Wisconsin State Natural Areas Program
Hunting River Alders (No. 527)

Overview

Location

Within the Langlade County Forest. T34N-R11E, Sections 29-32. 104 acres.

Access

The area is best seen by canoe. From the intersection of Highway 45 and Summit Lake Road in Summit Lake, go east on Summit Lake Road 1.1 miles, then northeast on Rice Bed Road 2.6 miles to a canoe landing. Canoe upstream to the site.

Description

Description

Hunting River Alders is a fairly extensive wetland of alder thicket, shrub-carr, and conifer swamp situated along an undeveloped, low gradient stretch of the Hunting River. Although the dominant plant over much of the site is alder, pockets of willow-dogwood and a black spruce/tamarack swamp are also present. This stretch of river is wide, turbid, and sluggish. Common aquatic plants are water-lilies, duckweed, and a few pondweeds including common, flat-stemmed, and long-leaved pondweed. Numerous showy forbs can be found in the ground flora along the stream banks. Plants include skullcaps, spotted Joe-Pye-weed, turtlehead, touch-me-nots, and asters. This site provides quality habitat for many animals such as river otters, beaver, wood ducks, mallard, and alder flycatcher. Hunting River Alders is owned by Langlade County and was designated a State Natural Area in 2006.

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, 171 KB]

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)