Category Archives: wma’s

Lake Champlain Wildlife Management Areas

Lake Champlain Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)

 

What are Wildlife Management Areas?

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are protected areas set aside for the conservation of fish, birds and other wildlife and for protection of their habitat. Some of the WMAs occupy land that is environmentally sensitive.

WMAs are also set aside for recreational activities involving wildlife and to provide people with opportunities for fish and wildlife-based recreation. WMAs are open to hunting, trapping, fishing, wildlife viewing and other wildlife-related outdoor activities.

 

How WMAs are Funded

Primarily the management and administration of all WMAs is funded through the sale of hunting and trapping licenses, and from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration (Pittman-Robertson) Fund. The Pittman–Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 places an excise tax on guns, ammunition and archery equipment, of which 10% is returned to the states to fund restoration and management efforts and to acquire land for wildlife habitat and restore and manage the wildlife on that land.

Some Vermont WMAs have also been purchased with assistance from the Vermont Duck Stamp Fund, Vermont Housing and Conservation Board, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, Ducks Unlimited, The North American Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the North American Wetland Conservation Fund. New York State Bond Acts in 1960, 1972 and 1986 have also helped fund the New York WMA system.

 

Lake Champlain Wildlife Management Areas

New York State offers over 110 Wildlife Management Areas and Vermont has over 80 WMA’s. There are 24 WMA’s along Lake Champlain; they are:

New York WMAs

  • Ausable Marsh
  • East Bay
  • King’s Bay
  • Monty’s Bay
  • Wickham Marsh

Vermont WMAs

  • Black Creek
  • Carmans Marsh
  • Cornwall Swamp
  • Dead Creek
  • East Creek
  • Halfmoon Cove
  • Hubbardton Battlefield
  • Intervale
  • Lemon Fair WMA
  • Little Otter Creek
  • Lower Lamoille River
  • Lower Otter Creek
  • Maquam
  • Mud Creek
  • Rock River
  • Sandbar
  • The Narrows
  • Ward Marsh
  • Whitney-Hospital Creek

Get out and explore some of these wonderful areas that are set aside for your enjoyment.