Oakmulgee Wildlife
Management Area
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Photo courtesy Oakmulgee WMA
At the top of their to-do list were thinning nearly 362 acres of longleaf pine and removing 1,185 acres of forest canopy. |
The NWTF and its partners have worked hard to maintain and improve the oldest Wildlife Management Area in Alabama.
History was made in 1937 when Alabama established the very first Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to protect and enhance prime natural habitat. More than 70 years have since passed, and numerous WMAs are spread across the state.
For years, the NWTF has been instrumental in providing insight, labor and funding for states to restore wild turkey populations. The organization has played a major role in the success of re-introduction stocking programs through financial contributions, conducting biological research, and promoting safe and ethical turkey hunting. A few years ago, the NWTF was awarded a stewardship contract from the USDA Forest Service to perform forest health and wildlife habitat improvements on the 157,000-acre Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega National Forest. The majority of the work would be completed on the 45,000-acre Oakmulgee WMA tract located mostly in Bibb and Hale counties.
Enhancing wildlife habitat
The Oakmulgee WMA was in need of several major habitat improvements that would be performed by both the NWTF and Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF). At the top of their to-do list were thinning nearly 362 acres of longleaf pine and removing 1,185 acres of forest canopy. According to Joe Koloski of the Oakmulgee National Forest and WFF wildlife biologist Jeff Makemson, the stewardship contract allowed the revenue generated through the sale of timber from these two undertakings to fund work for numerous other habitat improvement projects.
“Removing some timber from the WMA is a calculated move that will help improve the overall health of the forest,” Koloski said. “It also significantly reduces the possibility of a catastrophic wildfire from breaking out in the near future. We’ve been able to take the money from the sale of this timber to get the ball rolling on other major projects that will ultimately enhance habitat for all species of wildlife.”
For example, the NWTF and its partners have used this money to treat 135 acres with herbicides to help control non-native invasive plants such as cogongrass and kudzu. Some of the funds have helped maintain 144 acres of wildlife plots and linear wildlife openings throughout the WMA. In addition, workers also have planted numerous logging roads and distributed more than 100 tons of agricultural lime on various wildlife openings.
Other projects have included the installment of 55 red-cockaded woodpecker nest inserts, adding gates, and the prescribed burning of approximately 2,653 acres of land. Multiple wildlife species such as the red-cockaded woodpecker, northern bobwhite quail, white-tailed deer and Eastern wild turkey will directly benefit from these habitat enhancement projects. With today’s struggling economy, state and federal budgets have been strained, making it difficult to fund these vital projects.
Recreational opportunities
There are numerous hiking trails that crisscross the Oakmulgee WMA that are perfect for an off-road adventure or a day of wildlife viewing. Visitors will want to take advantage of beautiful 110-acre Lake Payne that is nestled deep within the boundaries of Oakmulgee. This WMA is also known for its outstanding big and small game hunting. In fact, turkey hunters will be glad to know that Oakmulgee has consistently ranked as one of the top three turkey hunting WMAs in the state.
Hunters can expect to find solid numbers of turkeys and numerous access points throughout the WMA. The area is open to the public and requires no special WMA permits. For additional information about hunting the Oakmulgee WMA or National Forest, visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Web site (www.outdooralabama.com) or call (334) 242-3151. — Travis Faulkner