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LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
This 752-acre wildlife area lies south of Lisbon in Columbiana County. Access is provided from East Liverpool Road which runs west of the area.
The area lies in the unglaciated region of northeast Ohio. The terrain is gently rolling to very steep, and the West Fork of the Little Beaver Creek bisects the area. The area consists of a diverse habitat: with open fields and brushland comprising a large portion of the area. The riparian area is comprised of mature hardwoods. An interspersion of cover types is comprised of second growth hardwoods, dogwoods, hawthorns, autumn olive, and multiflora rose make up the remaining portion of the area. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry. Three separate stands of mature pines accent the area and 306.47 acres is under ODNR Division of Watercraft Scenic River conservation easements.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Purchase of this park began in 2008. The land was acquired with Clean Ohio Fund with help from The Nature Conservancy (TNC). TNC provided the match for the grant which in turn was donated as a gift for the purchase of wetlands along Beaver Creek. Additional land has been acquired through donation from The Nature Conservancy, ODNR, and the Dailey Family. Wildlife management practices have included reforestation of approximately 200 acres of reclaimed strip mined ground. The purpose of the land is to provide recreational opportunities to the area residents.
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Principal game species are whitetail deer, turkey, grey squirrel, rabbit, ruffed grouse, and woodcock. The West Fork of Little Beaver Creek contains smallmouth bass and sauger.
HUNTING, FISHING, AND TRAPPING
Hellbender Bluff area has a substantial population of turkey and whitetail deer. A large portion has good squirrel hunting. The best hunting for rabbit is along the brushy field edges and woodland borders. Raccoon hunting is good throughout the area. The creek and one pond provide limited waterfowl hunting and numerous opportunities for trapping; however, no beaver trapping is allowed.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
The parking lots are situated on the area, one along County Road 425 and the other off Lones Road.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information may be obtained from the Columbiana County Park District at (330) 424-9078 or from the Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319; telephone (330) 644-2293.
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.
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