E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area
Encyclopedia
E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area is a state wildlife management area (WMA) of Maryland
that consists of two separate parcels of land on Chincoteague Bay
in Worcester County
, between the villages of Girdletree
and Stockton
.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, E.A. Vaughn WMA was a game farm where a number of pheasant
species were raised and released. It was also an area where wildlife biologists experimented with plants and planting arrangements which would most benefit wildlife.
Today, woodcock
, hairy and downy woodpeckers, and warblers inhabit the extensive forest. In the marshes, great blue, green and little blue herons, as well as common and snowy egrets, hunt for fish. Black duck
s, mallards, Canada and snow geese, and other waterfowl
use the marshes and open water found in and around the area. White-tailed deer
, gray squirrel
s, mourning dove
s, bobwhite quail
, and cottontail rabbits are plentiful. Wood duck
s are especially attracted to an area of forest deliberately flooded in the fall when the trees are dormant, as are frogs and toads, turtles and snakes. Endangered Delmarva fox squirrel
s were released on the area and have been thriving there for a decade. Migrating hawks can be seen in the fall as they travel the Atlantic Flyway
.
The eastern end of E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area is covered by an extensive network of man-made canals that generally run northeast-to-southwest.,
Hunting
and trapping in season, and fishing
, crabbing, hiking
, and biking are all permitted in the WMA.
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
that consists of two separate parcels of land on Chincoteague Bay
Chincoteague Bay
Chincoteague Bay is a lagoon between the Atlantic barrier islands of Assateague and Chincoteague and the mainland of Worcester County, Maryland and northern Accomack County, Virginia...
in Worcester County
Worcester County, Maryland
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*82.0% White*13.6% Black*0.3% Native American*1.1% Asian*0.0% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*1.7% Two or more races*1.3% Other races*3.2% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, between the villages of Girdletree
Girdletree, Maryland
Girdletree is a census-designated place in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 117 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Girdletree is located at ....
and Stockton
Stockton, Maryland
Stockton is a census-designated place in Worcester County, Maryland, United States. The population was 143 at the 2000 census.-History:...
.
From the 1940s to the 1960s, E.A. Vaughn WMA was a game farm where a number of pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
species were raised and released. It was also an area where wildlife biologists experimented with plants and planting arrangements which would most benefit wildlife.
Today, woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
, hairy and downy woodpeckers, and warblers inhabit the extensive forest. In the marshes, great blue, green and little blue herons, as well as common and snowy egrets, hunt for fish. Black duck
American Black Duck
The American Black Duck is a large dabbling duck. American Black Ducks are similar to Mallards in size, and resemble the female Mallard in coloration, although the Black Duck's plumage is darker...
s, mallards, Canada and snow geese, and other waterfowl
Waterfowl
Waterfowl are certain wildfowl of the order Anseriformes, especially members of the family Anatidae, which includes ducks, geese, and swans....
use the marshes and open water found in and around the area. White-tailed deer
White-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, gray squirrel
Gray squirrel
Gray squirrel or grey squirrel may refer to several species of squirrel indigenous to North America:*The Eastern gray squirrel , from the eastern United States and southeastern Canada; introduced into Britain, Ireland, western North America, Italy, and South Africa;*The Western Gray Squirrel , from...
s, mourning dove
Mourning Dove
The Mourning Dove is a member of the dove family . The bird is also called the Turtle Dove or the American Mourning Dove or Rain Dove, and formerly was known as the Carolina Pigeon or Carolina Turtledove. It is one of the most abundant and widespread of all North American birds...
s, bobwhite quail
Bobwhite Quail
The Northern Bobwhite, Virginia Quail or Bobwhite Quail is a ground-dwelling bird native to the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean...
, and cottontail rabbits are plentiful. Wood duck
Wood Duck
The Wood Duck or Carolina Duck is a species of duck found in North America. It is one of the most colourful of North American waterfowl.-Description:...
s are especially attracted to an area of forest deliberately flooded in the fall when the trees are dormant, as are frogs and toads, turtles and snakes. Endangered Delmarva fox squirrel
Delmarva fox squirrel
The Delmarva fox squirrel, Sciurus niger cinereus, is an endangered subspecies of the fox squirrel.-Background:The Delmarva fox squirrel also known as the eastern fox squirrel or Sciurus niger cinereus, is an endangered subspecies of fox squirrel...
s were released on the area and have been thriving there for a decade. Migrating hawks can be seen in the fall as they travel the Atlantic Flyway
Atlantic Flyway
The Atlantic Flyway is a bird migration route that generally follows the Atlantic Coast of North America and the Appalachian Mountains. The main endpoints of the flyway include the Canadian Maritimes and the region surrounding the Gulf of Mexico; the migration route tends to narrow considerably in...
.
The eastern end of E.A. Vaughn Wildlife Management Area is covered by an extensive network of man-made canals that generally run northeast-to-southwest.,
Hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
and trapping in season, and fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, crabbing, hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, and biking are all permitted in the WMA.