State Game Lands #314: David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve

State Game Lands #314, in Erie County, spans 3,131 acres. The Ohio state line is the western border of these game lands, and the Lake Erie shoreline forms their northern border for about 1.5 miles. This segment of the shoreline is the longest undeveloped reach of Lake Erie's south shore between Toledo, Ohio, and Buffalo, New York. The overlook spot, the site of the David M. Roderick Monument (upper left), offers a nearly unspoiled view of the lake and its natural shoreline, except for the westward sight of the Conneaut, Ohio, breakwater (lower left) and the occasional large commercial vessel entering or leaving the area.

This state game lands is also known as the David M. Roderick Wildlife Reserve and was dedicated in July 1991. The United States Steel Corporation (now USX) owned the property, which it had bought from Andrew Carnegie early in the 1900s. (Carnegie intended to build a steel mill on the site, but those plans were changed in the 1960s.) David M. Roderick—for whom the reserve is named—was chief executive officer of USX from 1979 to 1989 as well as an avid outdoorsman with an abiding interest in conservation. During Roderick's tenure as CEO, the property was sold to the Mellon Foundation, which turned it over to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The Conservancy sold the reserve to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

One of the most notable species here is the woodcock. Indeed, wildlife-watching—and bird-watching in particular—is the main attraction at this tract, which covers 4 square miles. The lake and its shoreline mark a major north-south migration route for birds, including raptors such as hawks and eagles, waterfowl, and some one hundred documented songbird species. Upland ground birds, such as grouse, pheasant, and wild turkey, are also abundant. In spring, birds flying north use this area as a rest stop before they take wing over the lake, and in the fall, birds flying south rest in this area after their journey over the water.

OPPORTUNITIES: Hiking, hunting, sightseeing, and wildlifewatching.

ADMINISTRATION AND AMENITIES: There are no services at this overlook.
DIRECTIONS: From U.S. Route 20, where Route 20 and PA Route 5 meet at West Springfield, turn north onto Rudd Road, which is clearly marked with a street sign. Drive 2.6 miles north on Rudd Road to its end at Lake Road. Turn left (west) onto Lake Road and drive 1.4 miles to the monument's parking area on the north side of Lake Road.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Northwest Region Headquarters, PO Box 31, 1509 Pittsburgh Road, Franklin, PA 16323 (814-432-3187 or 1-800-533-6764), or visit its Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Text modifed from Pennsylvania Overlooks: A Guide for Sightseers and Outdoor People by Art Michaels, Penn State University Press. Photos by Tami Campbell, WPC Stewardship Director.

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