Wildlife Management Area

Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area

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Located in the northwestern Cattaraugus Highlands portion of the Appalachian Plateau, Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (MUA) is a 2,500-acre area comprised of abandoned farmland interspersed with scattered small woodlots that provide a variety of habitat types for many kinds of wildlife.

This ecological zone is characterized by flat-topped uplands with deep intervening valleys. Many farms were abandoned in the 1920s and 1930s because of the poor soils and steep slopes. The economic pressures during the Great Depression led to farm abandonment in the area. DEC began acquiring properties in 1961 under the Park and Recreation Land Acquisition Bond Act of 1960.

 

Featured Activities

General information on hiking includes how-to and safety tips and links to rules and regulations.

Please stay on the designated trails to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.

Wildlife Management Unit: 9H

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

Hunting is allowed for a variety of species that can be found at Carlton Hill. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons). Note: hunting is not permitted on all portions of the property. Please see the Carlton Hill MUA Map (PDF) for restricted areas.

Wildlife Management Unit: 9H

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

Trapping is allowed for a variety of species that can be found at Carlton Hill. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view trapping seasons). Note: trapping is not permitted on all portions of the property. Please see the Carlton Hill MUA Map (PDF) for restricted areas.

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

Little Tonawanda Creek is stocked with brown trout in the spring.

General information on animals includes links to information about birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, amphibians, and insects that inhabit or migrate through the state.

The diversity of habitat types provides good food and cover for a wide variety of wildlife species, including several threatened species (Henslow's sparrow, northern harrier and pied-billed grebe) and species of special concern (grasshopper sparrow, yellow-breasted chat and horned lark). In recognition of this, the MUA was designated as a Bird Conservation Area (BCA) in 2006.

Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

Carlton Hill MUA is located three miles north of the Village of Warsaw in the Town of Middlebury, Wyoming County.

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

Rules, Regulations & 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 Carlton Hill Multiple Use 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:

Outdoor Safety Tips:

How We Manage Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Carlton Hill MUA is managed by DEC's Division of Fish and Wildlife for 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.

One of the principal management objectives for the Carlton Hill MUA is to support a diversity of bird species including a number of species at risk. View the Habitat Management Plan for Carlton Hill Multiple Use Area (PDF), approved in April 2019, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities & 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.

Important Links

Watchable Wildlife
Wyoming County Tourism
Contact for this Page

NYS DEC Region 9 Wildlife Manager
182 E Union St Suite 3
Allegany, NY 14706

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