This rugged, heavily forested wildlife area is located 10 miles west of Athens at the junction of State Routes 56 and 356. The Waterloo Wildlife Research Station occupies the entire wildlife area.
Although this is essentially a forested area, scattered small openings occur on the ridgetops. Larger reverting fields occur along Hewett Fork, which parallels the eastern edge of the wildlife area. Massive outcrops of Lower Freeport sandstone can be seen at the east end of the area.
Abundant native game species include the gray squirrel, wild turkey, and white-tailed deer. Lesser numbers of fox squirrel and ruffed grouse are found on the area. Cottontail rabbits occur in small numbers in the reverting fields. All of the furbearers common to southeastern Ohio are found on the area.
Approximately 80 species of birds can be seen or heard on the area in a year’s time. Included are cedar waxwing, white-eyed vireo, red-eyed vireo, blue-winged warbler, prairie warbler, yellow warbler, hooded warbler, indigo bunting, Northern mockingbird, wood thrush, Acadian flycatcher, mourning dove, and red-tailed hawk.
Local Number: (740) 589-9930