Wildlife Areas
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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Bell Center Unit
The Kickapoo River Wildlife Area is a 1400 acre property located within the Lower Kickapoo and Kickapoo Conservation Opportunity Area in Wisconsin’s Wildlife Action plan [PDF 103KB] and is of continental significance for its Driftless area features. The property is also an Important Bird Area [Exit DNR] because the forests in the southern portion of this site are among the largest and most intact in the whole Driftless Area and contain significant populations of forest interior birds such as red-shouldered hawk, Acadian flycatcher, wood thrush, cerulean warbler, and Kentucky warbler. Prairie and savanna habitats host Bell’s vireo, brown thrasher, blue-winged warbler, field sparrow, bobolink, and Eastern meadowlark. Thousands of migrants use the area, particularly in spring. The northern units of the Hogback Prairie State Natural Area are found within the Bell Center Unit.
Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Bell Center Unit began as a perpetual hunting and fishing easement unit of the Lower WI River Wildlife area in 1968. In 1975 the Kickapoo River Wildlife Area was separated from the Lower WI River project and conversion of easements to fee ownership was begun. Gradually about 1100 acres have been converted to DNR fee ownership. About 300 acres remain under easement. Many croplands have been converted to upland cover.
Find it 2 miles south of Gays Mills along STH 131.
Management
Management Objective
The Bell Center Unit is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. The upland forests are primarily southern dry-mesic forest types with management focusing on maintaining oak as a viable forest component, incorporating oak savanna habitat adjacent to bluff prairie sites, and minimizing conversion to northern hardwood types. Bottomland hardwoods are managed passively. Cropland is slowly being converted to prairie, with prescribed fire, mowing and brushing used to maintain the open grassland. 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 Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Bell Center Unit:
- Hunting - Principle game species include waterfowl, woodcock, deer, wild turkeys, pheasants, and furbearers.
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Bird watching
- Canoeing
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Private lands under easement are for hunting and fishing only.
Map
Download [PDF 246KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Bell Center Unit contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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