New Auburn Wildlife Area
Find it by following Highway SS south of Chetek for 4.5 miles. The property is on the east side of the highway. Or, head north of New Auburn for 2 miles on 29th Street. Parking lots are located on the north, east and west sides of the wildlife area.
Management Objectives
The project was developed in 1942 with an initial purchase of 550 acres of marsh. In 1960, the property boundary was enlarged to its current acquisition goal. The area has a well-defined system of level ditches indicating many attempts to use the land for agriculture. Past use of the area included hay production, pasturing and vegetable farming. Current use of the property centers around hunting, trapping and wildlife watching. Prairies have been established on the south and north ends of the property for waterfowl and grassland bird nesting. There are some impressive concentrations of Canada geese on private land surrounding the property. Sandhill cranes can be seen in good numbers in the fall, and there are some breeding pairs present in the spring. There is an excellent viewing location from an overlook by the parking lot on the southeast part of the property. Prescribed burns are regularly used to maintain the prairie grass fields.
Recreation
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The New Auburn Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding (sandhill cranes and songbirds are regularly seen);
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Hiking;
- Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl, deer, ruffed grouse, squirrels and rabbits);
- Trapping (especially noted for beaver, muskrats and otter);
- Wild edibles/gathering; and
- Wildlife viewing.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
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