Wildlife Management Areas
Like to hunt, fish, hike or watch wildlife? Then visit any of the state's numerous Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and explore their forests, open fields, streams, ponds, wetlands and scenic vistas. These are your lands - owned by New York State and operated by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.
More than 85 WMAs are scattered across the state for your use and enjoyment. Together, these areas contain more than 200,000 acres - including 124, 000 acres of upland and 53,000 acres of wetland - providing enough room for a lot of us to get outdoors, have fun and not get in anyone's way.
Visit our list of the most popular WMAs by county, plus their allowable activities and available facilities. Check out a WMA - there's probably one near you!
Some activities may require permits and fees. We strongly advise you to call the appropriate DEC Regional telephone number prior to visiting any WMA. By doing so, you can quickly learn more about a specific area, its uses and facilities.
You may wish to purchase a good quality highway/recreation map at your local bookstore. These maps typically indicate the location of wildlife management areas, state parks and other outdoor recreation sites.
While there are no WMAs on Long Island or in New York City, there are public lands available for use in those regions.
More about Wildlife Management Areas:
- List of New York State Wildlife Management Areas - List of New York State Wildlife Management Areas
- Wildlife Management Areas Program - Wildlife Management Areas Program
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 3 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 3 includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester Counties.
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 4 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 4 includes Albany, Columbia, Greene, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Delaware, Otsego, Schenectady and Schoharie Counties.
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 5 - Wildlife Management Areas in Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Saratoga, Warren and Washington counties
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 6 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 6 includes Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida and St. Lawrence Counties.
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 7 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 7 includes Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Tioga and Tompkins Counties.
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 8 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 8 includes Chemung, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties.
- Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 9 - Wildlife Management Areas in DEC Region 9 includes Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara and Wyoming Counties.
