Town: Orange
Acreage: 645
Wildlife Management Zone: 5
Description
This property covers most of Tully Mountain and the surrounding hillsides along the West Branch of the Tully River. This WMA is predominantly comprised of mature upland forest of northern hardwoods (maple, beech, birch) intermixed with oak, white pine, and hemlock. Beaver-created wetlands occur where Collar Brook flows into the Tully River in the broad plain known locally as “Tully Meadows”. A small field dotted with apple trees can be found at the end of Mountain Road. Another 693 acres of MassWildlife Wildlife Conservation Easements (WCE) surround this WMA providing increased wildlife habitat and public access.
Location, access, & parking
The property can be accessed from Mountain Road and Tully Road. A gravel parking area accommodates 10 vehicles at the end of Mountain Road. There is a grassy parking area for large enough for two cars on Tully Road. 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.
Habitat management
As of 2021, MassWildlife created 30 acres of young forest habitat, thinned 23 acres of white pine-oak-hemlock forest, and maintained mowing the old fields. On the adjacent Tully Mountain WCE, similar habitat work has been conducted by the landowner. These purposeful actions benefit rare and uncommon birds in the area such as prairie warbler and eastern whip-poor-will as well as game birds like ruffed grouse and American woodcock. Young forests are dense thickets of saplings, shrubs, and plants which sprout after forest canopy is removed. Tree thinning improves acorn production in red and white oaks and reduces disease susceptibility in white pines. Maintaining mowed fields creates areas of bare soil that support specialized plants and pollinators.
Learn more about MassWildlife's habitat management activities.
Hunting opportunities
This WMA provides hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey, and eastern coyote.
Fishing opportunities
Anglers can fish the West Branch of the Tully River for native brook trout, largemouth bass, and stocked trout. Go to mass.gov/trout for more information. Collar Brook provides fishing opportunities for native brook trout.
Wildlife viewing & other features
In the young forest habitat, listen for the prairie warbler’s song in spring, a buzzy upward progression on the chromatic scale. Late spring and summer evenings are filled with the persistent calls of the whip-poor-will while the “peenting” of woodcock adds to the forest chorus. The “Tully Meadows” wetland area provides more great birding opportunities. The 22- mile Tully Trail passes through the WMA and includes a loop to Tully Mountain peak. Enjoy extensive views of the surrounding hillsides and Mt. Monadnock. Portions of the Tully Trail which traverse the WMA, the adjoining WCE, and nearby Fish Brook WMA are maintained under a MassWildlife Trail License Agreement with the North Quabbin Trails Association.
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.