Hunting on the refuge is offered by permit for white tailed deer only. The refuge allows stand hunting only and the use of hunting dogs is prohibited.

We offer permits for two seasons of archery hunting (each season is two weeks in length – excluding Sundays), three days of muzzleloader hunting, and six days of shotgun hunting. Archery permits cost $25.00 per hunter per season and muzzleloader and shotgun permits cost $10.00 per hunter per day. Archery hunting opportunities are offered on nine of our units and muzzleloader and shotgun hunting is offered on six of our unit. 

Hunters can apply for our hunts through Virginia’s Quota Hunt Lottery system www.vaquotahunts.com. Available openings that are not claimed by lottery winners are opened up to the public through the refuge’s Walk In registration process.

Fishing is permitted in Wilna Pond, Laurel Grove Pond, and from the pier at Hutchinson and is open year-round to the public (however, areas maybe closed certain days due to hunting opportunities and/or special events). Wilna pond is a 35 acre freshwater home to largemouth bass, bluegill sunfish, fliers, yellow bullhead catfish, and American eel. Fishing is permitted from the pier or the bank, but not from the catwalk of the dam. The pond is also accessible to hand-launchable boats. The ten acre freshwater pond at Laurel Grove is accessible by hand-launchable boats or bank fishing from the dam. The Hutchinson tract borders scenic Mount Landing Creek shortly before it flows into the Rappahannock River. Fishing is only permitted from the pier.

Download the fishing brochure (pdf)

Excellent wildlife viewing is offered seven days a week from sunrise to sunset at our Wilna, Hutchinson, and Laurel Grove Units (units closed during our permitted hunt days). Advance reservations may be made to visit our Tayloe and Port Royal Units by calling 804-333-1470 Ext.1 at least twenty-four hours in advance. A handicap accessible blind is located along one of the nature trails at the Wilna Unit and can be reserved for wildlife observation by calling 804-333-1470 Ext. 1. This trail also offers a raised platform overlooking one of the unit’s grassland habitats.

Download the bird brochure (pdf)

  Download the Wilna Trail Map (pdf)

  Download the Hutchinson Trail Map (pdf)

The refuge offers its annual Kids Fish Day event on the first Saturday in June. The event is open to children ages 4 to 12 and offers fishing clinics and a morning of fishing in Wilna pond. A raffle is held during the event and prizes are awarded for different categories regarding the fishing tournament.

In honor of National Wildlife Refuge Week, the refuge hosts its Go Wild event on the second Sunday of October at the Hutchinson unit. The event includes kids programs, nature walks, exhibitors, raffles, and much more.

For more information please call our administrative office at 804-333-1470 Ext.1.

The refuge is proud to have environmental education sites at the Wilna Pond Outdoor Classroom (Richmond County) and the Hutchinson tract (Essex County). Both areas feature classroom sites (pond/creek, grassland, woodland habitats), fully accessible fishing piers, and accessible trails. Interpretive programs are also offered to groups, providing we have staff available to accommodate the request and by advanced reservation only. To schedule a visit, please call (804) 333-1470. Educators are encouraged to contact the refuge to inquire about equipment available for environmental education activities. 

The refuge’s forested riparian habitats along the Rappahannock River is the proud home to nesting and roosting bald eagles. Bald eagle habitat protection and enhancement remains a high priority as it is one of the purposes for the establishment of the refuge. Although bald eagles can be found on the refuge all year, the months of December, January, and February provide the best opportunity to view a large amount of wintering eagles.

The forest habitats on and surrounding the refuge are used by at least 37 bird species of conservation concern. During the breeding season (May/June/July) Louisiana waterthrush, ovenbird, worm-eating warblers, yellow-throated vireo, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, chuck-will’s widow, whip-poor-will, eastern towhee, and brown thrasher are frequently observed.