Hunters Reminded to Confirm Their Favorite Spots in Southeast Ohio

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Don’t get caught trespassing due to changes to public areas

ATHENS, OH – Access to some popular public hunting lands in southeast Ohio has changed, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

April 14, 2011 marked the end of a five-year agreement between the Southern Ohio Scioto Land Company and the ODNR Division of Wildlife which provided approximately 18,000 acres of public access to hunters in southeast Ohio.

“Many of the former Southern Ohio Scioto Land Company agreement properties were purchased by the ODNR Division of Wildlife over the past several years,” said Mark Hemming, District Manager for Wildlife District 4.  “Hunters are reminded that these 20,000 acres are permanently open to public access for sportsmen and women.”

In 2007, The ODNR Division of Wildlife purchased 4,879 acres in Jackson and Ross Counties.  Broken ARO Wildlife Area in eastern Jackson County provides excellent habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and other forest wildlife species.  Coalton Wildlife Area in northern Jackson County provides good habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and squirrels.  Because of select timbering, the area should provide good ruffed grouse habitat in upcoming years.  Kinnikinnick Wildlife area on the northern edge of Ross County provides excellent fishing in the Scioto River as well as good hunting opportunities.  Several species of spring wildflowers can be found on the area, and the corridor has excellent potential for observing Bald Eagles and other migratory bird species.

In 2010 the Ohio Department of Natural Resources finalized purchase of 15,494 acres in Vinton County, now known as the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest and the Vinton Furnace State Wildlife Area.  This land, formerly known as the Raccoon Ecological Management Area, or REMA, remains permanently open for public hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation.

Information on any of these areas can be found at www.wildohio.com or by calling the Wildlife District 4 Office in southeastern Ohio at 740-589-9930. 

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