Nearly 200 acres has been added to a wildlife area in southwest Missouri.
The Springfield News-Leader reports the Missouri Department of Conservation bought 199 acres next to the 2,502-acre Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area from the Missouri Department of Transportation for $183,000.
Frances Main, MDC resource forester, says the newly acquired property is south of the popular shooting range, and there are no plans to open any trails to it. Main says there's no way to get people there safely because of its location downrange from the shooting area.
Instead of new hiking paths, the land will be held as buffer ground for wildlife, giving animals a place where they won't be disturbed by constant human contact. The area is about 20 miles south of Springfield.
