WILDLIFE GAINS GROUND IN OHIO
NWTF and ODNR partner to expand wildlife areas in southern Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH - There’s now more room for wildlife and outdoor enthusiasts at three southern Ohio state wildlife areas, thanks to cooperative efforts between the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
A donation of $250,000 from the Ohio Chapter of NWTF enabled the division to enlarge Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County by 168 acres and Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area in Jackson County by 255 acres. The money also helped establish the new 376-acre Turkey Ridge Wildlife Area in Vinton County.
“Using donations from the National Wild Turkey Federation, in combination with money from the Division of Wildlife, we have been very successful in buying land to provide more wildlife habitat and lands for hunting,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife.
Since 1986, the NWTF’s Ohio Chapter has donated more than $1.7 million toward division efforts to acquire additional wildlife areas for the benefit of all Ohioans. The division has used this money to purchase more than 68,000 acres of wildlife habitat.
The recent acquisitions will be added to the 181,900 acres of existing state wildlife areas across Ohio. Hunting, fishing, and bird watching are popular outdoor activities on these areas.
These areas will benefit wild turkey and other animals that live in forest habitats. The wild turkey was considered all but extinct in the state until the mid-1950s when the Division of Wildlife initiated reintroduction of the bird. Today, Ohio has a wild turkey population of more than 160,000. They are found in all 88 counties.
The Division of Wildlife has also worked with the NWTF to bring outdoor educational opportunities such as Women in the Outdoors, and JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship) to Ohioans. It has partnered with the NWTF to conduct scientific research in forest wildlife management and host the most successful national convention in the organization’s history. That convention was held earlier this year in Columbus.