Meade Natural Heritage Association (MNHA) partners with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 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

ALERT: There are two eagle nests in the Zone 8 Millrace (MR) hunt zone.  This area is closed until further notice.

Spring Turkey Trophy Case. Things are picking up with the great weather. See our Turkey Trophy Case for pictures of these awesome birds. 

Spring Turkey Lottery Hunt.  If you weren't picked for the lottery, you still may have a chance. We're notifying hunters (in order) when there are cancellations and you can participate as a standby hunter - see the Turkey Lottery Hunt page for details.

2024-2025 Intern Program. We will be advertising for interns in May.  If you know a college graduate looking for an internship in a related field (wildlife management, conservation, refuge management, etc.) - please tell them to contact VicePresident@mnha.net.  

2024-2025 Permit Sales. Permits will go on sale the first week of August.  Now is a good time to start recruiting your hunting friends to join.  

Next Maintenance day is Saturday April 20.  Please contact VolunteerCoordinator@mnha.net if you can help out.

MNHA Member Range Days.  Keep your shooting skills sharp.  Next range day is April 27.  See the Membership Range Days for dates and details.

HCS Operating Hours. The HCS is open Mondays and Saturdays from 6AM to 12 noon during Turkey Season.  The best way to contact MNHA is sending an email to  contact us, send an email to Info@mnha.net.

Volunteers Needed.  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.  If you can help, we created a SignUp Genius list available here.  Please sign up electronically so we know who is coming. 

End of year survey. Thank you for your feedback.  We will provide a summary of survey results in the near future.

Non-Lead Ammunition.  By fall of 2026, FWS will phase out use of lead ammunition for ALL hunting on the refuge (deer included). Check out our Non-Lead Ammunition page for information about why it's a good idea to switch now!

Some quick facts about this season:

# Permits Issued = 513

Species   Visits Harvested Game
  Deer 2662     95 (55 bucks, 40 does)
  Waterfowl   575 226  (83 geese, 143 ducks)
  Doves         3       5
  Small Game       20   48  (45 squirrels, 3 rabbits)

We'll post more statistics after we analyze the data (summer time).

Don't forget to check out the Deer Trophy Case for pictures of some of the deer harvested this year.

Not receiving our emails? Please check your junk mail folder. If you don't see it there, send an email to VicePresident@mnha.net.  We'll verify your email address and add you to the list.

MNHA Hunting Control Center
200 Bald Eagle Drive
Laurel, MD 20724

301-317-3819