South Branch Wildlife Management Area

South Branch Wildlife Management Area
West Virginia Wildlife Management Area
Country United States
State West Virginia
Counties Hampshire, Hardy
Elevation 915 ft (278.9 m) [1]
Coordinates 39°08′48″N 78°54′54″W / 39.14667°N 78.91500°W / 39.14667; -78.91500Coordinates: 39°08′48″N 78°54′54″W / 39.14667°N 78.91500°W / 39.14667; -78.91500
Area 1,092 acres (441.9 ha) [2]
Owner West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section
IUCN category IV - Habitat/Species government Area
Nearest city Moorefield, West Virginia
Location of South Branch Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia
Website: WVDNR District 2 Wildlife Management Areas

The South Branch Wildlife Management Area is 1,092 acres (4.42 km2)[2] of mixed oak-hickory woodlands and pastures in Hampshire and Hardy Counties, West Virginia, USA. The South Branch WMA consists of four separate tracts (McNeill, Bridge, Trough Club, and Sector) along the South Branch Potomac River around and south of the river gorge known as The Trough. It is known throughout the region for its dove, squirrel, deer, and wild turkey hunting. The WMA is owned by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

Invasive species

The air-breathing northern snakehead (Channa argus), a species of fish native to East Asia, has recently been reported[3][4] in the lower Potomac River. Although no snakeheads have been detected in West Virginia, this invasive species from northern China had been declared a threat to the state's aquatic ecosystem. Federal law prohibits transport of snakeheads across state lines.[5] Anyone who catches this fish when visiting the South Branch WMA should carefully note the catch location, kill the fish by cutting or bleeding, and contact a WVDNR district biologist.[6] The snakehead should not be released back into the Potomac River or any tributary.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "South Branch Wildlife Management Area". Elevation Query. U.S. Geological Survey. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  2. 1 2 "West Virginia DNR - District 2 Wildlife Management Areas". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
  3. ↑ Whoriskey, Peter (May 18, 2004). "3rd Snakehead Taints the Potomac". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-04-22.
  4. ↑ Fahrenthold, David A. Potomac Fever Washington Post, Page W12, 2007-07-08. Retrieved on 2007-07-16.
  5. ↑ WV Division of Natural Resources Snakehead web page, retrieved April 22, 2008
  6. ↑ U.S Fish and Wildlife Service snakehead brochure, retrieved April 22, 2008
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/20/2014. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.