The following refuge units have been opened for hunting and/or fishing, and are listed in alphabetical order with applicable refuge-specific regulations.
Back Bay 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 feral hogs on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunt regulations, hunting application procedures, seasons, methods of hunting, maps depicting areas open to hunting, and the terms and conditions under which we issue hunting permits are available on the refuge's Web site.
2. Hunters must present their Hunter Safety Education Certification and required licenses at check-in.
3. Hunters must register on each hunt day. We will issue a Special Use Hunting Permit, which hunters must sign and carry on their person while hunting.
4. The hunt lottery system (run through a contractor) may be accessed through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, and The Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries website. Selected hunters will receive a ``Successful Hunter Selection Packet'' from the contractor by mail.
5. All selected and standby applicants must enter the refuge between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. on each hunt day. We may issue standby hunters permits (name only) to fill vacant slots by lottery. Hunting hours will comply with State laws.
6. Hunters must sign in and out on each hunt day.
7. We prohibit use of dogs.
8. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
9. You must be at least age 16 to hunt without an accompanying, qualified adult. Youths between ages 12 and 15 may hunt only when accompanied by a licensed hunter who is age 18 or older. We prohibit persons under age 12 from hunting on the refuge.
10. Each hunter must visibly wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of solid-colored, blaze-orange material on his or her head, chest, and back. This is the equivalent of a hat and vest for each hunter.
11. Hunting Zone 5 is for use by nonambulatory hunters. A nonambulatory hunter is someone who can provide medical documentation from a doctor that he or she is unable to walk.
12. We allow scouting on designated days prior to the start of each refuge hunt period. Hunters may enter the hunt zones on foot, on bicycle, or through transportation provided by the refuge only. Scouts must wear 400 square inches (2,600 square centimeters) of visible blaze orange.
13. Hunters may go to Hunt Zone 1 (Long Island) only by hand-launched watercraft (canoe, punt, rowboat, and similar watercraft) from the canoe launch at refuge headquarters. Your boat must meet Coast Guard safety requirements. We prohibit use of trailers.
14. We prohibit hunting or discharging of firearms within designated Safety Zones. We prohibit retrieval of wounded game from a ``No Hunting Area'' or ``Safety Zone'' without the consent of the refuge employee on duty at the check station.
15. We prohibit use of tree stands.
16. We prohibit use of the ``Hacking Tower'' in Hunt Zone 4.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing, noncommercial crabbing, and clamming on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We close all areas within the hunting zones, as well as the oceanfront, to fishing, crabbing, and clamming during the annual refuge white-tailed deer and feral hog hunt.
2. You must attend all fishing lines and crab pots at all times.
3. We prohibit on-site cleaning of fish.
4. We prohibit the taking of amphibian, reptile, marine mammal, aquatic invertebrate, or any other marine organism from refuge lands or waters.
5. Anglers may access the refuge for sport fishing, crabbing, and clamming from the refuge headquarters parking lot only by foot, bicycle, and nontrailered boats.
6. You may surf fish, crab, and clam south of the refuge's beach access ramp. We allow night surf fishing by Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383) in this area in accordance with dates and times designated on the permit.
7. For sportfishing in D Pool and at Horn Point:
i. We only allow fishing from the docks or banks. We prohibit boats, canoes, or kayaks on refuge pools and impoundments.
ii. We prohibit live minnows or other live bait fish for fishing in refuge pools and impoundments.
iii. We require barbless or flattened hooks for all fishing.
iv. You must catch and release all freshwater game fish. The daily creel limit for D Pool for other species is a maximum combination of any 10 nongame fish.
v. Parking for nonambulatory visitors is available adjacent to the dock at D Pool. All other visitors must hike in or bicycle in.
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory duck, goose, swan, coot, and rail on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 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 subject to the following conditions:
1. You must obtain a Migratory Bird Hunting Application (FWS Form 3-2357). Hunting brochures containing hunting application procedures, seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, maps depicting areas open to hunting, and the terms and conditions under which we issue hunting permits are available at the refuge administration office and on the refuge's Web site.
2. Each youth hunter (under age 18) must remain within sight and normal voice contact and under direct supervision of an adult age 18 or older. The supervising adult must also possess and carry a State hunting license and a refuge permit.
3. You may only access hunting areas by boat.
4. You may only possess approved nontoxic shot (see Sec. 32.2(k)) while hunting duck, goose, swan, coot, and rail.
5. You may erect portable blinds and deploy decoys; however, during the regular duck season, you must remove the blinds and decoys daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
6. You may use trained dogs to assist in the retrieval of harvested birds.
7. You must complete and return a Migratory Bird Hunt Report (FWS Form 3-2361), available at the refuge administration office or on the refuge's Web site, within 15 days of the close of the season.
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and sika in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. General hunt information:
i. You must apply for this hunt by filling out a Big/Upland Game Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2356). Hunting brochures containing hunting application procedures, seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, maps depicting areas open to hunting, and the terms and conditions under which we issue hunting permits are available at the refuge administration office and on the refuge's Web site.
ii. You must be age 12 or older to hunt on the refuge. An adult age 18 or older must accompany hunters under age 18. The supervising adult must also possess and carry a State hunting license and refuge permit.
iii. You must attend a hunt orientation. We conduct orientations beginning at 10 a.m. Sundays and Wednesdays throughout the hunt season. We allow scouting from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. following each orientation.
iv. You must sign in at the hunter registration station prior to entering your hunt zone and sign out upon exiting your hunt zone. All hunters must sign out no later than 2 hours after the end of the hunt day.
v. You must check all harvested animals at the refuge's official check station.
vi. You must make a reasonable effort to recover wounded animals from the field and must notify the check station personnel immediately if you are not able to recover a wounded animal.
vii. We prohibit crossing water management areas unless you are retrieving a harvested animal.
viii. We prohibit the use of a boat, all-terrain vehicle (see Sec. 27.31(f) of this chapter), bicycle, or saddled animal within your hunt zone.
ix. We allow the use of a portable tree stand.
2. Archery hunt information:
i. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and sika with bow and arrow in designated areas of the refuge.
ii. You may not nock an arrow within 50 feet (15 m) of the centerline of any road.
iii. During the sika archery season, you may take up to five sika daily, of which two may be antlered. In addition, you may take white-tailed deer in accordance with State regulations.
iv. We prohibit deer drives.
v. We reserve Zone 2 for hunters confined to wheelchairs. Hunters confined to wheelchairs must remain on the paved trail or overlook platform on Woodland Trail. Hunters confined to wheelchairs who require assistance retrieving or dressing harvested animals must have a nonhunting assistant available.
3. Firearm hunt information:
i. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and sika with firearms in designated areas of the refuge.
ii. You must wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of visible blaze-orange material consisting of a vest and hat or a jacket and hat.
iii. When hunting, you may use any firearm allowed by State law in designated areas of the refuge.
iv. We prohibit the discharge of a firearm within 50 feet (15m) of the centerline of any road.
v. During the sika firearm season, you may take up to five sika daily, two of which may be antlered. In addition, during designated white-tailed deer hunt periods, you may take white-tailed deer in accordance with State regulations.
vi. You must have a 4-wheel drive vehicle to hunt on Tom's Cove Hook. All over-sand vehicles must carry a shovel, jack, tow rope or chain, board or similar support for the jack, and a low- pressure tire gauge.
vii. We reserve zone 2 for hunters confined to wheelchairs. Those hunters must remain on the paved trail or overlook platform on Woodland Trial. They may use any firearm allowed by State law while hunting from the overlook platform. We restrict other areas of the zone to shotgun and muzzleloading firearms only. Hunters confined to wheelchairs who require assistance retrieving and/or dressing harvested animals must have a nonhunting assistant available.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow sport fishing, crabbing, and clamming from the shoreline of the refuge in designated areas of Tom's Cove, Swan's Cove, and the Atlantic Ocean in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You may not enter any water management areas.
2. You must attend minnow traps, crab traps, crab pots, and handlines at all times.
3. You must possess and carry a refuge permit to surf fish after hours while fishing.
4. You must possess and carry a refuge permit (name, address, phone number supplied to refuge manager) to surf fish on Assawoman Island between March 15 and September 1.
Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow archery and shotgun hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunting brochures containing permit application procedures, fees, seasons, bag limits, methods of hunting, maps depicting areas open to hunting, and the terms and conditions under which we issue hunting permits are available from the refuge administration office.
2. You must possess and carry a refuge hunt permit while hunting.
3. You must be age 12 or older to hunt on the refuge. Hunters, ages 12 through 17, must be accompanied by and directly supervised (within sight and normal voice contact) by an adult age 18 or older. The supervising adult must also be engaged in hunting and possess and carry a State hunting license and refuge permit.
4. You must sign in before entering the hunt zones and sign out upon leaving the zone.
5. We allow portable tree stands in accordance with Sec. Sec. 27.93, 27.94, and 32.2(i) of this chapter. You must use safety straps while in tree stands and remove the stand at the end of the day.
6. You must check all harvested animals at the refuge's official check station.
7. We prohibit deer drives. We define a ``drive'' as three or more persons involved in the act of chasing, pursuing, disturbing, or otherwise directing deer so as to make the animal more susceptible to harvest.
8. We prohibit nocked arrows or loaded firearms outside of the designated hunting areas.
9. We only allow shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, loaded with buckshot during the firearm season.
10. During the firearm hunt, you must wear in a visible manner on the head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm \2\) of solid-colored-blaze-orange clothing or material.
11. You must make a reasonable effort to recover wounded animals from the field and must notify the check station personnel immediately if you are not able to recover a wounded animal.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Great Dismal Swamp 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 bear on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit and compass.
2. We allow shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, loaded with buckshot or rifled slugs, and bows and arrows, and crossbows. For the bear hunt in Virginia, we allow only shotguns, 20 gauge or larger, with slugs.
3. We prohibit dogs.
4. You must wear 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of solid-colored, hunter-orange clothing or material in a visible manner during firearms big game season.
5. You must sign in and out each time you enter and leave the refuge.
6. We prohibit possession of loaded firearms (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter) (ammunition in the chamber, magazine, or clip), or loaded bow on or within 50 feet (15 m) of a refuge road, including roads closed to vehicles.
7. We require hunters to have their guns, bows and arrows, and crossbows dismantled or cased when in a vehicle.
8. We prohibit shooting from, onto, or across refuge roads, including roads closed to vehicles.
9. You must check-in all harvested bears at the refuge official check station.
10. We prohibit baiting or hunting over bait (see Sec. 32.2(h)).
11. We prohibit possession of alcoholic beverages (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We only allow fishing in Lake Drummond and in the Feeder Ditch on the east side of Lake Drummond during daylight hours.
2. We prohibit bank fishing.
3. You must attend all fishing lines.
4. We require permits for vehicular access to the boat ramp on Interior Ditch Road on the west side of Lake Drummond.
James River 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 on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to possess and carry a refuge hunting permit (contains date selected to hunt and permit number), along with their State hunting license while on refuge property. We require hunters to display a vehicle permit (contains date selected to hunt and permit number) provided by the refuge on the dashboard of their vehicle while on the refuge so that the permit is visible through the windshield.
2. We require firearm hunters to complete and sign a Quota Deer Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2354) and provide the application and hunt fee to the hunt administrator at the Refuge Hunter Check Station on the morning of each hunt on a first-come-first-served basis. The hunt administrator will then provide the applicant a one-day refuge hunting permit.
3. We require persons who wish to hunt during the refuge's archery season to obtain a refuge hunting permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We notify successful applicants by mail or email, and if we receive the hunting fee by the date identified in the mailing, we mail refuge hunting permits to successful applicants.
4. We allow archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting on designated days as indicated on refuge hunting permits.
5. We allow the take of two deer per day.
6. We prohibit dogs.
7. We allow only portable tree stands that hunters must remove at the end of each hunt day (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit damage to trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)).
8. We require hunters during archery-only seasons to wear, in a visible manner, a minimum of 100 square inches (645 cm\2\) of solid-colored-hunter-orange clothing or material while moving to and from their stand and/or hunting location.
9. We require hunters during firearms and muzzleloader seasons to wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of solid-colored- hunter-orange clothing or material.
10. We require that hunters during firearms and muzzleloader seasons remain within 100 feet (30 m) of their assigned stand while hunting.
11. We require that hunters using a muzzleloader must hunt from a stand elevated 10 feet (3 m) or more above the ground.
12. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulation (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter and specific refuge regulations in part 32).
13. We prohibit the discharge of firearms or archery equipment across or within State-maintained or refuge roads, including roads closed to vehicles, as shown on refuge hunt maps.
14. We prohibit the use of flagging to mark trails or for any other purpose.
15. An adult age 21 or older, possessing and carrying a valid hunting license and refuge hunting permit, must accompany and directly control youth hunters ages 12 to 17. We prohibit persons under age 12 to hunt on the refuge.
16. We prohibit the use or possession of alcohol while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
17. We require hunters to report accidents or injuries to the refuge office or sheriff's office within 24 hours after the incident. Hunters must report accidents resulting in serious injury to the sheriff's office immediately.
18. We require hunters to unload hunting bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, and shotguns while in or around vehicles or on refuge roads (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter). We define unloaded as: arrows or bolts removed from bow or crossbow, primer removed from muzzleloader or shotgun shell removed from chamber of shotgun.
19. We require hunters during archery-only seasons to sign in and out at the Hunter Sign-In/Sign-Out stations, and record deer harvest information on the Big Game Harvest Report (FWS Form 3-2359).
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. Hunters must sign and carry a Refuge Deer Hunting Permit while hunting on the refuge.
2. We allow the use of shotguns, muzzleloading rifles/shotguns, and bows. We prohibit the use of all other rifles and pistols.
3. We allow access to hunting areas from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m.
4. We prohibit marking of trees or vegetation (see Sec. 27.51 of this chapter) with blazes, flagging, or other marking devices.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing only from sunrise to sunset from March 15 through October 15.
2. You must attend all fishing lines.
3. We do not allow airboats.
Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State and County regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. We select hunters by lottery using the Quota Deer Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2354). Contact the refuge office for information on application dates.
3. We send applicants an information packet detailing specific dates, details, and requirements for the hunt, including, but not limited to: hunt dates, hunt areas, bag restrictions, weapon certification requirements and locations, orientation dates/times, scouting date(s), check station location, and maps.
4. Hunters must certify/qualify weapons and ammunition and attend an orientation session or take the orientation session online prior to issuance of a permit (see application form referenced above). Please contact the refuge for the online orientation Web address.
5. Hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm \2\) of visible solid hunter-orange clothing and a hunter-orange hat.
6. We may close areas of the refuge to hunting. We will identify these areas on the maps in the information packet and review them during orientation.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. [Reserved]
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. We allow hunting of deer on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State and County regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit.
2. We select hunters by lottery using the Quota Deer Hunt Application (FWS Form 3-2354). Contact the refuge office for information on application dates.
3. We send applicants an information packet detailing specific dates, details, and requirements for the hunt, including, but not limited to: hunt dates, hunt areas, bag restrictions, weapon certification requirements and locations, orientation dates/times, scouting date(s), check station location, and maps.
4. Hunters must certify/qualify weapons and ammunition and attend an orientation session or take the orientation session online prior to issuance of a permit (see application form referenced above). Please contact the refuge for the online orientation web address.
5. Hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm \2\) of visible solid hunter-orange clothing and a hunter-orange hat.
6. We may close areas of the refuge to hunting. We will identify these areas on the maps in the information packet and review them during orientation.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge
A. Migratory Game Bird Hunting. We allow hunting of migratory waterfowl, gallinule, and coot on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require hunters to possess and carry a refuge hunting permit (see condition A2 below) along with their State hunting license and stamps, while hunting migratory game birds on the refuge. We open the Cow Island unit of the refuge only to migratory game bird hunting. We close all other areas of the refuge to all public entry.
2. We require migratory game bird hunters to obtain a permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We mail permits to successful applicants.
3. We prohibit jump-shooting by foot or boat. All hunting must take place from a blind as determined by the hunting permit.
4. We allow only one boat or hunting party at each of the hunting locations.
5. An adult age 21 or older, possessing and carrying a valid hunting license and refuge hunting permit, must accompany and directly control youth hunters ages 12 to 17. We prohibit persons younger than age 12 to hunt on the refuge.
6. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter).
B. Upland Game Hunting. [Reserved]
C. Big Game Hunting. [Reserved]
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Presquile 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 on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require big game hunters to obtain a permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We require a fee to obtain a refuge hunting permit. We will notify successful applicants by mail or email, and if we receive the hunting fee by the date identified in the mailing, we will mail refuge hunting permits to successful applicants.
2. We require hunters to possess a refuge hunting permit (contains date selected to hunt and permit number), along with their State hunting license, while on refuge property.
3. We require stand hunting only. Stand hunting means the use of portable hunting blinds, portable tree stands, or stationary ground hunting. We prohibit the use of nails, screws, bolts, or screw-in steps. We prohibit damage to trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove stands and blinds daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
4. We prohibit the use of ``man drives,'' defined as individual or group efforts intended to ``push'' or ``jump'' deer for the purposes of hunting.
5. We allow shotgun hunting on designated days as indicated on refuge hunting permits, in the State hunting guide, and on the refuge Web site, http://www.fws.gov/northeast/presquile/.
6. We allow the take of two deer per day.
7. We prohibit dogs.
8. We prohibit the discharge of a weapon within 300 feet (90 m) of any building.
9. We require hunters to wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of solid-colored, hunter-orange clothing or material.
10. We prohibit the use of flagging to mark trails or for any other purpose (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
11. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on national wildlife refuges must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter).
12. An adult age 21 or older, possessing and carrying a valid hunting license and refuge hunting permit, must accompany and directly control youth hunters ages 12 to 17. We prohibit persons younger than age 12 to hunt on the refuge.
13. We prohibit the use or possession of alcohol while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
14. We require hunters to dock their boats at designated locations on the refuge.
15. We require hunters to report accidents or injuries to the refuge office or sheriff's office within 24 hours after the incident. Hunters must report hunting accidents resulting in serious injury to the sheriff's office immediately.
16. We require hunters to unload hunting bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, and shotguns while in or around vehicles or on refuge roads (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter). We define unloaded as: arrows or bolts removed from bow or crossbow, primer removed from muzzleloader, or shotgun shell removed from chamber of shotgun.
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved]
Rappahannock River Valley 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 on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We require big game hunters to obtain a permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We require a fee to obtain a refuge hunting permit (signed and dated sheet). We will notify successful applicants by mail or email, and if we receive the hunting fee by the date identified in the mailing, we will mail refuge hunting permits to successful applicants. We offer walk-in registration to fill hunting slots not filled during the lottery process.
2. We require hunters to possess a refuge hunting permit (contains date selected to hunt and permit number), along with their State hunting license, while on refuge property. We require hunters to display a vehicle permit (contains date selected to hunt and permit number) provided by the refuge on the dashboard of their vehicle while on the refuge so that the permit is visible through the windshield.
3. We require stand hunting only. Stand hunting means the use of portable hunting blinds, portable tree stands, or stationary ground hunting. We prohibit the use of nails, screws, bolts, or screw-in steps. We prohibit damage to trees (see Sec. 32.2(i)). Hunters must remove stands and blinds daily (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter). We prohibit deer drives, still hunting, and roaming.
4. We allow archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunting on designated refuge tracts and days.
5. We allow the take of two deer per day.
6. We prohibit dogs.
7. We require hunters during archery-only season to wear in a conspicuous manner a minimum of 100 square inches (650 cm\2\) of solid-colored, hunter-orange material or clothing while moving to and from their stand or hunting location.
8. We require hunters during muzzleloader and firearms seasons to wear in a conspicuous manner on head, chest, and back a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm\2\) of solid-colored, hunter-orange material or clothing.
9. We prohibit the use of flagging to mark trails or for any other purpose (see Sec. 27.93 of this chapter).
10. We prohibit the use of vehicles except on designated refuge roads.
11. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on the refuge must comply with all provisions of State and local law. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter).
12. An adult age 21 or older, possessing and carrying a valid hunting license and refuge hunting permit, must accompany and directly control youth hunters ages 12 to 17. We prohibit persons younger than age 12 to hunt on the refuge.
13. We require hunters to report accidents or injuries to the refuge office or sheriff's office within 24 hours after the incident. Hunters must report accidents resulting in serious injury to the sheriff's office immediately.
14. We prohibit the use or possession of alcohol while hunting on the refuge (see Sec. 32.2(j)).
15. We prohibit the discharge of hunting firearms or archery equipment within 300 feet (90 m) of any building. We prohibit the discharge of hunting firearms or archery equipment in or across a refuge road as marked on the refuge hunt maps.
16. We require hunters to unload hunting bows, crossbows, muzzleloaders, and shotguns while in or around vehicles or on refuge roads (see Sec. 27.42 of this chapter). We define unloaded as: arrows or bolts removed from bow or crossbow, primer removed from muzzleloader, or shotgun shell removed from chamber of shotgun.
D. Sport Fishing. We allow fishing on designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. We allow fishing access daily from legal sunrise to legal sunset.
2. During the period when the refuge is open for hunting, we will close hunting areas to all other uses, including sport fishing.
3. We prohibit fishing by any means other than by use of one or more attended poles with hook and line attached.
4. We prohibit the use of lead sinkers in freshwater ponds, including Wilna Pond and Laurel Grove Pond.
5. We require catch-and-release fishing for largemouth bass in freshwater ponds, including Wilna Pond and Laurel Grove Pond. Anglers may take other finfish species in accordance with State regulations.
6. We prohibit the take of any reptile, amphibian, or invertebrate species for use as bait or for any other purpose.
7. We prohibit the use of minnows as bait.
8. We prohibit use of boats propelled by gasoline motors, sail, or mechanically operated paddle wheel.
9. Prescheduled environmental education field trips will have priority over other uses, including sport fishing, on the Wilna Pond and Hutchinson piers at all times.
Wallops Island 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 in designated areas of the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions:
1. You must possess and carry a refuge permit. We issue permits based on a computer lottery system. You may obtain permit applications from the refuge administration office during normal business hours. Hunting brochures containing application procedures, seasons, and maps depicting areas open to hunting are available from the refuge administration office. You must provide an unobstructed view of the refuge permit on the vehicle's dashboard while hunting on the refuge.
2. You must be age 12 or older to hunt on the refuge. An adult age 18 or older must accompany and directly supervise hunters under age 18. The supervising adult must also possess and carry a State hunting license and refuge permit.
3. You must sign in at the hunter registration station prior to entering your hunt zone and sign out upon exiting your hunt zone. You must sign out no later than two hours after the end of the hunt day.
4. You must wear a minimum of 400 square inches (2,600 cm \2\) of blaze-orange material consisting of a vest and hat or a jacket and hat.
5. You may use of portable tree stands.
6. We prohibit dogs.
7. You must park your vehicle in designated areas (see Sec. 27.31 of this chapter).
D. Sport Fishing. [Reserved] [58 FR 5064, Jan. 19, 1993, as amended at 58 FR 29077, May 18, 1993; 58 FR 29085, May 18, 1993; 59 FR 6686, Feb. 11, 1994; 60 FR 62048, Dec. 4, 1995; 61 FR 46399, Sept. 3, 1996; 62 FR 47383, Sept. 9, 1997; 63 FR 46922, Sept. 3, 1998; 65 FR 30792, May 12, 2000; 65 FR 56409, Sept. 18, 2000; 67 FR 58951, Sept. 18, 2002; 68 FR 57318, Oct. 2, 2003; 69 FR 54362, 54465, Sept. 8, 2004; 70 FR 54194, Sept. 13, 2005; 73 FR 33199, June 11, 2008; 74 FR 45698, Sept. 3, 2009; 74 FR 50737, Oct. 1, 2009; 76 FR 3997, Jan. 21, 2011; 77 FR 56064, Sept. 11, 2012; 79 FR 14842, Mar. 17, 2014; 80 FR 51933, Aug. 26, 2015]