Stid Hill 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: Towns of Bristol and South Bristol, Ontario County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 8N
- Map: Stid Hill WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 1035-acre tract of land situated in the townships of Bristol and South Bristol in Ontario County. It is bounded by Route 64 on the west and Dugway Road on the north. Ganargua Creek, better known as Mud Creek, flows along Route 64. At one time, Stid Hill was productive sheep and cattle grazing land. Today, grazing has been eliminated.
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.
Waterfowl entice hunters to Victory Mills, while muskrat and mink attract the interest of trappers. 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.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
The mixture of steep hills, ravines, gullies, gorges, woods, and open areas create scenic vistas and also provide varied wildlife habitats. Use both the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
Located in the townships of Bristol and South Bristol in Ontario County and bounded by Route 64 on the west and Dugway Road on the north. All links below leave DEC website.
- NY Route 64, large northern area (42.765460°N, 77.406249°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- NY Route 64, southern area (42.731348°N, 77.399071°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 Stid Hill 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
- Bicycles are allowed on all trails on this WMA. No new trails may be constructed without written approval from DEC. Bikers should voluntarily avoid riding trails during deer and turkey hunting seasons to avoid conflicts with other users.
The following activities are not permitted in Stid Hill 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, Stid Hill 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.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Stid Hill Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in May 2017, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.
DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Northern Finger Lakes Draft Unit Management Plan (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural and human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries, and much more. If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- Finger Lakes Tourism Alliance (leaves DEC website)
- Ontario County Finger Lakes Visitors Connection (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Bare Hill Unique Area
- High Tor Wildlife Management Area
- Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Honeoye Inlet Wildlife Management Area
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.
