Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area
Preserving the Kissimmee Prairie
Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area
By Patti Powers
(as first published by Airboating Magazine Nov/Dec 2017 issue
If you've ever enjoyed boating on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, you may have seen cattle grazing near the shore or knee deep in the water munching on the sweet lake grasses. The first time I ever encountered a cow in the marsh, I was so discouraged, thinking this is how sick cattle meet their end, banishing themselves from the herd to become part of the food chain cycle of the lake.
Perhaps this notion was due in part to Patrick D. Smith's tales in his historical novel, A Land Remembered. This novel paints a picture of the struggles that 19th century cow drovers faced while moving herds across Florida's open prairies and mosquito and gator infested swamps to the coast where the small herds were sold and profits pocketed. These pioneers surely traveled across the Kissimmee prairie and wetlands now comprising the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (TLWMA).
Having left our airboat behind, our journey began on a narrow road just east of the Kissimmee River bridge off State Road 60. We stopped at the game check point, though it was not open, and laughed about the vultures perched on the pole of the sign marked "Gut Pit." The area boasts a large population of turkey as well as quail, deer, hog, and the other usual critters. The game board at the check point displayed evidence of the kills for each of the last hunting seasons.
An astounding vista awaited as we traveled through the Prairie Lakes Unit of the TLWMA. The dirt road divides an enormous prairie covered with scrub. Wetlands share the land with wild white and yellow flowers reaching up between thick clumps of palmetto. A covey of quail wandered on the side of the road, but I was not quick enough to capture these little birds with my camera. As they flew off, my husband, Bob, recalled his quail hunting days and how the population has dwindled over the last decades. We were pleased to see that this section of the TLWMA was marked on the map as a quail enhancement area.
Once a thriving cattle ranch, the land was originally purchased through Florida's Environmentally Endangered Land Program, and today it is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This 63,000 acre parcel encompasses about 16,000 acres of dry prairie, along with wetlands and pine and hardwood uplands.
Beyond the Prairie Lakes Unit, a creek, I believe fed by the Jackson-Kissimmee canal, was passable over a concrete bridge. I couldn't resist walking across the long flat bridge which was barely above the water. The vegetation in the creek appeared somewhat lifeless, as if it was no longer able to stand the scorching heat. The vibrant and life-sustaining sound of the water, coupled with the squawking of the wading birds was a stark contrast to the brown vegetation. Putting some distance between myself and the truck, I felt as if I were a tiny piece in an intricate puzzle.
Once across the bridge, forest framed the road. One would think this was a perfect place for primitive camping and being one with nature. The mosquito population however, had already laid claim to the shady haven. I was grateful for our little camper parked at Shady Oaks and the soft bed, free from those gallon nippers.
Just before we reached Lake Jackson, a thousand acre lake and the smallest of the three lakes bordering the TLWMA, we passed through an area of pine flatwoods. Small birds flitted about and gathered on the tall grasses and scrub. With binoculars, we spotted a bald eagle perched in one of the distant deadwoods. Another, probably its mate, was guarding a huge nest in a pine tree not too far from the side of the road. These majestic birds tolerated our presence for just a short time before joining each other and soaring above the tree line.
In addition to the tremendous opportunity for wildlife viewing throughout the TLWMA, the Florida Trail offers loops for hiking. You can also enjoy fishing, frogging and boating (of course airboating!) on all three lakes (Kissimmee, Lake Jackson and Lake Marian).
Today, you won't spot any cow drovers against the backdrop of this remarkable area, but you can bet your silver belt buckle that the footprints of those who tread across this extraordinary prairie, are as etched in the land as the memory that you will take with you after visiting this incredible place.
For more information about Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, visit http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/three-lakes.
Also, be sure to visit Florida Cracker Photography ( http://www.FloridaCrackerPhotography.com) to see more unique images from around Florida.
Read MoreThree Lakes Wildlife Management Area
By Patti Powers
(as first published by Airboating Magazine Nov/Dec 2017 issue
If you've ever enjoyed boating on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes, you may have seen cattle grazing near the shore or knee deep in the water munching on the sweet lake grasses. The first time I ever encountered a cow in the marsh, I was so discouraged, thinking this is how sick cattle meet their end, banishing themselves from the herd to become part of the food chain cycle of the lake.
Perhaps this notion was due in part to Patrick D. Smith's tales in his historical novel, A Land Remembered. This novel paints a picture of the struggles that 19th century cow drovers faced while moving herds across Florida's open prairies and mosquito and gator infested swamps to the coast where the small herds were sold and profits pocketed. These pioneers surely traveled across the Kissimmee prairie and wetlands now comprising the Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area (TLWMA).
Having left our airboat behind, our journey began on a narrow road just east of the Kissimmee River bridge off State Road 60. We stopped at the game check point, though it was not open, and laughed about the vultures perched on the pole of the sign marked "Gut Pit." The area boasts a large population of turkey as well as quail, deer, hog, and the other usual critters. The game board at the check point displayed evidence of the kills for each of the last hunting seasons.
An astounding vista awaited as we traveled through the Prairie Lakes Unit of the TLWMA. The dirt road divides an enormous prairie covered with scrub. Wetlands share the land with wild white and yellow flowers reaching up between thick clumps of palmetto. A covey of quail wandered on the side of the road, but I was not quick enough to capture these little birds with my camera. As they flew off, my husband, Bob, recalled his quail hunting days and how the population has dwindled over the last decades. We were pleased to see that this section of the TLWMA was marked on the map as a quail enhancement area.
Once a thriving cattle ranch, the land was originally purchased through Florida's Environmentally Endangered Land Program, and today it is managed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. This 63,000 acre parcel encompasses about 16,000 acres of dry prairie, along with wetlands and pine and hardwood uplands.
Beyond the Prairie Lakes Unit, a creek, I believe fed by the Jackson-Kissimmee canal, was passable over a concrete bridge. I couldn't resist walking across the long flat bridge which was barely above the water. The vegetation in the creek appeared somewhat lifeless, as if it was no longer able to stand the scorching heat. The vibrant and life-sustaining sound of the water, coupled with the squawking of the wading birds was a stark contrast to the brown vegetation. Putting some distance between myself and the truck, I felt as if I were a tiny piece in an intricate puzzle.
Once across the bridge, forest framed the road. One would think this was a perfect place for primitive camping and being one with nature. The mosquito population however, had already laid claim to the shady haven. I was grateful for our little camper parked at Shady Oaks and the soft bed, free from those gallon nippers.
Just before we reached Lake Jackson, a thousand acre lake and the smallest of the three lakes bordering the TLWMA, we passed through an area of pine flatwoods. Small birds flitted about and gathered on the tall grasses and scrub. With binoculars, we spotted a bald eagle perched in one of the distant deadwoods. Another, probably its mate, was guarding a huge nest in a pine tree not too far from the side of the road. These majestic birds tolerated our presence for just a short time before joining each other and soaring above the tree line.
In addition to the tremendous opportunity for wildlife viewing throughout the TLWMA, the Florida Trail offers loops for hiking. You can also enjoy fishing, frogging and boating (of course airboating!) on all three lakes (Kissimmee, Lake Jackson and Lake Marian).
Today, you won't spot any cow drovers against the backdrop of this remarkable area, but you can bet your silver belt buckle that the footprints of those who tread across this extraordinary prairie, are as etched in the land as the memory that you will take with you after visiting this incredible place.
For more information about Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area, visit http://myfwc.com/viewing/recreation/wmas/lead/three-lakes.
Also, be sure to visit Florida Cracker Photography ( http://www.FloridaCrackerPhotography.com) to see more unique images from around Florida.
