Stockport Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), (518) 357-2158; Wildlife.r4@dec.ny.gov
- Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264)
A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
- Location: Towns of Stockport and Greenport, Columbia County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4T
- Map: Stockport WMA map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Stockport Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA consists of 357 acres of fields, forested uplands, tidal forested wetlands, tidal marsh, and small areas of freshwater wetlands. The WMA was acquired from Scenic Hudson in 2008 and 2015. The various upland and wetland habitat types found on the WMA support a great variety of fish, wildlife, and plant species. This property is an important feature of the Hudson River Estuary, providing spawning and nursery habitat for striped bass, American shad, shortnose sturgeon, blueback herring, and alewives.
Featured Activities
Hiking
General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.
Please stay on the designated trails to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.
Hunting and Trapping
General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Pheasants are released in the fall to provide hunting opportunity for this popular upland game bird. White tailed deer, waterfowl, and a variety of small game species offer ample hunting and trapping opportunities. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).
Scenic view from Stockport Wildlife Management Area.
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Striped bass and a variety of other fish are available to pursue as this site is adjacent to the Hudson River. Consult the Freshwater Fishing Regulation Guide (PDF) (9.7 MB) for Tidal Hudson River regulations.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
A two-mile trail on the WMA, called the Stockport-Greenport Trail, crosses diverse habitats including meadows, forested areas, and a small pond. Information panels with facts on the habitat and wildlife are provided along the hiking trails. This trail connects to additional hiking opportunities on lands of the Columbia Land Conservancy's Greenport Conservation Area (leaves DEC website) and the Scenic Hudson's Harrier Hill Park (leaves DEC website).
Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
Look for the brown and yellow signs
that identify Wildlife Management Areas.
Portions of Stockport WMA can be accessed by boat from the Hudson River, but the best access to upland areas is provided from Rod and Gun Road in the Town of Stockport or from Almstead Avenue at the end of Ravish Road in the Town of Greenport. Parking is also provided at Scenic Hudson's Harrier Hill Park (leaves DEC website) off Rod and Gun Road.
- Rod and Gun Road (42.2915001°N, 73.7650986°W) - Get Google Driving Directions (leaves DEC website)
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety
Practice Leave No Trace Principles (leaves DEC website) when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.
All users of Stockport Wildlife Management Area must follow all State Land Use Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.
Activity Rules & Regulations
- Hunting Regulations - Some portions of Stockport WMA are close to homes so hunters must be aware of their surroundings and be careful to abide by hunting implement discharge setbacks set by the Environmental Conservation Law.
- Trapping Regulations
- Fishing Regulations
- Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas (PDF) - regulations updated in 2022
The following activities are not permitted in Stockport WMA:
- Using motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- Swimming (no lifeguard on premise) or bathing
- Camping
- Using metal detectors, searching for or removing historic or cultural artifacts without a permit
- Damaging or removing gates, fences, signs, or other property
- Overnight storage of boats
- Cutting, removing, or damaging living vegetation
- Construction of permanent blinds or other structures such as tree stands
- Littering
- Storage of personal property
Outdoor Safety Tips
CAUTION: Poison ivy is prevalent throughout this WMA.
Cedar steps along the 2-mile hiking/nature trail
NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health (leaves DEC website).
How We Manage Stockport Wildlife Management Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Stockport WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.
The management of Stockport WMA is consistent with its primary purpose of providing wildlife habitat and wildlife-related public benefits. This includes managing habitat for resident, migrating, and wintering wildlife. Mowing occurs periodically to maintain fields and trails. Primary management objectives are to provide habitat for breeding and migrating waterfowl, to provide waterfowl hunting opportunities, and to provide for a variety of wildlife-related recreational opportunities such as wildlife viewing, hunting, and trapping.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Stockport Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in December 2016, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- Columbia County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Willows at Brandow Point (leaves DEC website)
- Charles Flood WMA at the Empire Brickyard
- Rogers Island WMA
- Stockport Flats
- Vosburgh Swamp WMA
Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails, and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.
Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions, and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories, or search the internet for listings.
Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association (leaves DEC website) for information on outdoor guides.
