Joint Base Langley-Eustis iSportsman

Joint Base Langley-Eustis operates a dedicated hunting and fishing program across approximately 6,000 acres of accessible land at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia. The installation provides structured outdoor recreation opportunities managed through the iSportsman platform, with access controlled by military security requirements and DoD sponsorship.

The base supports multiple hunting seasons and game types:

• •Deer hunting (archery, muzzleloader, general firearms) with lottery-based management hunts in impact areas and cantonment zones
• •Waterfowl hunting with access to interior and exterior blinds, ponds, and designated waterfowl markers
• •Turkey hunting through spring gobbler lottery (April-May season)
• •Small game and predator hunting (coyote, crow, dove, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, woodcock)
• •Fishing (freshwater catch-and-release in 3 ponds/lakes, saltwater along roughly 3 miles of shoreline)
• •Recreational archery with dedicated range south of the golf course on Mulberry Island Road
• •Boating with designated launch locations and full Coast Guard/state regulation compliance once departed

Fort Eustis spans approximately 8,000 acres established in 1918. The maneuver space consists of roughly 5,000 acres with about 1,000 acres of ranges and impact areas. Terrain is flat, mostly at or just above sea level. Natural habitats include mixed deciduous and pine forests (45% of installation), extensive wetlands, old fields, and cleared training support areas. Approximately 5,000 acres remain restricted due to unexploded ordnance hazards and active military training operations.

All hunters must: - Pass annual criminal background check (non-affiliated civilians) - Register all weapons with Security Forces Squadron (shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows, air rifles) - Complete DD Form 2760 and JBLE Form 1019 - Create iSportsman account and acknowledge JBLE-I 32-102 regulations - Complete Range Operations Unexploded Ordnance Safety Brief quiz - Hold valid Virginia hunting/fishing licenses and state hunter education certification - Display weapon permit and iSportsman parking pass on dash

• •Military affiliation: Effective immediately, all non-affiliated civilians must have a DoD sponsor for base access to hunting, fishing, and boating programs per the Sikes Act (16 U.S.C. §§ 670a-670o).

Antler restrictions now in effect: Only 2 antlered deer per hunter allowed. South of Island Creek: minimum 4 points on one side required. North of Island Creek: no antler restriction except in Hunting Area 1. Youth and apprentice hunters exempt from antler restrictions.

Deer processing facility under construction—temporary facility available next to Building 1409 on Mulberry Island Road. Data sheets and jawbone tags required (unless mounting deer with USFWS notification).

• •No hunting Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays unless scheduled lottery event
• •Reservations open day prior at 8pm through iSportsman
• •Check-in window 4:00 AM–6:45 AM day of hunt (cancel after 6:45 AM)
• •Same-day check-in first-come, first-served before 4:00 PM for evening hunts
• •Check-out required to avoid emergency response and privilege suspension

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Federal Wildlife Officers (FWOs) enforce federal and state laws. Violations prosecuted before U.S. Magistrate with penalties including suspension/revocation of privileges, criminal punishment, UCMJ action, or permanent installation barring. Wildlife Biologist: 757-952-5204.

• •Handicap hunters receive approved location maps and designated parking
• •Military training takes precedence—hunters must immediately exit if training operation encountered
• •iSportsman check-in mandatory for any area access; unchecked entry results in program removal
• •Harvest reporting required at check-out for biological data collection
• •Water at Hunt Shack (B3307) marked non-potable pending investigation

Contact Wildlife Biologist (757-952-5204), FWOs, or Sportsman Council members for compliance questions.