Towns: Concord, Sudbury
Acreage: 148
Wildlife Management Zone: 10
Waterfowl Zone: Central
Description
Pantry Brook WMA was purchased by MassWildlife in 1952 and was the very first Wildlife Management in the Commonwealth! Pantry Brook WMA is almost entirely wetland habitat surrounding the lower reaches of Pantry Brook and Cold Brook. Open grass marshlands are slowly growing in with alder, button bush, and red maple.
Location, access, & parking
There are parking areas off of Weir Hill Road (reached by going through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge) and Lincoln Road. There is an informal access off Concord Road. If you need to launch a kayak or canoe, use the trail off Weir Hill Road just past the Refuge facilities building. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
The Pantry Brook Dam was erected in the 1991 to improve waterfowl habitat and is maintained by MassWildlife. The dam is about one hundred yards above the Sudbury River and during high water periods, the river floods back over the dam and upstream to Concord Road. Learn more about MassWildlife's habitat management activities.
Hunting opportunities
Aquatic furbearers including beaver, muskrat, river otter, and mink, as well as raccoon and waterfowl are abundant. White-tailed deer, red fox, and eastern coyote can be found in the upland areas.
Wildlife viewing & other features
The wetlands are great for kayaking and canoeing. A variety of waterfowl and migratory stopovers frequent the marshes, especially during the spring, providing plentiful bird-watching opportunities. This is a good site to observe some of the more uncommon marsh birds.
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.