Spicer Creek 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 Grand Island, Erie County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 9A
- Map: Spicer Creek WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Spicer Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This is a 34-acre property located along East River Road in the Town of Grand Island in Erie County. The parcel includes rights to a portion of the Niagara River bed along 1600 feet of its shoreline. The area consists of nearly 26 acres of wetland and approximately 8 acres of brushland and woodland.
The area was purchased in 2004 by the DEC to ensure the permanent preservation of this diverse natural wetland.
Accessible observation area in Spicer Creek WMA
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.
Hunting and trapping are allowed on the property. There are two accessible hunting blinds on the Niagara River. The hunting blinds are included in the waterfowl lottery and permit program coordinated by Beaver Island State Park (leaves DEC website). A free permit is required to hunt at these blinds. The lottery drawings for blinds are held at the state park every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during waterfowl hunting season. For more information, call the state park office at 716-773-3271.
Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
Users of the area are likely to encounter a variety of wildlife species. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Accessible Features
General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.
A universally accessible parking area, trail and two hunting blind/observation decks are available for people of all abilities.
Directions
From Buffalo: Go north on Route 190 to Grand Island and then head east on East River Road. The parking area is on the right just past the intersection with Whitehaven Road (43.0263°N, 78.8975°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 Spicer Creek 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
- Public Use of Wildlife Management Areas (PDF) - regulations updated in 2022
The following activities are not permitted in Spicer Creek WMA:
- Using motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- motorboats
- Swimming (no lifeguard on premises) 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).
How We Manage Spicer Creek Wildlife Management Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Spicer Creek 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 provide habitat for a variety of resident and migratory species; to permit compatible wildlife-related recreational use; and to protect and maintain special wildlife habitats that exist on the area such as the valuable wetland habitat and the Niagara River corridor. In 2009, a universally accessible trail and combination hunting blind/observation deck was developed on the site. The construction of the project was partially funded by the Oakawanda Wildlife Foundation. In 2015, a second blind was developed to improve access on state lands. These blinds provide access to the river for waterfowl hunting and wildlife observation. These activities are carried out with monies derived mainly from hunting license fees and federal taxes on sporting arms and ammunition.
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- Visit Buffalo Niagara (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Motor Island Wildlife Management Area
- Beaver Island State Park (leaves DEC website)
- Buckhorn Island 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.
