18. Uses of natural area: 



The state-owned gamelands section of the natural area is open 

 to public hunting and is managed for that purpose. The primary 

 game species is white-tailed deer; other smaller game such as 

 squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove are also hunted. The game- 

 lands is a protected black bear sanctuary; no hunting is allowed 

 for that species. Hunting is also a primary use on the privately 

 owner tracts within the natural area, particularly those adjoining 

 agricultural fields along the northern border. 



Timber harvesting is an on-going use throughout the state 

 game lands where there is merchantable timber. Blocks of timber 

 are periodically sold to private companies to generate revenue. 

 Much of the recent timber sales have been in the extensive pond 

 pine stands where clearcutting methods have been used to remove 

 the timber. Much of the game lands portion on the sweetgum- 

 hardwood stands has been selectively cut (high-graded) over the 

 years. Logging in this area was periodically active at least 

 back into the 1800' s and early 1900 's when much of the timber 

 was removed by rail. An old tram road, now maintained as a 

 hunting access trail, runs east-west across the natural area 

 between Hydeland and SR 1164. There has apparently been no 

 timbering in this portion of the natural area within the past 

 twenty years or so. The privately owned portions of the sweet- 

 gum-hardwood stands have a similar cutting history. 



Portions of the pond pine pocosin stands on the gamelands 

 just outside the natural area boundaries have recently been 

 burned, diked, and impounded to create waterfowl impoundments. 

 Two large impoundments are located near the end of SR 1164 

 along the west side of the road. Several others are planned 

 east of SR 1164 several miles from the natural area. As far 

 as is known, the Wildlife Resources Commission has no plans 

 to impound any areas within the natural area boundaries. 



19. Uses of surrounding land: 



a. Wildland 75 % c. high-intensity forestry 



b. Agricultural land 25 % d. developed 



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