Towns: Barre, Hubbardston, Petersham, Phillipston
Acreage: 3,388
Wildlife Management Zone: 5
Description
This property consists of hardwood ridges, hemlock stands, mountain laurel stands, wooded swamps, blueberry swamps, abandoned apple orchards, and a phone line right of way passing through the property.
Location, access, & parking
Parking for this area is located at several different locations; East Street for 3 vehicles, Glasheen Road for 1 vehicle, Queen Lake Road (Route 101) for 8 vehicles, Williamsville Road for 2 vehicles, and Narrow Lane with a seasonal access depending on road conditions for 5 vehicles. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
There have been recent forestry practices on the north end of the property and active agriculture on open field portions. The district has been releasing apple trees on a semi-annual basis in the old orchards.
Learn more about MassWildlife's habitat management activities.
Hunting opportunities
Hardwood ridges and apple orchards are attractive for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and gray squirrel providing hunting opportunities for these species. The open fields and apple orchards provide for predator hunting and upland game hunting opportunities. The fields are also stocked with ring-necked pheasants during the open pheasant season.
Wildlife viewing & other features
Moose may be seen in the recently cut forested areas of the WMA as new growth provides for an excellent food source and also the wetland areas located within the WMA. There are three large red spruce swamps on this WMA. Red spruce swamps are a Priority Natural Community.
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.