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Killsnake Wildlife Area
Killsnake Wildlife Area is located in both southeastern Calumet and southwestern Manitowoc Counties. The property is approximately 7000 acres with a desired goal of 9106 acres.
The landscape consists of prairie grasslands, uplands with large wetland-grassland complex, bottomland hardwood forest, a small area of cedar swamp, a small area of tamarack and bog, agricultural landscape, small areas of upland forest and over 50 small wetland restorations. Several rivers also run through the property (South Branch—Manitowoc River, Cedar Creek and Killsnake River).
Find Killsnake Wildlife Area taking Hwy 57 to Chilton then head east on Hwy 151 for approximately 5 miles. Take a left on Lemke Road heading north through the interior of the property.
Management
History of Management
In 1948, the Killsnake Bottoms and Cedar Creek area, which occupied about 4500 acres within the present boundary, were set up as leased areas. The first land was purchased in 1956 in Manitowoc County and in the mid-1960’s the property was expanded into Calumet County. Property was originally set up as a goose satellite area. Today the property size is around 7000 acres. Farming occurs on over 1000 acres involving agriculture crops. Restorations of prairie on over 1500 acres along with small wetlands totaling over 50 sites continue to add to the diversity of this property.
Management Objective
Presently, prescribe burning for grasslands is maintained for a variety of wildlife, water control management on small impoundments or ponds is controlled by manipulating water levels, agricultural fields are maintained for food production for people and wildlife and sustained forest management to yield fiber and optimize habitat for wildlife.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Killsnake Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - Pheasant (2 p.m. closure), waterfowl (limited to small impoundments and rivers within property), deer, turkey, mourning doves (in natural habitat and harvested winter wheat fields) and cottontail rabbits
- Trapping - Limited to rivers and restored wetlands
- Wildlife Viewing - To get a great overview of the property stop at the Aebischer Road (Hill) parking lot. Both upland and lowland areas are viewed. Property is mostly open and geared towards grassland species. Lots of prairie grasses and forbs have been restored on the uplands adding to the color of the landscape.
- Bird watching - Winter offers opportunities for raptors such as short-eared owls, rough-legged hawks. Summer viewing offers sandhill cranes and bob-o-links.
- Canoeing - on the Manitowoc River and limited on Killsnake River
- Hiking - Great area to walk for hundreds of yards amongst the prairie and view landscape of hundreds of acres. Several osprey platforms have been erected with ospreys nesting throughout the breeding season.
- Notable Feature - Property has a wealth of archaeological history because of the confluence of several rivers. Many are on the National Register.
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Map
Download [PDF 263KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Killsnake Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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