Wildlife Management Areas
- Red River Region
Deerwood [ Map
]
262 ha
The two units of this WMA, Deerwood and Miami, provide important
habitat for deer and other wildlife.
Both are primarily aspen-oak forest, with significant remnants of
mixed-grass prairie. A cooperative project with the Deerwood Soil
and Water Conservation Association involves various conservation
techniques to improve formerly cultivated fields for use by
wildlife.
Northwest of Miami off PTH 23
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Grants Lake [ Map
]
395 ha
Grants Lake is a major waterfowl staging area, particularly for snow geese. Most of the
WMA consists of wetland, but there are several young poplar and willow stands. It also
provides habitat for a variety of shorebird species. A cooperative habitat development
project was undertaken with Ducks Unlimited Canada involving the excavation of several
small ponds and level ditches. Nesting islands were also constructed. The Department of
Natural Resources operates a managed hunting program around the perimeter of the WMA,
while the lake is a game bird refuge.
3km northeast of Meadows
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Lake Francis [
Map ]
6,782 ha
The WMA is a component of the world-famous Delta Heritage Marsh, a major breeding and
staging area for waterbirds. It includes wetlands, beach ridge, and tall-grass prairie
habitats. The wetlands are used by a great variety of water birds, including western
grebes and pelicans, and amphibians, such as leopard frogs. The beach ridge is a breeding
area and critical migration stop-over for a wide variety of warblers, which congregate in
great numbers during spring and fall. The endangered piping plover occasionally nests on
the sandy beach adjacent to the ridge. Hackberry, a rare species of the elm family, grows
on the beach ridge, the only other known site in Manitoba being near the Lauder Sandhills.
An interpretive facility has been developed along PR 41 1 featuring the tall-grass prairie
found in the WMA. Sprague's pipits and other grassland birds can be observed in the area.
Southeast end of Lake Manitoba off PR 430 and PR 411
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Pembina Valley [ Map
]
3,263 ha
The WMA consists of 12 separate units along the Pembina River in
the Red River Region and two units in the Western Region. The
WMA provides important wildlife cover and contributes to soil
conservation and erosion control. In this area, many species of
birds are at the northern fringe of their ranges such as the
indigo bunting, brown thrasher, rufous-sided towhee, orchard
oriole, and lark sparrow. The WMA also provides exceptionally good
habitat for deer, moose, wild turkeys, grouse, waterfowl and a
great variety of other wildlife.
- Floral Unit (South end of Swan Lake) includes forage fields,
aspen-oak forest along the valley slopes and a managed marsh
on the valley floor.
- Grassy Lake Unit (Southwest of Somerset) includes Grassy
Lake aspen-oak forest along the valley slopes.
- LaRiviere Unit (South of LaRiviere) has primarily upland
habitat, consisting of aspen-oak forest and some grassland
areas. Some riparian habitat is found along a creek flowing
into the Pembina River.
- Little Pembina Unit (South of Darlingford) features
aspen-oak forest along Little Pembina Creek.
- Marringhurst Unit (between Rock Lake and Swan Lake) is
combination of uplands and river-bottom. Aspen-oak forest and
mixed-grass prairie are found along the valley slopes, while a
managed marsh unit with associated dense nesting cover was
developed on the valley floor adjacent to the river.
- Mowbray Unit (North of Mowbray) consists of three parcels
with aspen-oak forest and a formerly cultivated area that was
reseeded to grasses.
- Neelin Unit (South shore of Rock Lake) includes the Pembina
valley slope and is well-wooded with mature aspen, oak and
birch.
- Point Douglas Unit (along the United States border near
Windygates) has three parcel of mainly aspen-oak forest.
- Riverdale Unit (Northeast of Snowflake) contains riparian
woodland and some mixed-grass prairie.
- Snowflake Unit (East of Snowflake) is composed of two
parcels of riparian habitat along Snowflake Creek.
- Stuartville Unit (between Rock Lake and Swan Lake) includes
upland areas and valley slopes, dominated by aspen-oak forest.
- Wood Bay Unit (north of Pilot Mound) consists of mature
aspen-oak forest with a small seasonal wetland.
Portage Sandhills [
Map ]
1,601 ha
This WMA provides habitat for white-tailed deer and grouse. It consists of sand dunes
covered by aspen-oak forest and mixed-grass prairie. Vehicle use is restricted to protect
this fragile ecosystem.
11km south of Portage la Prairie on PR 240
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Rat River [ Map
]
1,054 ha
The WMA is primarily a managed marsh unit, but surrounding upland areas support a vigorous
aspen forest. The managed marsh cell provides flood protection along the Rat River by
impounding spring meltwaters and creates an attractive breeding and staging area for
waterfowl. The aspen forest is excellent white-tailed deer and grouse habitat.
Southeast of St. Malo
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Spur Woods [ Map
]
731 ha
This WMA was established primarily to protect old growth red pine and eastern white cedar
stands. It is within the major breeding and migration corridor for northern forest owls,
including the great gray, northern saw-whet, and boreal owls, and provides habitat for
deer and grouse. It has several access trails for year-round use, including one which
follows the old railway spur line.
6km west of Piney on PR 201
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St. Malo [ Map ]
179 ha
This WMA is Manitoba's first cooperative wildlife management area, with the St. Malo and
District Wildlife Association playing a lead role in its acquisition and management.
Consisting of two parcels, the topography of the area is flat to gently rolling terrain,
well covered by aspen-oak forest. It provides habitat for white-tailed deer and ruffed
grouse, and is important for neo-tropical birds as well.
5km south of St. Malo off PTH 59
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Stuartburn [ Map
]
329 ha
The Stuartburn WMA is within the Manitoba Tall Grass Prairie Preserve, Canada's largest
remnant of this endangered ecosystem. The land was donated to the Province by the RM of
Stuartburn to preserve wildlife habitat and ensure that it remained in a natural state.
The donation was also motivated by an interest in preserving critical habitat for deer and
providing opportunities for public hunting.
The WMA is a combination of tall-grass prairie and aspen parkland, with small sedge
meadows in several locations. Neo-tropical migrant birds use the area as travel and
breeding habitat. White-tailed deer, monarch butterflies, and several species of reptiles
and amphibians are common.
North of Gardenton on PR 209
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Watson P. Davidson [
Map ]
5,922 ha
Manitoba's first WMA (established in 1961) is within the major breeding and migration
corridor for northern forest owls, including the great gray, northern saw-whet, and boreal
owls. It is primarily aspen forest, but is interspersed with small bogs containing spruce,
tamarack, and white cedar. The WMA provides habitat for many neo-tropical migrant bird
species, upland game birds, white-tailed deer and the occasional moose.
6km east of Zoda, north side of PTH 12
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Wellington [ Map
]
65 ha
This WMA protects riparian habitat along a portion of Shannon
Creek. Deer, upland game birds and neotropical migrant birds use
this area.
Northwest of Morden
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Wildlife Management Areas
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