FRANKFORT, Ky. - Hunters have 859 additional acres to enjoy for the 2010-11 hunting seasons at the new Buck Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in PulaskiCounty. Buck Creek WMA opened to the public on Saturday, August 21.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources recently acquired Buck Creek WMA through the Kentucky Wetland and Stream Mitigation Fund to protect this unique area and offer public access.
This program uses the Fee-In-Lieu Mitigation Fund to compensate for stream losses in each river basin across Kentucky as authorized by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. An Interagency Review Team - headed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and consisting of representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Kentucky Division of Water and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - approved the use of these funds.
"No sportsmen's dollars were spent to purchase this property," said Tony Wheatley, land acquisition coordinator for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Buck Creek is home to several unique plant communities and many federally endangered mussel species. It will also serve as a mussel restoration site.
Buck Creek WMA will be open under statewide regulations for hunting deer, turkey, small game and furbearers. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife will evaluate this first hunting season on Buck Creek WMA to determine whether special hunting regulations are needed for the area.
Buck Creek WMA, located in eastern Pulaski County, consists of mostly forested habitat with moderately steep terrain. It offers opportunity for deer, turkey and squirrel hunting. Anglers will enjoy access to one mile of Buck Creek. This stream possesses some of the highest water quality in the state. Long, deep pools punctuated by riffles defineBuck Creek.
Fishing access is primarily by canoe, kayak, cata-raft or small johnboat. Those willing to hike may access Buck Creek by foot for wade fishing.
To access Buck Creek WMA, travel approximately 10 miles east from Somerset on KY 80 to KY 1003. Turn south on KY 1003 and travel approximately 7 miles, then left onPea Ridge Road approximately ½ mile to the parking area on the left. No internal public roads exist within the area; travel is by foot traffic only. No camping, horseback riding or all terrain vehicles (ATVs) are permitted on the area.
Maps are available at www.fw.ky.gov.
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The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
