The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose and duck on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require you to obtain a refuge waterfowl hunting permit using the Waterfowl Lottery Application (FWS Form 3-2355).
2. We require you to abide by the terms and conditions of the refuge permit and brochure. Hunters are subject to inspections by law enforcement officials and may have their permits revoked if they are found to be in violation of Sec. 32.2 or other Federal and State laws.
3. We allow only hunters possessing a permit issued by the refuge to participate in the waterfowl hunt during designated days.
4. We require hunters to possess on their person a printed valid Maryland hunting license and all required stamps, a valid form of government-issued photo identification, and a printed valid hunting permit issued by the refuge at all times while on refuge property.
5. The use of common reed (Phragmites australis) in any manner is prohibited.
6. You must remove all hunting blind materials and decoys (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter) at the end of each hunting day.
7. We allow hunters to access hunting areas only by boat, unless otherwise authorized by the refuge manager.
8. We prohibit the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) or amphibious vehicles of any type.
9. We prohibit the use of air boats on the refuge.
10. We allow the use of trained dogs by hunters to retrieve game on designated waterfowl hunt days. We require that hunters have dogs not engaged in retrieving waterfowl under control or confined to a vehicle, boat, kennel, blind area, or other container.
11. We require all hunters and hunt parties to remain within their designated hunt site or unit while hunting.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow the hunting of white-tailed and sika deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We require you to obtain a deer or turkey hunting permit (Big/Upland Game Hunt Application, FWS Form 3-2356 or Quota Deer Hunt Application FWS Form 3-2354).
2. We allow only hunters possessing a valid permit issued by the refuge to hunt/scout during designated days.
3. We require hunters to possess on their person at all times while on refuge property, a printed valid Maryland hunting license and all required stamps, a valid form of government-issued photo identification, and a printed valid hunting permit issued by the refuge.
4. We require hunters to notify and receive permission from a Service law enforcement officer, refuge manager, or designee if they need to enter a refuge closed area to retrieve game.
5. We prohibit the use of rimfire or centerfire rifles and all handguns, including muzzleloading pistols, for hunting.
6. We prohibit the use of boats, flotation devices, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorized off-road vehicles, and amphibious vehicles to access the refuge unless authorized by the refuge manager for use by disabled hunters.
7. We prohibit screw-in steps, spikes, or other objects that may damage trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
8. We prohibit hunting from a permanently constructed tree stand or blind.
9. We allow the use of temporary tree stands and blinds for hunting. All stands and blinds left on refuge property, unoccupied, must be tagged in plain sight with your permit number and the years that are printed on your permit. We require you to remove all stands and blinds by legal sunset of a date established annually by the refuge manager. We are not responsible for damage, theft, or use of the stand by other hunters (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit organized deer drives, unless otherwise authorized by the refuge manager.
11. Hunters may use marking devices, including flagging or tape, but they must remove them by legal sunset of date established annually by the refuge manager (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit paint or any other permanent marker to mark trails.
12. We require all disabled hunters to provide certification of their disability.
13. Disabled persons may have an assistant during the hunt in designated areas of the refuge. Persons assisting disabled hunters must be at least age 18 and obey all refuge, State, and Federal laws and regulations. Persons assisting disabled hunters must not be afield with a hunting firearm, bow, or other hunting device.
14. Hunters may use bicycles to access hunt areas on designated hunt/scout days. We prohibit hunters taking bicycles off of designated roads and trails while on refuge lands.
15. We require that you abide by the terms and conditions of the refuge permit and brochure. Hunters are subject to inspection by law enforcement officials and may have their permits revoked if we find them to be in violation of Sec. 32.2 or other Federal and State laws.
16. We prohibit shooting a projectile from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or crossbow from, down, or across any refuge road.
17. We require you to make a reasonable effort to retrieve all wounded or killed game and include it in your daily bag limit. We prohibit leaving deer entrails or other waste within 50 feet (15.2 meters) of any road, trail, or refuge structure on the refuge.
18. We require that all deer harvested be checked in at the refuge-sponsored check station during hunt days when the refuge-sponsored check station is being operated. If you fail to check your deer during the check station business hours, you must report your harvest through the State-sponsored big game check-in system within 24 hours of harvest.
19. We prohibit parking in front of any open or closed gate. Parked vehicles may not impede any road traffic.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing and crabbing only from April 1 through September 30 during daylight hours in refuge waters, unless otherwise authorized by the refuge manager.
2. We allow fishing and crabbing from boats and from the Key Wallace roadway (bridge) across the Little Blackwater River, unless otherwise authorized by the refuge manager.
3. We require you to possess a printed valid Maryland sport fishing license, all required stamps, and a valid form of government-issued photo identification while fishing on the refuge. We do not require a refuge permit to fish on the refuge.
4. We require anglers to attend all fish and crab lines.
5. We prohibit boat launching from refuge lands except from the car-top boat launch located near the Blackwater River Bridge on Route 335.
6. We prohibit the use of airboats on refuge waters.
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and turkey on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State hunting regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We require you to obtain a deer or turkey hunting permit using the Big/Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2356).
2. We allow only hunters possessing a valid permit issued by the refuge to hunt/scout during designated days.
3. We require hunters to possess on their person at all times while on refuge property a printed valid Maryland hunting license and all required stamps, and a valid form of government-issued photo identification. On scout days, we require hunters to place their printed refuge permit on the dash of their vehicle in plain view. On hunt days, we require hunters to have a printed valid refuge permit on their person.
4. We require hunters to notify and receive permission from a Service law enforcement officer, refuge manager, or designee if they need to enter a closed area to retrieve game.
5. We prohibit the use of rimfire or centerfire rifles and all handguns, including muzzleloading pistols, for hunting.
6. We prohibit the use of boats, flotation devices, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), motorized off-road vehicles, and amphibious vehicles to access the refuge, unless authorized by the refuge manager for use by disabled hunters.
7. We prohibit screw-in steps, spikes, or other objects that may damage trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
8. We prohibit hunting from a permanently constructed tree stand or blind.
9. We allow the use of temporary tree stand and blinds for hunting. All stands and blinds left on refuge property, unoccupied, must be tagged in plain sight with your permit number and the years that are printed on your permit. We require you to remove all stands and blinds by legal sunset of a date established annually by the refuge manager. We are not responsible for damage, theft, or use of the stand by other hunters (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
10. We allow use of marking devices, including flagging or tape, but hunters must remove them by legal sunset of a date established annually by the refuge manager (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit paint or any other permanent marker to mark trails.
11. We require all disabled hunters to provide certification of their disability.
12. Disabled persons may have an assistant during the hunt on designated areas of the refuge. Persons assisting disabled hunters must be at least age 18 and obey all refuge, State, and Federal laws and regulations. Persons assisting disabled hunters must not be afield with a hunting firearm, bow, or other hunting device.
13. We require that you abide by the terms and conditions of the refuge permit and brochure. Hunters are subject to inspection by law enforcement officials and may have their permits revoked if we find them to be in violation of Sec. 32.2 or other Federal and State laws.
14. We allow parking only in designated parking areas.
15. We prohibit shooting a projectile from a firearm, muzzleloader, bow, or crossbow from, down, or across any refuge road.
16. We require you to make a reasonable effort to retrieve all wounded or killed game and include it in your daily bag limit. We prohibit leaving deer entrails or other waste within 50 feet (15.2 meters) of any road, trail, or refuge structure on the refuge.
17. We prohibit parking in front of any open or closed gate. Parked vehicles may not impede any road traffic.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing and crabbing in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing and crabbing from the Eastern Neck Island Bridge and the Tundra Swan Boardwalk.
2. We allow fishing and crabbing from designated shore line areas located at the Ingleside Recreation Area from legal sunrise to legal sunset, April 1 through September 30.
3. We allow fishing from designated shoreline areas located at the Chester River end of Boxes Point and Duck Inn Trails from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
4. We require you to possess a printed valid Maryland sport fishing license and all required stamps, and valid form of government-issued photo identification while fishing on the refuge. We do not require a refuge permit to fish on the refuge.
5. We require anglers to attend all fish and crab lines.
6. We prohibit boat launching from refuge lands except for canoes/kayaks at the canoe/kayak ramp located at the Ingleside Recreation Area.
Patuxent Research Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of goose, duck, and dove on the North Tract in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require a Refuge Hunt Application (PRR Hunt Form 1). We issue permits through our Cooperating Association, Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA), at the refuge Hunting Control Station (HCS). MNHA charges a fee for each permit. Contact refuge headquarters for more information.
2. We publish the Refuge Hunting Regulations, which includes the daily and yearly bag limits and hunting dates, in late summer. We provide you with a copy of the regulations with your fee permit, and we require you to know the specific hunt seasons and regulations.
3. We require hunters, age 17 or younger, to have a parent or guardian cosign to receive a hunting permit.
4. We require hunters, age 17 or younger, to be accompanied in the field by an adult possessing a refuge hunting permit, age 21 or older.
5. You must check-in and out at the HCS and exchange your hunting permit for a daily hunting pass and a vehicle pass every time you enter or exit the refuge. This includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and other breaks if you leave your designated hunting area.
6. You must use designated and maintained roads for vehicular traffic.
7. You must park within the selected area specified and not block traffic or gates (see Sec. 27.31(h) of this chapter).
8. We restrict you to the selected area until you check-out at the HCS.
9. We prohibit hunting on or across any road (paved, gravel, dirt, opened and/or closed) or within 50 yards (45.7 meters) of a road (paved, gravel, dirt, opened and/or closed), within 150 yards (137.2 meters) of any building or shed, and within 25 yards (22.5 meters) from any designated ``No Hunting'' and ``Safety Zone'' areas, except:
i. You must be more than 50 yards (135 m) beyond the gate at Blue Heron Pond before hunting.
ii. You must be more than 50 yards (135 m) from the road beyond the barricade at Wood Duck Pond before hunting.
iii. You may hunt waterfowl (goose/duck) from any permanent photo/hunt blind on North Tract.
iv. You may hunt from the roadside, except on the Wildlife Loop and Bald Eagle Drive, at designated areas, if you possess a Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued ``Universal Disability Pass.''
10. You must wear fluorescent orange in accordance with State regulations subject to the additional following conditions:
i. You must wear a solid-colored-fluorescent hunter orange that must be visible 360[deg] while carrying-in and carrying-out equipment (e.g., portable blinds).
ii. ``Jump shooters'' must wear at least a solid-colored, fluorescent-hunter-orange cap while hunting. If you stop and stand, you may remove it.
11. We allow the taking of only Canada goose during the Canada goose early resident season and late Canada goose migratory Atlantic population seasons.
12. We prohibit hunting of goose, duck, and dove during the deer firearms seasons and the early muzzleloader season. The only exceptions are that Blue Heron Pond, Lake Allen, and Area Z will remain open for duck hunters and the Junior Waterfowl hunt day during the early muzzleloader season.
13. We require waterfowl hunters to use trained adult retrieving dogs while hunting duck and goose within 50 yards (45 meters) of the following impounded waters: Blue Heron Pond, Lake Allen, New Marsh, and Wood Duck Pond.
i. We require dogs to be under the immediate control of their owner at all times (see Sec. 26.21(b) of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. We allow hunting of gray squirrel, eastern cottontail rabbit, and woodchuck on the North Tract and turkey on the Central Tract in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A10i apply.
2. Hunters may possess only approved nontoxic shot while in the field (see Sec. 32.2(k)), except for the use of .22-caliber rimfire rifles during the month of January only to hunt squirrel.
3. We prohibit hunting of upland game during the deer muzzleloader and firearms seasons, including the Youth Firearms Deer Hunts.
4. We prohibit the use of dogs to hunt upland game.
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of turkey on North Tract only and white-tailed deer on the North, Central, and South Tracts in accordance with State regulations and subject to the following conditions:
1. Conditions A1 through A10i apply.
2. Spring turkey hunters are exempt from wearing hunter orange.
3. We allow the use of bow and arrow for turkey hunting.
4. We require turkey hunters to use 4, 5, or 6 nontoxic shot or vertical bows (see Sec. 32.2(k)).
5. We select turkey hunters by a lottery for youth, disabled, and general public hunts. We require Maryland Department of Natural Resources-required documentation to accommodate hunters with disabilities.
6. We require turkey hunters to pattern their weapons prior to hunting. Contact refuge headquarters for more information.
7. Prior to issuing a hunt permit, we require you to pass a yearly proficiency test with each weapon used. See A1 for issuing information.
8. We only allow the use of a shotgun, muzzleloader, or bow and arrow according to refuge hunting regulations.
9. We require hunters to secure longbows, recurve bows, compound bows, and crossbows in accordance with State regulations.
10. We prohibit possession or use of buckshot for hunting.
11. We require bow hunters to wear fluorescent-orange color in accordance with State regulations when moving to and from their vehicle to their deer stand or their hunting spot and while tracking or dragging out their deer. We do not require bow hunters to wear fluorescent-orange when in position to hunt except during the North Tract Youth Firearms Deer Hunts, the muzzleloader seasons, and the firearms seasons, when they must wear it at all times. You must wear fluorescent orange when stalking or ``still hunting.''
12. All bucks harvested must have a 15-inch (37.5-centimeter) minimum outside antler spread.
13. We allow hunting in the Schafer Farm, Central Tract, and South Tract. You must hunt using a portable tree stand, which must be at least 10 feet (3 meters) off the ground and equipped with a full-body safety harness. You must wear the full-body safety harness while in the tree stand. We will make limited accommodations for disabled hunters for Central Tract lottery hunts.
14. We allow hunting in the North Tract. You may hunt from the ground or using a portable tree stand. You must wear a full-body safety harness while in the tree stand.
15. We prohibit the use of dogs to hunt or track wounded deer.
16. If you wish to track wounded deer beyond 2 hours after legal sunset, you must gain consent from a Federal wildlife officer. We prohibit tracking 3 hours after legal sunset. You must make a reasonable effort to retrieve the wounded deer, which includes next-day tracking. There is no tracking on Sundays and Federal holidays except on a case-by-case basis. Hunters authorized to track on Sundays or Federal holidays must be accompanied afield by a Federal wildlife officer.
17. We prohibit deer drives or anyone taking part in any deer drive. We define a ``deer drive'' as an organized or planned effort to pursue, drive chase, or otherwise frighten or cause deer to move in the direction of any person or persons who are part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer. We also prohibit organized deer drives without a standing hunter.
18. North Tract: We allow shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow hunting in accordance with the following: Conditions C1 through C17 apply.
19. Central Tract: Headquarters/MR Lottery Hunt: We only allow shotgun and bow hunting in accordance with the following: Conditions C1 through C16 apply (except C8).
20. South Tract: We allow shotgun, muzzleloader, and bow hunting in accordance with the following:
i. Conditions C1 through C17 apply.
ii. You must access South Tract hunting areas A, B, and C off Springfield Road through the Old Beltsville Airport; and South Tract hunting area D from MD Rt. 197 through Gate 4. You must park in designated parking areas.
iii. We prohibit driving or parking along the entrance and exit roads to and from the National Wildlife Visitor Center, and parking in the visitor center parking lot when checked in to hunt any area.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing in accordance with State hook and line fishing regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require all anglers, age 16 and older, to present their current Maryland State nontidal fishing license and complete the Fishing/Shrimping/Crabbing Application (FWS Form 3-2358). Anglers age 18 and older will receive a free Patuxent Research Refuge Fishing Pass. Organized groups must complete the Fishing/Shrimping/Crabbing Application (FWS Form 3-2358), and the group leader must stay with the group at all times while fishing.
2. We publish the refuge fishing regulations, which include the daily and yearly creel limits and fishing dates, in early January. We provide a copy of the regulations with your free Fishing Pass, and we require you to know the specific fishing regulations.
3. Anglers must carry a copy of their Maryland State fishing license in the field.
4. Anglers must display the Fishing Pass in the vehicle windshield while fishing.
5. We require anglers, ages 16 and 17, to have a parent or guardian cosign the Fishing/Shrimping/Crabbing Application (FWS From 3-2358).
6. An adult age 21 or older possessing a Fishing Pass must accompany anglers age 17 or younger in the field; they must maintain visual contact with each other within a 50-yard (45.7-meters) distance; and they may take 3 youths, age 15 or younger, to fish under their Fishing Pass.
7. We prohibit the use and/or possession of lead sinkers.
8. We prohibit the use or possession of alcoholic beverages (see Sec. 27.81 of this chapter).
9. We allow the use of earthworms as the only source of live bait. We prohibit bloodworms, fish, or other animals or parts of animals to be used as bait.
10. We prohibit harvesting bait on the refuge.
11. Anglers must attend all fishing lines.
12. Anglers may take the following species: Chain pickerel, catfish, golden shiner, eel, and sunfish (includes bluegill, black crappie, warmouth, and pumpkinseed). Maryland State daily harvest limits apply unless otherwise noted.
i. All bluegill taken must be 6 inches (15 cm) or larger.
ii. We allow take of one chain pickerel per day.
iii. Anglers must release all bass that they catch.
13. We prohibit fishing from all bridges except the downstream side of Bailey Bridge.
14. North Tract: We allow sport fishing in accordance with the following regulations:
i. Conditions D1 through D13 apply.
ii. We allow sport fishing year-round at Lake Allen, Blue Heron Pond, Rieve's Pond, New Marsh, Cattail Pond, and Little Patuxent River (downstream only from Bailey's Bridge) except Mondays through Saturdays September 1 through January 31 during the hunting season. We also reserve the right to close Lake Allen at any time.
iii. Anglers age 18 and older must complete an Emergency Contact Information/warning/waiver form (PRR Fishing Form 1) prior to receiving a free North Tract Vehicle Access Pass. Anglers must display the North Tract Vehicle Access Pass in the vehicle windshield at all times and return the Pass to the North Tract Visitor Contact Station at the end of each visit.
iv. We prohibit the use of any type of watercraft.
15. South Tract: We allow sport fishing in accordance with the following regulations:
i. Conditions D1 through D12 apply.
ii. Anglers must park their vehicles in the parking lot located behind Refuge Gate 8 off MD Rt. 197. Anglers may not access Cash Lake from the National Wildlife Visitor Center.
iii. We allow sport fishing at the pier and designated shorelines at Cash Lake. See Refuge Fishing Regulations for areas opened to fishing. We post other areas with, ``No fishing beyond this point'' signs.
iv. Anglers may fish from April 1 until mid-October, as posted.
v. We allow fishing legal sunrise to legal sunset.
vi. Anglers may use watercraft for fishing in accordance with Maryland State boating laws subject to the additional following conditions:
a. You may use car-top boats that are 14 feet (4.2m) or less, canoes, kayaks, and inflatable boats.
b. You may use only electric motors that are 4 hp or less.
c. We prohibit sailboats.
d. Maryland State law requires personal flotation devices and whistle and/or horn in boats.
vii. We prohibit boat trailers except by individuals possessing a refuge handicapped permit. [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29075, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6685, 6693, Feb. 11, 1994; 60 FR 62043, Dec. 4, 1995; 61 FR 46396, Sept. 3, 1996; 63 FR 46917, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30784, May 12, 2000; 69 FR 54362, 54412, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54174, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 51160, Aug. 29, 2008; 74 FR 45690, Sept. 3, 2009; 74 FR 50737, Oct. 1, 2009; 76 FR 3976, Jan. 21, 2011; 76 FR 56075, Sept. 9, 2011; 77 FR 56045, Sept. 11, 2012; 79 FR 14829, Mar. 17, 2014; 80 FR 51907, Aug. 26, 2015]