Martins Fork WMA and State Natural Area

Rugged mountain forest area opens in Harlan County

By Hayley Lynch

Explorers have a new place in the mountains to roam. The Martin’s Fork Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and State Natural Area in Harlan County offers 1,600 acres of rugged terrain for those willing to do the legwork.

“It’s all steep forest land, with lots of hemlock and oak,” said Wes Hodges, the area’s private lands biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. “People should be able to have a pretty good hunting opportunity.”

The mountains of Appalachia rise up from meandering Martin’s Fork, providing habitat for grouse, bears, deer and turkeys. The new WMA adjoins Shillalah Creek WMA and is jointly managed by Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission and the area’s owner, the Kentucky Division of Water.

Martin’s Fork is one of nine waterways designated as a wild river by the Kentucky General Assembly. The stream is open under statewide fishing regulations.

The land is part of a relatively undisturbed expanse of forestland, ranging from Crank’s Creek to the northeast to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park to the west.

“It’s probably one of the largest intact forest blocks in the state,” said Morgan Jones, who oversees the wild rivers program for the Kentucky Division of Water. “It’s extremely rugged. There’s a diversity of habitat there.”

Management plans for the area focus on protecting its features, including rare plants and the high-quality stream. Hunting is open under statewide regulations. Visitors may only enter on foot, to protect this wildlife habitat and stop the spread of an exotic insect called hemlock wooly adelgid.

“That’s a major concern because the area has a lot of hemlock,” Hodges said. “It destroys the trees because it feeds off the needles.”

In addition to hunting opportunities, bird watchers have a chance to see neotropical migratory birds, including several types of warblers. “It would be a great birding area,” Hodges said. “You’ve got an elevation from 1,500-3,000 (feet), so it would be a great opportunity.”

HOW TO GET THERE

From Harlan, take U.S. 421 South for approximately 6 miles. Merge right onto KY 987. Continue west 13 miles. Property entrance is on the left.

From Pineville, take U.S. 119 North for approximately 8 miles to the second intersection of U.S. 119 and KY 987. Turn right onto KY 987 and travel approximately 11 miles. Property entrance is on the right.