Simco Wildlife Area

About this Location

Simco Wildlife Area lies in the southeastern corner of Coshocton County, approximately 3 miles south of the town of Coshocton. Access to the area may be gained from OH-83 and Township Road 280, which runs east-west through the area.

Over 97 percent of the land (837.4 acres) is forested. The remaining three percent (20.5 acres) is wetlands and ponds. The land comprising Simco has undergone many changes. Originally most of the area was forestland. In the late 1960s, it was strip mined. Today most of the land has reverted to forestland.

Simco Wildlife Area is managed as forestland for wildlife recreational opportunities.

The land comprising Simco Wildlife Area was acquired by the Division of Wildlife in 1993 from American Electric Power. Five hundred forty-two acres were mitigated from Meigs Mine #31. The area has a typha bog (cattail community) that was built in 1985, to treat water escaping from an old deep mine. The water travels through many cells and two ponds before it enters a stream. Water quality is tested periodically throughout the year. The entire area was strip mined in the late 1960s. Because of the mining, there are many high walls in the area.

White-tailed deer, squirrels, rabbits, wild turkey, and ruffed grouse are the primary species of interest. Furbearers including beaver, raccoon, opossum, muskrat, mink, and skunks are present. The water impoundments have been stocked with bass, bluegill, and channel catfish.

Features

  • Restrooms on site

Content from Simco Wildlife Area webpage