2009 Welcome to Wise.indd - Wise County Messenger

56
Wise County LBJ Grasslands
MESSENGER PHOTO BY JOE DUTY
KIDS’ FISHING DERBY AT BLACK CREEK LAKE
Since the 1930s, Wise County has been home to a precious natural resource — but it’s
somewhat of a secret.
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands cover more than 20,000 of Wise County’s
northeastern acres, offering the public a place to fish,
camp, picnic, hike and hunt. The grasslands, part of the
Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands, have been managed by
the USDA Forest Service since the 1950s, and a campaign
starting in the mid-1990s has made the area a safe haven
for families to spend quality time.
“It’s open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a
week, year round,” said David Weldon, forestry technician
for the Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands.
The Caddo portion of the grasslands is located northeast
of Dallas and contains 17,785 acres.
The grasslands offer a variety of outdoor activities, from
fishing and hunting to hiking and horseback riding. The
LBJ National Grasslands include a 75-mile, multi-use trail
that is frequented by equestrian groups.
Hunters can find whitetail deer, Rio Grande turkey and
small game such as rabbits, squirrel and a few quail, Weldon
said. The use of shotguns, excluding slugs and buck-