West Virginia Wildlife Federation

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The newly established Little Canaan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and Sideling Hill WMA have been incorporated into the state’s WMA system, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources.

“The addition of these two WMAs will provide hunting, trapping and fishing opportunities to sportsmen and women as well as other outdoor enthusiasts,” Taylor said.

Little Canaan WMA (3,168 acres), located near Davis in Tucker County, was acquired from the Canaan Valley Institute (CVI) with monies generated from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, and funds from the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund. The property is accessible from the Camp Seventy Road (CR 32/18) as well as from State Route 32. The WMA is primarily forested and provides hunting opportunities for deer, bear, grouse, woodcock and turkey. With its proximity to the Canaan Valley region, this WMA provides a unique diversity of habitats, including the “Little Canaan” wetland complex. Additionally, approximately three miles of the Blackwater River run through the WMA, providing fishing for trout, rock bass and other species. A physically challenged fishing pier is located on the Blackwater River with access from the Camp Seventy Road. Additional information on the Little Canaan WMA is available from the DNR District 1 Farmington Office at 304-825-6787.

Sideling Hill WMA (2,507 acres) is located near Largent in Morgan County. Prior to acquisition by the state, the land had previously been leased to a well-established hunting club with three generations of hunters who had been stewards of the tract for many years. The WMA can be accessed from Milo School Road (CR 9/14), Magnolia Road (CR 18), and State Route 9. The WMA is heavily forested and will be managed for forest game species such as deer, turkey and squirrel.The sale of hunting and fishing licenses provided the funding source for this new WMA. Additional information on the Sideling Hill WMA is available from the DNR District 2 Romney Office at 304-822-3551.

DNR staff has started marking the boundaries and developing maps for these two new WMAs. Additional management efforts to be incorporated into the areas include improving public access, habitat management projects, and installation of entrance and other informational signs.