National Wildlife Refuge · Maryland · FWS Region 5

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Maryland, Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 2,094 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 2 mapped hunt units: 1 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,985 huntable acres.

1 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
2hunt units
2Khuntable acres
2.1KFWS-owned acres
3game categories

Eastern Neck NWR hunt unit map

Hunt units are colored by 2026–2027 status. Toggle layers for FWS-owned land, the approved refuge boundary and private easements. Use satellite imagery to scout marshes, timber edges and access points.

Loading interactive map…
OpenSpecial regulationsClosedFWS-owned landWPA (public)Refuge boundaryEasement (private) Tip: switch to Satellite or USGS Topo in the layer menu · click the map for GPS coordinates
Take it into the field: KML (Google Earth / onX) GPX waypoints GeoJSON

Hunting at Eastern Neck NWR

Hunters can pursue big game, wild turkey, and small game here, subject to state seasons and refuge-specific rules. Fishing is available — tidal / saltwater fishing. A refuge permit is required for at least some activities, in addition to your state license.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge has a long hunting tradition. Waterfowl hunting once dominated the area, and the refuge’s visitor center was originally a private hunting lodge.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeySmall GameSquirrel, rabbit, hare, raccoon, opossum and other small mammals

Categories are those listed by USFWS for this station; exact species, seasons and bag limits follow Maryland regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (2)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,985 (95%)Closed: 109 (5%)2Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,985 ac 95%
  • Closed109 ac 5%
Units by size (acres)
Open
1,985 ac
Closed
109 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Open Special regs 1,985 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Turkey and Deer hunting
Closed Closed 109 Required
Other OMB-Approved Permit		 Turkey and Deer hunting

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

Turkey and Deer hunting

Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit

How to get it:

  • 💻 Online (e.g. Recreation.gov)

You'll also need

  • A valid Maryland hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Maryland DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Eastern Neck NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing

Fishing opportunities in the tidal, brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay and Chester River are available at the Tundra Swan Boardwalk, Ingleside Recreation Area (April 1-September 30), Bogles Wharf and the bridge spanning the Eastern Neck Narrows.

State fishing licenses and regulations apply. Some waters close seasonally to protect wildlife.

How to get to Eastern Neck NWR

Navigate

Destination: Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
39.03214, -76.23168
DMS
39°01′55.7″N 76°13′54.0″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Annapolis, MD14 mi E of town
  • Baltimore, MD27 mi SE of town
  • Cambridge, MD34 mi N of town
  • Dover, DE39 mi W of town

Closest airports

  • BWI Baltimore/Washington26 mi
  • SBY Salisbury–Ocean City62 mi

Straight-line distances. Driving routes are longer; many refuge roads are gravel and may close seasonally.

The navigation point is the station reference location published by USFWS — often the headquarters or main entrance. For a specific hunt unit, open its page or click it on the map for coordinates and parking planning.

Sunrise, sunset & shooting hours

Today at Eastern Neck NWR

Legal light*–
Sunrise–
Sunset–

*½ hour before sunrise — the standard federal shooting-hour start for migratory game birds. Times in New York local time.

Full season calculator →

2026–2027 season sun table

DateShooting lightSunriseSunsetDaylight
Tue, Sep 1, 20266:02 AM6:32 AM7:37 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:15 AM6:45 AM7:15 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:29 AM6:59 AM6:49 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:43 AM7:13 AM6:27 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:01 AM6:31 AM5:05 PM10h 34m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM4:52 PM10h 05m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:34 AM7:04 AM4:43 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:46 AM7:16 AM4:43 PM9h 27m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:53 AM7:23 AM4:52 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:52 AM7:22 AM5:04 PM9h 42m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:42 AM7:12 AM5:24 PM10h 12m

Computed for 39.032, -76.232 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

7-day hunting weather

Loading National Weather Service forecast…

Forecast from the National Weather Service. Wind direction matters — plan your approach downwind of where game beds.

Eastern Neck NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Eastern Neck NWR?

Yes. Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 1 unit (1,985 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, wild turkey, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Eastern Neck NWR?

Yes — Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Permits can be obtained online (e.g. recreation.gov). You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Eastern Neck NWR?

Yes. Fishing is permitted (tidal / saltwater fishing). State fishing licenses and regulations apply along with refuge rules.

Where is Eastern Neck NWR located?

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is in Maryland, about 14 miles E of Annapolis, MD (straight-line). GPS: 39.03214, -76.23168.

What are legal shooting hours at Eastern Neck NWR?

Migratory game bird shooting hours are generally one-half hour before sunrise to sunset; big game and other seasons follow state rules. See the sunrise/sunset table on this page and confirm in the refuge hunt brochure.

Nearby refuges & public land

Patuxent Research Refuge

Prince George's County, MD · 31 mi W

1 open6 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🕊️🐇🎣

12.6K huntable acres

Susquehanna NWR

Harford County, MD · 33 mi N

1 closed
No hunting listed

Blackwater NWR

Dorchester County, MD · 43 mi S

37 special2 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐇🎣

20K huntable acres

Bombay Hook NWR

Kent County, DE · 44 mi E

7 special1 closed
🦌🦆🦃🐦🕊️🐇🎣

9.1K huntable acres

Prime Hook NWR

Sussex County, DE · 54 mi E

8 special2 closed
🦌🦆🐦🕊️🐇🎣

7K huntable acres

Supawna Meadows NWR

Salem County, NJ · 55 mi NE

1 open3 closed
🦆🕊️🎣

1.4K huntable acres

All refuges in Maryland →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated September 29, 2026.