Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area
- Open for Recreation: Year-round
- Fee: Free
- Contact Information:
- DEC Region 3 New Paltz Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (845) 256-3000; r3admin@dec.ny.gov
- Enforcement Matters: (518) 408-5850 (24/7)
- Location: Town of Fishkill, Dutchess County
- Wildlife Management Unit: 3F
- Map: Baxtertown Woods WMA map (PDF) II Google Earth II DECinfo Locator
The primary purposes of Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The WMA's 250 acres contain a blend of upland and wetland forest communities. A utility right-of-way running through the center of the WMA provides some transitional and early successional habitat, dominated by woody shrub species and herbaceous vegetation. The diverse habitats make this a good hunting area and also a good place to view or photograph wildlife.
Featured Activities
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.
Big game and wild turkey hunting are restricted to bows and crossbows only. Rifles are prohibited. Hunters are reminded that the adjacent Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center remains closed to hunting and trapping. Hunting access is from the three small designated parking areas, two on Baxtertown Road and one on Cynwyd Drive. Trappers will find fox, raccoon, and opossum (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. Use the Wildlife Management Area Mammal Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.
Wetland at Baxtertown WMA
Directions
The WMA is entirely in the Town of Fishkill and is east of Route 9D and south of Baxtertown Road. There are three small parking areas. Two are on Route 34/Baxtertown Road on the north edge of the WMA. The other is on Cynwyd Drive.
All Google links leave DEC website.
- Baxtertown Road (Western Parking Area with Kiosk under power lines) (41.54794°N, 73.93036°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Baxtertown Road (Eastern Parking area) (41.54445°N, 73.92351°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
- Cynwyd Drive (41.53567°N, 73.94270°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 Baxtertown Woods 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 Regulations (leaves DEC website)
The following activities are not permitted in Baxtertown Woods WMA:
- Use of motorized vehicles, including:
- all-terrain vehicles
- snowmobiles
- motorboats
- Parking of motor vehicles beyond the limits of a posted quota or outside the designated parking areas.
- Camping
- Construction of structures, blinds, platforms, or stands
- Cutting, plucking, severing, damaging, or removing trees or other vegetation.
- Kindling fires
- Damaging or removing gates, fences, signs, or other property
- Littering
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 Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area
Utility Right-of-Way at the WMA
Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Baxtertown Woods 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 options for active habitat management at the WMA are limited by lack of access and the significant amount of wetlands on the area. The utility right-of-way through the area is maintained in low-stature vegetation to prevent interference with the utility lines. No additional habitat management is currently planned for the area.
View the Habitat Management Plan for Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in October 2020, 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.
- Dutchess County Tourism website (leaves DEC website)
- Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center
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
