Town: Leyden
Acreage: 759
Wildlife Management Zone: 4N
Description
This property covers the hills surrounding Ball Mountain. You’ll find mature upland forest of transitional hardwoods (oak, sugar maple, birch) mixed with white pine and eastern hemlock. Interspersed within the property are over 120 acres of open habitats including old field habitat, shrubland, and ridgetop heaths. Many of these open areas contain apple trees and blueberry barrens maintained for wildlife. East Glenn Brook flows through the western portion of the WMA.
Location, access, & parking
The WMA can be accessed from Eden Trail Road on the east, East Glenn Road on the west, and from Oak Hill Road on the south. There is a gravel parking area that can accommodate 4 cars on the north part of the WMA off of East Glenn Road. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
The habitat management activities conducted at this WMA are designed to maintain the open areas and shrublands. In 2010 there was significant clearing on the north end of the property to enhance open habitats. Periodic mowing, invasive plant control, and prescribed burns are used to maintain habitats.
Learn more about MassWildlife's habitat management activities.
Hunting opportunities
Game animals found in this habitat include black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, American woodcock, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit, eastern coyote, fox, and raccoon. This WMA is stocked with ring-necked pheasants. For more information on pheasant stocking, go to mass.gov/pheasant .
Wildlife viewing & other features
East Glenn Brook is a coldwater stream. The ridgetop heathland on the WMA, which is a natural low shrub plant community that forms on shallow bedrock provides spectacular views of the surrounding hillsides.
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.