Back
in 1931, two far-sighted men worked together to purchase the first wildlife
management area for the people of Kentucky. Their names were Dr. Joe W. Jones
and Dr. B.L. Keeney, and they were both members of the old five-person Game and
Fish Commission.
At the January 1931 meeting, Jones
invited the commission to visit a site near Dawson Springs, which he proposed
buying for use as a game refuge. By March, commissioners decided to acquire the
property and name it the Jones-Keeney Game Refuge. The area is now called the
Jones-Keeney Wildlife Management Area (WMA).
For 70 years, the 1,604-acre area has
provided both wildlife habitat and outdoor opportunities for the public. Originally,
pheasant and quail were stocked on the area. Today, the wooded hillsides are
more suitable for deer, turkey and squirrel.
The
mixed oak woods are shady refuge for summer hikers and picnickers. The trees
are mature enough that some unusual plants have been found in the old woods. Of
interest to botanists is a shrub called the Black Cohosh, which is typically
found only in eastern Kentucky and no where else in the western end of the
state.
An
interpretive trail is being constructed through the WMA that will identify
interesting features such as tree species and rock formations. The area
includes bluffs and a rockhouse that is a favorite of
visitors. The new nature trail will be three to four miles long, so hikers take
note.
Along
U.S. 62 visitors will see a shooting range run by the Caldwell County
Sportsmen's Club. The range is open for public use except when the club is
using it for special events.
In 2000, the first new acquisition in
69 years was added to the WMA. On the eastern end of the property 281 acres of
logged-over land was added. As this grows up it should provide good rabbit
habitat.
Last
year, the department received a gift of 267 acres on the south side of the WMA.
The Boyd family donated the property from the estate of William Boyd.
Boyd
grew up in Caldwell County, but later moved to New York and lived there until
his death. It was Boyd’s wish that future generations
would know the rural landscape he loved. However, only the northern portion of
the Boyd property will be available for public use. The southern portion is
being held in a life estate by Laughlin Boyd. Many thanks go to the Boyd family
for carrying out their brother's wishes.
How
to get there
Jones-Keeney
WMA, located in Caldwell County, is bounded by U.S. 62, county road 1627 and
Mount Hebron Church Road. The WMA is well-marked and there are plenty of
pull-off parking areas. Public Lands Biologist Pat Hahs manages the property
and can provide detailed maps of the area. Hahs can be reached at (270)
753-6913 for additional information.
Art Boebinger is the
public land coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife
Resources.