Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA) partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 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 for all hunters. 

Para obtener información sobre Cazando en US Fish and Wildlife Service Patuxent Research Refuge  por favor haga clic aquí. Las directrices de caza están disponibles en español, consulte el enlace a continuación.

Latest News

Message from the new MNHA President. Greetings fellow hunters.  I am delighted to be the new MNHA President and looking forward to working with the US FWS and you to improve hunting at Patuxent Research Refuge.  First, a huge thank you to Brian Donaldson.  Brian has spent many, many hours as a life-long volunteer at the refuge supporting the hunting program.  He (and his family) earned a well-deserved rest (but he said he won't completely disappear).  Without folks like Brian, the hunting program would not be the high quality it is today.  

Over the next few months, I will be working with US FWS and the new MNHA board to prepare for the coming season and the future.  Part of this process will be a updating the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between MNHA and US FWS. We will also be working to organize volunteer opportunities for all hunters to continue to improve hunting habitat.  Please be patient - we have limited resources (we are volunteers and they are short staffed due to budget cuts) and government process to follow.

By the way, the VP position is vacant since my election and we are looking to appoint a VP to fill the final year of the current term.  And we also have an appointment available for Treasurer.  If you are interested, please send an email to President@mnha.net.  

Spring Turkey Lottery Update.  The Spring Turkey Lottery was held on March 17 and witnessed by US FWS, the Turkey Hunt Coordinator, and an MNHA Member at Large.  Selected hunter permits are list on the Turkey Lottery Hunt page.  If you were not selected see the guidelines for information about being as standby hunter.

MNHA Monthly Meeting is 4/14 at 6:30 PM at the HCS.  We will have our regularly monthly meeting.

Membership Range Days. Next Range day is Saturday April 11.  If you plan on coming, please send an email to range_days@mnha.net by 9:00AM on Friday April 10 so we can provide the list to range control.  Don't forget to bring government ID if you are 16 years or older.  This process is a requirement from the range control office.

Hunting is closed until Spring Turkey.  The HCS is closed until Spring Turkey. 

2026-2027 Permits.  Information regarding hunting permits will be announced this summer.

Baiting is illegal at Patuxent Research Refuge.  It is illegal to possess or use bait of any kind including, but not limited to: corn, mineral/salt licks, deer cane, mock scrape ropes. 

El uso de cebos es ilegal en Patuxent Research Refuge. Es ilegal poseer o usar cualquier tipo de cebo, incluyendo, entre otros: maíz, piedras para lamer minerales o sal, "deer cane," y cuerdas de raspado artificiales.

Report Dead Animals, Trail Cameras, and Unexploded Ordinance (UXO).  Please report recent dead animals (deer, fox, turkey, coyotes, etc.). A picture and GPS coordinates are extremely helpful.  You can screenshot your map, compass, or GPS app.  This helps the USFWS biologist to monitor the health of the refuge animals.

Please visit and thank our sponsors!

Thank You to our Turkey Hunt Sponsors. Thanks to Bass Pro Shops provided a camo bag, decoys, and calls for all of our youth hunters; Freedom Hunters for supporting the Veterans who came to hunt; and Donut Shack and Mission BBQ for catering the Veterans' Hunt. 

We want your help to maintain and improve the refuge hunting habitat. Our monthly maintenance days are great opportunities to give back to the PRR and the MNHA hunting community and  meet fellow hunters.  Read more on the Volunteer Opportunities page or contact us at VolunteerCoordinator@mnha.net.