Years back we had out best luck in Zone 2 and 9. You must remove your flagging and markers from the field at the end of each days hunt. Forested high ground, or hummocks, occupy portions of the area farthest inland. In our forests, we were a proud contributor to the recovery of the once endangered Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel population. The main objective of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is to provide a safe habitat for all species. Our five, full-time guides are licensed Coast Guard Captains with Coast Guard inspected vessels. Native plants are a higher quality food source for migratory birds and grazing animals. All hunters must check out no later than one-and-one-half hours after the end of official hunting time. The Saxis area is a black duck breeding and wintering area. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo. Australia and New Zealand, for instance, dont have any native hoofed mammals. Berlin Canada & Snow geese all in the same day with over a 20-bird limit. The zones around the loop are good but 1/2 day zones. The field dressing of game is to be completed in the field. There are also feral populations in North America. Hunt with handguns of any kind. Birdwatching. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit, Candidate Conservation Agreements (CCA & CCAA), Coastal Barrier Resources Act Project Consultation, Coastal Barrier Resources System Property Documentation, https://www.facebook.com/ChincoteagueNWR/, 2022-2023 Station-Specific Hunting and Sport Fishing Final Rule, Visiting a National Park? Have seen a bunch, bot no shots as of yet. If you can get between to thickets it can be good. When they die, the park will be free of invasive deer. Wildlife viewing, hiking, biking, and . We have approximately 100 blinds from the Maryland-Virginia state line south . Tarpon and coyotes seem way out of place but are adapting to changing environments. The use of air guns to take game. Search for volunteer opportunities around the country, News about wonderful wild things and places, FWS is taking steps to mitigate climate impacts, Search employment opportunities with USFWS. Archery hunting for Sika deer in Virginia starts in early October and goes to November 13 on Chincoteague Island. One calf per female is generally produced each year. (Hunting Program Coordinator at Assateague Island N.S.) Refuge main gate opens at 5:00 am.Legal hunting hours are in accordance with state law. He later sold the island to other exotic animal enthusiasts, who added zebras, African antelopes and other species to the mix. All harvested or wounded/not recovered animals must be reported daily at the self-check station. Description Sika deer ( Cervus nippon) are similar to invasive Axis deer ( Axis axis) in appearance with white spots present on the back through adulthood. Hinds often communicate with their calves using soft bleats and whistles. Blackwater National Wildlife refuge allows permit hunts. Your best public land options are the Blackwater NWR in MD, or the Chincoteague NWR in VA. You'll need to draw a permit, but they aren't hard to draw. All oversand vehicles must carry a shovel, jack, tow rope or chain, a board or similar support for the jack, and a low pressure tire gauge. North America has no shortage of native deer. had a good time . Southern Hunt Zone Vehicle Access: An Oversand Vehicle Zone (OSV) Permit is REQUIRED to enter the OSV Zone. Roe deer are not native to North America, and there are also no established non-native populations. They love them so much that they often move them to new countries and new continents. Choosing hunting areas that provide some of these food sources may aid your hunting success. Today, the deer are more numerous in Maryland than in their native range, a fairly common story when it comes to non-native deer. Sika stags had much larger home ranges, often greater than 500 acres, and depending on the time of the year, moved much longer distances in a given day. Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. However, the Wildlife Loop, the Service Road, and portions of Beach Road and trails immediately adjacent to burn units may be temporarily closed for a short period to ensure visitor and firefighter safety, and to allow free flow of support services to the fire. 8. Refuge main gate opens at 5:00 am.Legal hunting hours are in accordance with state law. To reach the area from U.S. Route 13 at Temperanceville take Route 695 west. Fish and Wildlife Service land. In 1968, The Nature Conservancy purchased the property and transferred it to the U.S. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is a true coastal treasure as far as nature observation and wildlife photography are concerned, and it is my favorite place to shoot in the Mid-Atlantic. From England, they literally took the world. 3. Blackwater National Wildlife refuge allows permit hunts. Please remember that other recreational activities may be occurring in the same area and atthe same time as hunting (e.g., backcountry camping, kayaking, bird watching, etc.). Hunting is permitted south of the two-track dirt road. For RESERVATIONS, call 757-336-3474 before 6 pm for INFORMATION, call 757-894-8148 PETE@DUCKGUIDE.COM. Local guides offer guided duck and goose hunts using local blinds. Sika deer were also released and established populations on Assateague Island during the 1920's. Fail to report all wounded deer to the Ranger Station. My family made several vacations to Assateague Island, when I was a kid, where the most famous non-native mammal is the Chincoteague pony. 21811, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, For any questions on the pre-mentioned hunting season regulations please contact U.S. Park Ranger Bill Ramsey. Deer and rabbits are common and furbearers including muskrat, red and gray fox, raccoon, opossum, mink and river otter are also on the area. The average distance traveled by sika males (stags), as measured by comparing tagging location to recovery location, was 2.7 miles. I'm glad it worked out, too bad you couldn't get a shot at one of the big stags. We have approximately 100 blinds from the Maryland-Virginia state line south for approximately thirty miles. not in front of gates restricting road access. Disclaimer - we get skunked. JavaScript is required to use content on this page. Hunting will be in accordance with the following special Assateague Island National Seashore regulations and applicable state regulations. I would dare say that you probably won't even see a sika much less shoot one while you are hunting. They can be found on the Falkland Islands and in Madagascar. However, the deer needed to be fed even in the offseason, which used up a lot of the funds. Sea ducks, canvasback, redhead, scaup, goldeneye, bufflehead and mergansers are found on adjacent open water. Today, a small herd of old female fallow deer still can be found on Point Reyes, left to live out their days. The rut begins in late September, with the peak of activity in October with calving occurring in May and June. Hunting is legal ONLY in specifically designated areas of the Seashore and during specifically designated dates and times (36 CFR 1.5(f)). The northern tract is open to hunting. Hunting License: A Maryland State Resident or Nonresident hunting license (printed paper or electronic copy) with additional stamps for deer and waterfowl is required to hunt on the seashore. I have seen fallow deer on the South African Cape. But, we have a cool adventure and learn a lot about hunting the marsh ghostthe elk of the East Coastthe Sika. Their coat tends to be reddish brown during summer months, and dark brown to black in color during winter. Published on February 10, 2020 - Updated on February 3, 2023. Firearms and/or muzzleloaders are prohibited in the Archery Only zone. Because sika deer are primarily nocturnal and inhabit marshy terrain, hunting can be very challenging and sometimes difficult. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. 21811, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Fallow deer roamed this special place in large numbers, overgrazing the habitat and spreading disease to native black-tailed deer and Tule elk. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge provides visitors with outstanding opportunities to immerse themselves amidst the wildlife and wildlands of Virginia's Eastern Shore. A big stag will dress around 100lbs. 4. Delivered weekly. Only you get to hunt down the Sika deer because it can be draining to find one. Do not operate vehicles past posted closures (see map). This is an introduced species from Asia and the only population in Virginia is on Assateague Island. The mid-dorsal area is darker and forms a line from the head to the rump. Drive around the Texas Hill Country and youll also see large herds of axis deer, sans tigers. The total length is 1,357/1,254 mm, the height of the shoulder is 759/692 and dressed body weight is (kg) 32.7/26. Captain Pete Wallace started as a charter boat operator around forty years ago. With a focus on providing high quality habitat for migratory birds, our refuge features 14 moist soil management units that serve as a rest and refueling location for waterfowl, shorebirds and other coastal birds during their long journeys. Scientific Research: Hunters are prohibited from interfering with scientific research within the Seashore. Bag Limits Sika: Hunters may take up to five sika daily, two of which may be antlered. In the summer, our biology team works to protect the habitat and nesting sites of the threatened piping plover, as well as other beach nesting birds such as the American oystercatcher and least tern. All can be seen from the outside. Have you heard of the sacred deers in Nana, on the island Honshu in Japan? All Rights Reserved. From Washington, D.C. From I-95 enter Route 301 North, following signs to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, to Route 50. 2 of us were Sika first timers, the other guy was returning for his 4th time. Sika deer can also be found in Texas, and periodic reports list them as roaming in other states, but the status of those populations is poorly understood. A prescribed burn is the controlled use of fire to restore wildlife habitat, reduce wildfire risk, or achieve other habitat management goals. There is a herd living free near the Hearst Castle in California, introduced there by the media magnate. Permitted hunters may take migratory game birds in accordance with State regulations subject to the following conditions: The 2022 hunt plan for Chincoteague and Wallops Island National Wildlife Refuges. Sometimes, sightings of an albino deer are actually an escaped fallow. Licensing information can be found in the 2022-2023 Maryland Guide to Hunting and Trapping or at eregulations.com/Maryland/hunting/ We allow the use of portable tree stands, but you must remove stands at the end of each days hunt. A hunter can also increase his or her luck by hunting on edges and gaps within patches of phragmites located between marsh and woodland terrains. Southern Hunt Zone: Deer (Archery, Muzzleloader, Shotgun) & Waterfowl a) Northern Boundary: The northern boundary of the deer hunting zone is the two-track dirt road that runs east to west and is located south of the Life of the Dunes trail. These burns will help remove standing dead stalks of the invasive plant Phragmites australis as a follow-up to herbicide treatments conducted last summer in targeted areas near the Wildlife Loop and the Marsh Trail, including patches within Snow Goose Pool. Fish and Wildlife Service lighthouses. 1. It's no surprise then that our wildlife is equally varied and bountiful, from the Delmarva Peninsula fox squirrel,an animal recently removed from the endangered species list, to our vast array ofmigratory and nesting birds such as the threatened piping plover. Perhaps the best-known example, from a conservation perspective, is the herd at Point Reyes National Seashore in California. Use trail and route marking devices such as reflective tacks and flagging. Taylor's Island WMA or the 20,000+-acre We have a diversity of habitats, ranging from the beach and dunes to the vast salt marshes to the west of the islands. Then you need $100-$150 for two nights lodging unless you . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Wonderful article If you head there and do not see tracks in and out then they're not there. The Exotic Wildlife Association, an industry group, estimates there are 125,000 in the state. Also, a word to the wise, if you get a shot-. Habitat use by sika deer and white-tailed deer differed markedly during the study. And sometimes they take to their new wild homes. Larger than common gray squirrels, this fox squirrel subspecies measures up to 28 inches long and weighs up to three pounds. In addition to the habitat and movement studies, WHS, in cooperation with the University of Maryland Appalachian Environmental Laboratory, conducted a reproductive study to determine the breeding age of sika deer and the number of calves born per hind by age class. Explore the scenic and accessible trails on national wildlife refuges in the Northeast, from Maine to Virginia. , Another half-dozen sometimes are associated with a refuge but are not located on U.S. These bugles usually consist of a series of three whistles, heard primarily during early morning and late afternoon. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Hunters are responsible for being aware of any closures in the hunting zone. They began with a culling program and transitioned to contraceptives once the herd was reduced. The business expanded and is now Chincoteague Hunting & Fishing, Inc. which has been rated as "one of the top one hundred greatest waterfowl outfitters in North America.". Conservation science in action. Please note that all comments are moderated and may take some time to appear. Not trying to discourage you, but they have just about whipped the population out. Sika Deer (Cervus nippon) John Collins. Sambar deer are a large Asian species that bears a superficial resemblance to elk. For information about the 1,000-acre Taylor's Island WMA or the 20,000+-acre Fishing Bay WMA, call the district office at LeCompte WMA: 410-376-3236. Maryland's exotic sika deer (pronounced SEE-kuh) is native to southern Japan, and first appeared on Maryland's lower Eastern Shore when Clement Henry released them on James Island in 1916. Located on the lower half of the Assateague Peninsula in Virginia right near the Maryland state border, Chincoteague (pronounced CHIN-KO-TEEG) is . Also any recommendations on a good hunter friendly place to stay would be helpful. Working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. In Florida, a doctor and patent-medicine salesperson named Raymond Pierce bought St. Vincent Island and stocked it with sambar deer, as well as white-tailed deer and feral hogs. They escape. You need your VA hunting license, big game tags, $20 for the hunt and $15 for a Refuge pass. we got two. But theres no doubt there are a lot of them. Maybe we're related? In the 11th century, Normans introduced them again to Britain, and they have been common on castle grounds and in deer parks ever since. But my eyes were drawn to another exotic mammal, a deer that resembled a miniature elk. Fish and Wildlife Service land managed by national wildlife refuges. Located on the Indigenous homelands of the PocomokeandOccohannockpeople, ChincoteagueNational WildlifeRefugeprotectsbeach, dune, marsh, and maritime foresthabitats. I'm headed to the Eastern Shore (Chincoteague) to hunt a Sika deer archery draw hunt this Monday-Wednesday. Refuge main gate opens at 5:00 am. Canada geese also winter on the marsh. This refuge is truly a wildlife enthusiast's paradise. Wildland firefighters ignite prescribed burns under a pre-determined set of conditions to accomplish specific resource management objectives. 5. Deer hunters can participate in sika deer hunts on Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Yes No An official form of the United States government. Berlin Tour routes of great scenic drives on National Wildlife Refuges. Michael Marsh, the next southern most tract, is a refuge closed to hunting. Surprisingly, some of these tagged deer are still alive today (10+ years later)! Both male and female sika deer use vocalizations to communicate. This proved easy for the zebras, but not so much for the sambar deer. Your guide will remain nearby throughout the hunt to set out decoys, retrieve birds and relocate you as necessary. Delivered weekly. 7206 National Seashore Lane Sika deer often use phragmites as movement corridors between feeding and bedding areas. We have been using prescribed burn techniques to improve species habitat since the 1930s. Axis deer (also known as chital) are striking animals, with a coat of distinct white spots even as adults. Hi Kukui, These prescribed fires are part of a series that will take place over the next few years to address ongoing habitat management needs throughout the refuge. Those hunters must park in the South Ocean Beach parking lot and walk a 1/3 mile south along the Life of the Dunes trail until coming to the two-track dirt road where the hunt zone begins. Four-wheel drive vehicles are required to access this area. Many of these are small, and come and go. For more information, call 410-641-3030. We anticipate the burns in early 2023 to take several days to complete. The management area offers the opportunity to hunt the marshes, fish the surrounding waters or view a vast array of water and shore birds. Muzzle loading handguns are NOT permitted during muzzleloader season. For any questions on the pre-mentioned hunting season regulations please contact U.S. Park Ranger Bill Ramsey Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources. Sika females (hinds) were recovered an average of 1.3 miles from the tagging location. Current population levels appear to be low enough to ensure crop damage is minimized, while still providing plenty of hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women. Tweet. 7 has some but it's thick and hard to drive. Hunter Registration: Hunters are required to sign-in and sign-out each time they enter or leave the hunting zone using their name and state DNR ID number. The best hunting opportunities are for waterfowl and deer. Can Toads Heal Themselves of Deadly Chytrid Fungus? They are shorter in stature -- adults stand about 2 feet at the rump. They can often be found near aquatic habitats, and are another favored prey of tigers. 8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA 23336, Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge Prepares for Prescribed Burns. The black border has a double row of white spots, present on the upper side of the wings. Come join the discussion about safety, licenses, tips, tricks, piers, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! All prescribed burns will be conducted as interagency projects, with local support, under the guidance and direction of trained and experienced U.S. Public hunting within the boundaries of Assateague Island National Seashore (Seashore) is recognized as a recreational activity in the legislation that established the Seashore (Public Law 89-195). Hunters must remain situationally aware while hunting on Assateague Island National Seashore, and always remember there may be multiple uses occurring at the same time in the hunting zones. Matthew L. Miller is director of science communications for The Nature Conservancy and editor of the Cool Green Science blog. Take additional care if you are driving in smoky areas - reduce your speed and turn on your headlights. But deer are elusive and adaptable animals. Hunting. Assateague Island is a mix of . VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. Thus, the Wildlife and Heritage Service's (WHS) management techniques have changed somewhat towards the sika deer. This photo-like image of Chincoteague Island and the southern section of Assateague was acquired by the IKONOS satellite on June 27, 2001. . In North America, the largest numbers of free-ranging sika deer (Cervus nippon) currently occur in Texas and Maryland, with smaller populations on Chincoteague Island, Virginia; there are very small populations about which little is known in North Carolina and Kentucky.Sika deer in these five states are sympatric with native white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Sunday was a scouting day. Night hunting is prohibited. By the time, whitetails returned to Maryland, the exotic deer were already firmly established. Sika deer also rely on mast during fall and winter, thus acorn-producing oaks are an important component of the forest overstory in sika habitat. Fishing Bay WMA, call the district office at LeCompte WMA: 410-376-3236. Guard Shore, the southern tract is also open to hunting. Use of laser sights. Use caution, beach is often inaccessible during high tides. Tree stands attached by nails, wire, screws or in any other damaging way are prohibited. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. There is an appreciation for the strategy and execution of a plan. In Dorchester County, Maryland, another individual introduced sika deer, which have also thrived. Visit India tiger reserves, and youll see lots of axis deer. The challenge of the hunt, their uniqueness as a trophy, and the excellent flavored venison they provide, has resulted in a steadily increasing harvest. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most visited refuges in the United States, providing visitors with outstanding opportunities to learn about and enjoy wildlands and wildlife. In 2009, the deer were illegally introduced on the Big Island, but thanks to an ambitious removal and monitoring effort, the deer were eliminated by 2017. Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (757) 336-6122 8231 Beach Road Chincoteague Island, VA 23336-2149 View Details Driving Directions From Dover, DE Take Route 13 South to Route 175 (about 5 miles past Pocomoke City, MD). And they also hold up way out on the strip going west. We also have grass boats, floating and portable blinds. A radio-telemetry study was also conducted on Dorchester County sika deer, and revealed that most sika hinds had a home range of about 150 acres and moved about a half-mile between bedding and feeding areas. ARCHERY and portions of DUCK seasons will be CLOSED in the Southern Hunt Zone during the LATE Season Deer hunt: 2022-2023 DEER SEASONS & BAG LIMITS ANTLERED & ANTLERLESS DEER, For any questions on the pre-mentioned hunting season regulations please contact. For conservation reasons, the decision was made to remove all exotic animals. Check links and seasonal dates to be certain.) Finally, unlike white-tailed deer that raise their tail like a flag when alarmed, sika deer have a round white rump patch that flares outward when they are excited or alarmed. The total length is 1,357/1,254 mm, the height of the shoulder is 759/692 and dressed body weight is (kg) 32.7/26. October 15, 2022January 7, 2023, Hunting is prohibited on Sundays and November 2427, 2022. The Saxis Wildlife Management Area is predominately tidal marshland, divided into three tracts totaling approximately 5,678 acres. Hunters are required to make a concerted effort in locating (tracking) wounded game and are required to call (443)669-7039, if tracking a deer will interfere with checking out on time. See below. Parking areas are noted on the accompanying maps and are marked by signage in the field. Construct or use permanent blinds or tree stands. This species is small to medium sized with a chestnut brown to reddish-olive coat with numerous white spots occurring in 7-8 rows on the upper sides. Two state Wildlife Management Area's (WMA's) in Dorchester County offer sika hunting opportunities. operations. At least you got to see a little rut activity. Our sika deer hunting property is available to you when you visit our Chesapeake Retreat. Maintained primarily in its natural state, there is little in the way of active management or development on the area. Some hunters take to the woods for hunting an elk, bulk, or just a deer. Learn more about prescribed burn Hunting at Assateague Hunting at Assateague Last updated: September 4, 2022 Was this page helpful? Method of Take It is prohibited to enter into and/or shoot into any signed or closed area. For more information call 410-228-2677. Use to hunt them quite a bit in Dorchester Md, they can be hard to see and hard to drop. Known plant species utilized as food items include: Rhus radicans, Lanicera japonica, Smilax spp., Phytolacca americana, Myria spp., Ilex opaca, Pinus taeda, Populus grandidentata, Spartina patens, Glycine max, Zea mays, red maple and red gum. The rut begins in late September, with the peak of activity in October with calving occurring in May and June. Waterfowl hunters are to park in the designated locations and Sometimes non-native deer persist in small populations that eventually disappear. Thus, many of the management techniques used for white-tailed deer (i.e., food plots, warm season grasses, etc.) We're available on the following channels. People have been hunting and watching deer for millennia. Although sika deer do not appear to rely on agricultural crops as heavily as white-tailed deer, they still respond favorably to agricultural food resources. In addition to geese and the wide array of ducks, there are grebes, loons, herons, egrets, shorebirds and songbirds to be seen on the area. Hunters arrive on a Sunday and stay in Ocean. Where to Hunt Sika Deer Two state Wildlife Management Area's (WMA's) in Dorchester County offer sika hunting opportunities. However, sika deer have a black stripe down the back where the spine would be and a white patch on the posterior end surrounded by black hair. 7. The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge is planning prescribed burns on three management units from January through March 2023. In addition to holding a Maryland hunting license, the following items are a must for hunting sika deer: insect repellant, hip boots, a boat or canoe (strongly recommended on public hunting lands) and, most important of all, time, patience, and a little luck. Fallow deer are also found on a small barrier island off Georgia, at the Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky, in Texas (of course) and on scattered military bases and preserves. The northern tract is open to hunting. Brown trout are non-native but long-established; sika deer are imported but at the same time unique to Maryland; and elk are native but reestablished. During the breeding season, males utter a sound similar to a human scream usually at night. BOW HUNTING FOR MARYLAND SIKA DEER - DOUBLE - Part 2 1,686 views Oct 4, 2020 30 Dislike Share The Bayside Legion 3.13K subscribers Bonce and Derek head out on the marsh for some September Sika. Welcome to the Anthropocene. They still roam there in large herds, and theyre the prey of tigers, leopards, dholes and other predators. The treatment will also open up viewscapes for visitors who enjoy watching wildlife while exploring refuge trails and the Wildlife Loop. Fenced, posted and/or signed areas are not to be disturbed. Other common foods of sika deer include poison ivy, catbrier, and marshgrass. We often move a few times throughout the hunt depending on weather, tides and the type of waterfowl you are hunting. Sika deer are polygamous with up to 1 male to 12 females. Possess a loaded and/or readily available weapon outside of any hunting zone. The Refuge encourages all hunters to use nontoxic ammunition for all game species. When exiting any hunting zone, weapons MUST be unloaded (including the magazine or bolt), cased, and stored in a manner that will prevent their ready use. We also offer a full selection of ammo at competative prices. 5. Oh Yeah they are rutting right now so have fun listening to the bugles. Occasionally, one of these deer will be killed by a hunter in an unusual location. You can hunt divers, puddle ducks, sea ducks, Brant, The firearm season starts on November 14 and runs through January 2, 2021. Nine is a long walk but the you will be almost by yourself. weapons for all species in the Northern Hunt Zone to the weapons allowed for the State deer season in effect. They also love thick fragmittus. Romans first introduced them to Britain, but these deer disappeared after the fall of the Empire. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit www.fws.gov. 2. You can hunt divers, puddle ducks, sea ducks, Brant, Canada & Snow geese all in the same day with over a 20-bird limit. According to State law with the exception of Sika: Hunters may take up to five sika daily, two of which may be antlered. Check links and seasonal dates to be certain.) Besides black ducks, other puddle ducks which frequent the area include mallard, widgeon, pintail, and teal. Office: 410-629-6076 You must park your vehicle in designated areas; park off the roadway; do not block roads or trails. However, several species have escaped the high fences and are roaming freely. Such closures will be posted at the self-check station. Although management of this persistent plant requires multiple treatments, the results benefit wildlife and visitors alike. We offer guided waterfowl hunting on Virginia's Eastern Shore which has one of the largest and most diverse populations of waterfowl found anywhere. The area surrounding Chincoteague Island is well suited for waterfowl hunting. You will see them in the NO HUNT areas or traveling the wildlife loop.