Viewing Blinds

NEW in 2025: Access leks via town roads and limit driving within the property in order to minimize disturbances to newly established leks now present throughout much of the property. This is a good problem to have.

Sharp-tailed grouse viewing is available in April and May. Friends of Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area (FNBWA) and the Wisconsin DNR make blinds available for up-close viewing of the remarkable and entertaining mating dance of the sharp-tailed grouse on the Namekagon Barrens Wildlife Area (NBWA). The NBWA is a 6,500-acre globally rare, pine/oak barrens home to a host of exceptional wildlife. Reservations fill up quickly, but cancelations are common, so check back often. The early morning wake-up is well worth it to watch from just a few feet away as males show off, competing for the chance to mate.

Steps For Registering:

1) If this is your first time (or you want a refresher):

2) Read the 2025 DNR blind use protocol and reserve a blind. (HERE)

3) Please donate. The FNBWA requests a minimum donation of $20 per blind reservation. See (HERE) for all that FNBWA has done with your donations.

5) Please report any problems in making your reservation using Contact Us (HERE)

Information for planning your visit:

* Directions for reaching the blinds and parking areas are on the reservations Web site (HERE) or above. Visit your blind sometime during the day before the morning you go to see the dance.

* All blinds have 3 seats. There is room for a 4th person if people are small and/or willing to be cozy, but you will need to bring an extra seat. You reserve the whole blind, not just a seat in the blind. You can watch the birds with binoculars and take photos through the window flaps on all sides of the blinds.

* A porta potty is available by the cabin on the Gomulak fire lane as soon as the weather allows the contractor to move it to the location. Visit link (HERE) or above. Please properly dispose of toilet paper if you use the natural outdoor facilities. We suggest waiting to drink your warm drink until you are in the blind. 😊

* Camping is not allowed on the NBWA. See the Lodging Information page. (HERE)

* Initial sign-up is limited to 2 blinds/days. Look back in April or May to add more days.

* If you cannot keep a reservation, please cancel as soon as possible. (HERE)

* More videos of the mating dance are available on the FNBWA YouTube page (HERE).