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Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area
Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area is a 6,005 acre property located 6 miles north of Stevens Point. Access to the property can be found off of Co. Hwy X. Hay Meadow Road passes through the center of the property. The east edge is flanked by Torun Road and the north comes into contact with Oakwood Drive.
Dewey Marsh contains a large expanse of relatively undisturbed northern sedge meadow including smaller islands of tamarack and black spruce swamp, paper birch and white pine woods, and ericaceous bog. The marsh is dominated by blue-joint grass, steeple bush and wire-leaved sedges, with cat-tails and bur-reed. It forms the headwaters of Hay Meadow Creek. Scattered throughout the area are islands of aspen, birch, and white pine. Tamarack and black spruce swamps are also present. The Dewey Marsh State Natural Area is located within the wildlife area. Hay Meadow Creek passes through the property in the east and south. The lay of the land is generally flat and forested areas are dominated by aspen.
The state began purchasing property in the area in 1973. The large marsh made the area generally unsuitable for agriculture. Large wildfires occurred on the property in 1974 and 1976.
Management
Management Objective
The Dewey Marsh WA is a Conservation Opportunity Area [PDF 117KB] for managing large sedge meadows of upper Midwest/regional significance according to Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action Plan. It is also a Land Legacy Place [PDF 4.4MB]. It is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping, and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. It is managed to maintain large blocks of sedge meadow within a complex of associated wetlands such as open bog, shrub-carr, alder thicket, tamarack and black spruce by maintaining hydrology, tree cutting and harvest, brushing, and prescribed fire. Timber sales are used to maintain the aspen cover type. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or bio-control.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area:
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling Trail
- Wildlife viewing
- Bird watching
- Berry picking
- Target range (County Run facility on adjacent property)
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Map
Download [PDF 234KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Dewey Marsh Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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