LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
The Flint Run and Broken ARO wildlife areas are adjacent properties that total 3,480-acres. These two wildlife areas are adjacent to the Buckeye Furnace Mining Company Lands Public Hunting Area which adds an additional 1,034 acres open to public hunting, fishing, bird watching, and other non-motorized recreation. Flint Run and Broken ARO wildlife areas are located in Bloomfield and Milton townships of Jackson County, approximately three miles south of the city of Wellston. This former MeadWestvaco property is accessible by way of township and county roads from State Route 327 and State Route 124. The topography of this wildlife area varies from steep and rocky to rolling hills. Well established logging roads allow easy access on foot. 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. Young forest, brushland, pole, and saw log timber can be found here due to regular timber harvesting operations that have occurred through recent decades. Pine plantings occupy a small portion of the wildlife area and many recent clearcuts are scattered throughout this property as well.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE The wooded hills of southern Ohio are part of the Appalachian Forest, the oldest and most diverse forest system in North America. When healthy, these forests are home to a rich array of flowering and medicinal plants, dozens of tree species, songbirds, game species like ruffed grouse and wild turkey, and other wildlife including bobcat, bats, salamanders, and snakes. Broken ARO, a former MeadWestvaco property, was purchased in 2003 and the Flint Run Wildlife Area was a donation from the Division of Mineral Resources Management after they completed a reclamation project to improve water quality.
FISH AND WILDLIFE The diverse mixture of habitat types, ranging from recent timbering operations to forested ridge tops, provides for a rich variety of both game and non-game species. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and gray squirrel are the principal game species. The timber management occurring on this property provides habitat for grouse, turkey, white-tailed deer, and cottontail rabbits.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The nearest wildlife district office is located at 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio 45701-1895; phone (740) 589-9930.
Any questions please call Ohio Land expert Brian Bauer (614) 949-6764
