Title 50

SECTION 32.65

32.65 Virginia.

§ 32.65 Virginia.

The following refuge units are open for hunting and/or fishing as governed by applicable Federal and State regulations, and are listed in alphabetical order with additional refuge-specific regulations.

(a) Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and feral hog on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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.

(ii) 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. We prohibit use of trailers.

(iii) 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.

(iv) We prohibit the use of tree stands, except on Long Island (Hunt Zone 1).

(v) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing, noncommercial crabbing, and clamming on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) 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.

(ii) 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-G) in this area on dates and at times designated on the permit.

(iii) For sport fishing in D Pool:

(A) We only allow fishing from the docks or banks in D Pool. We prohibit boats, canoes, and kayaks on D Pool.

(B) We prohibit hooks other than barbless or flattened.

(C) 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.

(D) Parking for non-ambulatory anglers is available adjacent to the dock at D Pool. All other anglers must enter the area by foot or bicycle.

(b) Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge - (1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of waterfowl and rail on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must obtain and possess a signed refuge hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) while hunting on the refuge. P>(ii) You may only access hunting areas by boat.

(iii) We prohibit hunting on Assawoman and Metompkin Islands' beach and dune habitats beginning March 15.

(iv) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.

(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and sika in designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow holders of a signed refuge hunt permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) to access areas of the refuge typically closed to the nonhunting public. All occupants of a vehicle or hunt party must possess a refuge hunt permit and be actively engaged in hunting. We allow an exception for those persons aiding a disabled person who possesses a valid State-issued Commonwealth of Virginia Disabled Resident Lifetime License or Commonwealth of Virginia Resident Disabled Veteran's Lifetime License.

(ii) You may not hunt within 100 feet (30.5 meters) of any building.

(iii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 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(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.

(iv) You may not hunt, discharge a firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow bolt within 50 feet (15.2 meters) of the centerline of any road, whether improved or unimproved, or paved trail.

(v) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer and sika.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing, crabbing, and clamming from the shoreline of the refuge in designated areas subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must attend minnow traps, crab traps, crab pots, and handlines at all times.

(ii) We prohibit the use of seine nets and pneumatic (compressed air or otherwise) bait launchers.

(iii) The State regulates certain species of finfish, shellfish, and crustacean (crab) using size or possession limits. You may not alter these species, to include cleaning or filleting, in such a way that we cannot determine its species or total length.

(iv) In order to fish after the refuge closes for the day, anglers must obtain an overnight fishing pass (name/address/phone) issued by the National Park Service. Anglers can obtain a pass in person at the National Park Service Tom's Cove Visitor Center.

(v) We allow only three surf fishing poles per licensed angler, and those poles must be attended at all times. This includes persons age 65 or older who are license-exempt in Virginia.

(3) Big game hunting. We allow archery and shotgun hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(ii) You must sign in before entering the hunt zone and sign out upon leaving the zone.

(iv) You may not hunt, discharge a firearm, or nock an arrow or crossbow bolt outside of the designated hunting areas.

(v) We only allow shotguns loaded with buckshot during the firearm season.

(vi) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) [Reserved]

(d) Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).

(ii) We only allow shotguns with slugs during the firearm season.

(iv) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting deer.

(v) Hunters must certify and qualify weapons and ammunition at a refuge-approved range and view the refuge orientation session online prior to issuance of a refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).

(4) [Reserved]

(e) Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer and bear on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).

(ii) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer and bear.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing in designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow fishing in Lake Drummond from a boat (maximum 25 horsepower) and from the piers at Washington Ditch and Interior Ditch.

(ii) We prohibit bank fishing on the refuge, with the exception noted in paragraph (e)(4)(i) of this section.

(iii) We require permits (Special Use Permit (FWS Form 3-1383-G)) for vehicular access to the boat ramp on Interior Ditch Road on the west side of Lake Drummond.

(f) James River National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require hunters to possess and carry a refuge hunting permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).

(ii) 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.

(iii) We require that, during firearms and muzzleloader seasons, hunters remain within 100 feet (30 meters (m)) of their assigned stand while hunting.

(iv) We require that hunters using a muzzleloader must hunt from a stand elevated 10 feet (3 m) or more above the ground.

(v) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) [Reserved]

(g) Mackay Island National Wildlife Refuge. Refer to § 32.52(e) for regulations.

(h) Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must possess and carry a signed refuge permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System) and be selected in the refuge lottery to hunt.

(ii) We only allow shotguns with slugs during the firearm season.

(iv) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting deer.

(4) [Reserved]

(i) Plum Tree Island National Wildlife Refuge - (1) Migratory game bird hunting. We allow hunting of migratory waterfowl, gallinule, and coot on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require migratory game bird hunters to obtain and carry a permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

(ii) You must hunt from a blind, as assigned by the hunting permit.

(iii) We allow the use of dogs consistent with State regulations.

(2)-(4) [Reserved]

(j) Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require big game hunters to obtain a permit through a lottery administered by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

(ii) We prohibit organized deer drives. 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(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.

(iii) We allow shotgun hunting on designated days as indicated on refuge hunting permits, in the State hunting guide, and on the refuge website.

(iv) We require hunters to dock their boats at designated locations on the refuge.

(v) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) [Reserved]

(k) Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We require big game hunters to obtain a permit (FWS Form 3-2439, Hunt Application - National Wildlife Refuge System).

(ii) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) Sport fishing. We allow sport fishing on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) We allow fishing access each day from legal sunrise to legal sunset.

(ii) During the period when the refuge is open for hunting, we close hunting areas to all other uses, including sport fishing.

(iii) We allow fishing only by use of one or more attended poles with hook and line attached. We prohibit all other fishing methods and means.

(iv) We prohibit the use of lead fishing tackle in freshwater ponds, including Wilna Pond and Laurel Grove Pond.

(v) 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 as governed by State regulations.

(vi) We prohibit the use of minnows as bait.

(vii) We prohibit use of boats propelled by gasoline motors, sail, or mechanically operated paddle wheel while fishing.

(l) Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuge. (1)-(2) [Reserved]

(3) Big game hunting. We allow hunting of white-tailed deer on designated areas of the refuge subject to the following conditions:

(i) You must obtain and carry a signed refuge big game hunt brochure while hunting.

(ii) 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 legal shooting hours.

(iii) You must report all harvested animals on the sign-out sheet at the hunter registration station when signing out.

(iv) We prohibit organized deer drives. 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(s) who is part of the organized or planned hunt and known to be waiting for the deer.

(v) We prohibit the use of pursuit dogs while hunting white-tailed deer.

(4) [Reserved]

[84 FR 47675, Sept. 10, 2019, as amended at 85 FR 54141, Aug. 31, 2020]