Douglas County Wildlife Area

Douglas County Wildlife Area is Located between Solon Springs and Gordon in Douglas County. The property is approximately 4,005 acres (994 owned, 3,011 leased from Douglas County) of pine barrens.

Find it by going 3 miles south of Solon Springs on Highway 53 (or 3 miles north of Gordon on Highway 53), west on County Road M about 3/4 mile, then northwest on Bird Road for about 1/4 mile to information kiosk.

History of Management

In 1925 the Northern States Amateur Field Trial Association (NSAFTA) conducted its first dog trial at the ‘Bird Sanctuary’. In 1935 Douglas County established the ‘Bird Sanctuary’; and the “Bird Sanctuary and Club House’ was dedicated. NSAFTA held its first United States Chicken Champion Dog Trial in 1937, was held annually until the early 2000’s. When this trial began prairie chickens, which were frequently called ‘chickens’ were present on the property, hence the term chicken in the name refers to prairie chickens which are no longer present in the area.

In 1947 the Wiscsonin Conservation Commission established the ‘Douglas County Grouse Management Area’. The purpose of the property was for research and experimental work on sharp-tailed grouse, prairie chickens and bobwhite quail. In 1948 the State entered into the first of several successive land leases with Douglas County.

Presently, the property is managed for pine barrens habitat, a savanna type plant community. Savannas are plant communities where trees area a component, but grasses and other sun loving herbaceous vegetation dominate. In the pine barrens ecosystem the shrub component is much more extensive than in other savanna types. Pine barrens are a transitional ecosystem, an ecotone between forest and prairie, born of fire and maintained by fire. While sharp-tailed grouse are a focus species of pine barrens habitat and this property many other plant and animal species require or use this habitat type to met their life cycle requirements.

Friends Group

The Friends of the Bird Sanctuary, Inc. was formed to work in partnership with the DNR to protect and preserve the Douglas County Wildlife Management Area. The group conducts education programs and other activities. Visit their web site [Exit DNR] for more information.

Recreation Opportunities

The following recreational opportunities exist at Douglas County Wildlife Area:

Hunting Trapping Hiking: North Country Trail Auto Travel Berry Picking Wildlife Viewing Bird watching

Dog Trials Dog Training Area Dog Kennels* Horse Trails Horse Stables and Corrals* Club House*

* Use of the Club House, horse stables and corrals, dog kennels must be arranged through the Douglas County Forestry and Recreation Department, Solon Springs, 715-378-2219.

Additional Information

Download [PDF 236KB] a map of this property.

Useful Links:

• Hunting in Wisconsin
• Hunting and Trapping Regulations
• Season Dates
• Dog Training and Trialing Regulations
• North Country Trail [Exit DNR]
• Douglas County Information [Exit DNR]
• Plan your trip to Douglas County [Exit DNR]

For more information on Douglas County Wildlife Area contact the property manager.

Questions for Wildlife Management