Ackley Wildlife Area
Welcome to Ackley Wildlife Area, located on State Highway 64, 12 miles west of Antigo and 14 miles east of Merrill. Shortly after the turn of the century, harvest of the original hardwood, hemlock and pine timber types occurred in the area now known as the Ackley Wildlife Area. Later, wildfires and attempts at farming reduced the cover types to grasses, shrubs and aspen. These activities resulted in the wildlife area and surrounding lands developing into ideal habitat for sharp-tailed grouse.
This property was originally created in 1951 as an area to manage for sharp-tailed grouse. Since that time, wildlife managers have developed 27 shallow waterfowl flowages encompassing more than 400 acres of water. The remainder of the property is a mix of native grasslands, aspen and northern hardwood stands.
If you like hunting, Ackley provides excellent opportunities to pursue a variety of game species, such as deer, turkey, black bear, ruffed grouse, woodcock and waterfowl. Beavers, muskrats, fishers and coyotes are abundant on this property and on the 27,000 acres of surrounding county forest lands.
Management Objectives
Ackley Wildlife Area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. Current management objectives include maintaining the health, vigor and diversity of northern hardwood stands and the aspen type to provide wildlife habitat and aesthetic values. Wetlands are managed to maintain and enhance the quality and extent of emergent marsh to benefit waterfowl. Native grasslands are managed and maintained through prescribed burning, mowing and herbicide use to limit brush encroachment and encourage vigorous stands. Where feasible, populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or biocontrol.
Recreation
The Ackley Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Biking
- Birding
- Camping (open seasonally, rustic pull-in spots with no amenities)
- Canoeing
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Snowmobiling trail
- Trapping
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wild rice harvesting
- Wildlife viewing
Note: Ackley Wildlife Area is surrounded by Langlade County Forest Lands open to the public.
Amenities
- Bathroom - None.
- Parking lot - Yes.
- Campground and size - Yes, see above for more information.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - Yes.
Maps
Download a map of this property. Map A [PDF] and Map B [PDF]
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
Find out more about how to adopt this wildlife area.