CREX MEADOWS WILDLIFE FESTIVAL FEATURES GUIDED BUS TOURS AND WILDLIFE PROGRAMS =20
Wildlife viewing tours and programs on Wisconsin wildlife highlight the 22t= h annual Wildlife Festival (formerly called the Open House) at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Area on Sunday, October 10, starting at 10 am. Hosted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Friends of Crex, the event is designed to better acquaint the public with wildlife and wildlife management activities in the area. The event is free and open to the public. "The open house is an opportunity to learn about this unique prairie-wetlan= d environment," says Jim Hoefler, the area=B9s interpretive wildlife biologist, "and the vistas afforded by the vast wetlands and prairies, provide excellent wildlife viewing." He encourages outdoor enthusiasts to grab family and friends, cameras and binoculars, to join in on the event. Crex Meadows, a 30,000 acre wildlife area located just north of Grantsburg, Wisconsin, is managed for prairie and wetland wildlife. The open house coincides with the peak of fall migration when thousands of sandhill cranes= , ducks, and geese are in the area. Eagles, hawks, deer, and many other kind= s of wildlife will also be seen. The activities take place at the Crex Meadows Wildlife Education and Visito= r Center located on the north side of Grantsburg, just east of the intersection of County Roads "D" and "F". From the stoplights on Highway 70 in Grantsburg, just follow the geese (painted on the road) to the entrance of the Education and Visitor Center. A variety of wildlife programs and demonstrations will be held from 10 am to 5 pm. This year=B9s programs include; retriever dogs, bird/bat house building, trumpeter swans, logging, tomahawk throwing, pond "mucking", furbearers, wildlife photography, raptors (with live birds), wildlife management equipment display/demonstration, and archery. Make sure to take a guided bus tour of Crex Meadows. Tour buses leave the Education Center parking lot at 11 am, 1 pm, 3 pm, and 5pm for a ninety-minute tour. While viewing the birds and mammals from the tour bus, Crex staff will explain the history and management of the wildlife area. Tour participants can expect to see many kinds of birds and other wildlife. Take time to visit the food stand where the The Friends of Crex offer brats= , burgers, and a variety of snacks. Also, check out The Bog Shoe store for a wide assortment of wildlife related books, gifts, and souvenirs. For more information, contact: Jim Hoefler Jim Bishop Crex Meadows Wildlife Area Public Information Officer Grantsburg, WI 54840 Northern Region Headquaters (715) 463-CREX (2739) (715) 635-4242 website: crexmeadows.org Posted for Jim Hoefler by Jim Williams, Wayzata
