Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area

• Open for Recreation: Year-round
• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 8 Avon Office (M-F, 8:30AM - 4:45PM), (585) 226-2466; [email protected]
  • Search, rescue, wildfire, and enforcement matters: 911- or - 1-833-NYS-RANGERS (1-833-697-7264) 
    A local Forest Ranger is a valuable source of information for the state land you would like to visit.
• Location: Town of Richmond, Ontario County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 8H
• Map: Honeoye Creek WMA Map (PDF) || Google Earth || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is a 717-acre parcel that was purchased in 1988 with funds from the 1986 Environmental Quality Bond Act. The WMA consists of agricultural fields, brush lots, woodlands, and swamps that provide a varied habitat for many species of wildlife.

Directions

All Google links leave DEC website.

• County Road 36, behind buildings (42.7914009°N, 77.5161972°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
• County Route 15 (42.8269005°N, 77.5282974°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions
• County Route 37, parking area (42.8064003°N, 77.5326004°W) - Get Google Map Driving Directions

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 Honeoye Creek 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

• Wildlife Management Area Regulations (PDF) - updated in 2022
• Hunting Regulations
• Trapping Regulations
• Fishing Regulations

Outdoor Safety Tips

• Hunting Safety Tips
• Hiking 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.

Planning and Management

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Honeoye Creek 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 of the area emphasizes habitat conservation for wildlife, compatible public use, and enjoyment of the area's attributes and serves as an educational demonstration area for land management techniques. View the Habitat Management Plan for Honeoye Creek Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in October 2017, which identifies the WMA-specific target species and habitat goals for the WMA.

DEC manages these lands in accordance with the management activities described in the Northern Finger Lakes Draft Unit Management Plan (PDF). In addition to management objectives, the UMP contains detailed information on natural features, recreational infrastructure, geology, natural & human history, habitats, wildlife, fisheries, and much more. If you have questions and/or comments about this UMP, please email us.

Nearby State Lands, Facilities, Amenities and Other Information

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

• Finger Lake Tourism Alliance
• Ontario County Finger Lakes Visitors Connection

State Lands and Facilities

• Hemlock Canadice State Forest
• Honeoye Inlet WMA
• Stid Hill WMA

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.