University of the Cumberlands and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife partner to open new wildlife management area

​FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 2, 2025) — University of the Cumberlands and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources have entered into a Wildlife Management Area (WMA) agreement to provide public access for hunting, fishing and related outdoor recreation on 10,273 acres of university-owned land in Whitley and McCreary counties.

The new University of the Cumberlands WMA is comprised of three tracts of land in Whitley County and one tract in McCreary County located in close proximity to route KY 92. Partially adjoining the university's campus in Williamsburg, along Interstate 75 near the Tennessee border, the WMA lies within the Jellico mountain range and is situated close to the Daniel Boone National Forest owned by the U.S. Forest Service.

“This partnership allows Cumberlands to do what is in the best interest of the community we serve," said Dr. Larry L. Cockrum, university president. “We are conserving a large piece of land to serve generations of those who love to enjoy the outdoors. Our students also have another opportunity to extend their education beyond the classroom by using this partnership to expand what we offer academically."

Under WMA agreements, landowners retain ownership while allowing public access for hunting, fishing and nature study, and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife provides property management guidance, patrols by game wardens, and implements conservation practices on the property in coordination with the landowner. University of the Cumberlands and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife specifically plan to involve students in projects related to wildlife habitat improvement and species conservation, which will augment the university's academic offerings and help with student development. The university will continue to use the property for other educational and university-related activities.

Dr. Cockrum explained that the administration is already exploring ways the university's natural science programs will utilize the WMA as part of their academic curricula. In recent years, the university partnered with the Commonwealth to use students as part of a large-scale reforestation project. Dr. Cockrum believes the partnership will expand access to similar hands-on learning experiences and research opportunities.

“This mutually beneficial partnership with University of the Cumberlands is an example of ongoing efforts to open new properties for wildlife-related recreation in Kentucky," said Derek Beard, assistant director of the Wildlife Division at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. “In addition, this agreement will allow us to implement habitat improvement projects that will benefit wildlife species on the WMA and provide excellent learning opportunities for students who may want to work with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife or another conservation agency after graduation."

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife provides public access to nearly 1.7 million acres across 136 public land areas to conserve fish and wildlife resources and provide public access. Because the agency owns only a small fraction of the total of these public access lands, partnership agreements make most of it possible. This is the first such property in Whitley County.

“It is exciting to think of how this partnership will allow us to manage and conserve this property in a way that can benefit our students and the community for years to come," said Travis Wilson, executive vice president for operations at the university. 

University of the Cumberlands WMA includes parts of the Cumberland River watershed and features mostly forested and moderate to steep terrain. The property offers large tracts of land with mature forest, as well as reclaimed surface-mined land covered with shrubs and grasses. Together, these tracts afford diverse habitats for a wide range of wildlife species.

According to the University of the Cumberlands WMA agreement, hunting for deer, bear and coyote will be limited to archery-only. All other game species may be hunted under statewide regulations in effect for the applicable county. The WMA agreement prohibits these activities: nighttime hunting, horseback riding, off-road driving, target shooting, baiting or feeding, and commercial guiding.

Updated WMA information, regulations and maps are available on the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife website's Public Lands Search page. Type “University of the Cumberlands WMA" in the search box in the top right corner of the fw.ky.gov homepage.

University of the Cumberlands is the largest private university in Kentucky and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral universities in the nation. With its main campus in Williamsburg and a campus in Florence in northern Kentucky, the university offers more than 40 undergraduate, graduate and executive programs to students from all over the world. Rooted in Christian values such as leadership through service, Cumberlands aims to make higher education affordable and accessible to all.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's mission is to conserve, protect, and enhance the fish and wildlife resources of the commonwealth and provide outstanding opportunities for hunting, fishing, trapping, boating, shooting sports, wildlife viewing and related activities. For more information regarding hunting and fishing or learning to hunt and fish, visit the department's website at fw.ky.gov or call 1-800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET) on weekdays, excluding holidays.

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