Wildlife Areas
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Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Wauzeka Unit
The Kickapoo River Wildlife Area is a 5697 acre property (1927 acres state-owned and 3770 acres private lands under easement for hunting and fishing only) 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 Kickapoo Wild Woods State Natural Area is found within the Wauzeka Unit.
Property 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.
Find it one half mile north of STH 60 on STH 131.
Management
Management Objective
The Wauzeka 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 – Wauzeka Unit:
- Hunting - Principle game species include waterfowl, squirrels, deer, wild turkeys, and furbearers.
- Trapping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Berry picking, nut and mushroom gathering
- Cross Country Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Bird watching - birds of interest include woodland songbirds, great white egrets, and bald eagles.
- Canoeing
- Notable feature: It is a site of an active University of Wisconsin – Madison, Dept. of Forestry oak management study.
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Private lands under easement are for hunting and fishing only.
Map
Download [PDF 405KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Kickapoo River Wildlife Area – Wauzeka Unit contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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