Peru WMA Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife East Windsor Road Parking Area

East Windsor Road, Peru, MA

About East Windsor Road Parking Area

The parking area on East Windsor Road provides access to the heart of the Peru Wildlife Management Area, a 5,000-acre forest excellent for hunting/fishing, wildlife viewing, and primatively exploring the woods of the Berkshires. The forest consists of northern hardwoods, with maple, birch, white ash, black cherry, and American beech trees being most prevalent. Although the area is mostly dry, wetlands are scattered throughout the property in lower regions. The forest has a rolling topography, with a consistent elevation variance of about 200 feet over moderately steep slopes. The WMA has no maintained trails, so visitors should be prepared to navigate the terrain independently. However, it is possible to stumble across old forest roads that have been reclaimed by nature.

This parking area is most frequently used for hunting, as it quickly immerses visitors into dense, unspoiled forestry teeming with wildlife. Commonly caught game includes white-tailed deer, ruffed grouse, snowshoe hare, black bears, and eastern coyotes, while waterfowl can be found in the property's wetlands. The most accessible wetland from this parking area is roughly a half mile south by  Fuller Brook, which has historically been dammed by beavers, creating marshland habitats. Additionally, Trout Brook is only a couple hundred yards to the east, but its steep banks limit the amount of wetland habitat surrounding the brook. Both streams contain native and stocked trout, giving visitors multiple solid fishing areas.

Wildlife viewing and birding opportunities are abundant throughout the WMA, as its diverse and rich natural landscape harbors a thriving wildlife population. In fact, the Peru Wildlife Management Area may be the best place to see a moose in Western Massachusetts, though sightings are still rare due to the animal's limited population in the state. In the winter, many enjoy tracking and identifying animal footprints in the snow.

Overall, this location is best suited for visitors looking to explore or hunt in the diverse natural landscape of the Peru Wildlife Management Area. This is one of just a couple official parking areas for the property, with a MassWildlife sign marking the space. Additionally, an informational sign at the forest's edge details the WMA.