It isn’t necessary to have access to private land in order to experience the great hunting opportunities of Midwestern USA. Southeast Ohio encompasses over half a million acres of National Forest that are open for public hunting. White oak acorns are a favorite food of deer, and these trees are abundant in Ohio’s Wayne National Forest. Two excellent areas in the forest, Trimble Wildlife Area and Wolf Creek Wildlife Area, are only a short drive from beautiful Burr Oak State Park. Park facilities include a comfortable lodge with dining room, as well as rental cabins and a campground.
Park roads are paved and well-maintained, but most roads in both Trimble and Wolf Creek Wildlife Areas are unpaved. Although the roads are graveled and cleared of fallen timber, four-wheel drive vehicles are a good idea for getting around. However, ATV’s may only be used on the main roads. Side tracks and trails are clearly marked with red signs indicating that no vehicles are permitted. Hunters will have to pack gear and game in and out of the woods on foot. While this is frustrating to some sportsmen and women who rely on their buggies, it also means fewer hunters in the woods. The further back in the wildlife areas one ventures, the less likely he is to find another hunter setting up near the same spot. Hunting is permitted in most areas that are at least 150 yards away from designated trails, recreation sites, campgrounds, or other structures.
Trimble Wildlife Area
From Burr Oak State park, visitors can reach Trimble Wildlife Area by driving south from Zanesville on Rt. 13 to Rt. 78, then northwest on 78 to Houston Road. Signage in the area can be confusing, as Houston Road is designated as CR 315 on the road sign, but as CR 92 on the Division of Wildlife map. Traveling northwest on this road will take visitors through several acres of wild hunting area. There are intermittent plots of private land in the area, but the private and public areas are clearly marked. Visitors will find plenty of parking as they drive through the area, which is mostly hilly woodland.
Wolf Creek Wildlife Area
From Burr Oak, Wolf Creek Wildlife area is reached by traveling northeast on Rt. 78. Although not as expansive as Trimble Wildlife Area, Wolf Creek holds plenty of prime habitat for turkey and deer. This terrain is also hilly woodland with plenty of mast and cover. Public hunting areas are clearly marked, and ample parking is located along the roads throughout the area.
Contact Wildlife Department for Information
Hunters planning a visit to Ohio’s public hunting grounds should begin planning their expedition by contacting the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife office. Information regarding licenses, game limits, and other regulations are available, along with topographical maps of Trimble and Wolf Creek Wildlife Areas and many other public hunting and fishing areas in Ohio. They can be contacted at their website. They may also be reached at:
Ohio Division of Wildlife
2045 Morse Road, Building G
Columbus, OH 43229-6693
Telephone: 614-265-6300.
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