Waterfowl Hunting on Wildlife Management Areas

For information about quota or managed hunts for waterfowl and dove on Department WMAs, see Waterfowl Quota Hunts or go online at www.virginiawildlife.gov.

Waterfowl hunting on the James River WMA is permitted only on the opening day, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.

Waterfowl hunting on the Mattaponi Wildlife Management Area is permitted only on October 6–9, and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons.

Game Farm Marsh WMA is open for hunting on Friday, Saturday, and Monday of the October segment of the duck season (Oct. 6, 7, and 9), and on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays during the November (Nov. 15–26), and December–January (Dec. 19–Jan. 31) segments of the duck season. Hunters may not occupy the area before 5:00 a.m. and must vacate the area by 1:00 p.m. Hunting on Friday and Saturday of the October segment (Oct. 6 and 7) and on the opening day of the November segment (Nov. 15) and the December–January segment (Dec. 19) will be by Quota hunt only—see Waterfowl Quota Hunts. Outside of the duck season segments listed above, waterfowl hunting on Game Farm Marsh is open with no restrictions on hunt days, times, or hunter numbers.

Waterfowl hunting on and within 500 yards of the Ware Creek WMA is permitted (except portions of Philbates Creek) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays of the duck and goose seasons. Hunters may not occupy their hunting location until 5 a.m. and hunting must end by 1 p.m.

- Waterfowl hunting at Doe Creek WMA is open to walk-in hunting on Saturdays only for half days during the last two segments of the general waterfowl season. Hunters may hunt until 1:00 p.m. and must have all decoys up and be away from the impoundments by 2:00 p.m. The area is open on Sundays for scouting and wildlife viewing.

Waterfowl hunting on the Robert W. Duncan WMA is permitted only on October 6–9 and on Thursdays and Sundays of the duck and goose seasons.

Waterfowl hunting on Mattaponi Bluffs WMA is permitted only on October 6–9, and at any time during the multi-species quota hunt period by the selected individuals and guests, and on Wednesdays and Saturdays after the quota hunt period (January 8–February 3, 2024).

For information about waterfowl hunting on other WMAs see our website at www.virginiawildlife.gov/wma.