The William Forward WMA consists of 2,083 acres of salt marsh and upland habitat from sea level to 45 feet. Kent's Island is approximately 700 acres of upland surrounded by more than 1,300 acres of salt marsh. Marsh grasses dominate the marsh acreage. The marsh is green in summer but splendidly gold and russet in fall. Visit late in the season to catch the bird migration and miss the insatiable mosquitoes and greenhead flies of midsummer.
Portions of the Parker River and two of its major tributaries, the Little River and the Mill River, run through or border the area. The Parker River is about 100 feet across at this point, while its tributaries are roughly 30 feet wide. These are all tidal waters and during high and flood tides the surrounding marshes are underwater. The Parker and Mill Rivers are known for their white perch runs in the spring. Be aware that mosquito control ditches, some of which may be hidden by overhanging vegetation, cut much of the marshland.
The uplands support ruffed grouse, deer, fox, cottontail rabbit, coyote, raccoon, woodcock and gray squirrel. Depending on the weather and tide, ducks and geese may be in the rivers. Furbearer populations appear low, but numerous nongame species are present, including several species of song, shore and wading birds. This area is not stocked with pheasant.
The area is open for deer hunting from October to December. Be sure to wear blaze orange during that time.
Expect and plan for ticks, mosquitoes, greenheads (Jul-Aug) and poison ivy.