Blue Mound State Park Wildlife

The largest mammal living in Blue Mound State Park is the white-tailed deer. Deer are often seen in the open area near the swimming pool, in the other fields in and around the park, and in the woods. During June, July, and early August, tiny spotted fawns are sometimes seen with their mothers.

The mammals most often seen (links marked * exit DNR) are gray squirrels, fox squirrels, chipmunks*, 13-linded ground squirrels, woodchucks*, and raccoons. The park is also home to coyotes*, cottontail rabbits*, flying squirrels, opossums*, two kinds of weasels, skunks, meadow mice, deer mice, jumping mice*, house mice, harvest mice, prairie moles, at least two kinds of shrews, four or five kinds of bats, red foxes, and gray foxes*. The rare badger occasionally visits the park.

Most mammals are very timid and move about during twilight hours, and at night, therefore, they are not often seen, although many species may be present in the large numbers.

Before this region was settled by white man, the mound, its forest and the surrounding prairies had black bears, timber wolves, bobcats, Canada lynx, fishers, elk, bison, and cougars (mountain lions). And, thousands of years ago when the thick ice blankets of the Wisconsin Glacier lay to the north and east of this area, these park lands felt the weight of giant, elephant-like mastodons. These huge beasts were hunted by nomadic Paleo-Indians who killed them with heavy-shafted, stone-tipped spears.

For More Information

Ask Karl Heil, manager, (608) 437-5711