Rome WMA Agricultural Opportunity

Bureau of Wildlife Lands, such as Rome Wildlife Management Area (WMA), are purchased and managed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) for the conservation and management of wildlife and wildlife habitat and for wildlife-dependent recreation, including hunting, trapping, and nature observation. Rome Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is comprised of 1,204 acres and is a mixture of wetlands, grasslands, agriculture, shrubland and forest. The WMA is located in the central portion of Oneida County approximately 4 miles west of the Town of Rome. Rome WMA was acquired by the Department in the late 1970s in order to provide public hunting opportunities, such as white-tailed deer and pheasant. A small portion of the WMA, approximately 10%, is maintained as grasslands or fields in order to provide high-quality foraging habitat for a variety of species. On Rome WMA, the Department will maintain certain areas in grain crops to meet habitat management goals, and to provide opportunities for wildlife- dependent recreation. Grains such as corn and soybeans are a valuable carbohydrate source for wildlife. Harvested fields also provide openings attractive to migratory and upland game bird hunters. Waste grains in agricultural settings will support wild turkeys and white-tailed deer. Business enterprises awarded an identical or substantially similar procurement contract within the past five years: None