Dover Wildlife Area
The Dover Habitat Area is an 88-acre property located in the Town of Dover in eastern Racine County. The property can be found at the intersection of STH HWY 20 and Britton Road. A mowed parking area can be found off STH HWY 20, approximately ¼ mile east of the intersection of STH HWY 20 and Britton Road. Seasonal mowed lanes around the perimeter of the property provide access to the various habitats on the property.
The property is an island of habitat in a sea of agriculture. The combination of brushy grasslands and wet prairies, marsh and woodlands provides good birding and wildlife watching opportunities and offers opportunities for deer and spring turkey hunting. The property serves as a refuge area and is closed to entry from Sept. 1 to Dec. 31, except for the gun deer season.
In 2007, an 8.58-acre parcel was donated to the department from the DOT. The parcel was part of the mitigation for the road work done on HWY 20. As part of the mitigation, DOT planted a diverse prairie area and created two shallow scrapes.
Management Objectives
The property was purchased by the state in 1967, and the Department of Transportation transferred an 8.5-acre parcel in the northeast corner to the DNR. The property is managed to provide opportunities for deer hunting, spring turkey hunting, trapping, waterfowl habitat and other outdoor recreation while protecting the unique native communities and associated species found on the property.
Dover property management focuses on keeping grassland and wet prairie areas free of brush, maintaining open water areas in the marsh and keeping hardwood stand understories semi-open. This is done by using periodic prescribed burns, brush mowing, herbicide treatments and tree cutting. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or biocontrol.
Visit the property planning for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state.
Recreation
The Dover Wildlife Area offers recreational opportunities outside of the closed period (Sept. 1 to Dec. 31):
- Birding
- Hiking (no designated trails)
- Hunting (gun deer season only, plus small game and spring turkey outside closed period)
- Trapping
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - yes.
- 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.
