Towns: Deerfield, Hatfield, Whately
Acreage: 706
Wildlife Management Zone: 4N
Description
This WMA is composed of a multitude of parcels that lie in the relatively flat floodplain of the Mill River. The property mainly consists of a large black gum-pin oak-white oak swamp that contains red maple, black gum, swamp white oak, and pin oak. The surrounding uplands are made up of central hardwoods (oak, beech, birch) and white pine. Two parcels at the southern end of the WMA contain manmade ponds which are remnant borrow pits that were used during the construction of Highway 91.
Location, access, & parking
The property can be accessed from State Road (Route 5), Swamp Road, and North Road. A grass parking area for two cars exists off of North Road. Parking areas are not maintained in the winter. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting opportunities
Hunting opportunities exist for white-tailed deer, black bear, fox, eastern coyote, gray squirrel, raccoon, and aquatic furbearers. This area is stocked with ring-necked pheasants during the pheasant season.
Fishing opportunities
Mill River provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout, reproducing brown trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and stocked trout species. Roaring Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout and reproducing brown trout. Esther Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout. Go to mass.gov/trout for more information.
Wildlife viewing & other features
This WMA contains a large black gum-pin oak-swamp white oak “perched” swamp natural community which is unusual to find in Massachusetts. The Mill River supports rare freshwater mussels and dragonflies.
Regulations
During the pheasant season, a “hunter orange” hat is required for all hunters except while night-hunting raccoons or opossums 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 raccoons or opossums 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.