Via Friends of Crex and the Wisconsin DNR:
Visit Crex Meadows in October for our annual Fall Wildlife Festival! There will be Sandhill Crane Tours, property tours, an archery range, mucking in the education pond, live animals, and more!
Crex Meadows Wildlife Area is a 30,000-acre property of wetlands, brush prairies, and forests scattered across a gently rolling landscape located near Grantsburg.
More than 100,000 people visit Crex each year. The popularity of Crex is attributed to its large size, spectacular vistas, and great diversity of plants and wildlife. A system of well maintained roads, observation areas and a rest area provide excellent access and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Some events may require pre-registration. Call the Visitor Center for more information or to register.
Programs
(Pre-registration my be required for some programs)
Morning with the Sandhills Tour
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Take a guided tour through Crex Meadows to watch the Sandhill Cranes fly out from their nighttime roosting grounds to their daytime feeding grounds. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Raptor Center
10:00 a.m.– 11:00 a.m.
Join us for a presentation by the Raptor Center about birds in Wisconsin & Minnesota! This program will include a LIVE Bald Eagle!
Raptor Center Interpretive Booth
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
Join the Raptor Center of MN after their presentation for an interpretive booth featuring LIVE ANIMALS!
Wildlife Ecology
11:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m.
Join Chris Cold, WI DNR Wildlife Technician, for a presentation on Wildlife Ecology. This program will include LIVE ANIMALS!!
Sunset with the Sandhills Tour
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Take a guided bus tour through Crex Meadows to watch the Sandhill Cranes fly in from their daytime feeding grounds to their nightly roosting grounds. Also learn about the natural history of Sandhill Cranes, and why they are able to thrive in our area. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
On-Going Activities
Archery Range
9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Come learn how to shoot a compound bow! We will have several different targets out that both kids and adults can practice shooting at! Hit a bullseye to win a prize. Ages 10+.
Family Activities Classroom
10:00 am– 1:00 pm
Come to the classroom and surrounding trails for family activities including hikes, mucking in the pond, scavenger hunts, snacks, and more!
Mess Hall Fundraiser Lunch
11:00 am start
Join the Friends of Crex for a lunch in support of the Mess Hall Fund. Wild rice soup and sandwiches will be served. Donations are always appreciated!
Primitive Weapons Demonstration
1:00 pm-3:00 pm
Join Arthur Boehm for a demonstration on making primitive weapons. Learn about which materials are used and why, and learn how raw materials are harvested, processed and assembled to make the tools and weapons hat were an important part of survival for primitive cultures.
Also going on all day: Enter to win your own Wood Duck house!
For more information, contact: Lauren Finch, Natural Resources Educator, Lauren.finch@wisconsin.gov or 715-463-2739.