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Pond Woods Wildlife Management Area

Benson & Orwell; Rutland & Addison Counties 2,111 Acres

For more information about this unit please visit the web page:

General Description:

Pond Woods WMA is part of the West Rutland Management Unit. The management unit also includes Hubbardton Battlefield WMA, Whipple Hollow WMA and West Rutland State Forest. The WMA is owned by the State of Vermont and managed by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. However, throughout much of the WMA the Department does not own the timber rights. Access to the WMA is from several locations including Route 22A, Perch Pond Road, Bishop Hill Road, and the west side of the Pond Woods Road.

Unique Features:

Pond Woods WMA hosts a diversity of upland and wetland natural communities. This diversity of habitat supports a variety of wildlife. White-tailed deer, snowshoe hares, cottontail rabbits, squirrels, red foxes, coyotes and bobcats may be encountered. The wetlands support habitat for beavers, minks, weasels and otters. Birds associated with the ponds and wetlands include Great blue herons, bitterns, rails, red-winged blackbirds, eastern kingbirds and marsh wrens.  The forested habitat supports barred owls, pileated and downy woodpeckers, least flycatchers, ruffed grouse and woodcock.

Recreation Overview:

Recreation on the WMA is dominated by dispersed fish and wildlife-based activities including hunting, fishing and trapping as well as wildlife viewing and hiking/walking. Please be respectful of the private in-holdings located between Cranberry and Walker Swamps.

Planning Overview: