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.

2026-2027 Permits.  PRR Hunting Permits will be "no charge" this season.  (Due to some administrative issues.)  If you haven't hunted at PRR before, this is a great opportunity to try it out.  Permits will be issued on Sundays in August (8/9, 8/16, 8/23) from 9 to 3 at the HCS.   

Due to this temporary fee change, there will be new check-in/-out procedures since we will not be able to hire as many HCS managers as in the past.  FWS is working on the new process and we will provide information when it is available.

We humbly ask that you consider making a donation of all or part of the customary permit fee ($100) to MNHA.  We will use donations to cover the costs of expanded HCS hours with  part time managers.  

Member Activities. We are trying to expand activities for members and we need your support.  We have two events we need help with:

• John Green Memorial Squirrel Hunt - we need a team to plan, schedule, and coordinate a squirrel hunt in October-ish time frame.  

• Annual Membership Meeting -  traditionally held in October, we need a team to plan and coordinate invitations, put-luck, and raffle items.

We want these events to be high-quality and well attended; we need to start planning now so we can get the word out and build interest.  Please email President@mnha.net if you can help.

Lead-free Ammo Update.  A ban on lead ammo for deer hunting on FWS properties is supposed to go into effect this season.  HOWEVER, the FWS has proposed rescinding this policy.  You can find more information on the Federal Register at this link: FedRegFWS.   We encourage you to provide respectful comments regarding the proposed changes on the website.  

Volunteer Maintenance Day.  Our next maintenance will be July 18th.  We will continue cleaning up the South Tract AB road. Volunteers will need to wear  boots, gloves, and safety glasses.  Please help us help you and volunteer to help improve the refuge habitat.  Contact VolunteerCoordinator@mnha.net to let us know you plan to be there.  This summer we will also be improving access along Loblolly Road in South Tract D - stay tuned.  

And a huge thanks to the team of folks who showed up last month to start this project.  They cleared 35 trees and brush to improve access to hunting areas and ensure that safety boundaries are visible.

Membership Range Days. The range day scheduled for  Saturday July 18 has been cancelled.  We do not have an RSO available for the weekend.  The next date is August 22.  If you plan on coming, please send an email to Range_Days@MNHA.net by 9:00AM on Friday August 21  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.  We still need qualified firearm instructors who are willing to be Range Safety Officers for our membership shoots.

Prepping for 26-27 Season.  MNHA is working with US FWS to prepare for the upcoming 26-27 hunting season.  There are many changes in the works and we will provide details this summer.  

We need your active participation in MNHA.  MNHA was created to support the FWS at PRR and over the years MNHA has contributed to safe, enjoyable, quality hunting experiences.  Like the national trend, the number of hunters at PRR continues to trend downward and even fewer actively participate in MNHA.  We need people to give some of there time to MNHA to support our mission.  We want to build a positive force to recruit, retain, and reactivate hunters.  We have many volunteer opportunities that do not take a lot of time like coordinating the annual member meeting and work that can be done from home like the website and newsletters.  We also have a number of  open leadership positions - VP, VP of Public Relations, and VP of Membership.  Many benefits depend on member volunteers so please don’t wait for an invitation on a silver platter.  Contact Info@MNHA.net and let us know in what capacity you would like to help.

NWTF Shooting Event.  National Wild Turkey Federation members support our Spring Turkey hunt.  They are hosting a Father’s Day Barbecue Feast at PG Trap and Skeet on August 22nd starting at 10AM. For more information go to https://events.nwtf.org/EVT-19911.

Volunteers.  Hunters are the best conservationist, please consider volunteering to help MNHA improve the hunting program at PRR.  If each hunter committed to just 1 morning to help, it would make a difference to hunters, wildlife, and general PRR visitors.

MNHA Membership. The FWS and all hunters depend on MNHA to manage the hunt program.  Consider joining and actively participating in MNHA.  As advocates for all PRR hunters, we work with FWS to improve the hunting program and increase hunting opportunities.

You've got questions, we've got answers. Many common questions can be quickly answered by reading the hunting guidelines, this web site, and/or our FAQ page.  If you still can't find the information you are looking for, email info@mnha.net and we will respond in a reasonable time.

MNHA Monthly Meeting is 8/11 at 6:30 PM at the HCS.  

Board Openings/Volunteers: We need a Vice President to complete a 1 year appointment.   This October we will be electing a Vice President and Treasurer.  And we have appointments available for VP of Public Relations and VP of Memberships.  Please consider nominating yourself or someone else to these important positions.  More information can be found on the Board Members page. 

Range Safety Officers. We are also looking for Range Safety officers for Range Days (the more, the better).   You must be a certified firearm instructor. If you can help out please contact President@MNHA.net.  

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!

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.