Essex County and King & Queen County

DRIVING DIRECTIONS -

From Richmond, VA: 

• Take I-64 E toward Norfolk. 
• Merge onto VA-33 E via Exit 220 toward West Point. 
• Continue for 19.4 miles, and turn LEFT onto US-17 N / VA-33 E / George Washington Memorial Highway. 
• Proceed on US-17 N about 21 miles to Center Cross. 
• Turn LEFT at the Texaco station onto Rt. 684 (Howerton Road) toward Millers Tavern. 
• Take first LEFT onto Rt. 604 (Byrd's Bridge Road). 
• Pass Fire Tower, pass Agricultural Field, and turn RIGHT at the intersection with Yorkers Swamp Road to continue on Rt. 604 (Byrd’s Bridge Road). 
• As soon as the Agricultural Field ends on the right, just before Rt. 604 bends to the left, look for a gravel road on the RIGHT. This gravel road marks the Lower Gate Entrance to and Parking for the Browne Tract. 

From Tappahannock, VA: 

• Take US-17 S about 12 miles to Center Cross. 
• Turn RIGHT at the Texaco station onto Rt. 684 (Howerton Road) toward Millers Tavern. 
• Take first LEFT onto Rt. 604 (Byrd’s Bridge Road). 
• Pass Fire Tower, pass Agricultural Field, and turn RIGHT at the intersection with Yorkers Swamp Road to continue on Rt. 604 (Byrd’s Bridge Road). 
• As soon as the Agricultural Field ends on the right, just before Rt. 604 bends to the left, look for a gravel road on the RIGHT. This gravel road marks the Lower Gate Entrance to and Parking for the Browne Tract.

Hunting Rules

No person shall hunt or enter designated management areas without registering with the Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority.

Hunters must possess a valid Virginia Hunting License.

Hunters must hunt in selected zone.

Hunters must comply with all Virginia and Federal game codes.

No private permanent tree stands are permitted. It is illegal to use devices that pierce or puncture the bark of trees.

Hunters must park their vehicle.

Vegetation should not be cut, broken or removed for any reason.

Private portable stands must be removed when the hunter leaves the area for the day.

Boundaries of designated hunting areas are provided for general information only. It is the hunter's responsibility to recognize and respect boundaries.

No ATV's are allowed within the hunting areas

Hunting is allowed on Sundays under the following circumstances:

1. Any landowner or member of his family or any person with written permission from the landowner may hunt on the landowner’s property on Sunday, except within 200 yards of a place of worship or any accessory structure thereof.
2. Hunting for waterfowl (ducks, coot, geese, brant, and swan) and rails (including gallinules and moorhens) is allowed on Sundays (on private lands and on public lands as permitted by the landowner) subject to geographical limitations established by the Director of the Department and except within 200 yards of a house of worship or any accessory structure thereof.
3. Hunting is permitted on licensed hunting (shooting) preserves.
4. Raccoons may be hunted on Sunday.

Treestand Safety Rules

• Use a Treestand Manufacture’s Association (TMA) certified treestand.
• Read and understand all instructions and warnings.
• Practice and familiarize yourself with the treestand at ground level before risking a higher position.
• Always use the appropriate TMA approved full body harness and climbing belt when climbing, descending, sitting or standing.
• Keep the fall restraint tether short in case of a fall.
• Never climb with a weapon or equipment in your possession. Always use a pull-up rope to raise or lower your unloaded weapon and equipment.
• Inspect equipment thoroughly before each use to ensure that all parts are working properly. Use only manufacture-approved replacement parts.
• Never modify or remove parts from your treestand or safety device.
• Select only suitable trees. Avoid dead trees or those with loose bark.
• Use extra caution if high wind, lightning, ice, snow, wet, dark or low light conditions exist.
• Never sleep in a treestand or use a treestand if you are drowsy.
• Never use a treestand under the influence of medications, alcohol, drugs or if you have a medical or physical condition that would impair your ability for safe use.
• Do not lend equipment to others unless they have read and understand all warnings and usage instructions.
• Tell a reliable person where you will be and when you will return.
• In the event of a fall, carry survival gear including a whistle.
• As a precautionary measure remove logs, rocks, equipment and other obstructions from below the tree you are hunting in.
• Never leave your treestand, steps, or other equipment out all year around.

MP-PAA Youth Hunting Policy (Enacted December 14, 2012)

1. Hunters must follow all VDGIF and Local regulations
2. Hunters must follow all PAA rules and regulations
3. Adult is defined as age 16 or older
4. Youth is defined as age 0-15 (fee exempt)
5. To hunt on lands owned by the PAA: (a.) The adult must be registered and be in good standing with the PAA; (b.)  The youth does not have to register and must hunt with a registered adult; and (c.)  The youth must stay with the adult at all times
6. No youth may hunt PAA lands without a “registered/in good standing” adult

VDGIF Regulations and Youth Hunting Days 

(Below are the 2012 VDGIF Regulations.  Hunters are responsible for researching and following current regulations.)

 a.   Mandatory Hunter Education Requirement

Hunter Education courses provide instruction in hunter safety, principles of conservation, and sportsmanship. The courses are usually ten hours in length and cover many topics preparing new hunters to enjoy their experience in the outdoors. Courses are offered free of charge throughout the Commonwealth. A list of courses is available online, or you may contact one of the Department's regional offices.

For information about obtaining a replacement certificate, see the "Replacement Cards" section of the Hunter Education page. Note: Older records may not be available. A replacement card cannot be issued if there is no record of a completed class.

Virginia accepts and recognizes all states' and countries' hunting licenses and hunter education credentials for the purpose of complying with mandatory hunter education requirements. These may be in the form of an identification card or certificate.

You must complete an approved hunter education course and carry your certificate while hunting if either of the following apply:

·   You are 12–15 years of age. (You must complete hunter education but you do not have to carry your certificate if accompanied and properly supervised by a licensed adult.)

·   You are at least 16 years of age and you are hunting with your first hunting license.

·   Although it is recommended for all hunters, you are not required to complete hunter education if:     

- You only hunt foxes with hounds while on horseback, but without firearms.

- You are exempt from the requirement to purchase a license.

·   You are hunting with an apprentice license. In that case you must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult over the age of 18 who has, on his person, a valid Virginia hunting license. "Accompanied and directly supervised" means the adult maintains close visual and verbal contact with, provides adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm from the apprentice hunter. The apprentice hunting license cannot be used as proof of holding a previous hunting license, for the purposes of purchasing a hunting license without proof of hunter education.

·   You are under the age of 12. However, you may not hunt unless accompanied and directly supervised by a licensed adult.

·   Any person 16 years of age or older may certify that he or she has held a previously issued hunting license by signing the front of the license.

b.    Youth Deer Hunting Day

Deer hunters 15 years of age and under, when in compliance with all applicable laws and license requirements, may hunt deer when accompanied and directly supervised by an adult who has a valid Virginia hunting license on his person or is exempt from purchasing a hunting license.

Deer of either sex may be taken.

Antlerless deer taken on the youth deer hunting day are in addition to an antlerless deer taken under the special youth antlerless deer regulation and on either-sex deer hunting days. For example, if a youth deer hunter kills an antlerless deer on the youth deer hunting day, he or she may still take an antlerless deer under the special youth antlerless deer regulation and take antlerless deer on designated either-sex deer hunting days.

Adult hunters accompanying youth deer hunters may not carry or discharge firearms.

Blaze orange requirements and exceptions for firearms deer season are in effect (see General Hunting Regulations).

Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited, except that tracking dogs are allowed (see Hunting with Dogs).

c.   Youth Fall Turkey Hunt Day

Hunting hours are from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset.

Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.

Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Resident hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.

d.   Youth Waterfowl Hunting

Youth 15 years and younger may harvest the allowed daily bag limit of ducks (as specified above), coots, mergansers, gallinules, moorhens, 2 Canada geese (except in Canada Goose Zones where the bag limit is higher, see page 14) and 1 tundra swan (if the youth possesses a tundra swan permit) on the designated youth waterfowl hunting days. Youth 12 years of age and older will need a valid Virginia state hunting license. All participating youth must be HIP registered and accompanied by a licensed adult at least 18 years of age or older. The accompanying adult may only hunt for those species for which there is an open season on these dates.

 e.   Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Day

One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

Bag limit is one per day, bearded birds only.

Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.

Resident hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Non-resident youth must have license regardless of age.

All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.

PROHIBITED USES ON THE BROWNE TRACT

NO TARGET SHOOTING

NO HUNTING WITH ANY RIFLE OR PISTOL

NO HUNTING WITH SHOTGUNS LARGER THAN 10 GAUGE

NO DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS EXCEPT WITHIN THE DESIGNATED HUNTING ZONES

NO DISCHARGE OF FIREARMS DURING NON-HUNTING SEASON (MARCH–AUGUST ANNUALLY,EXCLUDING ABOUT APRIL 1–MAY 15 FOR TURKEY SEASON)

NO CAMPING

NO USE OF ANY ALL-TERRAIN, OFF-ROAD, OR CROSSROAD VEHICLE ON THE PROPERTY