18. Uses of natural area: 



All of the natural area has been selectively logged in 

 several cycles to obtain the successively most valuable re- 

 maining or regenerated timber. Some of the older growth 

 stands contain old stumps which appear to be cypress. These 

 stands contain a significant amount of valuable mature standing 

 timber, mostly loblolly pine, swamp chestnut oak and cherrybark 

 oak. The older growth stands do not appear to have been logged 

 during the past fifty to seventy-five years. Other stands have 

 been selectively logged for valuable oak, pine, and hickory 

 timber much more recently. These stands contain a higher 

 proportion of lower quality timber such as sweetgum and red 

 maple mixed in with oaks and other species. 



A network of roads and associated clearings is maintained 

 within the natural area. These roads are used primarily for 

 hunting activities and secondarily for fire control and access 

 for timber removal. In addition to the road system, a grass 

 airplane runway is maintained along with several cabins near 

 the Intracoastal Waterway. 



The area is used as a private hunting and fishing retreat 

 by the owner and is actively managed for wildlife production 

 by the owner in conjunction with the N.C. Wildlife Resources 

 Commission (WRC) . Access to the property is strictly limited 

 and all roads leading in from the adjacent US 264 highway are 

 blocked by locked gates. Hunting rights in the area are re- 

 stricted and there are no areas open to the general public. 

 This policy of access restrictions and limited hunting along 

 with accompanying game management in effect protects the wild- 

 life of the area. 



Although some timber harvesting is done on the tract, it 

 appears that this practice is mainly to enhance wildlife 

 habitat by creating more edge effect and a greater diversity 

 of game foods rather than providing cash flow or timber sales 

 profits. 



The tract is regularly patrolled by WRC personnel and 

 "no hunting" signs are posted at frequent intervals along 

 US 264. Recently, WRC biologists have cooperated with the 

 owner in attempting to establish a Wild Turkey population 

 in the area. Wild birds were released about a year ago and 

 reproduction was successful this spring with at least one 

 brood produced. 



Apparently at least a portion of the natural area was 

 the site of attempted farming operations. Old furrows can 

 still be seen in some areas adjacent to US 264. Judging 

 from the size of the present vegetation, these operations 

 ceased at least 75 years ago if not longer. 



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