A Massive Win for Ohio Backcountry: 10,407 Acres of New Public Land Secured!

Ohio's backcountry just got a whole lot bigger. Thanks to a monumental conservation effort, 10,407.5 acres of southern Ohio forestland are officially transitioning into public hands. For anyone who values public access, pristine wildlife habitat, and the freedom to hunt, fish, and explore, this is one of the most significant wins for the Buckeye State in recent history.

The Ohio Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers is incredibly proud to endorse the Ohio Forest Conservation Project. Alongside a powerful coalition of partners—including the Sportsmen’s Alliance, the Ohio Forestry Association, and the Ohio Wildlife Council—we are celebrating a massive expansion of our shared public playground.

Here is what this means for Ohio outdoorsmen and women, and why it is a masterclass in leveraging conservation funding.

The Land: Breaking Down the 10,407 Acres

This massive tract of land, formerly owned by the Mead Paper Company and later held by BTG Pactual (Scioto Land Company), spans six counties: Pike, Jackson, Ross, Vinton, Scioto, and Gallia. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has negotiated a purchase price of $2,998.56 per acre, leveraging federal funds to secure a rate below the independent appraised value of $3,027 per acre.

The acquisition is divided into two major categories, all of which will be 100% open and available to sportsmen:

• 6,817 Acres of New Wildlife Area Land: This massive chunk of property will sit adjacent to the existing Broken Aro Wildlife Area near Jackson. If you are a bird hunter, get your dogs ready. This specific area is widely considered some of Ohio’s best habitat for Bobwhite quail, with multiple coveys already documented on the tract. It is also top-notch, highly productive country for white-tailed deer and wild turkey.
  
  
   
• 3,590 Acres of New State Forest Land: The bulk of the forestry acreage will expand Brush Creek State Forest in northwestern Scioto County. This rugged, forested land offers incredible, deep-woods hunting opportunities for deer and wild turkey, expanding our contiguous backcountry footprint in the region.
  
  
   

In addition to these primary locations, the project will also feed into expansions for Pike, Scioto Trail, Tar Hollow, and Richland Furnace State Forests, as well as the Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area.

How it was Funded: Smart Use of Sportsmen’s Dollars

This victory didn't happen by accident. It required political will and a creative stacking of conservation funds.

The primary engine behind the purchase is $25 million secured in the state capital improvement bill through Fund 7035 (State Forest Land Conservation). However, the state didn't stop there. To get the deal across the finish line, ODNR leveraged vital federal dollars funded directly by sportsmen and outdoor recreationists: the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and the Wildlife Restoration Fund (Pittman-Robertson).

Even better news? The momentum isn't stopping here. ODNR is already postured to acquire even more acreage from the BTG Company later this year or in early 2027 using $3.7 million in Abandoned Mine Land Economic Restoration funds.

A Win-Win for Local Communities

Anti-public land myths often claim that state acquisitions hurt local economies by taking property off the tax rolls. This project completely turns that narrative on its head.

Currently, the private landowner pays roughly $3 per acre annually in real estate taxes under a CAUV reduction program. Once under state management, local governments and schools will actually see a massive funding boost:

• The Division of Forestry will pay an average of $10 per acre/year from timber revenues.
• The Division of Wildlife will pay 1% of the assessed value annually, which will also sit right around $10 per acre/year.

By tripling the financial contributions to local rural counties, this project proves that public land is a massive economic driver for local communities. ODNR is also taking care of local communities upfront by covering an estimated $800,000 in tax recoupment back to the counties.

The Backcountry Future is Bright

With assistance from The Conservation Fund (TCF)—the same group that helped Ohio secure legendary spots like the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area and Vinton Furnace State Forest—this landscape-scale conservation project is officially a reality.

We extend our deepest gratitude to Governor Mike DeWine and ODNR leadershipfor their steadfast commitment to this project. This acquisition represents more than just a single transaction; it is a vital continuation of their lasting legacy of adding to Ohio's public lands. By prioritizing public access and habitat restoration, this administration is ensuring that Ohio's rich outdoor traditions remain protected and accessible.

To every BHA member, sportsman, legislator, and conservation partner who spoke up, advocated for the capital bill funding, and pushed for the protection of these wild spaces: Thank you. Places to roam, hunt, and lose ourselves in the woods are finite. Securing over 10,000 contiguous acres in southern Ohio ensures that our outdoor heritage remains vibrant for generations to come. See you out in the new backcountry!