Towns: Brookfield, North Brookfield, West Brookfield
Acreage: 467
Wildlife Management Zone: 8
Description
Richardson WMA features mixed hardwood and conifer stands, fields, beaver impoundments and shrub swamp habitat. Willow Brook runs through the eastern section of this property.
Location, access, & parking
Parking for 4 cars each can be found on Devil's Elbow Road and West Brookfield Road. Additional roadside parking is available on the shoulders of Foster Hill Road. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting opportunities
Given the hardwood ridges and wetlands, this WMA provides great opportunity to pursue white-tailed deer, gray squirrel, and waterfowl. Additional hunting in the field area allow for the pursuit of eastern coyote, gray and red fox, and woodcock. This is a pheasant stocked area.
Wildlife viewing & other features
Due to the abundance of wetlands, there are ample opportunities to view waterfowl. Additionally, grassland/shrubland birds are prevalent in the maintained fields.
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.
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.