The Friends of Sandhill, Inc. was founded as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2002. All our activities and funds raised directly support the Sandhill Educational and Demonstration Area and its visitors. We are a diverse community dedicated to enhancing educational, interpretive, and visitor service programs at Sandhill.
The Trumpeter Trail is a 14-mile auto tour that takes about two hours to complete. A shorter route is also available. Along the trail, visitors can view and appreciate how the forces of people and nature affect wildlife and their habitat in central Wisconsin. (From Wisconsin DNR)
Since 1876, Wisconsin has been acquiring land to meet conservation and recreation needs. Public lands managed by the DNR provide many opportunities for public enjoyment—people can hunt, fish, trap, hike, canoe, or watch and photograph wildlife. All wildlife areas are managed to sustain the wildlife and natural communities found on the properties and to support traditional outdoor recreational uses.
Sandhill Wildlife Area has special hunting and trapping requirements.
The Trumpeter Trail is an auto tour loop generally open for vehicle access from mid-April through October. Even during the open season, the entrance gate is always closed when you arrive. To enter, please open the gate and close it promptly behind you. If the gate is locked, the Trumpeter Trail Auto Tour is closed to vehicle traffic.
You may still access the property through the walk-in gates, which remain unlocked unless there is a deer hunt or other event occurring. (A second walk-in gate is located approximately one mile west on Ball Road.) Always close gates securely behind you.
We sponsor the annual Open House, as well as several workshops throughout the year. Typically, we host at least two workdays—in spring and fall—to help clear hiking trails and maintain the area around the Dorm and Outdoor Skills Center. Among other projects, we’ve installed signage, built shelters for firewood and recycling, added plant ID markers in the prairie plots, refurbished picnic tables, and completed various improvements on the property. We also assist with the Learn to Hunt deer program. Additionally, we offer Sandhill-branded merchandise for sale during events held at the Skills Center.
You may forage for these and other wild edibles for personal use only—not for sale. BE SURE you can properly identify anything you plan to pick or eat.
Yes and no. Trapping and other hunting is allowed on the property, so there are times when the risk is too great to allow your dog off-leash. At other times, as long as you understand the risks, can control your dog, and be ultra vigilant in your dog's immediate surroundings (they are not to chase wildlife), it is OK to allow them to be off-leash. Please be understanding that others may not be comfortable around dogs (on or off-leash).
You can find the membership form on this website. Please either print and complete the form to send by mail, or send the requested information along with your check (made out to Friends of Sandhill) to the Treasurer:
Vicki Palen, FOS Treasurer
3837 County Road N
Milladore, WI 54454
Email: vpalen@tds.net
E-mail your request to: vpalen@tds.net