STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources opened two wildlife management areas Wednesday, Nov. 4, adding 1,337 acres in eastern and southern Kentucky. Crow Creek in Clinton and Cumberland counties and Muddygut near Lowmansville offers deer, turkey and small game hunting, according to the department.
Hunting at both properties falls under statewide regulations applicable to their respective counties.
Crow Creek covers 872 acres south of Russell Springs, with forested terrain and Cumberland River frontage. According to the department, a lack of native streamside vegetation along Crow Creek and its tributaries contributes to large amounts of sediment entering the river.
The Crow Creek entrance is reached by traveling approximately 16.9 miles south from Russell Springs on U.S. 127, then turning right onto KY 3063 and continuing approximately 0.7 miles.
The 465-acre Muddygut property lies just south of Lowmansville, between Louisa in Lawrence County and Paintsville in Johnson County. It includes forested drainages, steep hillsides and narrow valley bottoms with remnants of mining and commercial activity.
Muddygut Branch flows directly into Levisa Fork just downstream of the property boundary. Visitors can reach the parking area by taking U.S. 23 to KY 645, then following KY 581 for approximately 5.5 miles.
The Kentucky Wetland and Stream Mitigation Program funded the purchases for stream restoration. The department said no general fund tax dollars or license fee dollars were used.
The dedicated state fund receives payments from developers whose activities affect wetlands or streams within the same watershed. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife uses those restricted funds for restoration under U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supervision.
Key Facts:
– The two properties opened Nov. 4 and total 1,337 acres.
– Muddygut covers 465 acres near Lowmansville.
– Crow Creek covers 872 acres in Clinton and Cumberland counties.
– Both offer deer, turkey and small game hunting.
– Mitigation funds paid for the properties for stream restoration.
What’s Next:
“Restoration planning for both properties is in the early stages, and the timing and scope of future work have not yet been determined,” said Derek Beard, assistant director of the department’s Wildlife Division. Beard said future activities affecting public access or use will be communicated as plans develop.
