Wildlife Management Area

John White Wildlife Management Area

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Public Comments Being Accepted

View the draft John White WMA Access and Public Use Plan (PDF). Comments were accepted through January 2, 2024.

The primary purposes of John White Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA covers 329 acres.

DEC acquired the property in 1945 to establish the John A. White Memorial Game Farm, named in memory of a former DEC Commissioner and native of western New York. From 1946 to 1999, the game farm was managed for the production of ring-necked pheasants which were stocked throughout New York State to support pheasant hunting. In 1999, DEC's game farm production of pheasants was consolidated at the Reynolds Game Farm in Ithaca. In 2000, the John A. White Memorial Game Farm became the John White WMA. Management on the WMA is now focused primarily on providing grassland habitat for grassland birds and other wildlife, but forest and wetland habitats are also present.

 

Featured Activities

Wildlife Management Unit: 8G

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

Hunting is allowed throughout the property. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Hunting on the portion of the WMA west of Alleghany Road/Route 77 is restricted to seniors and people with disabilities. A permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) is required for motor vehicle access and a permit is required from the local office for hunting. Call 585-948-5182 for more information.

The wetland on the east side of Alleghany Road/Route 77 is a posted Waterfowl Refuge area and waterfowl hunting is not allowed.

Wildlife Management Unit: 8G

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

Hunting and trapping are allowed throughout the property. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view trapping seasons).

Hunting on the portion of the WMA west of Alleghany Road/Route 77 is restricted to seniors and people with disabilities. A permit through the Motorized Access Program for People with Disabilities (MAPPWD) is required for motor vehicle access and a permit is required from the local office for hunting. Call 585-948-5182 for more information.

The wetland on the east side of Alleghany Road/Route 77 is a posted Waterfowl Refuge area and waterfowl hunting is not allowed.

Trapping is conducted under a permit system. Permits and trap tags are distributed out of the Iroquois Field Office located within the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters on Casey Road. Call 585-948-5182 for more information.

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

Fishing is allowed in the ponds and wetlands on the property.

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

There are hiking trails through the woods on the west side of Alleghany Road/Route 77. In addition, the administrative road and dikes on the west side and the administrative roads and trails through the grasslands on the east side may be used for hiking. Please stay on the designated trails and administrative roads to protect the diversity and richness of the plant communities found within this area.

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

John White WMA includes a large expanse of managed grassland habitat that is used by a variety of grassland-dependent bird species. Many of these species will use these fields for breeding in the spring and summer while others will use them for foraging and roosting through winter. Common wildlife species, such as white-tailed deer and wild turkey, frequently use the fields and forested area on the WMA. Waterfowl and other wetland species are often present in the wetlands.

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

Directions

John White WMA is located just north of the hamlet of Basom in the Town of Alabama. There are two parcels located on either side of Alleghany Road/Route 77.

  • Judge Road parking area #1 (43.0744019°N, 78.3769989°W) Google Maps.
  • Judge Road parking area #2 (43.074691°N, 78.393713°W) Google Maps. This parking area serves as a snow plow turnaround so parking is not allowed here in the winter.
  • Alleghany Road parking area #1 with spaces available behind the house (43.0796013°N, 78.3907013°W) Google Maps.
  • Alleghany Road parking area #2 (43.0788994°N, 78.3919983°W) Google Maps.

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 John White 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 and Regulations

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 John White Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, John White 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.

View the Habitat Management Plan for John White Wildlife Management Area (PDF), approved in February 2019, 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 8 Western Finger Lakes
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