Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area
Carter's Pond Wildlife Management Area Map || Carter's Pond Wildlife Management Area Map (PDF, 622 KB)
The Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area is located along County Route 338 in the Town of Greenwich, Washington County. The 446.5 acre management area was dedicated to Philip A. Dustin, an avid conservationist and charter member of the Waterfowl Improvement Association. The Association, a group of sportsmen, encouraged New York's acquisition of Carters Pond as a waterfowl management area.
Recreational Opportunities
Is the variety of fungi growing throughout the moist woods of any special interest? Or maybe the water birds that may be observed nesting or migrating through the area, including flocks of Canada geese, mallards, black ducks and wood ducks? Or searching for a hummingbird nest or finding a mink track in the mud? Carters Pond offers a lot to enjoy for those willing to "stop and smell the roses."
Nature observation and photography, fishing, hunting, trapping, and canoeing are just some of the recreational activities available at Carter's Pond.
Hunting, fishing and trapping are integral parts of the conservation and management of New York's natural resources. Check the annual syllabus for hunting, fishing, and trapping season dates which apply to the Wildlife Management Unit.
Ducks, woodcock, grouse, pheasants and deer attract hunters to the area in October and November. DEC releases ring-necked pheasants in the area prior to the hunting season. Muskrats, mink and foxes attract the most interest from trappers. Fishing is a major summer family activity at Carters Pond. Among the chief game fish species are largemouth bass, chain pickerel, northern pike, bluegill, sunfish and bullhead.
The mile long Nature trail was constructed in 1980 by the combined efforts of the Washington County Youth Conservation Corps and members of the Waterfowl Improvement Association. The trail offers you an opportunity to learn more about nature and examine the relationship between wildlife, habitat, soils, and climate. The trail has also been used by cross-country skiing enthusiasts. As you walk or ski along, watch for identification tags on the trees. They will tell you the name of the species you're looking at.
Accessible Recreation
A wheelchair accessible path to an elevated viewing platform exists at the trailhead to the hiking trail at Carter's Pond. A trail of approximately 50 feet in length and constructed of compacted gravel leads from the parking lot up a very slight grade to a point where it meets a wooden boardwalk with railings. The level board walk extends out toward the pond as the surrounding ground slopes fairly steeply down to the water's edge. The short board walk ends at a small deck with railings that allows room for a wheelchair to turn around. The viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk provides a pleasant bird's eye view of the pond.
Full listing of DEC's Accessible Recreation Destinations.
Rules For Use
Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area is open to the public throughout the year. Hunting, fishing and trapping are allowed in season on the entire area in accordance with the Environmental Conservation Law and regulations.
Boundary lines and parking areas are clearly marked and any special regulations are conspicuously posted at all access points.
The following actions are prohibited: swimming, overnight camping, fires, the use of all motorized vehicles and the use of motorized water conveyances.
For more information concerning Carters Pond Wildlife Management Area please contact the Region 5 Bureau of Wildlife at (518) 623-1240 or (518) 897-1291.
Please Observe Good Outdoor Manners: If You Carry It In, Carry It Out
Habitat and Wildlife
The woodlands, open areas, modern farming activity, brush and wetlands provide a diverse habitat for a variety of wildlife species. Wildlife may be as diverse as 51 mammals, 174 birds, 6 reptiles, 8 amphibians, and 11 fish. How many birds can you find?
Wood duck nesting boxes erected by the Waterfowl Improvement Association are scattered around the marsh. Wood ducks, hooded mergansers, screech and saw-whet owls, and tree swallows have been observed using these boxes.
