New 2,900-acre wildlife area could open this fall

The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources has purchased 2,900 acres in eastern Pulaski County for $6.3 million and named the property the Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area.

The nearly five-square-mile property is located near the Rockcastle River, a designated Kentucky wild river, they said. The center point is near the small community of Ano, said Mark Marraccini, the department's spokesman.

Officials said a map of the property will be made available after the department completes parking areas and makes other improvements required for public use.

In a press release, they described it as a "short commute" from Somerset and London, saying it will "provide outstanding recreational opportunities for hunters, anglers and wildlife watchers." Marraccini said he hopes it can be open for fall deer hunting season.

Officials said they will hold a public meeting July 19 to provide additional information and to ask the public about management ideas for the area. That meeting will be held at 7 p.m.at the Shopville Elementary School gymnasium, 10 Shopville Road.

The land is mostly forested and also has about 640 acres of overgrown fields and 14 ponds. It was sold by the Ikerd family, Marraccini said.

He said no state general fund dollars were spent to buy the land. It was purchased using federal funds from an excise tax on firearms, ammunition and archery equipment.

Reach reporter James at 502-582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com.