Proposed Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

I attended this presentation Sunday and found it very interesting.

http://www.hackmatacknwr.org/index.htm

Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 8:20 am

There sure are a lot of caches in that area. I hope they will be grandfathered in. I have found only about 20% of them in that area.

Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 4:33 pm

Going to affect a few snowmobile trails also, I imagine since the rules for wildlife refuges are pretty similar that it will be alot like what we have here for the Upper Mississippi Refuge in that alot of activities are prohibited.

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:50 pm

Hackmatack. It has a cool name.... wink

Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 9:11 pm

What did you learn at the presentation? I know there was a move to establish a Driftless National Park in our area, but I'm not sure where that's sitting anymore. Even though it might mean less area to place caches, it could also mean a fun park ranger retirement job, LOL.

WGA Member Joined: 2009-08-17 Posts: 126

Secretary Ken Salazar has approved the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge in southern Wisconsin and sorthern Illinois.
See link for info...

http://www.doi.gov/news/pressreleases/Salazar-Green-Lights-New-Hackmatack-National-Wildlife-Refuge.cfm

Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 8:58 pm

This could be a good opportunity to work with the land managers for this Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge.

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 5:54 am

Ooh, I want to work there!

Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2012 8:13 pm

Actually, the map they are using is just a "boundary" for where they are looking to somehow acquire land. Unlike some of the areas in western Wisconsin, this area is chock full of cities and villages, subdivisions, agricultural lands, and industrial properties (They just barely missed my house with that map!) While I suspect there will eventually be "something", my bet is on something pretty minor.

That said, the USFWS has basically banned geocaching (including earthcaches) on their lands....except for when they allow it (meaning when THEY want to place a cache). All activities in the refuges must be "Wildlife oriented", so something related to geology (or just something for fun) is just not allowed by the bureaucrats involved. Note that camping is generally not allowed in these areas either. In theory, hiking is not even allowed, unless it is for wildlife watching. What I'm trying to say is that the chance of us being able to actually use this land for geocaching is practically nil at this point.

Posted: Sun Aug 19, 2012 9:23 am

How would that affect any existing bike paths on lands that they grab?

Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2012 7:52 am

I know over here with the Upper Mississippi refuge that snowmobile trails have to be rerouted around even if they were there before the refuge existed. Parts of the Great River trail go through the refuge and there is no issues with that being cut off however, across the river in Minnesota the DNR and the Fed's are bumping heads as Minnesota wants to extend a bike trail and the route takes it through the refuge. Sounds like they are talking land swap at the moment. So it will hold up new ones and be a pain for anyone trying to do things near it.

WGA Member Joined: 2007-05-25 Posts: 3

The Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge will destroy all snowmobiling, horseback riding, geocaching, hunting, fishing and many other activities in all areas that they take over.
Just take a look at the Horicon National Wildlife Refuge! Its for the birds and the small animals ONLY. Even the trails are limited to a very small area for viewing with binoculars. Forget geocaching or even hiking thru the area, you might disturb a plant or scare a chipmunk!
I live 10 minutes from the proposed area and am an active member of one of the 2 snowmobile clubs that will lose 90% of our trails due to this.
Dont get me started.. but if you want the truth, dont listen to Fish and Wildlife.