Sharp-tailed Grouse Viewing Blinds Open April 1!
Wisconsin DNR and the Friends of the Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area (FNBWA) are pleased to provide this opportunity for people to watch the spring dance of the Sharp-tailed Grouse. Nancy Christel, DNR Wildlife Biologist, provides this advice ahead of heading to the Barrens for your reserved viewing time:
- Viewing blinds open to the public on April 1 – Check the website for important information before heading out! https://www.namekagonbarrens.org/viewing-blinds/
- Birds are not dancing on the north lek this year. Check for new blind viewing locations. There are directions on the website: https://www.namekagonbarrens.org/information-seen-only-in-supersaas-site/
- Do not use Google Maps except to get to the property. Interior trails are mistaken for roads and incorrectly identified on Google Maps and OnX. If a drivable surface is identified as a Road, you may drive on it. If unnamed or identified as a Fire Lane (Gomulak, Clemens and Delong/Lien), public visitor vehicles are not allowed. The exception is the small segment of Gomulak needed south from St Croix Trail to get the cabin site that has the bathrooms and picnic area. Driving through the property on fire lanes is not allowed because birds attempting to establish leks on firebreaks would be disturbed.
- There are new comfy chairs – need to align white tape or they tip.
Every Tuesday through Thursday blinds are reserved for DNR surveys. Once the survey schedule is known, more dates will be released to the public for viewing. If there are no open reservations, check back as the season continues through May 30.
Questions or need handicap access? Contact Wildlife Biologist Nancy Christel at 715-645-0072.
Enjoy the Dance!