Amberg Wildlife Area

Management Objectives

Amberg Wildlife Area lies within the center of an area that, since settlement days, has been classic wildlife habitat in northeastern Wisconsin, a complex of forests grown up from old slashings, burns, abandoned farms and prairies planted to pine. In 1948, the first of the land was purchased by the state with the intent of managing for deer yard habitat. By the late 1950s, most of the land acquisition was complete and deer yard management efforts ceased as deer did not yard on the property.

Amberg 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 property is managed primarily for forest game species and associated habitat types. It is listed in Wisconsin's wildlife action plan as a Conservation Opportunity Area for state significant forested wetland blocks. Management is focused to perpetuate old northern wet-mesic forest grading to northern dry-mesic forest. Amberg is also listed as a site for managing pine/oak barrens of global significance [PDF]. A portion of the property is managed with prescribed fire, ground layer enhancement and timber management to maintain pine/oak barrens habitat.