By:
Submission
The Conservation Department created this area in 1968 with the purchase of 1,024 acres from several landowners. Later acquisitions of 924 acres have increased the area's current size. This conservation area was acquired in part through the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Pittman-Robertson funds are generated from a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Because of its size and diversity of habitat, Bonanza Conservation Area is managed for a wide range of game and nongame wildlife species. The area's open fields are managed by farming, haying and controlled burning. Other habitat management includes tree, shrub and grass plantings and selective timber harvest. Native grasses have been planted and managed to improve nesting habitat and winter cover. A few streams run through the area; the largest of these are Shoal Creek and Crabapple Creek. Bonanza Conservation Area is a Quail Restoration Landscape. This means additional emphasis is placed upon managing the area for early successional species such as Bobwhite quail.
Area closed to bicycle use (and horseback riding) during all portions of the firearms deer hunting season and spring turkey hunting seasons.
On department areas where camping is allowed, camping is limited to a period of 14 consecutive days in any 30-day period. Personal property must be removed at the end of the 14-day period. Unless a special use permit is obtained, total camping days on all department areas are limited to a total of 30 days within one calendar year. Groups of more than 10 people must obtain a special use permit prior to camping. To obtain a special use permit, contact the area manager at the phone number listed for this area in the area details section.
Quiet hours are in effect in camping areas from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily. Visitors who are not occupying a campsite are required to leave the campground by 10 p.m.
On camping areas with established campsites, only two camping or sleeping units are permitted in each site.
From Kingston, take Highway 13 south 2 miles, then Route F east 5 miles.
The only time I am there is from dusk to dawn shooting deep space images. Make sure you arrange to have a permit if you plan to be there after 10pm.
Been going here since I was a young kid, for Deer Season, the last few years it seems Deer numbers are down or they are getting better at hiding. Over all it is a great place to hike around and lots of wildlife to look at however the game being hunted seems to be absent the days your there to harvest. Great place lots of memories on this land.
Its nature! And I love some nature. There are a couple small ponds that have bass, catfish and bluegill. Lots of good land to bowhunt on, or just enjoy the outdoors.
Camping is primitive but you have very few visitors. Most campsites have no shade. On the good side it's free and lots of woods around.
Saw a good sized buck about 10min in at about 100yds. Unfortunately we weren't fast enough
