Wildlife Management Area

Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area

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Map of Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area

The comment period for the Access and Public Use Plan for Tioughnioga WMA (PDF) is closed. Comments and responses are now included in the Access and Public Use Plan document.

The primary purposes of Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area (WMA) are for wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation. This WMA totals 3,744 acres and is located in southwestern Madison County between the villages of New Woodstock and Erieville, about six miles southeast of Cazenovia. Tioughnioga lies in the physiographic region of New York known as the Appalachian Highlands with the many hills and valleys of the region forming a rolling topography. The area is on a divide that separates the St. Lawrence River drainage from the Susquehanna River drainage and has an altitude ranging from 1,500 to 2,100 feet above sea level.

Prior to 1935, the area was used for dairy farming. However, poor soils, harsh climate, and difficult economic conditions resulted in much of the area being purchased by the US Department of Agriculture as part of a resettlement program. The land was later transferred to New York State.

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. Tioughnioga WMA contains a portion of the Finger Lakes Trail (leaves DEC website).

Wildlife Management Unit: 7M

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

White-tailed deer, waterfowl, and variety of small game species offer ample hunting opportunities. The area is heavily used for big and small game hunting and is controlled by statewide regulations. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view hunting seasons).

Wildlife Management Unit: 7M

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

White-tailed deer, waterfowl, and variety of small game species offer ample hunting opportunities. The area is heavily used for big and small game hunting and is controlled by statewide regulations. Please be sure to abide by all game laws (view trapping seasons).

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

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

Resident wildlife on the WMA include white-tailed deer and song birds. Use the Wildlife Management Area Vertebrate Checklist (PDF) and the Wildlife Management Area Bird Checklist (PDF) as wildlife viewing guides.

Directions

Easy access is provided from NY Route 80/Route 13 via County Route 52 east/Damon Road east or via County Route 60/Dugway Road east. The 7 ½ minute topographic map covering the area is Erieville.

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 Tioughnioga 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 at Tioughnioga WMA include:

  • Using motorized vehicles, including but not limited to:
    • all-terrain vehicles (including "side-by-sides")
    • snowmobiles
    • dirt bikes and mopeds
    • motorboats
  • Horseback riding
  • Using mountain bikes or e-bikes
  • Target shooting
  • Walking dogs or other pets without a leash, except:
    • when doing so for hunting purposes during the authorized dog training period
    • when actively involved in the pursuit of wild game during an open hunting season

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

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 Tioughnioga Wildlife Management Area

Like most of the state's Wildlife Management Areas, Tioughnioga 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 techniques to provide the food, cover, and shelter requirements for various wildlife species are carried out with monies derived mainly from hunting license fees and federal taxes on sporting arms and ammunition. On Tioughnioga, the management efforts are directed towards maintaining the diversity of cover that has been established from past management, primarily through mowing and the sale of wood products. The sale of wood products also provides for improvement of the forestry resource.

Early development work, utilizing Work Project Act and Civilian Conservation Corps labor consisted of planting open fields to a mixture of trees and shrubs. Over 1,000,000 conifers, hardwoods and food-bearing shrubs were planted. Woodland cutting was carried out, and a number of shallow water impoundments were constructed to provide habitat for waterfowl and other species of water birds.

WMA Management Plan

In 2015, DEC began a management planning process for wildlife lands, including development of a habitat and an access plan for each area. Habitat Management Plans guide habitat management decision-making on WMAs to benefit wildlife and promote wildlife-dependent recreation. Access and Public Use Plans address management needs for public use activities, access features, facility development, and maintenance. Together, these plans form a comprehensive Management Plan that serves as the overarching guidance 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.

Important Links

Madison County Tourism
NYS Department of Health
Leave No Trace
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Region 7 - Central New York
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