News

Columbus AFB’s many outdoor opportunities with Mike & Mike

  • Published
  • By Mike Blythe and Mike Jago
  • 14th Civil Engineer Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  With 1,400 acres of natural forest, Columbus Air Force Base provides numerous free opportunities to get exercise, view wildlife, picnic and enjoy time with friends and family.

In addition to trails, the base maintains a stocked lake, butterfly gardens and allows hunting and fishing for nominal fees.

Spring is here, so the time is now to explore the outdoor beauty of the base. While there are no endangered species in habitat at Columbus AFB, opportunities to enjoy wildlife along the base's five miles of trails are plentiful. Wild turkeys, rabbits, deer, coyotes, hummingbirds, and armadillos are a few of the species to be seen along the trails. Bald eagles flying over or dipping down to catch small prey may even be observed, so a camera is recommended for outings.

The nature trails are located on the north end of the base, by following Independence Drive toward the SAC Alert Facility. Look for signs leading to SAC Lake and the Timberline Nature Trails.

Butterfly gardens were developed to distract birds from the airfield. As a secondary benefit, base personnel may enjoy a variety of species of local butterflies by visiting the gardens.

Butterflies are also important to the pollination of wildflowers and woody plants. To attract the butterflies, Columbus AFB's Environmental Element provided food, shelter, and breeding needs by finding a sunny area and providing just the right amount of shrubby plants, puddles and rocks. The Mississippi State Butterfly is the Spicebush Swallowtail, identified by its blue and black wings with light-blue markings at the tail and white dots along the edges. The very lucky observer will spot the Spicebush in its caterpillar phase with amusing markings that appear as a face. The Butterfly Gardens are located near SAC Lake.

SAC Lake is stocked with catfish, brim and bass. Fishing at SAC Lake is allowed year-round with a Mississippi State fishing license and a low-cost base fishing permit. A base permit may be obtained at Outdoor Recreation, where they cost less than $10. Money from base permits is used to restock the lake and feed the fish. 

For sportsmen, seasonal hunting at Columbus AFB can be rewarding. Deer, squirrel and occasionally ducks may be hunted at the base. State license and a base hunting permit are required. Outdoor Recreation manages hunting licenses and permits; a safety briefing and map of available hunting areas are provided when the permit is issued. Hunting is not allowed near SAC Lake or the Timberline Nature Trails. Hunters must learn and understand the rules, as privileges are revoked for non-adherence.

Columbus AFB nature trails have uses other than recreation. The Timberland Nature Trails are also used for training and research purposes. The 14th Security Forces Squadron often uses the area for important All-Terrain Vehicle and Ground Combat Skills training. The trails provide unique and realistic training space. Additionally, Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine recently visited the trails to collect plants that can be poisonous to animals, including Oak, Azalea, Fescue and Rhododendron.

The care and maintenance of the trails system at Columbus AFB requires effort on the part of everyone who enjoys them. When hiking, fishing or hunting, common etiquette applies in addition to rules for specific activities. Personnel should clean up after themselves, including their dogs. Unless authorized to do so, samples should not be taken. Leave flowers and other items in place so other hikers may enjoy them. Marked trails should be the only place where hiking occurs. Walk on the right, pass on the left, and acknowledge others in a friendly manner.

Personnel are invited to play a larger role in trail maintenance by volunteering to participate in a trail and streambed cleanup and other activities. Keep checking Silver Wings for more details on these activities as Earth Day approaches.