Ales Run Wildlife Area

This 2,905-acre wildlife area is 3 miles east of Dexter City, traveling up County Road 2 to County Road 42 to gain access to the interior township roads. This area can be easily reached from Interstate 77 or from State Route 564 from Middleburg. Nearly 60 percent of Ales Run was strip mined prior to modern reclamation laws (pre 1972). The resulting terrain is rugged and includes miles of highwalls and many acres of spoil banks that have reverted to brushlands and small trees. The remaining 40 percent is undisturbed and is a mixture of woodland and brushland habitat. Within 5 miles of Ales Run is an additional 6,144 acres of the B&N Coal Inc. lands . A free permit is required to hunt B&N Coal, Inc. land. Permits are available from the District Four Headquarters of the Division of Wildlife, 360 East State Street, Athens, Ohio† 45701-1895. Be sure to carry your permit while on the area. Hunting is the major recreational use and popular secondary uses include berry picking, mushroom hunting, bird watching, photography, and hiking.