Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, in cooperation with the Mason Neck State Park, hosts an annual white-tailed deer hunt to manage the deer population on the site. The hunter success rate, coupled with the overall popularity of the large-scale hunt within Northern Virginia, is a huge factor in drawing hunters back each year. Hunts are generally scheduled for November and December. To purchase a hunt permit, each hunter must view an online orientation video that defines the rules of the hunt as well as the management objectives. All hunters are required to have a state hunting license and must show proficiency with firearms by qualifying at a firing range. The hunt qualifies through the Virginia’s Deer Management Assistance Program.
Hunt Dates: Tuesday, November 17 • Tuesday, December 1 • Tuesday, December 8, 2026
Scout Date: Saturday, November 14, 9AM to 4PM
More information about the 2026 season:
Permits go on sale September 19, 2026. Orientation, and permit sales administered on https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com/#
The 2026 Northern Virginia Managed Hunt Shotgun Qualification Card and Standards:
https://www.fws.gov/media/2026-northern-virginia-managed-hunt-shotgun-qualification-card