Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area
Confirmed against an official or primary source as of the date shown.
Every access/method/restriction claim above is a direct quote or close paraphrase from a live WebFetch of DWR's own Ragged Island WMA page on 2026-08-09. Also directly confirmed via Ducks Unlimited's own reporting on a real, Hampton-Roads-specific living-shoreline restoration partnership between DU and DWR at this exact WMA (see the conservation topic content).
- Managing authority
- Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
- City / county
- Isle of Wight County
- Location precision
- A specific named place, as published by the source below — not a precise coordinate.
- Blind program
- Licensed stationary blinds
- Boat access only
- No — some or all of the area is reachable without a boat
Habitat & species context
1,537 acres of brackish marsh and small pine islands along the south side of the lower James River. Black ducks, mallards, scaup, gadwall, ruddy ducks, buffleheads, and goldeneyes often use the area, per DWR's own page.
Major restrictions
- Waterfowl are hunted by jump-shooting the ponds and creeks, and from licensed blinds on the wider creeks or the James River — per DWR's own page.
- Possessing or discharging firearms loaded with slugs is prohibited on the WMA.
- Discharge of any firearm is prohibited within 100 yards of the boardwalk or nature trail.
Last reviewed 2026-08-09.
Boundaries, permit systems, and closures can change. Confirm current rules directly at the managing authority's own page before hunting, and see Licensing & Regulations →