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Hunting at Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in Virginia. Published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
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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
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