Wildcat Mountain State Park Conditions

Conditions as of Wednesday, February 8, 2012:

Trails

Wildcat Mountain State Park ski trails have closed with the warm weather. The snowshoe trail is in good condition.

Wildcat Mountain has cross-country ski trails (7.5 miles) and snowshoe trails (1.5 miles) for winter enthusiasts. Once grooming begins, the cross-country ski trails will be open to skiing only.

Nature

Deer are moving freely with the reduced snow pack. Raptors such as eagles and hawks are common as their small mammal prey do not have a blanket of snow to hide under.

Owls are often sitting on their nests in February. Of all our birds, they are the earliest to nest. The large owls have wingspreads up to four or five feet -- the female averages somewhat larger, heavier and darker than the male. Because of their mass of loose fluffy feathers, however, the bodies of owls are deceptively small. Eggs are laid two or more days apart, in winter, and incubation begins with the laying of the first egg. As a result the young may be widely different in size. They are covered with white fuzzy down and are blind for the first few days. Both parents share in the incubation and care of the young.

Our barred owl, likewise "earless", is gray with dark crossbars on the breast and longitudinal streaks on the belly, with a yellow beak and almost black eyes. Ranging throughout the woodlands of this continent, it lays its 2 to 4 glossy white eggs in a hollow tree or in an abandoned nest of a hawk or crow. Mice and other rodents make up most of the diet. The vivid memories they give youngsters on camping trips -- with their raucous hair-raising "hoo, hoo, hoo -- hoo; hoo, hoo, hoo-hoo-aw" at night -- are never forgotten.

The great horned owl is grayish brown with a white throat and yellowish under parts barred with black. With deep yellow eyes and a big black beak, its most distinctive features are its large lynx-like "ear" tufts. The nest is usually a remodeled hawk or owl's nest, but they even drive eagles from their eyries and take over. The food is extremely varied; mostly mice, rabbits and rodents; but also includes large insects, song birds, other owls, possums, weasels and, very often, skunks.

River

Kickapoo River water levels at Ontario [exit DNR].

Campgrounds

The shower building is closed. The Horse Camp and Group Camps are closed for the season.

Make reservations for family, horse, or group campsites by calling (888) 947-2757, TTY (800) 274-7275, or using the Web.

Firewood Notice: Due to the potential of carrying harmful tree pests and diseases, firewood from out of state or from more than 25 miles away is not allowed on Wisconsin State Park or Forest properties. Also, firewood that has been in the Wisconsin emerald ash borer quarantined area [PDF 102KB] is not allowed on properties outside of the quarantined area. Please buy firewood at or near the park or forest where you are going. Call the DNR toll-free Firewood Hotline, (877) 303-WOOD ((877) 303-9663) for information before packing for a trip.

More Information

Weather [exit DNR]

For more information, ask:

Wildcat Mountain State Park
E13660 State Highway 33, PO Box 99
Ontario, Wisconsin 54651
(608) 337-4775

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