Meade Natural Heritage Association
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 including women, minority, youth, disabled, and veteran hunters.
The Latest News
Para obtener información sobre Cazando en US Fish and Wildlife Service Patuxent Research Refuge por favor haga clic aquí.
Volunteer Opportunity. As we continue to expand our outreach to under-represented groups, we are looking for help translating application forms and other materials into Spanish. This is a “do it at home” project. If you would like to volunteer, please send an email to VicePresident@mnha.net .
The 2024-2025 Trophy Pages have been updated - check it out.
Harvest Update. Hunters are having great luck on the refuge. As of 10/27 we have harvested 32 deer. Last year at this time we had 22. Last year, our season total was 95.
Officer Nominations. The offices available this year are: Vice-President, Treasurer, and one (1) Member-at-Large. We also have vacant positions (by appointment) for VP of Public Relations, VP of Membership, and one Member-at-Large. Information about the positions can be found on our webpage at https://www.mnha.net/board-members. If you, or someone you know, would be interested in these positions - please send an email to President@mnha.net and include name, position of interest, and 2-3 relevant qualifications.
New Gate 10 Procedure. We have a combination lock on Gate 10. Hunters who access this gate will be given the code at the HCS. Please remember to lock the two locks together so that the other tenant can access the gate using their lock. (See picture to right.)
Hunter Parking. USFWS Law Enforcement reminds hunters that you must park in designated areas. DO NOT BLOCK GATES. North Tract - please park on the side of the road next to the area you are hunting. South Tract/Schafer Farm - please park in the designated locations shown on the maps.
Please close ALL gates! So long as the metal or wooden gates are unlocked, you may open them, drive through, and immediately close the gate behind you.
These gates keep the general public from driving where they should not be. It's a safety issue - recently we had a general visitor walking around Lake Allen while the ranges were active.
If you come upon an open gate, please close it.
The refuge staff and law enforcement appreciate your cooperation.
Please note the "car prohibited" symbols on the signs next to the gates. Hunters are permitted to go through these gates.
Watch your Speed. Please watch your speed on the refuge, the speed limit is 25 MPH. The roads are narrow, there are animals and people.
Please watch out for Eastern Box Turtles. These turtles are declining in number and it takes 10 years for them to mature to reproduce.
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.
Baiting is PROHIBITED. Please be an ethical hunter (you signed an ethics statement as part of your application). See the Guidelines for the list of prohibited devices and activities.
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