Occoquan Bay

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge 2020 Big Game Hunting We allow hunting on the refuge in accordance with State regulations subject to certain conditions: Please refer to the Commonwealth of Virginia Hunting Regulations for clothing requirements, license requirements, and other information. Visit the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources web page: dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/ Firearm Qualification Hunters are required to qualify firearms and ammunition on an approved range PRIOR to their scheduled hunt dates. Qualification cards, standards, and a list of participating ranges are available at https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com. Print and bring a copy of the card to the range. Scout Dates: November 1st and 8th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hunt Dates: November 19th and December 3rd Reminders • Hunters must possess a valid Virginia hunting license, big game tags, refuge permit, and qualification card. Refuge permits must be visible in the windshield on hunt and scout days. Carry licenses and qualification cards in the field. • All persons on refuge or park lands during hunts must possess a valid hunt permit or be a pre-authorized aide. • Hunters may only use or possess firearms and ammunition listed on their qualification card. • Firearms must be unloaded and cased or broken down, except when in assigned hunt area. • Shotgun and slugs only; buckshot prohibited • We prohibit the use of dogs to hunt or pursue game. • Hunters must remove all hunting equipment from the refuge at the end of each day’s hunt • We prohibit organized deer drives • Participants must hunt from an elevated position and place stands within 250 ft. of their designated hunt point. • Permitted Hunter Check In: 5:30 a.m. – 6:00 a.m. • Standby Hunters admitted from 6:00 – 6:15 a.m. • Hunting ends at noon; • Hunters check out by 1:00 p.m. • Antlered and antlerless white-tailed deer may be harvested • Limit of one antlered deer per permit purchased. • DMAP tags provided on site for anterless deer harvest • All harvest deer must be reported to the check station Lottery Visit The RecAccess webpage to enter the deer hunt lottery at https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com. Application fees are nonrefundable and $10 for the general public and $5 for Federal Senior and Access Pass holders, plus a $5 processing fee. The application deadline is Sunday, September 13th. Lottery results will be emailed Tuesday, September 22nd. Remember to check your spam folders! Hunter status may be viewed at the RecAccess webpage. Sign in, click “draw results” and use your RAID number to view lottery results. Orientation Selected hunters must complete the orientation requirements to unlock, purchase, and print assigned hunt permits. View the 2020 Occoquan Bay NWR Hunt Orientation video and test at https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com. As the video and test are completed, permits unlock for purchase and print. Hunters are responsible for understanding the site specific information and content presented in the orientation video. Permits Permits are assigned by lottery and valid for one hunt day and designated parking lot. Purchase and print permits at https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com. Selected hunters may purchase permits from Tuesday, September 22nd through Sunday, October 4th, after which unclaimed permits are available to other hunt applicants. The nonrefundable permit fees are $20.00 for the general public and $10.00 for Federal Senior and Access Pass holders, plus a $5 processing fee. Senior and Access Passes checked upon entry. Unclaimed Permit Purchase Not all selected hunters claim permits. Unclaimed permits are available for purchase on a first come first served basis to all lottery applicants, selected and unselected, starting Tuesday October 7th at noon. Purchase unclaimed permits at https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com. Alternates Stand-by hunters may form a separate line at 5:30 a.m. and will be admitted if space is available at 6:00 a.m. Standby permits will be $20.00 upon entry. The front gate will close to ALL hunters at 6:15 a.m. No admittance to hunt after 6:15 a.m. Mobility Impaired (MI) Hunt Areas One automated lift stand is available for MI hunters. MI hunters are required to have an aide 16 years or older as staff is unable to track, dress, or drag deer. Please call 703-490-4979 to register your hunting aide or to request assistance to find an aide by November 6th. For more information, contact: Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex 12638 Darby Brooke Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192 703/490-4979 www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html Federal Relay Service for the deaf and hard-of-hearing 1 800/877 8339 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service 1 800/344 WILD http://www.fws.gov August 2020 U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge 2020 Big Game Hunting ad oint R o Taylor P 11 R Delta oad Br o av ad Ro @ ! 12 I ! J ! B ! Ea sy Ro ad 7 6 t Road C ! 10 Road F ! ad 3 K ! 9 De ep ho le Po int Dri ve La ke ew oin le P ho ep De 2 yvi Ba o Fox R A ! d Ro a 8 _! ! Q 1 rlie Cha G ! 13 MI H ! Ro ad Legend ! @ Q ! E ! Refuge Entrance/ Hunter Check-In Deer Check Station/ Hunter Check-Out Hunting Spots 250-foot Buffer 5 4 Mobility Impaired D ! d oa t R Deephole Poin 0 250 F 500 Yards ! _ ! Parking Areas Restrooms Entrance Road Wildlife Drive Hiking Trails Refuge Boundary