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April 14, 2006
AGREEMENT REACHED FOR CONTINUED PUBLIC USE OF
FORMER MEAD WOODLANDS IN SOUTHERN OHIO
Scioto Land Company tracts will be open to spring turkey hunters
COLUMBUS, OH Hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy continued public use of 43,000 acres of forested lands in seven southern Ohio counties, following a formal agreement on Thursday between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife and the Scioto Land Company.
“The state’s hunters and anglers will continue to enjoy the uninterrupted use of this popular timber management and wildlife area,” said Steven A. Gray, chief of the Division of Wildlife.
The acreage, formerly owned by Dayton-based Mead, lies in Vinton, Adams, Pike, Jackson, Gallia, Ross and Hocking counties. It was purchased by the Scioto Land Company in December as part of a large-scale acquisition of the former Mead woodlands. Since then, the fate of continued public use of these prime hunting areas has been in question. Thursday’s agreement assures the public of continued access. The Scioto Land Company has approximately 90,000 additional acres in southern Ohio that are in private leases with individual hunters and hunting clubs.
The parcels that are open to the public are posted with yellow and black wildlife area signs. Regulations and conditions of use for the land that existed under the previous agreement with Mead remain unchanged. The Division of Wildlife enforces all state laws on these lands including hunting and fishing regulations. Enforcement priorities include prohibiting littering, off-road vehicle use, and timber theft and destruction.
“Hunters headed out for the spring wild turkey season will be able to hunt their same favorite spot as last year,” said Gray.
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