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Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area

General Information

Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a 4,560-acre tract of state-owned land. It consists of rolling hills, extensive woodlands, ponds, and marshes. This WMA is adjacent to and intertwined with Crab Hollow State Forest and Rush Creek State Forest. I consider this to be one of the most unique and beautiful state properties in western New York.  

Hanging Bog WMA gets its name from the bog located on the large man-made pond along New Hudson Road. (The map pin is located at the parking area off New Hudson Road near Briggs Road, adjacent to Hanging Bog.) Unlike nearby Moss Lake, which is a true kettle bog, this pond is not glacial in origin; it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the late 1930s. However, it has many of the ecological characteristics of a true bog pond, including an acidic environment, a hanging bog (a large floating mass of vegetation), and the presence of carnivorous plants.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of this WMA is the abundance of carnivorous plants found in the man-made bog, including yellow bladderworts, sundews, and red pitcher plants. These carnivorous plants occur in many places in New York State, usually in environments with low nutrient levels. To see an interesting video on several of the types of carnivorous plants, see Links.

Because of the variety of environments found here, this WMA is an ideal area for introducing children to the pleasures of outdoor activities. For additional information on what this property and adjacent properties have to offer children, see Camp Rushford under Links.

Popular outdoor recreational activities here include hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fishing, hunting, trapping, bird watching, nature viewing, and outdoor photography. For regulations regarding the use of WMAs, see Links.

Trails

Access to the interior of this WMA is provided by several trails, DEC roads, and local roads, which can be used for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. (See Links for a short but inviting YouTube video of skiing in this WMA.) The use of motorized vehicles, including snowmobiles, is not permitted on this property. There are no designated horseback riding trails here, but horses can be ridden on the maintained public roads, and biking is allowed on these roads. 

One of the best trails on this property isn't on the DEC's map. The trail starts near the parking area on New Hudson Road. The trail extends north into Crab Hollow State Forest and then swings to the east and runs along the north side of the bog pond. Following the edge of the pond at a distance, the trail then turns south and re-enters the WMA. Follow the trail south until you see Federal Road on the ridge in front of you, then take Federal Road back to New Hudson Road; it's too swampy to hike along the south side of the pond. Be prepared to get wet or muddy feet (you should always have an extra pair of dry shoes and socks in your vehicle) and bring lots of bug spray. And a camera - you'll be rewarded with beautiful views of the bog pond, a wide variety of mushrooms, and numerous species of birds and wildflowers.    

Individuals with mobility disabilities can apply for a permit to use a motor vehicle on designated roads, and a trail available for ATV use by people with disabilities is located off the Briggs Road parking area. Contact the DEC Region 9 office at (716) 372-0645 to obtain a permit, and see MAPPWD (Motorized Access  Program for People with Disabilities) Program under Links. 

Fishing

There are limited fishing opportunities in Hanging Bog WMA, but the remoteness and beauty of the area make the fishing that is available attractive. Limited numbers of wild rainbow trout are found in the upper sections of Rush Creek, which flows through the northernmost portion of the wildlife management area. These fish are a nonmigratory strain and remain in this portion of the stream all year. In addition, the hanging bog pond provides angling for bullheads, pumpkinseeds, rock bass, and crappies. Because of the high acidity and low nutrient content of the water in these ponds, these fish never get very large, but they can provide fast action on light tackle. And if something takes your bait and pulls like you've hooked onto a moving car, you just might have a snapping turtle on the end of your line! These aggressive turtles are common here and can be quite large, some reaching over 3 feet in length from nose to tail.   

Hunting and Trapping

Game species found here include white-tailed deer, beaver, cottontail rabbit, gray and red fox, gray squirrel, mink, muskrat, opossum, raccoon, ruffed grouse, woodcock, and turkey. Hunters will be interested in the DEC's 2016-2025 management plan for this property, which can be accessed under Links.    

Birding

The variety of environments in this wildlife management area provide habitat for over 100 species of birds, including songbirds, waterfowl, raptors, and woodpeckers. For an eBird list of species observed in this WMA, see eBird List under Links.  

Camping

The information from the DEC regarding camping here is a bit confusing. The web page for Hanging Bog WMA says camping is prohibited (as it is on almost all WMAs), but the DEC's map of the area shows five designated campsites. I checked with the DEC and was told that camping is allowed but you must first obtain a permit from the DEC's Region 9 office in Allegany (716-372-0645). 

 For additional information and a map of this WMA from the DEC, see Links.

Location Map

Photographs

The pond at Hanging Bog as seen from New Hudson Road. Part of the pond is on the WMA and part is on Crab Hollow State Forest,
The Hanging Bog WMA is not all flat. Much of the property consists of rolling hills and deep ravines. Access to the interior is provided by the DEC's administrative roads, which make hiking easy here. This photo was taken on a beautiful, sunny day in early November. You can almost smell the fallen leaves!
A beaver lodge on the pond at Hanging Bog. This photo was taken on a brisk November morning; note the skin ice on the pond. By noon it was warm and sunny.
Carnivorous pitcher plants are common across the bog. Unlike most plants, they thrive in the acidic environment found here. Pitcher plants derive many essential mineral nutrients by digesting insects.
These flowers may resemble orchids, but they are carnivorous bladderworts. Found throughout the open waters of the bog, the carnivorous part of the plant consists of numerous underwater bladder traps, which resemble flattened balloons. When triggered by a small insect, the bladder expands rapidly, sucking in the animal and the surrounding water, and then closes its trap door. The whole process takes only 10 to 15 thousandths of a second and is possibly the fastest motion in the plant kingdom.
The pond at Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area as seen from the observation deck off New Hudson Road. The "hanging" bog is the seemingly solid ground in the middle of the photo. The bog is capable of supporting large plant such as shrubs and even small trees. But don't try standing on it - you'll likely sink through the bog.
Of all the places we've visited over the years, the hanging bog shared by Crab Hollow State Forest and Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area rates as one of the most vibrant and interesting resources we've encountered. You can't appreciate how teeming with life this place is without venturing out into the water. The abundance and variety of fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds, and plants found here is amazing!
The natural environment of the Hanging Bog is uniquely rich because of the intertwining of land and water: it's hard to tell where one stops and the other starts. Being land animals, we're used to seeing environments dominated by mammals such as deer, rabbits, and squirrels. This isn't the case with bogs and their surrounding environments, which are dominated by amphibians and reptiles. A wide variety of turtles, snakes, frogs, toads, and salamanders are found in and around Hanging Bog.
Even during a normal year kayaking on Hanging Bog Pond can feel like paddling on a wet lawn, but the extraordinarily dry summer of 2016 made any paddling impossible. The hanging bog, which is the low area between the mud and the treeline, wasn't hanging (floating); it was on the bottom of the pond.
Rush Creek flows through the northern portion of the Hanging Bog Wildlife Management Area, and much of it looks like this. This portion of the stream is small and has few pools of any size, but it supports a small population of wild rainbow trout. Be aware that much of this stream flows through a dense, bramble- and tick-infested bottomland. Rush Creek is of local interest only.
Unlike most wildlife management areas, camping is allowed on the Hanging Bog WMA, but you must first obtain a permit from the DEC. Camping is limited to five designated campsites (see DEC map). This campsite, which is in the southern part of the WMA, comes equipped with luxury seating around the fire pit.
Distant cousins of the Venus flytrap (both are in the family Droseraceae), round-leaf sundews capture insects with the sticky hairs on their leaves. They are very common on Hanging Bog Pond and are often found in association with red pitcher plants.

Resource Map

See DEC map under Links.

Driving Directions


Access

Road Access:

In addition to the parking areas listed below, see DEC map. Note that some roads in this wildlife management area are closed in the spring due to wet conditions.

Boat Launch Site(s):

No formal launch sites are found here. However, canoes and kayaks can be launched onto Hanging Bog from the DEC parking area located near the intersection of Briggs Road and New Hudson Road. Note that the water level in the bog pond is variable and the pond is not always suitable for paddling.

Weather

View current conditions at this location

Fishery Management

Fish Species:

  • Rainbow Trout (wild)
  • Rock Bass
  • Crappie
  • Bullhead
  • Pumpkinseed

Stocking Information: Not stocked.

Special Fishing Regulations: None. Statewide fishing regulations apply.

Links (Use the back button to return.)

 
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