Waterfowl Hunting

1. Fort Eustis offers 43 blinds/waterfowl markers for hunters to utilize to hunt waterfowl. Hunters can expect to see a variety of waterfowl species with some of the most common being mallards, wood ducks, green winged teal, black ducks, buffleheads, etc.

 

2. Seasons and bag limits

All hunting seasons follow the season dates set by the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources unless otherwise stated in iSportsman. Hunting days for Interior Waterfowl Assets are Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday only. Hunting days for Exterior Waterfowl Assets are 7 days a week through the seasons. Priority is given to military training missions, maintenance, and construction projects. Please see the "Open Areas" and "Upcoming Events" tabs for information regarding open areas. 

Waterfowl Seasons for 2023-2024 are as follows.
September Goose: 1-15 Sept: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset: 16-25 Sept: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset
Early Teal: 16-30 Sept                                                                                                        
Youth and Veterans Day 1: 26 Oct
Duck 1: 11-14 Oct (Black duck closed)
Duck 2: 20 Nov- 1 Dec
Duck 3: 19 Dec- 31 Jan
Atlantic Population Goose 1: 19 Dec- 1 Jan
Atlantic Population Goose 2: 16 Jan- 31 Jan
Light Goose: 17 Oct- 31 Jan
Youth and Veterans Day 2: 8 Feb
Tundra Swan(with permit): 15 Nov- 31 Jan
* See Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources for specific regulations. 

 

3. Waterfowl Bag Limits

Bag limits for Fort Eustis follow the Virginia Dept. of Wildlife Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regulations. 

 

4. Waterfowl and trailhead markings

All waterfowl assets are coded with a minimum of four (4) digits, first two (2) indicate the hunting area, followed by one or two digits for the asset type, followed by the asset number in that hunting area (ie: 19P1), others may have additional letters that indicate when the asset can be hunted. 

Letter Coding for asset type signifies the type of marker.
   - P = Pond. Hunters can hunt anywhere within that pond.
   - DB = Duck Blind (interior or exterior). Hunters must hunt from within the structure during the deer season, and in or within 50 yards if deer season is not concurrent. 
   - WM = Waterfowl Marker (white PVC). Hunters must hunt from within 50 yards of the marker. 

Letter coding signifies special characteristics for that stand. This letter coding is placed at the end of the first 4 digits (ie: 23P7 WH): 
   - W = Can be hunted on Weekends only.
   - H = Can be hunted on Federal Holidays only.
Letter coding legend is also located on the waterfowl hunting map and is the responsibility of hunters to know and obey all coding.

 

5. Trail Markings

All trailheads are marked with the appropriate waterfowl asset number. Please park at the nearest parking lot or approved parking location as indicated on the map. Trail Markers for waterfowl hunting are blue reflective material with white edges. Exterior waterfowl assets do not have marked trails and must be accessed by small watercraft from the exterior of the Installation.

 

6. Sunrise and Sunset Table

Sunrise/Sunset Table Link

 

7. Tide Chart

Tide Chart Link