The Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area is an approximately
wildlife management area
A Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a protected area set aside for the conservation of wildlife and for recreational activities involving wildlife.
New Zealand
There are 11 Wildlife Management Areas in New Zealand:
* Horsham Downs Wildlife Man ...
(WMA) located in western
New York, United States.
Most of this conservation area is in the northwest part of
Genesee County, with a small northern portion in
Orleans County.
The Oak Orchard Swamp, which is the heart of the conservation area, is formed by a natural obstruction to the flow of
Oak Orchard Creek
Oak Orchard Creek (sometimes called Oak Orchard River) is a tributary of Lake Ontario in Orleans County, New York in the United States.
The creek flows through Oak Orchard Creek Marsh, of which were declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1 ...
. Oak Orchard WMA, along with the
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge and the
Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is a wildlife management area (WMA) located in western New York State. It is located primarily within Niagara County and Genesee County, with a small portion within Orleans County. It is managed by the Ne ...
farther to the west, helps form a continuous conservation and management zone, the Alabama Swamp Complex, covering part of three counties.
Geography
The Oak Orchard WMA is located about halfway between
Buffalo and
Rochester
Rochester may refer to:
Places Australia
* Rochester, Victoria
Canada
* Rochester, Alberta
United Kingdom
*Rochester, Kent
** City of Rochester-upon-Medway (1982–1998), district council area
** History of Rochester, Kent
** HM Prison ...
. It is north of the
Village of Oakfield.
The western boundary is marked by Knowlesville Road, which separates the WMA from Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. The northern boundary is partly marked by Podunk Road and East Shelby Road. Albion Road passes through the eastern part of the WMA. No highway or other feature marks the south boundary.
Public use
Most of the pedestrian traffic in the WMA is along the dikes that separate the wetland into discrete marshes. Except for unpaved roads reserved for official use, the only roadways through the area are a few local rural roads.
Permissible activities at Oak Orchard WMA include hunting, fishing, non-motorized boating, hiking and nature study, bird watching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Photography is enhanced by blinds that are installed at some locations. An observation tower is located on Albion Road, and an education center is located on Knowlesville Road, which includes some picnicking facilities.
Trapping is also allowed via permits assigned by lottery, and dog training is permitted within state regulations. Camping is available only to groups with a permit.
Prohibited activities include the use of motorized vehicles (except in parking areas), the use of motorized boats, and hunting of waterfowl in marked areas.
See also
*
List of New York state wildlife management areas
New York State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are conservation areas managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) primarily for the benefit of wildlife, and used extensively by the public for hunting, fishing ...
References
External links
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation: Oak Orchard and Tonawanda Wildlife Management Areas
{{Protected areas of New York
Wildlife management areas of New York (state)
Protected areas of Genesee County, New York
Protected areas of Orleans County, New York