Cumberland Forest WMA

WMA Overview

hunting

Size: 54136 acres
Location: Bell, Knox & Leslie
Contact: (606)275-3247
Elevation: minimum 929 feet, maximum 3143 feet.
Entrance GPS coordinates: Latitude N 36.6302, Longitude W -83.8577
Area Habitat: open land 7.12%, forest 92.82%, wetland 0.00%, open water 0.03%.

Regulations

Fall Hunting Season:

Open under statewide rules and regulations in effect for the county.

Directions & Description

This area was formerly called C.F. Ataya WMA and Corrigan WMA
Cumberland Forest consists of several tracts in different counties. One of the larger tracts is west of Middlesboro and is crossed by Highway 74.

The area consists of reclaimed surface-mined and forested land located in several disjointed tracts in Bell, Knox and Leslie Counties. Active surface mine sites, deep mines and other mining-related facilities are off limits to the public. Good to moderate populations of squirrel, rabbits, grouse, deer, turkey and songbirds exist on the area.

The area is open under statewide regulations for small game, turkey, and deer seasons. This property is located in Elk Hunting Units 2 and 3. The Bell County section of the property located within unit 2 is managed as a Regulated Area. Drawn elk hunters may apply to hunt this property during the Elk Hunting Unit and Regulated Area drawing. Please refer to the elk portion of our website.

Funding for the easement came from several sources. Kentucky’s General Assembly invested $3.875 million in the project to match more than $12 million from the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act, secured by KDFWR. The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation also secured a $650,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The property is managed by The Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. This WMA is owned by the C. F. Ataya LLC,.
location map

Mapping Resources

Online Resources