LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION
This 3,469-acre wildlife area lies 6 miles southwest of Cadiz in Harrison County. Access is provided from State Route 22 and State Route 519. Several township roads provide direct access to the area. The area lies in an unglaciated region of eastern Ohio. The terrrain is steeply rolling with some hilltops and valley floors. Second growth hardwoods and conifers which cover most of the area are interspersed with brushy coverts and grassland. Consol Energy, Inc. owns 1,490 acres of the area and has an agreement with the Division of Wildlife to allow public access for wildlife-related activities.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE
Since the area was established in 2004, it has been managed as a public hunting area for forest wildlife. Hunting and trapping are the major recreational uses. Wildlife management activities include the planting of shrubs and trees, protection and improvement of existing woodland, selection of areas which will be allowed to return to woodlands through natural selection, and management of existing open fields.
The Consol-owned portion of the area was purchased by Consolidation Coal Company from the Crescent Valley Mining Corporation in 1955. The area was surface mined between 1958 and 1968 and called the Crescent Valley Mine. During this time around 200,000 tons of coal was produced from the Pittsburgh and Sewickley seams. The Consol-owned portion of the area was opened for public use in 2012.
FISH AND WILDLIFE
Wildlife found on the area are common forest species including wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, fox and gray squirrels, and white-tailed deer. Raccoons, foxes, and coyotes are common furbearers on the area and bobcats are occasionally seen. Woodland songbirds can be seen in abundance during the spring and fall migrations. Grassland songbird species can also be seen on some of the reclaimed mining portions of the property. Fishing is permitted in any pond found on this area. Channel catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegill are common species in these ponds.
UNUSUAL FEATURES
Reforestation, post mining, includes the planting of thousands of shrubs and trees. End dump reclamation has also been used on this area to help reestablish forested cover. Several high walls and spoil areas are found on the area as a result of previous mining operations.
PUBLIC USE FACILITIES
State and township roads provid good access to the wildlife area. Several parking lots are situated throughout the area.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information may be obtained from the area manager, Highlandtown Wildlife Area, 16760 Springvalley Road, Salineville, Ohio 43945, telephone (330) 679-2201 or at the Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, Ohio 44319, telephone (330) 644-2293.
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 at 1-800-POACHER.
Return to list of northeast Ohio wildlife areas.
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