National Wildlife Refuge · Virginia · FWS Region 5

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge Hunting & Fishing Guide 2026–27

Located in Northampton County, Virginia, Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, with about 1,327 acres of land owned in fee by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For the 2026–2027 season the refuge has 4 mapped hunt units: 3 open with special regulations and 1 closed, covering about 1,144 huntable acres.

3 with special regs1 closedPermit required
View hunt map Directions Official hunting page ↗
4hunt units
1.1Khuntable acres
1.3KFWS-owned acres
6game categories

Eastern Shore of Virginia 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 Shore of Virginia NWR

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

At Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, big game (white-tailed deer and turkey) hunting is available on the ESV archery-only unit, Bull Tract, Dixon Tract and GATR Tract.

Big GameWhite-tailed and mule deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, bear and other large mammalsWaterfowlDucks, geese, brant, swans (where legal) and cootsWild TurkeySpring and fall wild turkeyUpland BirdsPheasant, quail, grouse, prairie chicken and partridgeMigratory BirdsMourning dove, woodcock, snipe, rails, gallinules and sandhill craneSmall 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 Virginia regulations plus refuge-specific rules.

Hunt units (4)

Acreage by status
Special regulations: 1,144 (86%)Closed: 183 (14%)1.1Khuntable acres
  • Special regulations1,144 ac 86%
  • Closed183 ac 14%
Units by size (acres)
Archery
738 ac
General Hunt Zone
248 ac
Closed
183 ac
Migratory Game Bird Only Zone
158 ac
UnitStatusAcresPermitDetails
Archery
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 738 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 signed brochure required for deer hunting
General Hunt Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 248 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 signed brochure required for deer hunting
Migratory Game Bird Only Zone
Show on map · Directions		 Special regs 158 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 signed brochure required for deer hunting
Closed
Show on map · Directions		 Closed 183 Required
Signed Brochure or Similar		 signed brochure required for deer hunting

Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR by the numbers

With about 1,144 huntable acres, Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR ranks #8 of 13 refuges and stations with mapped hunting land in Virginia and #351 of 420 nationwide. Roughly 86% of the acreage inside its mapped hunt units is open to hunting in some form.

The largest huntable unit is Archery (738 acres, special regulations), while the smallest, Migratory Game Bird Only Zone, covers 158 acres. Every huntable unit requires a refuge permit.

1 unit totaling 183 acres is closed to hunting (Closed). Closed areas often serve as sanctuaries — learn their boundaries before you set up nearby.

Besides 1,327 acres of federally owned land, the station administers conservation easements on about 17 acres of private land. Easement land protects habitat but is not open to public hunting.

When to hunt Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

Typical U.S. season windows for the game categories offered here. Virginia sets the exact dates, and refuges often open fewer days than the statewide season — use this to plan scouting, then confirm the 2026–2027 dates in the state regulations and the refuge hunt brochure.

Typical season windows — Big Game, Waterfowl, Wild Turkey, Upland Birds, Migratory Birds, Small Game
AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
🦌 Big Game
Archery deerFirearm deer
🦆 Waterfowl
Early teal & gooseRegular duck & goose
🦃 Wild Turkey
Spring gobblerFall (some states)
🐦 Upland Birds
Pheasant, quail, grouse
🕊️ Migratory Birds
Dove (Sept. 1 opener)Woodcock & snipeLate dove split
🐇 Small Game
Squirrel & rabbit

Permits & licenses

Refuge permit

Required

signed brochure required for deer hunting

Type: Signed Brochure or Similar

How to get it:

  • 🪧 Kiosk at the refuge
  • 💻 Online (FWS)
  • 🏛️ Refuge visitor center / office

You'll also need

  • A valid Virginia hunting license and any required tags or stamps — Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
  • Federal Duck Stamp (waterfowl hunters 16+) and HIP certification for migratory birds
  • Non-toxic shot for waterfowl (federal requirement)
  • Hunter education certification where your state requires it
  • The current refuge hunt brochure / regulations (often must be signed and carried)

Fishing at Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

  • 🌊 Tidal / saltwater fishing
  • 🦀 Shellfishing & crabbing

At the end of Bull Tract Trail is a fishing spot open to our visitors. If you are looking to fish from a boat you can head to Wise Point Boat Ramp or the Northampton County kayak launch.

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

How to get to Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

Navigate

Destination: Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (FWS reference point)

Google Maps Apple Maps Waze
Decimal
37.13090, -75.96035
DMS
37°07′51.2″N 75°57′37.3″W

Download for GPS / onX / Google Earth:KMLGPX

Nearest towns

  • Virginia Beach, VA19 mi N of town
  • Norfolk, VA27 mi NE of town
  • Suffolk, VA44 mi NE of town
  • Elizabeth City, NC60 mi N of town

Closest airports

  • ORF Norfolk Intl21 mi
  • RIC Richmond Intl79 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 Shore of Virginia 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, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM7:34 PM13h 01m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:14 AM6:44 AM7:13 PM12h 29m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:27 AM6:57 AM6:48 PM11h 51m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:40 AM7:10 AM6:28 PM11h 18m
Sun, Nov 1, 20265:57 AM6:27 AM5:07 PM10h 40m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:12 AM6:42 AM4:55 PM10h 13m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:28 AM6:58 AM4:47 PM9h 49m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:39 AM7:09 AM4:47 PM9h 38m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:47 AM7:17 AM4:56 PM9h 39m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:46 AM7:16 AM5:08 PM9h 52m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:37 AM7:07 AM5:26 PM10h 20m

Computed for 37.131, -75.960 (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.

Guides for hunting Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR

Deer Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Quota Hunts, Archery Units and Stand Rules

How refuge deer hunts work — lotteries and quota permits, archery-only and muzzleloader units, tree-stand rules…

Public-Land Duck Hunting on National Wildlife Refuges: Tactics That Work

How to find ducks, beat the crowds and set up on refuge marshes and WPAs — scouting, timing, small decoy spreads for…

Federal Duck Stamp Explained: Who Needs One, Where to Buy It and Where the Money Goes

Everything waterfowl hunters need to know about the Federal Duck Stamp — who must carry it, signing rules, the…

Nontoxic Shot Guide for Refuge and WPA Hunters

Why lead shot is banned for waterfowl, which nontoxic loads are approved, how steel, bismuth and tungsten compare, and…

Turkey Hunting on Wildlife Refuges: Lotteries, Pressured Birds and Safety

How spring and fall turkey hunts work on National Wildlife Refuges, how to scout and call public-land gobblers, and…

Pheasant and Upland Bird Hunting on Waterfowl Production Areas

Why WPAs are some of the best walk-in pheasant ground in the Midwest, how to hunt them early and late in the season…

Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR FAQ

Is hunting allowed at Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR?

Yes. Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge offers hunting in 3 units (1,144 acres) during 2026–2027 for big game, waterfowl, wild turkey, upland birds, migratory birds, and small game. Seasons follow state regulations plus refuge-specific rules in 50 CFR Part 32.

Do I need a permit to hunt Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR?

Yes — Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge requires a refuge permit for some or all hunting. Permit type: Signed Brochure or Similar. Permits can be obtained kiosk, online through fws, or visitor center. You also need the appropriate state hunting license and, for waterfowl, a Federal Duck Stamp.

Can you fish at Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR?

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

Where is Eastern Shore of Virginia NWR located?

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is in Northampton County, Virginia, about 19 miles N of Virginia Beach, VA (straight-line). GPS: 37.13090, -75.96035.

What are legal shooting hours at Eastern Shore of Virginia 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

Fisherman Island NWR

VA · 2.6 mi S

1 special1 closed
🦆🕊️

752 huntable acres

Plum Tree Island NWR

Poquoson city, VA · 19 mi W

1 special1 closed
🦆

213 huntable acres

Back Bay NWR

Virginia Beach city, VA · 33 mi S

8 special1 closed
🦌🐗🎣

2.2K huntable acres

Mackay Island NWR

Currituck County, NC · 42 mi S

3 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐇🐗🎣

8.7K huntable acres

Great Dismal Swamp NWR

Chesapeake city, VA · 46 mi SW

11 special3 closed
🦌🦃🐇🎣

102K huntable acres

Currituck NWR

Currituck County, NC · 47 mi S

4 special1 closed
🦌🦆🐗

3.8K huntable acres

All refuges in Virginia →

Data: USFWS National Hunt Units 2026–2027, Hunting & Fishing Opportunities, Realty Boundaries & Tracts. Page updated October 28, 2026.