Town: Leverett, Montague, Sunderland
Acreage: 1,805
Wildlife Management Zone: 5
Description
This property is made up of several large parcels of variable terrain that cover Stoddard Hill and Chestnut Hill. The habitats on this WMA consist of mature upland forest of central hardwoods (oak, hickory, sugar maple, birch) mixed with white pine and Hemlock. A two-acre field exists near the center of the property and Spaulding Brook is almost entirely contained within the WMA. There is also frontage along the Sawmill River.
Location, access, & parking
The WMA can be accessed from North Leverett Road, Ripley Road, and West Chestnut Hill Road. Dirt parking areas on Ripley Road and West Chestnut Hill Road can accommodate about four cars. Parking areas are not maintained during winter. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting opportunities
This WMA provides hunting opportunities for black bear, white-tailed deer, bobcat, eastern coyote, raccoon fox, and squirrel.
Fishing opportunities
The Sawmill River provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout, reproducing brown trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, sunfish, yellow perch and stocked trout species. Go to mass.gov/trout for more information. Spaulding Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout. Both the Sawmill River and Spaulding Brook are Coldwater Fish Resources.
Wildlife viewing & other features
The WMA is part of a 2,100 acre block of unfragmented forest and provides critical habitat for forest interior species.
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.