Nature at Buckhorn State Park

• Scenic Vista
• Prairie and Savanna Restorations
• State Natural Areas
• Wildlife
• More Information

Buckhorn State Park includes a number of different environments, ranging from floodplain forest to prairie, savanna, and desert-like areas. We encourage you to explore these areas. Personal experience with nature has no substitute.

An old stump is a natural sculpture, a moss garden, and a demonstration of natural recycling.
Photo © Jeri Faber

Wildlife

Face-to-face encounters with resident wild animals are the rule, rather than the exception. The Buckhorn Wildlife Area is managed to encourage and preserve wildlife and plant communities typically found in central Wisconsin. Canada geese, herons, sandhill cranes, ducks, muskrats, beavers, otters and mink all frequent the marshes and sloughs. Uplands are home to whitetail deer, coyotes, wild turkeys, and even an occasional black bear. Hawks and owls hunt remnant prairies and mixed oak-pine stands in search of mice, snakes, insects and other prey.

Scenic Vista

The Sandblow Walk leads you out onto a typical central Wisconsin sandblow. This desert-like area recalls the park's Ice Age history when the region was covered by glacial Lake Wisconsin. There are two interpretive signs at this site.

A boardwalk and observation platform give visitors a view of the sandblow area.
DNR Photo

Prairie and Savanna Restorations

Juneau County was part of the original major region of prairies and open savannas in Wisconsin. Oak barrens and oak savannas/barrens were most typical types of prairie in the central sands area. Oak savannas/barrens are grasslands with occasional large oak trees predominating, while prairies are large grasslands without trees.

Without fire and grazing, forests replaced the open savannas and prairies. The change in habitat meant the loss of habitat for grassland songbirds, certain game birds, such as grouse and ring-necked pheasants, other insects and reptiles.

Buckhorn State Park has several areas of prairie restoration. Several large areas in the northeast section of the park were planted some years ago and have a beautiful growth of big bluestem and Indian grass, as well as some flowering forbs such as bergamot, goldenrod, asters, flowering spurge and round-headed bush clover.

Several areas along the main park road are marked for savanna restoration. Many park visitors wonder about the large number of dead oaks in this area. A fungus called "oak wilt" that spreads quickly through the roots killed the oaks within a short time.

Area residents who pay a small fee for firewood permits are now removing the dead wood. In spring, when weather permits, prescribed burns will be used to remove brush, leaves and dead grasses. Studies have shown that doing this encourages the re-establishment of prairie grasses and plants whose root systems and seeds are in the soil.

Some native prairie seeds will be planted. Seeds are obtained from a nursery specializing in prairie plants of this area, from Bureau of Endangered Resource sites, and through collection of seeds from the existing prairie areas here and at Roche-A-Cri State Park.

To learn more about prairie restoration, walk along the prairie areas in the park, check the park bulletin boards and office, and attend the naturalist programs on prairies.

You also can hike on the 1.5-mile barrens nature trail and pond trail. Large, full-color nature signs along the trails explain what barrens are, what oak wilt is, plants and animals found in barrens, and how the area is being restored. A 100- by 100-foot deer enclosure was built in 2007 along the pond trail. Deer cannot get into the fenced area. We will be able to monitor plants inside the fence and show the difference between them and the ones where deer can browse.

Threatened Bird Calls Buckhorn Home

Spotting its prey, the large bird plummets from 80 feet above the river. The bird disappears briefly in a spray of water emerging a moment later clasping a two-pound walleye in its talons. While straining to gain altitude, the bird changes its grip on the fish so it's carried easily, with its head into the wind. You've just seen an osprey, a large rare bird of prey that feeds exclusively on fish. The catch will be shared with newly hatched chicks back at the nest.

Osprey generally nest in large trees or on rocky cliffs, but they will accept nest platforms on top of tall trees. A few such man-made nest sites are along the shoreline in Buckhorn State Park.

The osprey has never been common, but the use of DDT and other "hard" pesticides caused a drastic decline in their numbers in the 1950s and 1960s. Since the banning of DDT in 1972 the species has slowly increased in number, but remains on the Wisconsin threatened species list. Osprey are seen here on a regular basis, so keep your eyes on the sky while visiting Buckhorn.

This may be your only chance to see one in the wild. The osprey is mostly white underneath, but its back is brownish-black. A conspicuous dark "stripe" runs across its cheeks. These birds often spotted gliding above the river in search of their next meal. Watch for these "anglers;" they're real experts.

State Natural Areas

Two State Natural Areas were designated in 2002. The 2000-acre Buckhorn Barrens State Natural Area overlays the park and Buckhorn Wildlife Area.

The 820-acre Yellow River Oxbows State Natural Area overlays a portion of Yellow River Wildlife Area. This area consists of oxbows and floodplain forests.

For More Information

Be sure to stop at the park office during your visit. There are several animal mounts for you to inspect, as well as displays of artifacts left by Native Americans and early white settlers. The interpretive room also has craft activities. You will also want to see the various brochures and publications available. You can borrow guidebooks for the day.

The office has free copies of Wisconsin Explorer activity books. Children can complete activities at the park or at home and then receive a patch. Children can also borrow the Smokey, forestry, or fish backpacks.

For more information, ask Buckhorn State Park, (608) 565-2789.