Princess Anne WMA
Located on Back Bay in extreme Southeastern Virginia, Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area serves as the Game Department's major waterfowl hunting area. Hunting opportunity is further enhanced by a long-standing cooperative agreement with Virginia's Division of Parks that provides limited access to False Cape State Park for hunting waterfowl and deer.
Map of Princess Anne WMA
WMA Rules
Floating Blind Waterfowl Hunting Sites Map (#107)
GPS Coordinates for Above Sites
Map of TNC-North Landing River Area Blinds (PDF)
TNC-North Landing River Area Stake Blind Coordinates (PDF)
Map of Impoundments - Waterfowl Blind Site Locations (#102)
Description
Four tracts, totaling 1,546 acres, make up the Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area. Beasley, Trojan and Whitehurst, are on the western shore of Back Bay, a slightly brackish body separated from the Atlantic Ocean by False Cape. The Pocahontas Tract, a group of marshy islands, is at the south end of the bay. The Beasley and Whitehurst Tract is a combination of marshes, man-made impoundments and upland. Impoundment water levels are manipulated to promote vegetation for wintering and migrating waterfowl. Nesting structures bolster local waterfowl populations and upland areas are planted to benefit a variety of wildlife.
Hunting
All hunting is carefully controlled in an effort to provide a quality and successful hunting experience. Waterfowl hunting is permitted from designated floating blind locations on management area marshes and near the shoreline of the state park. Use of the floating blind sites, available from the Princess Anne Headquarters at the Trojan Tract.
Fishing
Over the years, changes in salinity and the decline in aquatic vegetation, has altered the fishery in Back Bay proper. Currently, white perch is the primary sport fish in the bay. Anglers continue to take largemouth bass and bluegill from the creeks feeding the bay. These creeks also offer excellent fishing for channel catfish during the spring spawning period.
Other Activities
False Cape State Park offers hiking, biking, primitive camping and an interpretative center. This unique habitat hosts a variety of wildlife species and is a birder's paradise. Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge has a visitor center and trails through the dunes.
Facilities
There's a boat ramp and parking at the Princess Anne headquarters.
Directions
Access to Princess Anne is south from Pungo on Route 615 then east on Route 699, south of Creeds, to the area headquarters. Parking for False Cape and Barbours Hill is via Sandpiper Road south from Sandbridge. Consult the map for detail.