Hunt unit · Patuxent Research Refuge

Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area Hunt Unit Map & Access

OpenPermit requiredYouth opportunity

The Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area is one of 8 mapped hunt units on Patuxent Research Refuge in Prince George's County, MD. It covers approximately 1,445 acres and is listed as “open to hunting” for 2026–2027. Hunting generally follows state seasons and bag limits, along with general refuge rules. A refuge permit is required.

Navigate to unit Refuge overview Official hunt info ↗
1,445acres
Openstatus 2026–27
Yesrefuge permit
Prince George's Countycounty

Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area map

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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
Downloads (whole refuge):KMLGPX

Rules & permits for this unit

Status: Open to hunting

Hunting follows Maryland seasons, bag limits and licensing, plus general National Wildlife Refuge rules.

Refuge permit required. Type: Other OMB-Approved Permit. Obtain via: Other.

Migratory game bird, small game, turkey and deer hunting, and fishing.

🧒 Junior Deer Firearms, Junior Waterfowl and Junior Spring Turkey Hunts are offered.

Game at Patuxent Research Refuge

Species listed for the refuge as a whole — a special-regulation unit may be limited to certain species. Confirm in the hunt brochure.

Getting to the Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area

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Destination: center of the Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area

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Decimal
39.04830, -76.80334
DMS
39°02′53.9″N 76°48′12.0″W

Nearest towns

  • Washington, DC16 mi NE of town
  • Annapolis, MD17 mi W of town
  • Baltimore, MD20 mi SW of town

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

The navigation point is a point inside the unit polygon, not necessarily a parking area or legal access point. Use satellite view to find roads, gates and designated parking, and respect closed areas and private inholdings.

Shooting hours at this unit

Today at Central Tract Lottery Hunt Area

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, 20266:05 AM6:35 AM7:40 PM13h 05m
Tue, Sep 15, 20266:17 AM6:47 AM7:17 PM12h 30m
Thu, Oct 1, 20266:31 AM7:01 AM6:51 PM11h 50m
Thu, Oct 15, 20266:45 AM7:15 AM6:30 PM11h 15m
Sun, Nov 1, 20266:03 AM6:33 AM5:08 PM10h 34m
Sun, Nov 15, 20266:19 AM6:49 AM4:54 PM10h 05m
Tue, Dec 1, 20266:36 AM7:06 AM4:46 PM9h 39m
Tue, Dec 15, 20266:48 AM7:18 AM4:45 PM9h 27m
Fri, Jan 1, 20276:55 AM7:25 AM4:54 PM9h 28m
Fri, Jan 15, 20276:54 AM7:24 AM5:07 PM9h 42m
Mon, Feb 1, 20276:44 AM7:14 AM5:26 PM10h 12m

Computed for 39.048, -76.803 (EDT / DST-aware). Check state rules — big game hours vary.

Weather forecast

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

Other units at Patuxent Research Refuge

UnitStatusAcresPermit
Area ZSpecial regs60Required
Lake AllenSpecial regs20Required
MillraceSpecial regs382Required
North TractSpecial regs7,854Required
Schafer FarmSpecial regs470Required
South TractSpecial regs2,379Required
ClosedClosed331Required

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