Tucked into southeast Dorchester County, LeCompte Wildlife Management Area was originally established as a sanctuary for federally-endangered Delmarva fox squirrels. The nearest town is Vienna, on the Nanticoke river at Rte. 50.

LeCompte comprises 485 acres of mature oaks and loblolly pines, plus wide-open fields for crops suitable for squirrels and other local wildlife. Fox squirrels love corn! A 35-acre impoundment also offers habitat for wintering waterfowl.

With the Department of Natural Resources’ website promising that “a walk around the field edges or the forest trails will always reward the visitor with a good look at the Delmarva fox squirrel,” we arrived mid-morning with high expectations of spotting one.

A two-mile walk rewarded us with sunlight and shade, long vistas across fields and impoundments, a single flock of American Black ducks, a Northern Harrier cruising over marshes, Bluebirds, and Barn Swallows … but, nary a fox squirrel.

LeCompte’s mission is to provide habitat and food for fox squirrels, and it’s managed as both a  refuge and study area. Fox squirrels from LeCompte are periodically reintroduced into other suitable areas within their original range on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

This is also an area in which hunting is permitted, so even though visitors are welcome throughout the year, you can check in advance if a hunt is in progress on the DNR website. Trails are maintained, but not actively marked, and visitors should expect wet footing most of the year.

If you decide to visit LeCompte, dress appropriately, bring binoculars, and hope you’ll spot a fox squirrel.

Directions: From Vienna, take Elliott Island Road south, turn onto Steele Neck Road as it forks to the right. LeCompte will be four miles on the left. For additional information, call the office at 410 376-3236.

Cover photo: Fox Squirrel Habitat at LeCompte WMA. All photos by Gren Whitman.