Buena Vista Wildlife Area
Buena Vista Wildlife Area is a 12,700-acre property located in southwestern Portage County. Buena Vista Wildlife Area consists of scattered parcels 10 miles east of Wisconsin Rapids and 4 miles south of Plover. The area is predominately grassland with some woodland.
This property is dominated by surrogate grasslands, which are dominated by non-native cool season grasses such as Canada bluegrass, orchard grass, timothy, Kentucky bluegrass and smooth brome. Warm-season grasses such as big and little bluestem and switchgrass are found in scattered areas. Forests on the property occur as scattered woodlots, primarily aspen with lesser amounts of oak.
The hydrology of this area has been greatly altered by ditching, drainage and groundwater withdrawals. Despite this, there are several designated trout streams, some of which have a considerably high density of brook trout. Much of the natural channel habitat has been altered, but some natural habitat remains that allows trout populations to persist. There are many trout fishing opportunities along the ditches present on the property. Additionally, the ditches and scattered ponds on the property provide opportunities for duck and goose hunting.
The property harbors a healthy population of other important grassland bird species including Henslow sparrows (state-threatened species), Short-eared owls, Upland sandpipers, Northern harriers, Bobolinks, Eastern and Western meadowlarks, American kestrels, State-threatened Regal Fritillary Butterflies, and Federally Endangered Karner Blue Butterflies to name a few. Birding experiences are plentiful throughout the year. Reservations can be made to view Greater prairie chickens from observation blinds in the spring. Frequently, visiting snowy owls can be observed in the winter.
There is a historical kiosk located in the center of the property, ¼ mile east of the intersections of County Highways W and F, on the south side of County W. The kiosk provides visitors with a large parking area, information on the property’s history and management, as well as a bench to sit and enjoy the “Buena Vista” (Spanish translation - beautiful view).
Management
Property History
Historically, land cover in this area consisted of extensive sedge meadows and spruce-tamarack bogs. In the early 1900s, it was drained for agricultural purposes. In the mid-1950s, a successful partnership among the department, Dane County Conservation League (DCCL) and the Society of Tympanuchus Cupido Pinnatus was created to purchase land specifically for the management of grassland habitat for the greater prairie chicken, a state-threatened species in Wisconsin, and other grassland-dependent species. It is home to the largest concentration of greater prairie chickens in Wisconsin and represents one of the most extensive grasslands east of the Mississippi River.
A proportion of the acreage on the property is owned by two private conservation organizations, mostly DCCL with a small tract owned by the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology. The property harbors a healthy population of other important grassland bird species including Henslow sparrows (state-threatened species), short-eared owls, upland sandpipers, northern harriers, bobolinks and eastern and western meadowlarks, to name a few.
In 2006, it was designated as an Important Bird Area by the Wisconsin Bird Conservation Partnership. Several state natural areas are found within the borders of the property including the Buena Vista Quarry Prairie and the Buena Vista Prairie Chicken Meadow.
Management Objective
Management is focused on maintaining and enhancing open grassland habitat to benefit State-threatened Greater Prairie-chickens and numerous other grassland-dependent wildlife species. Management practices are rotated temporally and spatially to provide a variety of vegetation structures (e.g., heights, densities, etc.) for meeting the year-round habitat needs of different species. Practices include prescribed fire, planting of grass and forb species, brush and herbaceous invasive species mowing, herbicide application, sharecropping (haying and occasionally row crop), timber harvest and conservation grazing.
Fisheries management currently is limited to monitoring and assessment work, enhancing population and habitat connectivity via road crossings, and working with the drainage district on permitted stream and ditch
projects as it relates to habitat management.
Visit the property planning for more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state.
Recreation
The Buena Vista Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail)
- Dog training/trialing
- Fishing
- Hiking (no designated trail)
- Hunting (noted for deer, woodcock, duck, goose, grouse and mourning dove)
- Trapping
- Snowmobiling trail
- Wild edibles/gathering
- Wildlife viewing
Amenities
- Bathroom - none.
- Parking lot - there are three parking lots on the property.
- Campground and size - none.
- Trails, Types and Lengths - non-designated only.
Maps
Download maps of this property — northern section and southern section.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
