Acquisition History: Land to create this
WMA was purchased with funds provided by the Federal Aid in Wildlife
Restoration Program. Private land donations also contributed.
Description: This WMA is located at the
northern base of Mount Kearsarge, a 2,937-foot-tall mountain that
dominates western Merrimack and eastern Sullivan counties. In lower
elevations, the property consists of mixed hardwoods and softwoods,
but changes to predominantly hardwoods and then to stunted spruce
as the land climbs in elevation. The WMA is adjacent to the 4,965-acre
Mount Kearsarge State Forest, a popular park for hiking, picnicking,
hawk-watching and other outdoor activities.
Timber harvesting took place in 2000. Trees that
were heavily damaged during the 1998 ice storm were removed to regenerate
early successional forest stands and establish herbaceous wildlife
openings to diversify the existing habitat. A Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Project (WHIP) has also been completed to regenerate speckled alder
and aspen.
A User-Pay, User-Benefit Program This Wildlife Management Area was funded
in part by the Federal Aid in Sport Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program.
Your purchases of hunting equipment and ammunition make a difference to
New Hampshire's wildlife resources and our way of life. Click
here to learn more.
Common Wildlife: The WMA has a variety
of habitat types, and therefore a diversity of species. Bear, white-tailed
deer, moose, turkey, ruffed grouse, woodcock, snowshoe hare and
other upland species abound. There are several beaver flowages,
which provide habitat for mink, muskrats and waterfowl including
wood ducks, mallards and black ducks.
Special Notes: Kearsarge WMA abuts the
4,965-acre Kearsarge Mountain State Forest to the south and west,
creating over 6,000 acres of contiguous protected wildlife habitat.
The now bare peak of Mt. Kearsarge is visible from some vantage
points. The granite peak was wreathed by large white pine until
fire destroyed all the vegetation in 1796, allowing erosion to take
the soil from the steep slopes.
Directions: From Route 11 west of Andover,
take Cilleyville Rd to Kearsarge Mountain Road to Leadmine Road
and proceed straight ahead for two miles. The WMA is on both sides
of the road, which ends at the Andover-Salisbury town line.
DeLorme N.H. Atlas and Gazetteer coordinates:
Page 34/35, I 7/8
