Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Northeast Region
 
Bird blind. Credit: USFWS
Bird blind. Credit: USFWS

Hunting

News

The Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge has recently made improvements to the more than 1.5 miles of accessible trails near Wilna Pond. To facilitate the accessible needs of hunters, bird watchers and wildlife photographers, Boy Scout Troop 250 recently built an accessible blind and placed it along the trail. Following the annual deer hunting season, bird watchers can comfortably observe birds at the pond or in the forest adjacent to the blind. The blind is available by reservation and can be reserved by calling headquarters at 804 333-1470. Rappahannock Wildlife Refuge Friends funded the project. The Friends recently constructed a structure of their own. At the end of the trail and overlooking the managed grasslands you will now find an elevated platform which can be used for bird and wildlife watching. The platform is also built for accessibility.

Hunting on the Refuge

Hunting on the refuge is by permit, and only for white-tailed deer.  We only offer stand hunting opportunities - we do not permit hunting with dogs on the refuge.

We do not offer hunting for turkey, fox, raccoon, squirrel, quail, dove, waterfowl, or any other small or upland game at this time.  Additionally, we do not permit trapping on the refuge.

The 2011 deer hunt information is as follows:

ARCHERY               MUZZLELOADING               FIREARMS

You can apply for the lottery July 1 - August 19, 2011 using one of the following methods:

INTERNET    www.vaquotahunts.com 
NOTE:  AOL (America Online) subscribers must apply by telephone or by email - credit card payments cannot be processed from AOL accounts.

TELEPHONE    1-877-VAHUNTS  (1-877-824-8687)     Monday-Friday     9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

MAIL    Send completed application (with fee) to:

                    Virginia Quota Hunts
                    c/o CyberData, Inc.
                    P.O. Box 9009
                    Hicksville, New York 11802

Download 2010-2011 Quota Hunt Application


WALK-IN REGISTRATION

Walk-in registration will be available to fill hunt slots not filled in the lottery.  Applications will be accepted Tuesdays-Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., as follows:

  • Archery – beginning Tuesday, September 27, 2011
  • Muzzleloading – beginning Tuesday, October 11, 2011
  • Firearms – beginning Tuesday, October 11, 2011

WALK-IN APPLICANTS :

Hunters coming in for walk-in registration may sign up one (and only one) hunting companion, providing the hunter brings the companion's signed permit regulations.  Signed permit regulations on file will be accepted   Please Note:  The hunting companion must sign his/her own permit regulations! 

In addition, walk-in applicants may only sign up for one day of each type of hunt (archery, muzzleloading, firearms).  If the applicant wants to sign up for more days, he/she must go to the end of the line and wait to sign up for additional days following the same procedures.

Walk-in Application

Hunt Permit Conditions

Notice to Customers Making Payment by Check



MORE 2011 HUNT INFORMATION:


2011 HUNTING MAPS BY REFUGE TRACT - Coming soon
Franklin Tayloe (14.75 MB)
Hutchinson - Archery Thomas
Hutchinson - Firearms Toby's Point
Laurel Grove Wilna
Mothershead Wright (565.79 KB)
Port Royal  


For information about other hunting opportunities in your area, please visit the
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website.

 
Last updated: June 24, 2011