Margaret Burke Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 4 Schenectady Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:30PM), (607) 652-2182; 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 Knox, Albany County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 4H
- Map: Margaret Burke WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Margaret Burke Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA consists of 245 acres of mostly upland habitat in Albany County and is bisected by Pleasant Valley Road. The land was donated to DEC in 1958. The site is on the Helderberg Escarpment and exhibits karst geology, with very thin soils and numerous rock outcrops displaying interesting cracks and fissures.
Margaret Burke WMA is included within the Helderberg Bird Conservation Area, providing a variety of bird species to enjoy, including American woodcock, ruffed grouse, brown thrasher, eastern towhee, and several forest warblers and other songbirds.
Numerous habitat types can be found on the WMA on both sides of Pleasant Valley Road. Habitat east of the road consists primarily of mature mixed forest. Habitat west of the road is the former property of Burke farms and contains fields, shrubby areas, orchards, conifer plantations, and natural woodlands. One small area of shrub wetland exists along the western edge of the property. The variety of habitats offers ample opportunities to see a diversity of wildlife.
Featured Activities
Successful hunters at Margaret Burke WMA.
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.
This WMA is a designated pheasant release site during the small game hunting season. 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.
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
Take NYS Route 156 east 2 miles, turn right on County Route 254 (Pleasant Valley Road) and go about ½ mile to reach the WMA. A kiosk will be up a driveway on the left. About another half mile down the road is a second entrance on your right. Parking areas can be found on Pleasant Valley Road. A gas line right-of-way on the east side of the property provides good access to the forested areas.
All Google links leave DEC website.
- Route 254, west area (42.6722984°N, 74.0912018°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Route 254 , east area (42.6747017°N, 74.085701°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 Margaret Burke 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 Margaret Burke WMA:
- Using motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- Camping
- Using metal detectors, searching for or removing historic or cultural artifacts without a permit
- Damaging or removing gates, fences, signs, or other property
- Cutting, removing, or damaging living vegetation
- Construction of permanent blinds or other structures such as tree stands
- Littering
- Storage of personal property
- The area near the former shale pit is posted against all entry to preclude target shooting at this location.
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, Margaret Burke 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 Margaret Burke WMA is designed to maintain important forested and early successional habitats so many species can exist on the site. Selected timber harvesting has occurred periodically at this WMA in order to maintain the health of the forest and increase forest stand diversity. Habitat improvements include mowing and the placement of nesting boxes. In the early 1960s, former farm fields were planted with trees and shrubs to increase food and cover for wildlife. Crab apple and 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 and other early successional species. In the near future, timber harvests will occur in order to create young forest habitat, which will benefit a variety of species, including deer, grouse, and woodcock.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Margaret Burke Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in December 2016, 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.
- Albany County Tourism (leaves DEC website)
State Lands and Facilities
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.
