Erwin Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 8 Avon Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (585) 226-2466; region8@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 Erwin, Steuben County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 8T
- Map: Erwin Wildlife Management Area Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
DEC hosted a virtual presentation on the habitat management plan for Erwin WMA on January 28, 2021. View the plan for Erwin (PDF). The event featured a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period. In case you missed it, the presentation was recorded. Questions can be sent by email or call (585) 226-5383.
The primary purposes of Erwin Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This is a 2,507-acre upland tract. It's situated approximately 5 miles west of the City of Corning.
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.
For hunters, there is a variety of game available. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, grey squirrels, raccoons, and ruffed grouse are the primary species. Small marsh pond units provide limited hunting for waterfowl. 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.
Fishermen can find bass, bullheads, and panfish in the two man-made ponds.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Many hiking trails provide access for hiking and bird study. Extensive shrub plantings attract a wide variety of songbirds. Use both the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
Erwin WMA is situated approximately 5 miles west of the City of Corning. From the north the area can be accessed from Smith Hill Road off the Coopers Plains exit of Route 17. From the south the area can be accessed from Weaver Hollow Road off the Gang Mills exit of Route 15.
All Google links leave DEC website.
- Smith Road, very large, stone (42.1762009°N, 77.1735001°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Smith Road, next to dirt road (42.1715012°N, 77.1828003°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, dirt area (42.1589012°N, 77.1548004°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, grass area (42.1581001°N, 77.1569977°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, grass area (42.1501007°N, 77.1569977°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, grass / dirt here to pond (42.1596985°N, 77.1713028°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, grass / dirt area (42.1571999°N, 77.1644974°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, dirt area (42.1629982°N, 77.1508026°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road, pull off at main gate (42.1465988°N, 77.1505966°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Weaver Creek Road (42.1473007°N, 77.1565018°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Beartown Road, grassy area (42.1425018°N, 77.1585999°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 Erwin 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
- Trapping Regulations
- Fishing Regulations
- Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas (PDF) - regulations updated in 2022
The following activities are not permitted in Erwin WMA:
- Unless specifically stated, using motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- motorboats
- Swimming 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
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).
Planning and Management
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Erwin 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.
It was purchased in 1928 by New York State. Since that time, management projects creating wildlife openings, marsh ponds, and tree and shrub plantations have enhanced wildlife habitat. Success of this management is evident in the abundant harvest of wildlife from Erwin. Area vegetation is primarily second growth hardwoods with softwoods and other interesting species intermixed. There was extensive logging prior to state purchase of the land, and it is challenging to attempt to locate some of the ancient hardwood species which still remain.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Erwin Wildlife Management Area (PDF, 5.6 MB), approved in July 2020, 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.
- Steuben County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
- Finger Lake Tourism Alliance (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Cameron State Forest
- Cameron Mills State Forest
- Dry Run State Forest
- Erwin Hollow State Forest
- Erwin Mountain State Forest
- Helmer Creek WMA
- McCarthy Hill State Forest
- Meads Creek State Forest
- South Bradford State Forest
- Tracy Creek State Forest
- West Cameron WMA
- West Hill State Forest
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.
