Proposed Boundary Expansion for the Pershing Wildlife Area

This feasibility study considers the boundary expansion of the Pershing Wildlife Area in Taylor County. The existing property consists of two units totaling approximately 7,900 acres. The proposed expansion will create a common boundary by focusing on the 6,080 acres between the two units, and add an additional 920 acres to the northwest corner of the northern unit. This alternative has the potential to maximize the open landscape between the units and to increase access to the existing property in seven locations. It provides an opportunity to acquire over 13 miles of the Fisher River corridor and feeder streams and over two miles of Shoulder Creek.

In 1953, the Pershing Wildlife Area was established as a public hunting ground. The primary goals were to manage intensively for the production of waterfowl and sharp-tailed grouse, to provide public hunting and trapping, and to accommodate other limited, compatible, nature-oriented uses. Need for this expansion project focuses on the opportunity for increasing the amount of sustainable open landscape habitat and managing for quality grassland and wetland habitat. By doing so the Department can enhance Wisconsin’s priority conservation opportunity areas for wildlife species of greatest conservation need as recommended in the Department’s Land Legacy Report, Statewide Sharp-tailed Grouse Management Plan, and Wildlife Action Plan.

Review the Feasibility Study and Environmental Analysis [PDF 120KB]

Review the maps:

• Proposed Expansion Area [PDF 316KB]
• Proposed Expansion Area Alternative [PDF 315KB]
• Regional View [PDF 534KB]
• Hydric Soil Groups [PDF 1.1MB]
• Prime Farmland [PDF 1.1MB]

Questions may be directed to:

Mark Schmidt,
Pershing Wildlife Area Property Manager
Department of Natural Resources
N4103 Highway 27
Ladysmith, Wisconsin 54848