Big Game & Waterfowl Hunting

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of over 560 National Wildlife Refuges whose objective is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of all species of wildlife. The harvest of surplus animals is one tool used to manage wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable renewable resource. The various habitats found on the refuge include dune-grass community, shrub community, upland maritime forest, fresh water marsh and salt marsh. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge manages its hunt through a permit system.

  • 2018 General Information

    For questions concerning hunt regulations please refer to the brochure or contact the Hunt coordinator, Chase Sands, at FW5_ChincoHunt@fws.gov or 757-336-6122 x2315. Please note correspondence sent to the email address will not be replied to until after September 15, however applications sent prior to this date are still accepted.     

    For specific Virginia state hunting regulations and licenses information please visit the Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries. 

    For information about hunting opportunities at Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge please see their website.

    You will need to download the most recent version of Adobe Reader to open brochures, applications and permit documents. You can get this software for free at http://get.adobe.com/reader.  

  • 2018 Early Archery Big Game Hunt

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    OCTOBER 6 - NOVEMBER 16, 2018

    Brochure (pdf 366KB)

    Orientation - (pdf 2.4MB)

    Application - pdf 532KB) 

    *No hunting on Sundays.
    *All archery hunting is first come/first serve daily.

  • 2018 Firearms and Late Archery Big Game Hunt

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    NOVEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 15, 2018

    Brochure (pdf 373KB)

    Orientation - (pdf 2.4MB)

    Application - (pdf 532KB)  

    *No hunting on Sundays or on November 22-24, 2018

  • 2018-2019 Migratory Game Bird Hunt

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    STATE OF VIRGINIA SEASONS APPLY

    Brochure (pdf 442KB)

    Application (pdf 249KB) 

    General Public Virginia Waterfowl and Rail Seasons
    We allow hunting of Waterfowl (as defined by the Virginia Waterfowl Hunting Guide) and Rail during the State seasons on designated areas of the Refuge within Wildcat Marsh, Morris Island, Assawoman Island, and Metompkin Island Divisions in accordance with State regulations.

  • 2018 Wallops Island Refuge Hunt

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    STATE OF VIRGINIA SEASONS APPLY (for both Archery and Firearms)

    Brochure (pdf 460KB)

    Application (pdf 243KB)  

    *No hunting on Sundays.
    *Requests for non-hunting assistant permits must be indicated on the hunters' application.