Adair WMA
Peaceful woods
within a short drive of booming Northern Kentucky
Daniel Boone helped settle Kentucky, but he didn’t stay around the rest of his life. He left in search of more elbowroom.
Boone might be shocked if he visited his namesake county today. Boone County in Northern Kentucky experienced a population growth of nearly 50 percent over the decade ending in 2000. The number of homes, apartments and other housing units grew by more than 55 percent during the same 10 years. U.S. Census estimates show nearly 100,000 people live there now.
Although this phenomenal growth probably won’t continue, it’s nice to know there are still some undeveloped woods nearby. The Dr. Norman and Martha Adair Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is one of those places. This 631-acre mix of deep woods, hollows and open ridge tops embraces the headwaters of Gum Branch.
It’s conveniently located near another block of land open to the public, Big Bone Lick State Park. Gum Branch even flows into the park.
The wildlife management area was a gift from Covington radiologist Norman Adair and his wife, Martha. Dr. Adair donated the property before his death in 1999.
“He did not want to see the area developed,” said Bill Balda, wildlife biologist for the area. “He wanted to see it remain as wildlife habitat.”
The area, once used for farming and grazing, features mature hardwood forests along with open fields. Balda noted the property has abundant game animals such as deer, turkey and squirrel. Adair is open to hunting under statewide regulations with one exception: only bows or crossbows may be used to hunt deer.
Adair is home to running buffalo clover, a federally endangered plant that once grew alongside the buffalo paths etched throughout the state. “It’s the only clover native to Kentucky,” Balda said. “Where you find it, there’s not much of it.”
Construction is now underway on two trails that will loop around the property. The east side loop will be five miles long, while the west loop will stretch for three miles. Be prepared for a real leg-stretcher, however — most of the Adair property is steep, hilly terrain. All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and horses are not allowed.
Visitors will appreciate some major habitat work undertaken on the property since it has been under the management of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Within the past three years, dozens of dump truck loads of garbage were removed from dumps scattered throughout the property. Small ponds for wildlife were renovated. Efforts began to eradicate fescue.
The most striking long-term project is the bottomland forest restoration along Gum Branch. A variety of oaks, hickories and beech trees are already planted and poised to grow.
Daniel Boone might lament the lack of elbowroom in modern day Northern Kentucky. But he would surely appreciate the efforts to keep one small corner of Boone County wild.
From Covington, Cincinnati or Florence, take U.S. 127 South then turn right (west) onto KY 338, toward Big Bone Lick State Park. Turn right (north) onto Big Bone Church Road (not Big Bone Road). Parking is available behind the Big Bone Lick Baptist Church.