Oak Orchard Wildlife Management Area
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.
Geography
The Oak Orchard WMA is located about halfway between Buffalo 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.
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.
