Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 9 Allegany Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:00PM), (716) 372-0645; region9@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 Granger, Allegany County and Town of Portage, Livingston County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9N and 9P
- Map: Genesee Valley WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This is a 717-acre parcel located in the Genesee River Valley, which has low lands mixed with rolling hills characteristic for that part of the county.
DEC acquired the area in 2001 as a gift from the Russell family.
Featured Activities
Hunting and Trapping
Wildlife Management Unit: 9N and 9P
General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Hunting and trapping are permitted on the property in accordance with all game regulations (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).
Fishing
General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.
Genesee Valley WMA is open to fishing. The warm water section of the Genesee River runs past the WMA. Smallmouth bass are the main sportfish. Rock bass are present in the river and one may occasionally see a bluegill, yellow perch, or brown bullhead.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Deer, turkeys, black bears, squirrels, and a host of songbirds frequent the area. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Directions
From Interstate 86, take exit 30 and take a right onto Route 19. Continue north on this route to Fillmore. Turn right onto East Main Street/Route 4 for a short while, then a left onto Route 27B, which eventually turns into Otis Smith Road. Follow this road until the end where it enters the WMA.
There are no designated parking areas on the unit, however roadside parking is available (42.51373°N, 78.042222°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions (leaves DEC website).
All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.
Rules, Regulations & 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 Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area 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
- Fishing Regulations
Grasslands of Genesee Valley WMA
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.
How We Manage Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Genesee Valley 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.
Some of the principal management objectives and techniques for this WMA are to maintain high quality wildlife habitat through a regulated timber and grassland management plan and to protect and maintain special wildlife habitats that exist on the area such as: deer wintering areas, raptor nest sites, and the Genesee River corridor.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Genesee Valley Wildlife Management Area (5.88 KB, PDF), approved in November 2022, 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.
- Allegany County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
- Livingston County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- English Hill State Forest
- Rattlesnake Hill Wildlife Management Area
- Letchworth State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Genesee Valley Greenway State Park (leaves DEC website)
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.
