LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION This 609-acre wildlife area in northeastern Ohio is in Lorain and Medina counties. The area lies on the west side of State Route 83, between the towns of Litchfield and Belden. Neff Road provides the north and west boundary.
The topography is flat to gently rolling. Approximately 65 percent of the area is mature woodland (both hardwood and pine), 9 percent brushland, and 25 percent is openland (grassland and crops).
HISTORY AND PURPOSE This property was purchased from the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Cleveland Council, in 1996. The property was used by the Boy Scouts as a primitive camping and outdoor interpretation facility.
Management work includes maintenance and protection of existing woodlands, establishment of crop rotations, planting food plots and grassland nesting cover, and mowing to control woody plant succession.
FISH AND WILDLIFE Most panfish species common to Ohio are found in the ponds scattered throughout the wildlife area. Forest wildlife species (fox squirrel, wild turkey, white-tailed deer) and openland species (cottontail rabbit, woodchuck, mourning dove) are most common on the area. All furbearers common to this region are found here. The abundance of mature woodland attracts good numbers of nesting and migrating neotropical songbirds.
HUNTING, TRAPPING, AND FISHING The Camp Belden Wildlife Area is the first wildlife area in Ohio open only to youths (17 years old and younger) for hunting, trapping, and fishing. The young sportsmen and women must be accompanied by a licensed, non-hunting adult. Hunting of rabbits, doves, squirrels, deer, turkeys, and groundhogs is popular. Trapping furbearers and fishing the ponds are also favorite activities. The Division of Wildlife encourages the utilization of this unique opportunity to get our youth involved in quality outdoor recreational pursuits.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES Parking lots have been constructed on State Route 83 and Neff Road for public use. A 3 1/2 -mile long hiking trail was developed by the Boy Scouts.
Although the area is open to youths only for hunting, fishing, and trapping, it is open for everyone for other activities including hiking, bird watching, and nature photography.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION More information on this wildlife area is available from the Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319; telephone (330) 644-2293.
Any questions please call Ohio Land expert Brian Bauer (614) 949-6764
