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Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area
At almost 12,000 acres, Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area is one of the larger wildlife areas in the NJ forestry system. For hunters and birders, it is a peaceful place to revel in the great outdoors
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Right near the busy Atlantic City Expressway is the very unbusy Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area. If you listen closely, you can hear the cars whooshing by, but don’t let that make you think twice. Within Makepeace Lake’s almost 12,000 acres are dense, thick swamps, winding streams and forests that are so typical of the Pinelands.

The lake itself is shallow, but at 300 acres, there's lots of wildlife for birding and hunting. Focus your binoculars on the areas near the parking area and you might spot nesting King Rails and Virginia Rails. Over by the lake, you'll see shorebirds on migration. Look for Kildeer, Spotted, Solitary, Pectoral, Semipalmated, and Least sandpipers. And you can usually always spot Common Snipe, yellowlegs and Short-billed Dowatcher, Loafing Double-breasted Cormorants. Because of the proximity of the Expressway, very early morning is your best time to spot them before traffic gets too noisy.

Hunters can bring their shotguns, bows and arrows or muzzleloaders and – a valid hunting license, of course – and spend a day looking for whatever is in season.

BRING THE FAMILY

If the family likes spending time in the pristine, rustic outdoors, this is their place. But with no amenities -- restrooms, food service or other little luxuries, others might not find it very appealing.

COME PREPARED

If you plan to shoot or hunt in Makepeace Lake WMA, use only fine shot for your shotguns. No handguns or centerfire rifles are permitted.

WHO KNEW

Back in 2003, a 6-foot tall emu played hide-and-seek with locals and the police, ducking in and out of the wooded areas of Makepeace Lake Wildlife Management Area. Despite their best efforts, the police could never catch up with him.

VOLUNTEER

Even though they are called "wildlife" areas, they still need tending and the Wildlife Conservation Corps, is the volunteer group that helps the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife do just that. To join as a volunteer, log onto www.njfishandwildlife.com/wcchome.htm.

SUPPORT

The work and activities of the Wildlife Conservation Corps, the volunteer group that assists the Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, helps support parks and other wildlife sites. To learn how you can support their activities, log onto www.njfishandwildlife.com/wcchome.htm.

LEAVE NO TRACE

Never disturb a nest or den and don't feed the animals. For a comprehensive list of rules and guidelines that will help preserve the wildlife management area, go to http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/wmaregs.htm.
 

CONTACT INFO
Elmwood-Weymouth Road
Weymouth, NJ 08330
Primary County: Atlantic