Wildlife Management Area

Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area

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Map of Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area

The primary purposes of Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. The WMA's 250 acres contain a blend of upland and wetland forest communities. A utility right-of-way running through the center of the WMA provides some transitional and early successional habitat, dominated by woody shrub species and herbaceous vegetation. The diverse habitats make this a good hunting area and also a good place to view or photograph wildlife.

Featured Activities

Wildlife Management Unit: 3F

General information on hunting include how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules, and regulations. Please be sure to abide by all game laws.

Big game and wild turkey hunting are restricted to bows and crossbows only. Rifles are prohibited. Hunters are reminded that the adjacent Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center remains closed to hunting. Hunting access is from the three small designated parking areas, two on Baxtertown Road and one on Cynwyd Drive (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 3F

General information on trapping includes how-to and safety tips with links to seasons, rules and regulations.

Trappers are reminded that the adjacent Stony Kill Farm Environmental Education Center remains closed. Trapping access is from the three small designated parking areas, two on Baxtertown Road and one on Cynwyd Drive. Trappers will find fox, raccoon, and opossum (view trapping seasons).

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

The WMA is entirely in the Town of Fishkill and is east of Route 9D and south of Baxtertown Road. There are three small parking areas. Two are on Route 34/Baxtertown Road on the north edge of the WMA. The other is on Cynwyd Drive.

All coordinates provided are in decimal degrees using NAD83/WGS84 datum.

Rules, Regulations and Outdoor Safety

Practice Leave No Trace Principles when recreating on state land to enjoy the outdoors responsibly; minimize impact on the natural resources and avoid conflicts with other users.

All users of Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area must follow all Wildlife Management Area Regulations and should follow all Outdoor Safety Practices for the safety of the user and protection of the resource.

Activity Rules & Regulations

Prohibited activities at Baxtertown Woods WMA include:

  • Use of rifles while big game hunting (only bows and crossbows may be used)

For a complete list of all WMA rules and regulations please see the Wildlife Management Area Regulations PDF above.

Outdoor Safety Tips

NOTE: Ticks are active whenever temperatures are above freezing, but especially so in the late spring and early fall. Deer ticks can transmit Lyme and several other diseases. More information on deer ticks and Lyme disease can be obtained from the NYS Department of Health.

How We Manage Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Baxtertown Woods WMA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife conservation and wildlife-associated recreation (hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing, and photography). Funding to maintain and manage this site is provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration or "Pittman-Robertson" Act, which is acquired through excise taxes on sporting arms, ammunition, and archery equipment.

Management options for active habitat management at the WMA are limited by lack of access and the significant amount of wetlands on the area. The utility right-of-way through the area is maintained in low-stature vegetation to prevent interference with the utility lines. No additional habitat management is currently planned for the area.

View the Habitat Management Plan for Baxtertown Woods Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in October 2020, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

Web links below can provide information about other recreation, attractions, and amenities in this area.

State Lands and Facilities

Numerous guide books and maps are available with information on the lands, waters, trails, and other recreational facilities in this area. These can be purchased at most outdoor equipment retailers, bookstores, and on-line booksellers.

Additional information, outdoor equipment, trip suggestions, and guided or self-guided tours may be obtained from outdoor guide and outfitting businesses. Check area chambers of commerce, telephone directories, or search the internet for listings.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide if you have little experience or woodland skills. See the NYS Outdoor Guides Association for information on outdoor guides.

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Region 3 - Lower Hudson Valley
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