Native plants have a way of finding new openings in the forest. Visit the 900-acre R.F. Tarter Wildlife Management Area in the spring and you’ll find a variety of fire pinks and other wildflowers growing near the stream banks. You’ll also find native grasses such as Elliott’s bluestem and Indian grass.
The Tarter area is an example of an early transitional forest. Once owned by a local gate and lumber company, the property was logged extensively before being acquired by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources in 1994.
The former forest has now grown past the brushy field stage and features acres of thickets and saplings. “It’s a good young oak-hickory forest,” said Brian Gray, regional wildlife coordinator. “There’s 30 acres of opening at the parking lot, but everything else is forested.”
In the 1950s, the area served as a wildlife refuge. Deer, turkey, bobcats, squirrels and a variety of songbirds now call the Tarter area home. Gray said the property has plenty of browse and cover for animals.
Hunters and hikers may find the going tough in some areas of Tarter WMA. Located on the outskirts of Kentucky’s Knobs Region, it includes narrow ridges, steep slopes and compressed valleys.
Area streams are ankle-deep and not suitable for fishing. During spring, walk up the main hollow from the parking lot and follow the stream to a small waterfall around the cliffs. These are also great places to search for spring wildflowers.
Tarter does not have a trail system. Visitors traveling cross-country should look for trees painted yellow and signs marking the wildlife management area boundary. Horses and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not allowed on the property. Camping also is not allowed.
Tarter is open under statewide seasons for deer and small game. The area is not open to deer quota hunts, and only archery equipment is allowed during modern gun deer season.
From Columbia: Travel east on KY 206, then turn right (east) onto Dunville Road (KY 2310). Go 2.6 miles then turn right (south) onto Damron Creek Road. Go 2.4 miles; Tarter WMA is to the right. From Liberty: Take U.S. 127 South and turn right (west) onto Dunville Road (KY 2310). Turn left (south) onto Damron Creek Road and go 2.4 miles; Tarter WMA is to the right.