Knapp Brook Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is a 1,272-acre parcel of land located in the towns of Reading and Cavendish. It is owned by the State of Vermont and managed by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. Included in this acreage is a 102-acre parcel on which the State only owns the hunting rights and an additional 231 acres on which the previous owners retained the timber rights. Knapp Brook WMA is part of the larger Cavendish Management Unit, which also includes Lord State Forest and Proctor-Piper State Forest. The WMA can be accessed by the parking lots provided at each of the dam sites or from the Moriglioni Road. Elevations range from approximately 1300 feet around Knapp Ponds #1 and #2, to 1,746 feet on the peaks along the western boundary. Bowen Hill, with an elevation of 1,697 feet, is located in the northeast corner of the WMA. Knapp Brook WMA contains a unique variety of wildlife habitats including vernal pools, seeps, beaver flowages, a large wetland area and two ponds created by the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department in the late 1950’s. (Knapp Pond #1 has a handicap accessible fishing facility.) Areas of mixed softwoods – hemlock, white pine and spruce – provide cover for deer in the winter. The presence of oak, hickory, black cherry and beech (mast producing trees) benefits species such as bear, turkey and deer. Old apple trees have been released to further improve the habitat. Young softwood stands with small openings scattered throughout are optimal habitat for snowshoe hare. The western edge of the WMA borders a large contiguous area of seasonal bear habitat.