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LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
This 1,729-acre wildlife area is located in Coal and Liberty townships, Jackson County, Ohio. The wildlife area is accessible by way of county and township roads from U.S. 35 and State Route 93.
The topography of the wildlife area varies from steep and rocky to rolling hills. Trails established through previous logging activity allow easy access on foot through most of the property. Nearly all of this wildlife area is wooded. Oak, hickory, and yellow poplar are the dominant tree species. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
The Chief Logan Council of the Boy Scouts of America once owned an 80-acre parcel within the boundary of the wildlife area. It was known as Ophir Falls Boy Scout Camp. The camp was located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 6 of Coal Township. This parcel was later purchased by the Mead Corporation in 1959. The Mead Corporation would eventually purchase adjacent properties to form what is now know as Coalton Wildlife Area. The Mead Corporation, later known as MeadWestvaco, managed the property to produce wood fiber for their Chillicothe, Ohio paper mill.
In 2007, the Ohio Division of Wildlife acquired the property from Scioto Land Company.
Timber harvesting through recent decades has produced a diversity of age classes which include young forest, brushland, pole and saw timber. Management activities will continue to focus on maintaining diverse forest age classes to improve deer, squirrel, and wild turkey hunting opportunities.
WILDLIFE
White-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel, and cottontail rabbit are the principal game species. All furbearers known to this region are also common here. A rich variety of songbirds are also present due to the diverse forest types found here.
HUNTING
The area is most popular for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, cottontail rabbit and gray squirrel. Oak-hickory stands with scattered beech groves throughout the area provide good squirrel hunting and excellent habitat for wild turkey.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information may be obtained by contacting the Wildlife District Four Office at 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701-1895; phone (740) 589-9930, or from the Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area Manager, 5403 C. H. & D. Road, Oak Hill, Ohio 45656; phone (740) 682-7524.
The Division of Wildlife enforces all state laws on these lands including hunting regulations. Enforcement priorities focus on prohibiting litter, off-road vehicle use, and timber theft and destruction.
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 at 1-800- POACHER.
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