Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area
Encyclopedia
The Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area
is a conservation area located in western New York
, USA. Most of this wildlife area is in the northwest part of Genesee County
, but a small northern portion is in Orleans County
.
The wetland, which is the heart of the conservation area, is formed by a natural obstruction to the flow of Oak Orchard Creek. Oak Orchard WMA along with the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
and the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
farther to the west, forms a continuous conservation and management zone, the Alabama Swamp Complex, covering part of three counties.
Most of the pedestrian traffic in the WMA is along the dikes that separate the wetland into discrete marshes. Except for unpaved roads reserved for official use, the only roadways through the area are a few local rural roads.
and Rochester. It is north of the Village of Oakfield
.
The western boundary is marked by Knowlesville Road, which separates the WMA from Iroquois NWR. The northern boundary is partly marked by Podunk Road and East Shelby Road. Albion Road passes through the eastern part of the WMA. No highway or other feature marks the south boundary.
New York State Wildlife Management Areas
New York State owns and maintains more than 85 Wildlife Management Areas , with a total area of more than .The Wildlife Management Areas Program is administered by the Division of Fish, Wildlife and Marine Resources of the Department of Environmental Conservation...
is a conservation area located in western New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, USA. Most of this wildlife area is in the northwest part of Genesee County
Genesee County, New York
Genesee County is a county located in Western New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 60,079. Its name is from the Seneca Indian word Gen-nis'-hee-yo meaning "The Beautiful Valley." Its county seat is Batavia.- History :...
, but a small northern portion is in Orleans County
Orleans County, New York
As of the census of 2000, there were 44,171 people, 15,363 households, and 10,846 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 17,347 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
.
The wetland, which is the heart of the conservation area, is formed by a natural obstruction to the flow of Oak Orchard Creek. Oak Orchard WMA along with the Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
The Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge is a wildlife refuge operated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in Genesee and Orleans Counties in the western part of New York. The refuge is between the cities of Buffalo and Rochester....
and the Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area
The Tonawanda Wildlife Management Area is a conservation area located in western New York, USA. Most of the area is in Niagara County and Genesee County, but a small portion is inside Orleans County....
farther to the west, forms a continuous conservation and management zone, the Alabama Swamp Complex, covering part of three counties.
Most of the pedestrian traffic in the WMA is along the dikes that separate the wetland into discrete marshes. Except for unpaved roads reserved for official use, the only roadways through the area are a few local rural roads.
Geography
The Oak Orchard WMA is located about halfway between BuffaloBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
and Rochester. It is north of the Village of Oakfield
Oakfield (village), New York
Oakfield is a village in Genesee County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 1,805.The Village of Oakfield lies within the Town of Oakfield on the northern border of Genesee County. The village is located at the intersection of Route 63 and Route 262...
.
The western boundary is marked by Knowlesville Road, which separates the WMA from Iroquois NWR. The northern boundary is partly marked by Podunk Road and East Shelby Road. Albion Road passes through the eastern part of the WMA. No highway or other feature marks the south boundary.
Public use of Oak Orchard WMA
- Hunting.
- Fishing.
- Trapping (permits assigned by lottery)
- Boating (no motorized craft)
- Camping (with permit to groups)
- Nature Trails and Hiking Trails with scenic views.
- Education center (Knowlesville Road) and observation tower (Albion Road).
- Picnicking (at nature center only).
- Photography (blinds are available in some locations)
- Birdwatching.
- Cross Country Skiing and snowshoeing.
- Dog training (as permitted by state regulations)
Prohibited activities
- Hunting waterfowl in marked areas.
- Use of motorized vehicles, except in parking areas.