HUNTERS:
Patrons wishing to hunt on Fort Eustis will need to follow these steps to acquire the appropriate permits and validations:
INSTALLATION ACCESS:
Fort Eustis’s primary mission is to support military training. Access is controlled and subject to change based on security requirements. Patrons are responsible for ensuring they meet the requirements for access to the installation. Individuals that do not possess a valid DoD ID Card (i.e. Non-Affiliated Civilians) must complete a criminal background check annually. You must contact the Fort Eustis Visitors Center to start the background check process.
WEAPONS REGISTRATION:
You must have a valid weapons registration for any weapons you plan to bring on post. ALL weapons, including shotguns, air rifles, muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows, etc must be registered with the 733d Security Forces Squadron (SFS). Anyone bringing a weapon on post shall review the memorandum for weapons registration, possession, transportation, and storage found here. All participants in the hunting program must complete a DD Form 2760 and JBLE Form 1019 and return it to the SFS Front Desk located at 648 Washington Blvd, Fort Eustis. Please allow a week or two for the paperwork to be processed.
Your Weapon Permit AND your iSportsman Parking Pass (printed with your hunting permit) are required for entry onto Fort Eustis, if you are participating in the hunting program. You must be able to show proof of your weapons permit at any time. If you are NOT with your vehicle or actively hunting, your weapons registration and parking pass should be removed from the dash and your firearm must be affixed to an immovable portion of the vehicle and free from view from outside.
CREATE AN iSPORTSMAN ACCOUNT:
For hunting, Fort Eustis utilizes the iSportsman Reservation System. Reservations can be acquired the day prior to a hunt for each participant. Go to the Fort Eustis iSportsman homepage. Click on the “Login/Register” and then click on the “Register” link. During the registration process, you must submit your personal contact information and will be required to read the JBLE-I 32-102, Hunting, Fishing, and Boating Regulations for Fort Eustis.
SAFETY TRAINING:
Fort Eustis hunters are required to take the Range Operations Unexploded Ordinance Safety Brief quiz. Per JBLE 32-102, hunters will be required to acknowledge that they have completed a state approved hunter safety training during the validation process. Information regarding hunter safety course offerings can be found on the iSportsman page by going to the “Permits” tab and clicking on “Hunter Safety” in the drop-down menu.
ACQUIRE A HUNTING PERMIT:
Once registered, you can purchase permits by clicking on the "My Account" tab. After logging in, click on the "Acquire Permits" button. Only permits that you qualify for will show up as available. Note: If you qualify for free permits (Youth) you will still be required to go to “Acquire Permits” to download the permit to your account. You will not be able to see cantonment or golf course lottery hunts until completion of an archery qualification proficiency test AND purchase of the 2-year archery validation permit. To schedule a qualification, please go to the “Contact Us” tab.
HANDICAP HUNTERS: All handicapped or disabled hunters must get prior approval from 733d CES. Handicap hunters are determined IAW Virginia DWR definition (Code of Virginia § 58.1-3217) and proof of a Lifetime Disabled License or a Lifetime Disabled Veteran License. Handicap hunters will be provided a map of handicap-approved hunting locations and parking locations upon approval from 733d CES. Handicap hunters MUST hunt from designated handicap locations. Please read section 2.5 of the JBLE-I 32-102 for further guidance and information.
RESERVATION - CHECK-IN:
Once you have acquired your permit(s) you are ready to reserve or check-in to an area. Reservations can be acquired the day prior, at 8pm, for each participant.
A reservation will hold the hunting slot. The hunter will be allowed to check-in to the activity starting at 0400 (4:00 AM) the day of the hunt. Hunters who have not checked-in to the activity by 0645 (6:45 AM) will have their reservation canceled and others will be able to check-in in your place.
All users will be allowed to check-in the same day of the hunt as area capacity allows. Same day check-in is on a first come, first serve basis. Same day check-ins must be made prior to 1600 (4:00 PM) for evening hunts.
Hunters are prohibited from acquiring more than one check-in at the same time. Hunters may, however, be checked into an area and acquire or possess a reservation for the same activity on the next day.
When you check-in you will select hunting and then you must select the area/stand in which you wish to hunt. You will only be allowed to select one area/stand at a time.
GO AFIELD:
After checking in, you are authorized to enter the area you have selected. You must have proof of your permit on your person while afield. Users are welcome to print or save these documents directly to their mobile devices. You can download your permit in your iSportsman portal by visiting My Account > My Permits > click Print Permit. By clicking print permit, you will have the option to print or save a PDF of your information. Note: Users are required to print the vehicle permit which must be displayed on the dashboard of the vehicle in clear sight when entering the installation, it should be removed upon entrance.
As you participate in hunting activities, please remain aware that you are on a military training installation. Please remain courteous and follow any directions from military or civilian military officials. If for any reason you encounter a military training operation, you must exit the area immediately and report the incident to 733d CES or a FWO. Military training is our priority and will take precedence over all activities.
CHECK-OUT:
When you are finished hunting, don’t forget to check-out of your area/stand. Failure to check-out could prompt emergency or rescue personnel to begin a search or investigation. In addition, individuals failing to check-out will have their hunting privileges suspended per JBLE-I 32-102.
Upon check-out users will be required to check-in harvested game through their iSportsman account. This information is used by biologists to better understand and manage the population. Providing accurate harvest information will allow biologists to better manage the resources for the benefit of our users. Please ensure your confirmation number has been recorded accurately in the account and that all games requiring a harvest tag have been properly tagged prior to transportation. Failure to do so will result in suspension of hunting privileges.