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Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area

Partridge Run WMA Locator Map

huntingtrappingicon for fishing showing a fish and a hookbird viewing areahikeparkingicon key

Young forest area on Partridge Run WMA.
Area of young forest habitat on Partridge Run WMA.

The primary purposes of Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA consists of about 4,500 acres of upland and wetland habitat in Albany County. The majority of the current WMA was transferred to New York State in 1962 by the federal government. Numerous parking areas are located throughout the WMA.

Partridge Run is located on the Helderberg Escarpment, and varies in elevation from about 1600 feet to over 1900 feet. Soils are thin and winters are typically long. Most of Partridge Run WMA is forested with natural stands of northern hardwoods comprised of maple, ash, and yellow birch, as well as hemlock. Several hundred acres of spruce and pine plantations were planted during the 1930s and 1940s. There are several hundred acres of fields maintained throughout the WMA. In addition, there are numerous ponds, wetlands, and beaver impoundments located on the WMA.

In 2004, Partridge Run WMA was designated as part of the as part of the Helderberg Bird Conservation Area. A variety of habitats on the escarpment provide an important area for both resident and migrant birds.

Featured Activities

Hiking

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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

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trapping

Wildlife Management Unit: 4H

General information on hunting and general information on trapping include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

Partridge Run WMA is a pheasant release site during the small game season. This WMA is a popular spot for ruffed grouse hunting as well. Some waterfowl hunting does occur on the numerous ponds, beaver impoundments, and lakes present on the WMA. During the big game season, many hunters pursue deer. An occasional black bear is shot on the WMA. Partridge Run is also open for trapping during regular trapping seasons. Species that can be found here include beaver, muskrat, mink, fisher, fox, and coyote. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons and trapping seasons).

Fishing

icon for fishing showing a fish and a hook

General information on fishing includes how-to and safety tips and links to seasons, rules, and regulations.

Warm water sport fish such as pickerel, yellow perch, bullhead, sunfish and bass can be found in the numerous ponds on the WMA.

Partridge Run Brown Sign

Wildlife

bird viewing area

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.

Accessible Features

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access.

Individuals with disabilities can apply for a permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) to use a motor vehicle on two trails on this WMA.

  • Red Belly Trail - This little-used administrative road is mostly surfaced with shale, although in some places the shale is hard to find and the surface appears mostly grassy. From its western end at Ravine Road, the road drops over 200 feet in elevation to an at-grade wet crossing of a stream. Sections of the road are steep and may exhibit erosion. Some areas are wet and soft due to poor drainage. There is one additional stream crossing and several crossings of drainage swales. Four-wheel drive is highly recommended, as is avoiding this road when conditions are wet. The road mostly runs through a stand of Norway spruce, through there are several small fields at the western end. At the junction with Wood Duck Trail, a beaver pond is present. This trail is gated at the western end. The eastern end joins with Wood Duck Trail (see below).
  • Wood Duck Trail - this administrative road is mostly surfaced with shale. It is fairly level. Portions run through a Norway spruce stand, but the landscape opens up near Pickerel Ponds and Wood Duck Pond. The road is sometimes flooded where it runs between Pickerel Ponds. This trail is gated at both ends.

Directions

The WMA can be access from County Route 13, County Route 6, and a number of town roads.

All Google links leave DEC website.

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 Partridge Run 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 and Regulations

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 Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area

wildlife restoration logo

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Partridge Run 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 Partridge Run WMA is designed to maintain important freshwater wetlands and a diversity of upland habitat types so many species can exist on the site. Regular timber harvests occur on the property in order to maintain forest stand health and diversity of stand age and structure. Other habitat improvements include mowing, trail creation, and the placement of nesting boxes. Apple orchards found in upland areas are maintained to provide food for wildlife.

View the Habitat Management Plan for Partridge Run Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in August 2017, 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.

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.


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