Galla Creek Wildlife Management Area

Galla Creek Wildlife Management Area is situated near the Arkansas River and is currently managed by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, which purchased the first tract in 1959, with the last tract purchased in 1978. The wildlife management area (WMA) is split into two separate parcels, with the city of Pottsville (Pope County) in between. The total landmass of Galla Creek WMA is 3,356 acres, with 3,086 acres in Pope County and 270 acres in Yell County; about 2,500 of these acres are classified as forested habitat.

Historically, the land now encompassed by Galla Creek WMA was used for farming and gathering timber. There are old homesites located in the area, though only rock foundations, wells, and an abandoned barn remain. The unmaintained Pearson Cemetery located in the area is completely covered by the forest.

Galla Creek WMA has a watershed reservoir called Pottsville City Lake operated by the city of Atkins (Pope County), and it supplies water for Atkins and Pottsville. In 1973, Atkins began sponsoring the watershed project, agreeing to operate and maintain the structure for $800 a year.

Galla Creek WMA offers a diverse habitat for wildlife, as it includes both bottomland and upland forests. Many of Arkansas’s popular hardwood trees can be found in this area, including water oak, willow oak, and elm. There are also valuable pine species such as shortleaf pine and loblolly pine.

Many pursue recreational hunting at Galla Creek WMA, hunting bear, alligator, crow, deer, quail, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, and turkey. Invasive animal and plant species have intruded into Galla Creek WMA. Feral hogs have been spotted in low numbers in the area by remote sensing cameras and direct observation. The invasive plant species in the area include Bermuda grass, Chinese privet, mimosa, and chinaberry.

For additional information:
Galla Creek Wildlife Management Area Master Plan. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ah5dlrbaahhjSir47nGJrhwJrm3VDmQO/view. (accessed September 22, 2020).

Galla Creek WMA. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. https://www.agfc.com/en/zone-map/699/ (accessed September 22, 2020).

Robert Gipson
Arkansas Tech University