Towns: New Braintree
Acreage: 2,129
Wildlife Management Zone: 8
Description
The Winimusset WMA is a diverse property containing fields, apple trees, hardwood lined ridges, conifer stands, and a large beaver meadow. This property consists of multiple parcels with a notably large parcel to the east and a cluster of parcels to the west. Winimusset Brook follows the western border of this property.
Location, access, & parking
A paved parking lot for 10 vehicles is available near the intersection of Hardwick Road and Ravine Road and allows for access to the northwest section of this property. Closer to the center of the property, there is parking for 10 vehicles near the intersection of Hardwick Road and Thompson Road. There is another 10-vehicle lot at the eastern parcel off of Thompson Road. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Habitat management
Work has been done to reclaim overgrown fields and release crowded apple trees. Some fields are leased annually for agriculture.
Learn more about MassWildlife’s habitat management activities.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
The areas of hardwood ridges provide opportunities to pursue white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and gray squirrel. The open fields provide opportunities to pursue upland birds, gray and red fox, and eastern coyote. The beaver meadow provides opportunities to pursue waterfowl, American woodcock, and raccoon. This is a pheasant stocked property. The management area contains several sections of small headwater streams but are quite small and thus unlikely to provide any substantial fishing opportunities.
Freshwater fishing regulations
Wildlife viewing & other features
Due to the variable habitat and open fields, this is an ideal property to view wildlife. Seasonal views to the east are present from the higher ridges on this property.
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.