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LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The 474-acre Mohican River Wildlife Area, in east-central Ohio, consists of two separate units approximately 5 1/2 miles apart on the lower reaches of the Mohican River. The 121-acre upstream unit is at the village of Brinkhaven and is readily accessible from State Route 62. The lower unit, 353 acres in size, lies about one mile south of the village of Cavallo on Tiverton Township Road 368.
A mixture of woods, reverting old fields, and cropland occupies the river valley bottomlands and hillsides of these two units. The upland woods are predominantly oak-hickory. Elm, ash, silver maple, and sycamore are common species bordering the Mohican River. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry. The stretch of Mohican River which flows through the wildlife area averages over 100 feet wide and is comprised of relatively long, moderately deep pools with occasional riffles.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Most of the land was acquired from the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District in 1958. Additional tracts acquired during the 1960s brought the wildlife area to its present size. The Mohican River Wildlife Area was acquired to provide angler access to the Mohican River. Hunting is also available.
Management work has included the protection and improvement of shrubby coverts and permanent grasslands and maintenance of small portions of open bottomland by cropland management. In 1966, a primitive boat launching ramp and parking lot were developed at the Brinkhaven unit.
FISH AND WILDLIFE
The Mohican River supports a good stream fishery. Smallmouth bass, rock bass, suckers, and catfish are the chief species sought by anglers.
Wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and gray and fox squirrels are the principal forest game species. Cottontail rabbit and woodchuck occupy the more heavily managed cropland, brushland, and old field areas. Furbearers common to the area are those typical of eastern Ohio.
Wood duck, mallard, teal, black duck, Canada geese, and other waterfowl may be found along the river, but mostly as migrants. A variety of songbirds are found on the area in association with the diverse mixture of habitat types.
HUNTING AND FISHING
Habitat for deer is provided by the reverting old fields, with wild crabapple, hawthorn, and dogwood combined with second-growth hardwoods. Oak-hickory groves on the higher slopes provide excellent squirrel hunting. Waterfowl hunting is limited, but frequently productive during fall migration. Woodchuck hunting, although limited to the open fields, is increasing in popularity.
The deep, clear pools immediately below the whitewater riffles are excellent places to use spinners, night crawlers, and soft craws for smallmouth bass and catfish.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
A primitive boat launching ramp and parking lot are available at the Brinkhaven unit. There are no access facilities on the portion of the wildlife area south of Cavallo.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
More information about this wildlife area is available from either of these wildlife district offices: Wildlife District One, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215; telephone (614) 644-3925 or Wildlife District Four, 360 E. State Street, Athens, OH 45701; telephone (740) 594-2211.
TURN IN A POACHER
Ohio’s TIP, “Turn In a Poacher,” program is helping to curtail poaching throughout the state. TIP is designed to involve the public in reporting wildlife violations. Citizens who observe wildlife violations should call the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER. |