (3-4 inches) fern that is found in the humus-rich soils of northern mesic forests. It is easily overlooked due to its diminutive stature and the fact that it often never rises above the leaf litter. In addition, the fern often disappears during low precipitation years and remains dormant in the leaf litter making inventory and detection further problematic. Deer Mountain is owned by the US Forest Service and was designated a State Natural Area in 2007.

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.

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)