Hamilton County Conservation

General Information

Hamilton County Conservation has 13 Natural Resource Areas that encompass 960 acres. These areas range in size from the 3 acre Jeanette Groves Wildlife Refuge to the 283.5 acre Gordon’s Marsh. Prairies, wetlands, and woodlands make-up the majority of the Natural Resource Areas. An additional 60 acre area, the Johnson Addition to Briggs Woods Park, is also managed under the Natural Resource Area Program. This area is comprised of woodlands, reconstructed prairie and a bur oak savanna. Many of these areas are managed in a way that would “duplicate” the structure and function of the site prior to European Settlement. Planting native grasses and forbs, restoring hydrology, controlling noxious and invasive weeds, and the use of prescribed fire are tools that are used to reach management goals. All of the areas are open to the public for wildlife and plant observation as well as other low-impact recreational activities. Most of the common wildlife species can be spotted as well as some of the less common species such as American Bittern, Marsh Wren, Sora, and Northern Harrier. Wildlife viewing is especially good from the observation platform at Bjorkboda Marsh. The remnant prairie and wetland at Bauer Slough is an excellent place to search for uncommon plant species such as Small White Ladies Slippers and Tall Cotton Grass. Large open-grown bur oak trees with limbs touching the ground can be marveled at the Johnson Addition to Briggs Woods Park. Public hunting is allowed on nine of the areas, while the remaining five areas are refuges. Gordon’s Marsh is a Youth Hunting Education Area that requires a permit prior to hunting. One youth (15 years old or younger) and one adult (21 years old or older) are able to reserve, for themselves, a portion of the area for half a day to hunt. Dog training is allowed on the public hunting areas except during March 15 through July 15. Albright’s Canoe Access and Tunnel Mill Canoe Access and Wildlife Management Area are two access sites to the Boone River that provide canoeist and fisherman a good location to start or end a trip down the beautiful Boone River.

Please remember, all federal and state rules and regulations apply to Hamilton County Conservation lands. Find out the State rules and regulations by using the DNR rules

NATURAL RESOURCE AREAS:
Albright's Canoe Access (Public Hunting)

Barner Wildlife Management Area (Public Hunting)

Bauer Slough (Public Hunting)

Bjorkboda Marsh (Wildlife Refuge)

Briggs Woods Park - Johnson Addition (Wildlife Refuge)

Butler Wildlife Conservation Area (Wildlife Refuge)

Coyote Bend Wildlife Management Area (Public Hunting)

Gordon's Marsh Young Hunter Education Area (Youth Hunting by Permit Only)

Heise Wildlife Management Area (Public Hunting)

Mark and Sadie Bishop Conservation Area (Public Hunting)

Masterson Wildlife Management Area (Wildlife Refuge)

Richard's Marsh (Public Hunting)

The Jeanette Groves Wildlife Refuge

Tunnel Mill Canoe Access & Wildlife Management Area (Public Hunting)