Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge hosts an annual white-tailed deer hunt to manage the deer population on the site. Hunts are generally scheduled for November and December. Occoquan Bay operates a lottery based hunt, participants must view an online orientation video that defines the rules of the hunt, as well as the management objectives, before purchasing a hunt permit. All hunters are required to have a state hunting license and each must show proficiency with firearms by qualifying at a firing range. The hunt qualifies through the Virginia’s Deer Management Assistance Program.
Hunt Dates: Thursday, November 18 • Thursday, December 3 • Thursday, December 10, 2026
Scout Date: Saturday, November 7, 9AM to 4PM
The Lottery for the 2026 hunt will open July 25, 2026.
Lottery, 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/firearms-qualification-standards
https://www.fws.gov/media/2026-northern-virginia-managed-hunt-shotgun-qualification-card