Wildlife Areas
Wildlife Management Project Areas
- Central WI Grasslands Conservation Area
- SW WI Grassland & Stream Conservation Area
- Glacial Habitat
Restoration Areas - Western Prairie Habitat Restoration Area
Other Recreation Lands
- State Parks
- State Fisheries Areas
- State Natural Areas
- State Trails
- State Forests
- Forest Legacy Program
- County Parks and Forests
- State Parks & Trails Hunting Opportunities
- Wild Rivers
- Voluntary Public Access Program
- Interactive Map Viewer
Statewide Recreation Opportunities
Waterloo Wildlife Area
Waterloo Wildlife Area is a property of approximately 4000 acres with a diverse range of habitat types. These habitat types include open water marsh, sedge meadow, fens (including a state natural area), lowland and upland hardwoods, some native prairie, and extensive shrub carr.
The property is located in northwestern Jefferson County and southwestern Dodge County approximately one mile east of the city of Waterloo. Waterloo Wildlife Area is a sprawling set of state owned properties spread across an area about 2 miles east to west and 7 miles north to south.
Though the property is still a good location for seeing ring-necked pheasant, it has also become known for its deer and wild turkey hunting opportunities. Good waterfowl hunting can be found at times on the restored wetlands. Wildlife watching opportunities abound and can be accessed from any of the parking lots on the property. A wide range of both game and non-game species can be seen, especially those associated with wetland habitats. These might include various ducks and wading birds, mink, otter, beaver, blandings turtles, and many more. Mourning dove hunting opportunities exist on 2 managed sunflower fields.
Management
Management Objective
Historically, Waterloo Wildlife Area has been known as pheasant country. The Wisconsin Conservation Department managed the property for ring-necked pheasant hunting and collected considerable hunter/user data throughout the years of ownership. In the 1970’s Wisconsin DNR research personnel accomplished a large range of important research projects which included pheasant nest success, habitat manipulation for pheasants, and predator/prey relationships which included red fox and various raptors.
In more recent years management emphasis has focused on wetland restoration, reestablishment and maintenance of native prairie, and protection and management of remnant native habitats. The Waterloo Prairie State Natural Area lies within the boundaries of Waterloo Wildlife Area. The Waterloo Prairie consists of two units of low, wet grasslands and feature raised calcareous fens and springs which still harbor numerous native species of flora.
For a complete list of resource management, development, and protection objectives, as well as public use management and development objectives, see Appendix D in the recently approved Glacial Heritage Area Feasibility Study, Master Plan and Environmental Impact Statement.
Recreation
The following recreational opportunities exist at Waterloo Wildlife Area:
- Hunting - pheasant, deer, turkey, waterfowl, mourning dove, other small game
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Snowmobiling Trail
- Pets (Note)
- Berry picking
- Cross country skiing
- Bird watching
- Wildlife viewing
- Fishing
- Canoeing
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Map
Download [PDF 426KB] a map of this property.
Useful Links
For more information on Waterloo Wildlife Area contact the property manager.
Questions for Wildlife Management
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