NAS Patuxent River Hunting

*** HUNTING SIGN OUTS: The online/ phone check in system is offline. Hunters need to go to the hunter check station to check in and out for hunting. There are sign out sheets for each game species with an open season.

NOTICE: ISPORTSMAN MAY BE INACTIVE FOR FISHING OR HUNTING PERMIT ISSUANCE OR HUNTER CHECK IN/OUT FROM 01 AUG 2017 UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. Please contact Natural Resource at (301) 342-3670 for further information.

*****************************TREE STAND THEFTS !!*****************************

 Natural Resources has recieved several reports from hunters whose stands have been stolen. If you have not already removed them, please do so immediately. If your stand is still up for use during turkey season, we advise you to "put eyes on it" ASAP. We highly recommend steps such as: using chains or bike locks to secure the stands to the tree, putting some form of ID on the stand such as a tag, riveted plate or engraving. While these steps may not prevent the stand from being stolen by a determined theif, it will at least deter some. If your stand is stolen, please file a report with installation police. When you file the report, provide the police with model and serial #'s from your stand, and any pictures from your trail camera if applicable. You may also notify Natural Resources at 301-242-3670.

As a closed hunting community, hunters on NAS Pax River and Webster field expect a level of security, and it is disappointing to say the least that there are thieves on the installation. If you have ANY information about stand thefts, please contact Natural Resources AND Installation Police.

Hunters are reminded to only drive on hard surface roads.  Vehicles are not authorized on any firebreak or access road.

For a list of deer harvested at NAS Pax River and WFA, Click HERE. (Updated 01/20/2017)

REGISTERING WEAPONS ON BASE: To download the BACKGROUND CHECK form needed to register your weapons on base, click HERE. For the Domestic Violence form (needed to register firearms or bows) click HERE.

NEW TO HUNTING AT NAS PAX AND WFA? PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR AN OVERVIEW OF OUR PROCEDURES.

 

Hunting

The NAS Patuxent River hunting program is managed through consultation with state and federal fish and wildlife agencies. Hunters must comply with NASPAXRIVINST 11015.6 and NASPAXRIVNOTE 11015, as well as appropriate state and federal regulations. These instructions and notices are subject to yearly updates and should be consulted before participating in hunting. They are available under the Regulations section of this site or hard copies are available NAS Patuxent River Main Site, Building 504.

 

Available Hunting OpportunitiesBill Cheeseman Buck

The white-tailed deer is the primary species that attracts hunters to NAS Patuxent River and NAS WFA. However, plenty of additional opportunities are available. Other species hunted include dove, quail, rabbit, woodcock, crow, woodchuck, rails, snipe, gray squirrel, skunk, raccoon, foxes, and waterfowl. Additional associated information can be found in the Wildlife Management chapter of the Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP), available by request at the NAS Patuxent River main site, Building 504.

The hunting program has been quite successful through the years, offering a substantial range of hunting opportunities to numerous individuals.

 

Who Can Hunt

Hunting is open to active duty military personnel and their dependents, retired military personnel and their dependents, Federal civilian employees assigned to the NAS complex and their dependents, and reservists. Contractors are authorized to hunt at NAS and are restricted to deer hunting.  Authorized personnel may also sponsor guests.

 

Permit Information

Hunting is regulated by a fee/permit system administered by Environmental Division's Conservation Branch. Station hunting permits and Maryland state hunting licenses are required of all persons who hunt on NAS or WFA. Fees for hunting permits are announced annually in NASPAXRIVNOTE 11015. Approximately 200 hunting permits are issued annually, representing roughly 10,000 to 20,000 hunter effort hours (Rambo, 1995).

Permit Costs

  • NAS Hunting Permit - $20
  • NAS Guest One-Day Hunting Permit - $10
    • Details: Can purchase multiple one-day permits, though no more than 15 day permits can be purchased in a season.
  • NAS Guest One-Week Hunting Permit - $30
    • Details: Permit is valid for 7 consecutive days. Can purchase multiple one-week permits, but no more than 5 week permits in a season.
  • WFA Hunting Permit - $20
  • WFA Guest One-Day Hunting Permit - $10
    • Details: User can purchase multiple one-day permits, though no more than 15 day permits in a season.
  • WFA Guest One-Week Hunting Permit - $30
    • Details: Permit is good for seven consecutive days. User can purchase multiple one-week permits. No more than five week permits in a season.

 

Hunter Safety Requirements & Enforcement of Regulations

Safety concerns are of utmost importance in the NAS hunting program. Prior to obtaining a hunting permit, all hunters must have successfully completed a state certified hunter safety course and be able to show proof of completion upon request of NAS Police, Conservation Branch personnel, or a representative of the Conservation Branch. The Conservation Branch offers such a safety class. Each year 100 to 150 people attend the three to five Hunter Education courses held on NAS Patuxent River. This is one of only a few state-certified courses offered in St. Mary's County and is open to all personnel with access onboard the NAS complex.

Enforcement of hunting and fishing laws and regulations is carried out primarily by the Public Safety Department's Law Enforcement Division.

 

Trapping

Trapping is permitted in all areas where hunting is permitted at NAS Patuxent River. Trappers may request trapping areas on or after 1 October of each year. Drawings for areas will be held when the area demand exceeds quotas. Selling rights to areas or swapping areas is prohibited.

To prevent injury to hunting dogs, no leghold or body gripping trap or wire snare may be set in Areas 2-17 during dove, woodcock and rabbit seasons unless traps remain covered by at least 6 inches of water, are sprung, or are otherwise disabled.

Trappers may use a .22 caliber rimfire or a shotgun with shotshells only to dispatch trapped animals. No other types of firearms or calibers are permitted.

 

Trapping Permit Costs

Trapping NAS & WFA Combined -  $30