West Taylor Wildlife Area
West Taylor Wildlife Area is a 177-acre property located southwest of Taylor in western Jackson County. Access points can be found along Rabbit Run Road and Hamilton Road. Take Highway 95 to River Road, which turns into Rabbit Run.
History
Only two purchases have been made on this property. The first purchase being made in the early 1960s with the acquisition of 98 acres. The second purchase was made in 2000, adding 80 acres and almost doubling the size of the property.
Management objective
This property is located within the heavier soils of Jackson County and was primarily farmed or grazed historically. However, 40 acres of marsh land did provide good wintering habitat for pheasants, which was the main reason for the primary purchase. Recently, pine plantations and fencing have allowed for a return to a forested landscape of oaks and pines with some open fields.
Sound forestry management is used to harvest timber when in the best interest of the timber resource providing a healthy forest.
For more information on master planning for this and other wildlife areas around the state, visit the property planning page.
Recreation
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The West Taylor Wildlife Area offers many recreational opportunities;
- Birding;
- Cross-country skiing (no designated trail);
- Hiking (no designated trail);
- Hunting (especially noted for waterfowl, deer, turkey and bear);
- Trapping;
- Wild edibles/gathering; and
- Wildlife viewing.
Maps
Download [PDF] a map of this property.
If you are interested in exploring this property further, you can access an interactive map.
