Ashland
Wildlife Management Area Overview
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This 2040-acre WMA is located in northern Jefferson County two miles northeast of the village of Three Mile Bay, along the Depot and Ashland roads. Much of the land borders Burnt Rock Road and County Route 8. Ashland is primarily an area of open meadows, second growth and young forests typical of the Lake Ontario plains.
Current management practices at Ashland WMA is aimed at restoring and creating grassland habitat for various bird and wildlife species. In addition to the grassland habitat restoration projects, management techniques such as the construction of small dikes and ditch plugging will help increase the amount of waterfowl nesting and feeding cover on the area.
Small game, deer and grassland nesting birds are found on the area. Late summer mowing of the grasslands is done on a yearly basis to sustain the grasslands, preventing them from becoming young forest or brushland. Shaver Creek and a number of "potholes" also provide wetland habitat used by waterfowl and several species of furbearing mammals.
The Ashland snowmobile trail crosses through the WMA providing an important connection with adjoining trails. A walking trail was created when a water line was buried in an old railroad bed that crossed the WMA. There is parking for one or two cars on Burnt Rock Road. It is not a through trail.
What to do at Ashland WMA
The WMA is open to hunting and trapping during open statewide seasons and hunting hours. This WMA is one of the stocking sites for pheasant hunting in Jefferson County. Deer hunting is also popular on the area. No permits are required to use the area.
Restricted Activities
General restrictions on WMA's can be found in the Title 6, NYCRR, Part 51, Section 51.1 through 51.6. The use all terrain vehicles is prohibited on the WMA by posted notice.
For more information, contact:
Regional Wildlife Manager, Region 6
NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation
317 Washington St.
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 785-2263
| Available | Not Available |
|---|---|
| Upland | Nature Trails * |
| Wetland | Accessible features for people with disabilities |
| Hiking Trails * | Boat Access |
| Parking Lot | Viewing Tower |
| Birdwatching | Scenic Vistas |
| X-Country Skiing | Picnic Areas |
| Snowshoeing | Restrooms |
| Hunting | Camping |
| Trapping | Fishing |
| Endangered Species | |
| Unusual Plants |
* A nature trail can be used as a hiking trail. In addition to allowing hiking, a nature trail usually has printed information along the trail and often has a printed brochure available.
