Franklinton Vlaie Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), (607) 652-2302; Wildlife.r4@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 Broome, Schoharie County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4G
- Maps: Franklinton Vlaie WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Franklinton Vlaie Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA consists of about 195 acres of open water, wetland, and upland habitat in Schoharie County. It was acquired from private landowners in the 1980s and 1990s as part of a statewide program to acquire some of the most productive wetlands in New York. The pond and wetlands of Franklinton Vlaie are the headwaters to Catskill Creek. The 85-acre Vlaie Pond comprises a large portion of the WMA. It is surrounded by marshes and shrub swamp, comprised of species including buttonbush, cattail, water arum, pickerel weed, and red maple. Surrounding the pond and wetland are second growth maple-beech forests and active agricultural fields.
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.
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.
A non-motorized boat launch is located at the south end of the pond. Anglers will find a variety of fish species including largemouth bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel, sunfish, brown bullhead, and black crappie.
Wildlife
General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.
An assortment of wildlife inhabit this WMA. Deer, turkeys, squirrels, and a host of songbirds frequent the area. Wildlife observation and nature photography are allowed and encouraged. 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.
There is an accessible kiosk, viewing site, and parking off of Route 145. There is a second accessible parking area on Gates Hill Road with fishing access.
Directions
Parking areas providing access can be found along State Route 145 and Gates Hill Road East in Middleburgh, NY 12122.
All Google links leave DEC website.
- Route 145 (north end), near fishing site and platform (42.5399017°N, 74.2990036°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Gate Hill Road, access to boat launch and dock (42.5209007°N, 74.3062973°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Route145, access to viewing area and dock (42.5309982°N, 74.3001022°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 Franklintown Vlaie 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 Franklinton Vlaie WMA:
- Using motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- motorboat
- 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).
How We Manage Franklinton Vlaie Wildlife Management Area
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Franklinton Vlaie 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.
Management at Franklinton Vlaie is designed to maintain important freshwater wetlands and a diversity of habitat types so many species can exist on the site. Habitat improvements include mowing, trail creation, and placement of nesting boxes. Apple trees found in upland areas are maintained to provide food for wildlife. Mowing is used annually to maintain fields to enhance habitat for grassland nesting birds. Access to some portions on the west side is prohibited January to September to protect nesting eagles. These restricted areas are marked with prominent signs.
DEC has developed a Draft Catskill Creek Unit Management Plan (UMP) (PDF, 5.85 MB) which describes the management activities for these lands, as well as Stone Store State Forest, Leonard Hill State Forest, Dutton Ridge State Forest, Keyserkill State Forest Complex, High Knob State Forest, Bates State Forest, and Scott Patent State Forest. In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries and much more.
Written comments may be submitted to: Paul Farley, NYSDEC, 1130 N. Westcott Road, Schenectady, NY 12306 or e-mail us through May 11, 2020.
A public meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020 at the Gilboa-Conesville Central School: 132 Wyckoff Road, Gilboa, NY 12076
Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & Other Information
Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.
- Schoharie County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
- Armlin Hill State Forest
- Dutton Ridge State Forest
- Gates Hill State Forest
- Partridge Run State Forest
- Rensselaerville State Forest
- Stone Store 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.
