Managed in cooperation with
Florida Division of Forestry |
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Anne Malatesta, Florida Division of
Forestry |
Arbuckle WMA consists of 13,531 acres east of Avon Park in Polk
County 5 miles south of Frostproof. Part of the Lake Wales Ridge
State Forest, this area was purchased to protect numerous rare
and endangered plants and animals. Arbuckle occupies a high
ridge of ancient sand dunes and contains fast disappearing pine
and oak scrub, home to
Florida scrub-jays and
gopher tortoises. Other natural communities include pine
flatwoods, sandhill, and bottomland hardwoods along streams and
creeks. Lake Arbuckle, where fishing and canoeing may be enjoyed
year round, adjoins the area. The area offers very good deer
hunting. On
the area is a .8-mile nature trail as well as a segment of the
Florida
Trail. Horseback riding is allowed on firebreaks, named or
numbered roads or designated horse trails. Horses are prohibited
on hiking trails and during established hunting seasons.
Arbuckle WMA is part of the
Great
Florida Birding Trail.
Scrub-jays inhabit the oak scrub
along the road into the area.
Short-tailed hawks may be observed on the Paula Dockery Trail,
and at Lake Arbuckle are wading birds,
bald eagles,
limpkins, and
ospreys. Camping is permitted at the designated campground
off Rucks Dairy Road, and at designated campsites along the
Florida Trail and at other sites by Special-Use Permit. The Division of Forestry regulates
camping. There is a daily use fee and a camping fee is required per campsite. For
information, call the Lake Wales Ridge State Forest at (863)
635-7801. |
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