R F Tarter Wildlife Management Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

The R F Tarter Wildlife Management Area is a 2,931-acre property located in the state of Kentucky.


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Summary

It offers a wide range of recreational activities and is known for its diverse wildlife and natural beauty.

One of the most compelling reasons to visit the R F Tarter Wildlife Management Area is its abundance of wildlife. The area is home to a variety of species, including deer, turkey, and waterfowl. Hunting and fishing are popular activities in the area.

The property also features several points of interest for visitors. These include a hiking trail, a picnic area, and a fish pond. Additionally, the area boasts a beautiful lake that is perfect for boating and fishing.

Interesting facts about the R F Tarter Wildlife Management Area include its history as a former strip mine that has since been reclaimed and restored for wildlife conservation. The area is also known for its unique topography, featuring rolling hills and diverse plant life.

The best time of year to visit the R F Tarter Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you plan to engage in. Spring and summer are popular times for boating and fishing, while fall is the peak season for hunting. The hiking trail is open year-round and offers beautiful views of the area's changing seasons.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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