Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Permits
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge
Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (refuge) is part of the Chesapeake Marshlands National Wildlife Refuge Complex. It is one of over 565 National Wildlife Refuges in the United States. The primary objective of a National Wildlife Refuge is to provide habitat for the conservation and protection of wildlife. Carefully managed hunts maintain wildlife populations at a level compatible with the environment, provide wholesome recreational opportunities, and permit the use of a valuable renewable resource.
Once on the refuge please follow the posted guidelines.
Biting insects and ticks are present during warmer months. There are no nearby stores to purchase repellent, water, or sunscreen. Please plan accordingly prior to arriving at the refuge.
Permit & Season Information
This permit authorizes the permit holder to hunt the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge for white-tailed deer only. The refuge offers archery, muzzleloader, and shotgun hunts as well as special disabled and youth hunt permits. Taking and/or collecting any other wildlife or plants is a violation of refuge regulations.
Permits are only made through Recreation.gov. The refuge will not sell permits in-person or by phone.
Hunt permits can be reserved during the open hunt season and will close on the last day of the open hunt at 3:00 p.m. ET.
Hunters must have an electronic or paper copy of their permit on their person while hunting or scouting on the refuge. Assistants and adult supervisors (for youth hunters) must sign the hunter's permit in the designated box, and carry a paper copy on their person while on the refuge.
Please Note: Hunters may only apply for one Muzzleloader Hunt date and may only apply for one Shotgun Hunt date within a calendar year.
Anyone who applies for the Disabled Hunt (hunt for hunters with a permanent disability) must provide their Federal Interagency Access Pass number when applying for the hunt. Passes can be obtained online.
Permit & Season Information
Your hunt permit authorizes you to take deer only. Taking and/or collecting any other wildlife or plants, including shed antlers, is a violation of refuge regulations. Harming or needlessly disturbing any other wildlife is a violation of refuge regulations and is cause for prosecution. The regulations listed on the refuge website supplement the general regulations which govern hunting on national wildlife refuges set forth in Title 50: Part 32, Code of Federal Regulations (https://www.ecfr.gov ). Failure to abide by any Federal laws, State laws, or the terms and conditions under which a hunt permit is issued may result in the revocation of the permit and hunting privileges.
Need to Know
Permit
You must have an electronic or paper copy of the permit on your person while hunting or scouting on the refuge. The refuge will not print permits.
Accessing the Refuge
- Only participants who possess an authorized hunt permit will be allowed to enter the hunt areas.
- Hunters are prohibited from entering the refuge (including parking lots) between 9:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m.
- Vehicles may only be operated on designated roads and in parking areas indicated on the hunt map.
- Vehicles may not exceed 15 MPH on any refuge road
- Parking in front of gates or impeding traffic is prohibited; all wheels must be off the roadway.
- We prohibit the use of ATVs, motorized off-road vehicles, and amphibious vehicles. Please refer to the Disabled Hunt rules and regulations for ATV use on Disabled Hunt day.
- Bicycles, including e-bikes, are authorized to access hunting areas; operating bicycles off designated roads and trails is prohibited.
- Weather and tides may compromise roadways. The Refuge Manager may close roads as needed.
- All hunters must enter and leave the refuge by State Road 445.
- The closed area depicted on the map is closed to ALL entry.
General Conditions and Regulations
Required Documents
Hunters are required to possess an electronic or printed copy of a valid Maryland hunting license and all required stamps, an original valid government-issued photo identification (no copies or photos), and a valid refuge hunting permit (electronic or printed copy) issued by Recreation.gov on their person at all times during refuge hunting and scouting days. The corresponding State stamps are required to participate in the archery and muzzleloader hunts. Hunters hunting from a vehicle must possess a MD DNR issued universal disability pass (formally a “hunt from vehicle” permit).
Rules and Regulations
View the complete Eastern Neck NWR Hunt Permit Hunting Regulations , which include details about the following refuge regulation topics:
- Scouting
- Youth Hunt
- Tree Stands, Blinds, and Trail Markers
- Tagging and Checking Regulations
- Bag Limits
Failure to abide by any Federal laws, State laws, or the terms and conditions under which a hunt permit is issued may result in the revocation of the permit and hunting privileges.
Law Enforcement
- For violations including trespassing, illegal hunting or fishing, illegal collection of wildlife resources, and any other suspicious activity on the refuge please call Federal Wildlife Officer Coles at the number below.
- Eastern Neck NWR does not rehabilitate wildlife.
- For injured birds call Tri-State Bird Rescue at (302) 737-9543.
- For all other injured animals contact Maryland Department of Natural Resources at (877) 463-6497.
- The one exception is all injured or dead bald or golden eagles, please contact Officer Coles immediately.
To report crimes, contact Federal Wildlife Officer Chad Coles at (410) 221-8814.
Fee Policy
Reservation Fee:
$6.00 non-refundable reservation fee per permit.
Recreation Fees:
Recreation fees are non-refundable per person and vary by permit type.
Fees are reduced by half for all Interagency Access Pass (formerly known as the Golden Access Pass) and Interagency Senior Pass (formerly known as the Golden Senior Pass) holders. Pass number must be provided when applying for your permit.
- Youth Hunt - $10 per person
- Disabled Hunt - $5 per person (Must be a pass holder)
- Archery Hunt - $10 per person ($5 per person if a pass holder)
- Muzzleloader Hunt- $10 per person ($5 per person if a pass holder)
- Shotgun Hunt- $10 per person ($5 per person if a pass holder)
Cancellation Policy
Change Policy:
There are no modifications allowed for this permit.
Cancellation Policy:
Customers, the call center, and the facility can cancel a reservation at any time. No refunds are provided for cancellations.
Transfer Policy:
The permit is non-transferrable.
Refund Policy:
There are no refunds allowed for this permit.
Discounts
The following Federal Interagency passes provide a 50% discount for the pass holder. Note the reservation fee will remain at $6.00.
- Interagency Access Pass (formerly known as the Golden Access Pass)
- Interagency Senior Pass (formerly known as the Golden Senior Pass)
Contact Information
Mailing Address
2145 Key Wallace Drive Cambridge MD 21613
Hearing-impaired visitors may call the Maryland Relay Service at TDD/(800) 735-2258
Phone Number
(877) 444-6777
