Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area

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• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), (607) 652-2182; 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: Town of Coeymans, Albany County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 4B
• Map: Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

User Advisory: In late December 2020 the NYS Thruway Authority closed the unpaved road that provides access to the east side of the WMA from State Rt. 144. DEC is working with Thruway Authority engineers to address a number of safety concerns. The goal is to provide appropriate, safe public access to the east side of the WMA by improving the connecting road and developing a parking lot on the WMA property. Our hope is that project design, approval, and construction will occur during the April 2021 to March 2022 fiscal year. Until work is completed, the only public access to this WMA is from the west side off Old Ravena Road. Be advised that Coeymans Creek separates the majority of the WMA property from the parking lot on Old Ravena Road. During low water conditions it is possible to wade across the creek wearing hip boots but this is not recommended during the winter, when the creek is high or when water is flowing fast.

The primary purposes of Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. Coeymans Creek WMA is located just west of the Hudson River. The WMA includes over 7,100 feet of frontage on Coeymans Creek, a C(TS) stream (may support trout spawning). About 1,300 feet of that frontage encompasses both banks of the creek. Much of this 360-acre WMA is a fairly flat forested wetland, which is cut by deep ravines that drop down to Coeymans Creek. However, the majority of the wetlands are fairly dry most of the year so recreational use is usually possible. On the east side of the creek there are two small mowed fields and one field of about 25 acres, which is currently overgrown with invasive Phragmites (common reed). There is also a gas line right-of-way running north-south through the WMA that is maintained as grass. On the east side of the creek is an 8-acre field and about 12 acres of sloping early successional shrubland and floodplain that meet up with Coeymans Creek.

The property was purchased by the City of Albany from several private landowners for use as a solid waste landfill once the current landfill reached capacity. When their plans changed, the property was sold to the DEC in the spring of 2019. An old railroad line owned until the 1920s by West Shore and Buffalo Railroad Company runs north-south along the eastern edge of the property. Though overgrown, the remains of this rail line can still be found.

Featured Activities

Hunting and Trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 4B
General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

Deer hunting is probably the most common activity that occurs on this property. However, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, gray squirrel, eastern cottontail, coyote, and an occasional bobcat or bear can also be found. This WMA provides opportunities for trapping furbearers such as coyote, raccoon, fox, fisher, beaver, otter, and mink.

Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).

Fishing

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

Some fishing opportunities exist in Coeymans Creek. Prior fisheries surveys by DEC have found brown trout in sections of the creek north of its mouth. The entire section of the creek within the WMA is classified as C(TS). The best access to the creek is from the west side and involves a walk of about 1,400 feet and descent of about 75 feet in elevation.

Wildlife

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

This property is located in the Hudson River flyway and attracts a wide variety of birds during spring and fall migration. In addition, resident wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, an occasional bear, and numerous songbirds provide a diverse range of viewing opportunities. Wildlife found in the area are typical of forests and forest edge habitats.

Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

All Google links leave DEC website.

• Old Ravena Road on the west side (42.510139°N, 73.809631°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

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 Coeymans Creek WMA must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Activity Rules & Regulations

• Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
• Hunting Regulations
• Trapping Regulations

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hunting Safety Tips
• Hiking Safety Tips

Note: Ticks are very common at Coeymans Creek WMA. Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme disease and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health (leaves DEC website).

Poison ivy is very common at this property. This is mostly found as vines growing up the trunks of trees. Be very careful before you touch a vine-try to identify it first. Harmless vines such as wild grape and Virginia creeper are also commonly found.

How We Manage Coeymans Creek Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Coeymans Creek WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing/photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or Pittman-Robertson Act through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

The following highlight some of the principal management objectives and techniques for the property:

• Protect valuable wetlands for their wildlife habitat benefit.
• Maintain existing fields through periodic mowing to provide early successional habitat for wildlife.
• Restore former agriculture fields by controlling the invasive plant Phragmites. This will be done through mowing and application of registered herbicides by a licensed pesticide applicator.
• Maintain apple trees on the property for their wildlife food benefit by removing competing trees.
• Eliminate habitat impacts associated with uncontrolled public use by restricting access by motor vehicles, including ATVs.
• Maintain early successional shrub habitat by periodic use of a forestry mower.
• Provide public access for wildlife dependent uses including hunting, trapping, wildlife observation, and fishing.
• Complete a forest inventory of the property and, as appropriate, develop a forest management plan.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information

Links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

• Albany County Tourism (leaves DEC website)

State Lands and Facilities

• Louise Keir WMA, Town of Coeymans, Albany County
• Vosburgh Swamp WMA, Town of Coxsackie, Greene County

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.