Western Adirondacks/ Upper Mohawk Valley/ Eastern Lake Ontario WMAs - Region 6
Wildlife Stewardship in Region 6
The Region 6 Wildlife Unit manages wildlife resources in an 8,000-square-mile region of diverse habitats including the St. Lawrence River Valley, western Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, and the Mohawk Valley. Region 6 Wildlife staff deliver a varied program to address the opportunities and challenges associated with forested wildlife habitats, extensive agricultural landscapes, and within its small- to medium-sized urban centers.
Observe the following animals thriving in their preferred habitats within Region 6:
- deer
- bear
- small mammals
- furbearers
- waterfowl and waterbirds
- endangered species
- small game
- upland game birds
- songbirds
Encompassing five counties, Region 6 maintains 20 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) totaling around 47,000 acres. Many of our WMAs include exceptional freshwater wetlands designated as Significant Habitats and/or Important Bird Areas (leaves DEC website).
Activities for all Ages and Abilities
There is something for every wildlife enthusiast in Region 6. Wildlife viewers can enjoy everything from abundant shorebirds, waterfowl, and wetland wildlife in the Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence Plains to Loons, boreal birds, and wilderness wildlife of the Adirondacks. The Lake Ontario shoreline is an excellent location to observe spring migration of raptors, songbirds, and other migratory species. Several locations have accessible features.
Hunters will find abundant deer, turkey, and other small game in the fertile valleys, or can seek the remote "big woods" experience of relatively uninhabited portions of the Tug Hill and Adirondacks. Region 6 affords trappers access to some of the best wetland furbearer resources in New York. Beaver, otter, and muskrat are abundant the Region's extensive wetland systems. Coyote, bobcat, fox, and fisher are well distributed in varied upland habitats.
Management Activities
Some of our major challenges include:
- managing impacts of cormorants on fish stocks and other colonial nesting birds on Lake Ontario and the St Lawrence River;
- managing white-tailed deer, canada goose, and beaver populations so their nuisance potential is minimized and the interests of the public for hunting, trapping, and wildlife viewing are balanced;
- managing the unique resources of WMAs to ensure they continue to provide the quality wildlife habitats they represent;
- enhancing and perpetuating populations of endangered species such as Black Tern;
- ensuring wildlife concerns are addressed in state land unit management planning;
- participating in statewide wildlife management planning for a consistent and balanced program; and
- providing public access to wildlife resources.
Regional Wildlife staff are involved in cooperative projects with Cornell University, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, US Department of Agriculture, the US Geological Survey, and the US Army, as well as sister state agencies.
For additional information contact any of the following phone numbers: Watertown office (315) 785-2263, Utica office (315) 793-2554, or Potsdam office (315) 265-3090.
Region 6 Wildlife Management Areas
- Ashland Flats Wildlife Management Area
- Black Pond Wildlife Management Area
- Collins Landing Wildlife Management Area
- Cranberry Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Dexter Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area
- French Creek Wildlife Management Area
- Honeyville Wildlife Management Area
- Indian River Wildlife Management Area
- Lakeview Wildlife Management Area
- Oriskany Flats Wildlife Management Area
- Perch River Wildlife Management Area
- Plantation Island Wildlife Management Area
- Point Peninsula Wildlife Management Area
- Rome Wildlife Management Area
- Swallow Bluffs Wildlife Management Area
- Tug Hill Wildlife Management Area
- Upper and Lower Lakes Wildlife Management Area
- Utica Marsh Wildlife Management Area
- Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area
