Turtle Creek Wildlife Area
Turtle Creek Wildlife Area is a 1,035-acre property located in western Walworth and eastern Rock counties. The property snakes along 10 miles of Turtle Creek in four segments from Delavan to South O'Riley Road. There are 10 road crossings and/or parking lots scattered through the length of the property.
The habitat consists of sedge meadow, shrub carr, hardwood forest and small prairie remnants. Large fall and winter concentrations of Canada geese can be seen at Turtle Creek. It is also home to a number of rare fish and reptile species. Hunting/viewing opportunities include deer, waterfowl, small game and partridge. Mourning dove hunting is available on natural field/dike edges as well as sharecropped fields of corn, hay and soybeans.
Turtle Creek is featured in the Southern Savanna Region of the Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail as a property on which to see yellow, blue-winged and golden warblers, along with eastern meadowlarks, brown thrashers and lark sparrows.
Management Objectives
Turtle Creek is identified as Conservation Opportunity Area for medium-size rivers and streams of Upper Midwest/Regional significance within the Southeast Glacial Plains Ecological Landscape according to Wisconsin's Wildlife Action Plan. The wildlife area is managed to provide opportunities for public hunting, fishing, trapping and other outdoor recreation while protecting the qualities of the unique native communities and associated species found on the property. The sedge meadow and shrub carr communities are managed through prescribed burning, mowing and herbicide use to limit brush encroachment, encourage the sedge meadow community and limit the spread of reed canary grass. Shelterwood harvests are prescribed to maintain and regenerate the limited oak resource along this linear property. Populations of invasive species are controlled or eliminated by cutting, pulling, burning, herbicide treatment and/or bio-control.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
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The Turtle Creek Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities:
- Birding;
- Canoeing;
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Fishing;
- Hiking (no designated trail);
- Hunting;
- Trapping;
- 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.
