Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is pleased to again provide annual public hunting of white-tailed deer on the Refuge. Deer taken at Eastern Neck NWR will not count against your Maryland state bag limit. The permitted hunting dates fall outside of the regular state season, therefore the type of weapon (crossbow, bow and arrow, muzzleloader, or shotgun with slugs) permitted is specified for each date. Hunt dates this year are as follows:

Disabled Hunt- October 3rd -See requirements for disabled hunt participation.
Youth- October 6th-See requirements for youth hunt participation.
Archery – October 12th – Crossbows, bows and arrows must comply with State of Maryland regulations.
Muzzleloader Hunts – October 15th and October 22nd- Muzzleloader rifles, muzzleloader shotguns, bows, and crossbows according to State of Maryland regulations.
Shotgun Hunts – October 26th and November 9th – Shotguns with slugs, muzzleloader rifles, muzzleloader shotguns, bows, and crossbows may be used.

All hunters must obtain a permit regardless of age. Permits are non-transferable.

Scouting will be permitted on the following dates: September 30th, October 7th, and November 4th. Check-in & check-out are not required on scouting dates, however, only participants possessing a valid Refuge hunt permit may scout.

How to apply: Applications for permits may be picked up in person at the refuge. They may also be requested by phone at (410) 228-5018. Permittees will be selected on a first come, first serve basis by mail only.

Permit Conditions: Specific hunt regulations for the Refuge and a map of the hunting area may be viewed online at https://www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/hunting.html, and is available at the Eastern Neck and Blackwater refuge offices.

Fees: A non-refundable administration fee of $10 per hunt is required and must accompany each application. Senior and Access Passport holders will be charged a fee of $5 per hunt. Group applications of up to five persons must be mailed in the same envelope.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov.

Here’s a great opportunity to get outside and help make a difference…  Your volunteer help is needed for the fall shoreline cleanup at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.  Come on down to the island from 1:00 to 3:00 pm on September 8th.

Meet at the Refuge Office/Visitor Contact Station. Wear sturdy shoes and dress for weather. Bags, gloves, sunscreen, snacks & water are provided.

To sign up, contact r5rw@[email protected] or 410-639-7056.

Construction is complete for Friends of Eastern Neck’s 50th Anniversary gift to the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, a permanent exhibit shed for a surviving example of a Chesapeake-region gunning skiff adapted for use with a battery gun.

The skiff was discovered on the island in 2009. Pete Lesher, curator of exhibits at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, reports the skiff may have been built in Chincoteague VA circa 1910-20; the circumstances of how and when the skiff wound up at Eastern Neck remain a mystery.

Flat-bottomed and cross-planked, the skiff is 17’ 11” long and 48” wide. The stem and transom are white oak and the sides and bottom are cedar. It is fastened with steel nails.

Eastern Neck Island has always been a major feeding and resting place for wintering waterfowl. Before it became a national wildlife refuge, the island had a rich history of sport and “market” hunting.

The newly completed display shed is located directly behind the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s headquarters lodge on Eastern Neck Island, and the skiff can be viewed from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. A descriptive sign explains the exhibit.
An old four-barreled “market gun” is on display in the Lodge

There will be a Youth Turkey Hunt on April 28th at the Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge.

All of Eastern Neck NWR will be closed to the general public until 12:00 noon while the Youth Turkey Hunt is held.

Access to the boat ramp at Bogles Wharf will remain open during the hunt.

On April 21, Earth Day, the Kent County Bird Club is hosting a Beginner’s Bird Walk. Join them for a morning of exploring trails and overlooks at Eastern Neck NWR, looking for a variety of migrants, from raptors to warblers.

Event runs from 8:00 am to 12:00 noon. Meet at the Tubby Cove Boardwalk. Bring water and a snack.

For more information, please contact the Kent County Bird Club at [email protected] or 410-778-9568.

Owls are amazing, stealthy fliers of the night. Join the Kent County Bird Club for an evening ‘Owl Prowl’ to experience these secretive birds at Eastern Neck NWR on Saturday, March 31 at 7pm.

The event will start with an indoor owl identification session followed by an exploration of the refuge to hear them call. The event runs from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm.

Meet at the refuge office/visitor contact station. Dress for weather and bring a flashlight.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge