History

Wallace and Hazel Grange Timeline

Wallace and Hazel Grange managed and fenced the land that became the Wisconsin DNR's Sandhill Wildlife Area. Here's a brief overview of their efforts and accomplishments.

(*These events preceded the Game Farm and led to the conditions that allowed the Granges to acquire the land.)
*1920 – 1925

Extensive Ditch Networks

Extensive ditch networks dug to drain marshes around Babcock to encourage farming.

Farm Failures

Peaty or sandy soils and frequent frosts cause many farmers to abandon the Babcock area farms.

Wallace's Leadership

Wallace appointed FIRST chief of Game Management in the Wisconsin Conservation Dept. This is the first of several positions Wallace held with the state.

Economic Struggles

Stock market crash and Depression compounded problems farmers had trying to grow crops in peaty soils near Babcock.

Environmental Struggles

Wildfire sweeps across 400+ square miles of marsh and upland in central Wisconsin.

Establishing Sandhill

Wallace and Hazel establish Sandhill Game Farm, enclosing about 7448 acres with a “deer proof” fence.

First Wildlife Relocation

First deer are live-trapped for shipment to an eastern state for release. Later, minnows, grouse and other animals are trapped and sold to support the Game Farm.

Electricity

REA brings electricity to the Grange property.

Relocation and Running Water

The Granges move houses and other buildings to a central location for convenience and due to gas rationing. Granges get first running water in their house by means of an electric pump.

World War II Service

Wallace joins the Navy Seabees and enters World War II. Hazel runs the game farm herself with 4 employees.

Wallace's Return

Wallace is discharged from the Navy and returns home, resuming his work at Sandhill Game Farm.

New Fence Construction

A new fence is built with updated specifications to improve the management of Sandhill Game Farm.

Publication of "The Way to Game Abundance"

Wallace's book, The Way to Game Abundance, is published by Scribner based on his experiences and research at Sandhill. The fence is also expanded to enclose 9,150 acres.

Cabin on the Marsh

With the help of Del Lambert, Wallace and Hazel build a cabin on the marsh, further enhancing the Game Farm experience.

Flambeau Publishing Founded

Hazel starts Flambeau Publishing Company in the basement of their home to publish Wallace's book Those of the Forest, a manuscript gifted to her for their 25th wedding anniversary.

Burroughs Award for Conservation Writing

Wallace wins the prestigious Burroughs Award for Those of the Forest. He and Hazel travel to New York City to accept the award.

Land Donation

Wallace and Hazel sell Sandhill to Wisconsin, ensuring its preservation. The deed stipulated that for at least 50 years the north half would remain a refuge for waterfowl and Sandhill itself would be used for research and education.

Wallace's Passing

Wallace passes away and is buried in the Babcock cemetery. Hazel returns to Sandhill to dedicate a memorial plaque for Wallace along the Trumpeter Trail, overlooking the marshes.

Conservation Hall of Fame Induction

Wallace is inducted into the Wisconsin Conservation Hall of Fame for his contributions to wildlife management and conservation.

Hazel's Memoir

Lost River Press publishes Hazel's memoir, Live Arrival Guaranteed, recounting her experiences at Sandhill Game Farm.

Hazel's Passing

Hazel passes away and is buried in the Babcock cemetery, alongside Wallace.

Wallace Grange's Memoir

Wallace Grange recalls his first days at Sandhill, a wild horse named Rowdy, and his early bond with the land.

Sandhill Game Farm Beginnings

Arrival:

1937 – Sandhill Game Farm (We named our farm Sandhill Game Farm, after the Sandhill Crane.)

In April, 1937, I drove down to our Wood County land and rented a small vacant house next to our property to serve as headquarters and I bought a horse and saddle.

The horse’s name was “Rowdy, which should have suggested something to me, but did not. For the first time since my Wyoming days, I would be riding again, I looked forward to it with pleasure. Rowdy, however, did not at all like the idea of having a man astride his back. He had well-conceived plans to see that the man in the saddle did not stay there. Again and again, close to low branching trees, he rushed off course under the limbs in an obvious effort to brush me off. He was very hard-mouthed, difficult to control. The brushing off strategem, after an experience or two, I managed to circumvent. Then, one day, wishing to observe Prairie Chickens booming on a grassy flat on our property, I rode Rowdy toward them. To reach the birds, it was necessary to cross a side lateral ditch. In my eagerness to see the Prairie Chickens, I paid all too little attention to my horse. Apparently seeing this, Rowdy bucked me off flying, throwing me into the water of the ditch. Jolted and hurt, I managed to crawl out of the water before I drowned, pulled myself up to the sand bank where I lay for perhaps an hour or more before painfully walking about two miles to the house. I had cracked a rib besides which I was bruised and sore. A doctor taped me up. I sold the horse as quickly as possible----the purchaser knowing full well what had happened.

Later, I did have a reliable horse, reared nearby and more familiar with our land than I was for she had many times been turned out to range at will. On one occasion when it was in my mind to proceed in one direction, Sal appeared to want to go in another. Curious, I left the choice to the horse and she took us to an old horse and cattle trail and across a small dike and through some young Aspen trees I had not known existed.

My four-footed guide knew all the shortcuts. I wished the horse could talk for she knew a lot about the country.

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