Towns: Norton, Taunton
Acreage: 651
Wildlife Management Zone: 11
Waterfowl Zone: Central
Description
The forested upland areas of Erwin S. Wilder WMA consist mostly of oak, maple, and white pine. There are also several small red maple swamps surrounded by some open fields, and a wide band of marshland along the Snake River.
Location, access, & parking
Parking access is located on Toad Island Road and can accommodate up to 20 vehicles. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
This WMA provides great hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, and wild turkey, all of which are abundant on the property. Multiple furbearer species are also present. The area is also stocked with ring-necked pheasants in the fall.
The Snake River provides warmwater fishing opportunities for chain pickerel, largemouth bass, sunfish, and yellow perch. Winnecunnet Pond offers warmwater fishing for bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, white perch, and yellow perch.
Wildlife viewing & other features
This area contains a wide variety of habitats suitable for many different game species as well as non-game species such as songbirds, waterbirds, reptiles, and amphibians. There are some unimproved old roads for walking as well.
Regulations
During pheasant season, a blaze orange hat must be worn by all hunters except while night-hunting raccoon or opossum or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind or boat. No person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset during the open season on pheasant, except for the hunting of raccoon or opossum between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Read Wildlife Management Area regulations.
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.