Town: Southwick
Acreage: 265
Wildlife Management Zone: 4S
Description
The creation of Southwick WMA is part of a larger successful effort to conserve grassland habitat in the Connecticut Valley. Grasslands, which are in decline, are vital to the survival of many types of wildlife. Lands to the south and west of the WMA are protected by the state of Connecticut and the town of Southwick, respectively. Most of this area was formerly used for intensive tabaco production. MassWildlife acquired most of the property in 2008 and has since conducted extensive grassland restoration and forest management to promote healthy and vigorous growth of native grasses, shrubs, and trees. Several maintenance roads and unmarked trails wind through the WMA and can be used for walking, hiking, birding, cross-country skiing, and hunting access. Since these habitats need some form of disturbance to thrive, visitors may notice operations like mowing and prescribed fires taking place periodically. Take time to explore these carefully restored areas and the native wildlife they support.
Learn more about MassWildlife's habitat management activities.
Location, access, & parking
The WMA can be accessed from South Longyard Road. A small parking area exists on South Longyard Road that can hold around five cars. Parking areas are not maintained in the winter. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting opportunities
Ring-necked pheasants are stocked in the expansive grasslands three times per week during the fall season. MassWildlife’s focus on oak regeneration and grassland management benefits white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, black bears, cottontail rabbits, and coyotes.
Fishing opportunities
Nearby Lake Congamond is renowned for its largemouth bass fishery, which commonly produces fish exceeding 5 pounds. Smallmouth bass, panfish, yellow perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, and stocked brown trout are regularly caught. The town of Southwick manages two public boat ramps; shoreline access is available near the ramps.
Wildlife viewing & other features
Wildlife watchers are in for a treat when visiting the restored grassland and shrubland of this WMA. Look for grasshopper, clay-colored, and vesper sparrows along with eastern meadowlarks, American kestrels, and eastern whip-poor wills. Northern harriers are often seen hunting over the grasslands during migration and northern shrikes occasionally overwinter here. The grasslands support a wide variety of butterflies, moths, tiger beetles, and native bees. In recent years, MassWildlife has created and enhanced vernal pools within the property to benefit declining amphibians.
Regulations
Southwick is a pheasant-stocked property and a “hunter orange” hat is required during the pheasant season except while night hunting for raccoons or opossums or while hunting waterfowl from within a blind or boat. No person shall hunt before sunrise or after sunset on any WMA where pheasant or quail are stocked during the open season on pheasant or quail, except for the hunting of raccoons and 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.