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LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
This unique, 140-acre wildlife area lies eight miles west of Jackson. It can be reached by township and county roads from State Routes 35 and 335.
The area includes steep rocky terrain, varied forest types, and a small stream. Nearly all of it is wooded. The ridges and steep slopes are mostly sawlog size oak-hickory, with some Virginia pine of pole or sawlog size. One stream, Dry Run, flows from north to south through the area. Vegetation along Dry Run is mostly bottomland hardwoods of pole and sawlog size, with small openings comprised primarily of alder and button bush. Hemlock and mountain laurel can be found in the upper coves. Index of Ohio's trees from the Division of Forestry. Greenbriars are common among the understory plants.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
This area was acquired as a gift from the Central Ohio Anglers and Hunters Club in 1956. Wildlife management work has included the protection and improvement of existing woodland.
Hunting is the major recreational use, along with nature study, hiking, bird watching, mushroom hunting, and berry and nut picking.
WILDLIFE
The primary game species are ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, fox squirrel, raccoon, cottontail rabbit, and white-tailed deer. Most furbearers common to the region are found on the area. Migratory game species such as crow and woodcock are present both as residents and as migrants.
Red-tailed hawks, screech owls, and turkey vultures are among the more common large nongame birds. Many songbirds and small nongame mammals live in the mixed forest types. The songbirds are primarily upland species typical of open, hilly woodlands, such as the yellow-billed and black-billed cuckoos, yellow-shafted flicker, whip-poor-will, Carolina chickadee, Eastern bluebird, and tanagers. There are also lesser numbers of lowland woods and brush species such as the yellow-throated warbler, white-eyed vireo, and brown thrasher. Among the several species of reptiles on the area are the Eastern timber rattlesnake and Northern copperhead.
HUNTING AND TRAPPING
The area is most popular for gray and fox squirrel hunting. In the big-tree woods, gray squirrels far outnumber the fox squirrels. Ruffed grouse and deer hunting are also popular. Although trapping is limited, furbearers can be found at Dry Run, which parallels the road going through the area. Woodcock can be found in the bottomlands along Dry Run.
UNUSUAL FEATURES
Liberty Wildlife Area is situated in one of the most geologically noteworthy and botanically rich townships in the state. The southernmost outcrops of the Black Hand Sandstone terminate here. The name Black Hand is used to identify a sandstone formation which outcrops in a north-south band from Richland and Medina counties through the Hocking Hills to Jackson County. Liberty Township also is the north limit of big-leaf and umbrella magnolia, which are found on the hillsides of the wildlife area.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
In keeping with the objective of perpetuating the wild state of this area, the facilities are limited to one roadside pulloff.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information can be obtained from the Wildlife District Four Office, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701; telephone (740) 589-9930.
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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