Meade Natural Heritage Association

Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA) partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USF&W) to provide the public with high-quality outdoor recreational experiences at the Patuxent Research Refuge (PRR).  MNHA manages hunting activities on the PRR to assist with the management of wildlife in accordance with the PRR Hunting Plan. Our unique partnership increases and improves hunting access and opportunities with an emphasis on under-represented groups such as women, minority, youth, disabled, and veteran hunters.

The Latest News


Federal Government Shutdown.  The government is funded until Nov 15!  We'll keep you posted if there's a potential shutdown on Nov 16.  


Duck Season Correction.  The correct dates for the first split of duck season are 10/14/23-10/21/23 (Eastern Zone).  Youth, Veteran, and Military Hunting days are 11/4/23 and 2/3/24.  The calendar has been updated. Please see the guidelines page for additional corrections.


Mentored Waterfowl Hunt.  We are looking for members to  mentor some Bowie state university students on a waterfowl hunt in partnership with Delta waterfowl and USFWS. Dates and times are TBD.


MNHA Annual Membership Meeting Oct 22nd.  Hold the date.  Additional information will be posted and emailed soon.


Reive's Pond Safety Alert.  Waterfowl hunting is prohibited at Reive's pond. Fishing is open except during muzzleloader and firearms seasons.  Hunters please use caution in that area.  For more information see the Hunting Guidelines page.


Not receiving our email messages? Send an email to vicepresident@mnha.net and let us know.  We'll verify your email address and add you to the list.


WEST NILE VIRUS ALERT!    On August 15, 2023,  MDA identified a West Nile Virus-positive mosquito on Central Tract.  The mosquito sample was collected at the boundary gate between North and Central tracts just past the Duvall bridge.  We take the health and safety of our hunters, staff, and volunteers  seriously and we want to provide you with information on how to stay safe and minimize the risk of exposure to the virus.  Please see our  West Nile Virus page for more information.


Maryland Qualification Shoots will be held on October 8 and November 12.  You must have a PRR Hunt Permit or MNHA Membership.  See the Weapon Qualifications for details.


MNHA Membership Shoots will be held on  October 8 and November 12.  You must have a MNHA Membership to participate.  See the Membership Range Days for details.


Season Bag Limits.  A summary of Season Bag limits is available on the Hunting Guidelines page.  The PRR 2023-2024 deer bag limit is 3 deer (1 antlered and 2 anterless) for the year regardless of weapon or location (North, South, Central, and Schafer farm).  


Urban Wildlife Conservation Day is Saturday October 14th from 10-2 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitor.  This year's theme is birds.  More information to follow.  Click here for directions to the visitor center.


Cops and Bobbers is Saturday October 21st from 8:30-1:00pm.  This is a great new partnership between the Patuxent Research Refuge and the  Prince Georges County Police Department.  The PRR needs additional volunteers to join the police officers and assist young people and their parents to fish.  It's a great opportunity to pass along our outdoor heritage and talk about fishing and hunting to people new to the sport.   If you would like to volunteer email Jason Cangelosi  at michael_cangelosi@fws.gov


GUIDELINES CORRECTIONS AND CLARIFICATIONS. Please see the Guidelines page for corrections and clarifications.  This is updated as necessary.


We want your help to maintain and improve the refuge hunting habitat. Every third Sunday of the month (non-hunting season included) we help maintain the grounds of the refuge.  This is a great opportunity to give back to the PRR and the MNHA hunting community, meet fellow hunters, and peek around to see what the animals are doing.  Read more on the Volunteer Opportunities page or contact us at VolunteerCoordinator@mnha.net.


We are not accepting deer donations for the Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry program until further notice.  


Area W is  CLOSED due to Wavyleaf Basketgrass until further notice.  USF&W biologist are using this as a study area.  Please notify hunting control if you find this invasive grass species while hunting on the refuge.  Additional Wavyleaf Basketgrass information and pictures can be found here.

MNHA Hunting Control Center

200 Bald Eagle Drive

Laurel, MD 20724

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