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State Lands and State-Managed Lands

 

wildlife photographer walking the woods during fall foliage

Most of these state-managed lands are open to hunting, fishing, and other forms of wildlife-based recreation.


Wildlife Management Area Closures as of March 11, 2024

The following Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are closed to automobile access due to flooding/road repair:

  • Middlesex WMA (located in Middlesex) - The Barnet Hill Road leading to the WMA parking area is closed to the public due to a washout. Arrangements are underway to repair the damage this spring.

Wildlife Management Areas

WMA sign
The Fish & Wildlife Department currently owns 105 Wildlife Management Areas totaling more than 130,000 acres throughout Vermont.

Find a Wildlife Management Area


Conservation Easements

conservation easement sign on tree
The Fish & Wildlife Department holds more than 50 easements, protecting more than 9,800 acres statewide. In most cases, these easements allow public access. However, these lands are still privately owned and though access is protected, the department does not maintain these lands in any formal way. Therefore parking and signage in many cases does not exist.


Streambank Management Areas

Riparian area of a brook
The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department owns many miles and hundreds of acres of land along rivers and streams throughout Vermont known collectively as Streambank Management Areas. These lands provide public access to our waters for fishing, hunting, trapping, fish and wildlife viewing, photography and other fish and wildlife-based activities.

Find a Streambank Management Area


Agency of Natural Resources

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources manages more than 345,000 acres as wildlife management areas, state forests, and state parks. The Agency also holds easements on over 128,000 acres of conserved commercial forestlands that guarantee public access.

View Maps of State Lands

See also: