Honeyville Wildlife Management Area

• Open for Recreation: Year-round

• Fee: Free
• Contact Information:
  • DEC Region 6 Watertown Office (M-F, 8:00AM - 4:45PM), (315) 785-2263; [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 Adams, Jefferson County
• Wildlife Management Unit: 6G
• Map: Honeyville WMA Map (PDF) || DECinfo Locator

The primary purposes of Honeyville Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA is primarily an open water and emergent marsh impoundment with a limited amount of old field and shrub-dominated uplands. These habitats combine for a total WMA size of 110 acres. The WMA's open water is visible to the north of State Route 177 at Honeyville.

This WMA was acquired in 1966 and its impoundment was developed as wetland habitat for nesting and migratory waterfowl. Current public access is limited. A parking area marked with state WMA signs and a short trail to the impoundment is accessible from Fuller Road. However, this beautiful, undeveloped piece of public property is well worth the effort to experience and enjoy. Possibly the WMA's best feature is the shoreline, natural and undeveloped, which is rare in today's world.

Directions

The WMA is located in Jefferson County 8 miles south of Watertown, and 2 miles east of Adams Center.

• Fuller Road (43.8708992°N, 75.9786987°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 Honeyville 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.

How We Manage Honeyville Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Honeyville 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 objectives of the Honeyville WMA include the maintenance of habitat diversity to benefit a wide variety of both game and non-game wildlife species. Current emphasis is placed on maintaining water level control on the impoundment to create a stable habitat of open water and emergent marsh which is critical for water-dependent birds during nesting and brooding season. The Honeyville WMA attracts an abundance of migrating waterfowl both during the spring and fall. In particular, Canada and snow geese use the area as a migration rest stop. While there, geese use the impoundment as a roost and to gain access to nearby farm fields. Other wetland dependent bird species such as Pied-billed Grebe and American Bittern, as well as variety of grassland and woodland-associated bird species, can also be observed on this area.

View the Habitat Management Plan for Honeyville Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in June 2017, 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.

• The Greater Watertown North Country Chamber of Commerce

State Lands and Facilities

• Gould Corners State Forest
• Tug Hill State Forest

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.