Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeNearby: Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary Francis A Crane Quail Wildlife Management Area
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area is a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts in Massachusetts.
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Summary
It is located in Falmouth and covers an area of over 1600 acres. The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including pheasants, deer, coyotes, and birds of prey.
Visitors to the area can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, bird watching, hunting, and fishing. The management area also has several picnic areas and trails that are suitable for family outings.
One of the most popular attractions in Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area is the pheasant hunt. The hunting season usually runs from October to February, and hunters must obtain a permit to participate. The area is also known for its fishing opportunities, with several ponds and streams stocked with trout and other fish.
The area is also home to several historic sites, such as the Crane Estate and the Mashpee Wampanoag Reservation. Visitors can explore these sites and learn about the area's rich history.
The best time to visit Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities that visitors wish to pursue. The hunting season runs from October to February, while the fishing season typically starts in April and ends in September. Visitors can also enjoy hiking and bird watching throughout the year.
Overall, Francis A Crane Pheasant Wildlife Management Area is a great place to explore the natural beauty of Massachusetts and learn about its rich history.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Mass Audubon Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary
Francis A Crane Quail Wildlife Management Area
Fonseca Park
Turtle Pond Park
Quashnet Woods State Reservation