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WOLF RIVER BOTTOMS WILDLIFE AREA - HERB BEHNKE UNIT

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Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area-Herb Behnke Unit is found in northwest Outagamie County and is approximately 2,500 acres in size. The wildlife area is made up of sandy, forested ridges, multiple impoundments, a spruce plantation, swamp hardwood, wetland and grassland habitat. Of the 2,500 acres of property, 1,800 acres are impounded, 200 acres are in upland timber, 100 acres are in grassland and the remaining acreage is in wetland habitat.

The Herb Behnke Unit was purchased in 1991. It was originally known as the “K&S Unit” after its former owners, Killoren and Spaulding. The Natural Resources Board later dedicated the property to Herb Behnke, a long-time Board member, and it was renamed on May 11, 2006. Formerly, it was an active game farm called Maine Creek Farm. The entire property was surrounded by a fence, of which much has since been removed. The previous owners emphasized trophy deer and waterfowl in their management of the property. Peat harvesting, Christmas tree production, and aquaculture were other uses that were explored and abandoned.

After the Department purchased the property, management focused on recovery of the vegetation from deer overpopulation. Current forest management emphasizes early successional aspen-oak and alder management to favor game species such as deer, turkey, and woodcock. The main emphasis of the property, however, is wetland management. Flowages provide an interspersion of open water and wetland vegetation. There are 22 water control structures that manipulate water levels on 14 flowages, which create 2,070 acres of wetland habitat with 11.05 miles of dikes. Lowland shrub habitat is maintained through mowing and prescribed fire in areas that do not have the potential for sedge meadow management.

Find Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area- Herb Behnke Unit 5 miles north of Shiocton on Highway M. There are three parking areas for the area. Two are located on the West side of County Highway M and the other is at the end of Balsam Road. Additional walk-in access can be reached on the north end of the property using Carpenter Road.

Management Objectives

The Herb Behnke Unit of the Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area — named for the late Herb Behnke, a long-serving Natural Resources Board member — 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. Impoundments are managed to replicate natural disturbances in emergent marsh systems and to provide an interspersion of vegetation and open water. Shrub-carr habitat is maintained through mowing and prescribed fire in areas that do not have high potential for sedge meadow management. 

For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.

Recreation

The Wolf River Bottoms Wildlife Area-Herb Behnke Unit offers many recreational opportunities.

  • Birding
  • Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
  • Hiking (no designated trail)
  • Hunting (noted for deer, turkey, waterfowl and small game)
  • Trapping
  • Wild edibles/gathering
  • Wildlife viewing

Amenities

  • Bathroom - none.
  • Parking lot - There are five parking areas throughout the property.
  • Campground and size - none.
  • Trails, Types and Lengths - non-designated only.

Maps

Download [PDF] a map of this property.

If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.

Adopt a Fish or Wildlife Area

 

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