Name: Turkey Hunt (Rating: D)
Start: 2025-11-27T08:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-27T12:00:00-05:00
Location: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

*You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.*

(6ish-mile moderately paced nature and fitness hike.)

Like many other fitness buffs attend 5K races on Thanksgiving morning, we're determined to get in some healthy hiking before our own feasts! So whether you plan to pig out on turkey or Tofurky, please join us for a roughly 6-mile nature and fitness hike on a flat dirt trail with a Virginia Master Naturalist at Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, where we’ll hunt for TURKEYS, eagles, coots, winter ducks, itty-bitty kinglets, and other birds and beasts. We’ll hike at a moderate pace (2.5- 3 mph) with multiple stops for our discoveries along the way. A small flock of turkeys is sometimes spotted on the trails and even at the visitor center of this 642-acre refuge.

**MEET:** 8:30 a.m. by the restrooms at the main parking lot (NOT the visitor center parking lot). Copy these coordinates into Google Maps: 38.645336, -77.237648

**BRING:** Sense of awe, sense of humor, water, and snack. Optional: binoculars and/or camera. Dress in layers because it can feel windy and extra chilly along the bay. Hat, scarf, gloves, and optional hand/toe warmers are recommended so you feel comfy-cozy the whole time!

**MISCELLANEOUS:** Adults only and no pets. (Pets aren't even allowed in cars in this special refuge.) Noon finish is approximate depending on what we find, which should work for you to attend your own afternoon or evening Thanksgiving feast.

**RESTROOMS:** Restrooms at start and one near visitor center. (Visitor center could be closed for Thanksgiving.)

**WEATHER:** Rain cancels unless it's a trickle. We’ll post a weather update here by 5 pm on Nov. 26.

**OCCOQUAN BAY NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE:**
14050 Dawson Beach Rd., Woodbridge, VA
38.645336, -77.237648
[https://www.fws.gov/refuge/occoquan-bay](https://www.fws.gov/refuge/occoquan-bay)

**OBNWR BROCHURE/MAP:**
[https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FINAL_OccoquanGenBrochure2018_0.pdf](https://www.fws.gov/sites/default/files/documents/FINAL_OccoquanGenBrochure2018_0.pdf)

**WILD TURKEYS AT OBNWR:**
[https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=38.65241649999999&nelng=-77.2331499&place_id=any&subview=table&swlat=38.64176729999998&swlng=-77.2477847&taxon_id=906](https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?nelat=38.65241649999999&nelng=-77.2331499&place_id=any&subview=table&swlat=38.64176729999998&swlng=-77.2477847&taxon_id=906)

**EBIRD OBNWR HOTSPOT:**
[https://ebird.org/hotspot/L718641](https://ebird.org/hotspot/L718641)

**JIM WAGGENER’S AUDUBON SURVEYS PROJECT ON INATURALIST:**
[https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/jim-waggener-s-wildlife-surveys](https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/jim-waggener-s-wildlife-surveys)

Barbra 🥾🥾📷☮️

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Turkey Hunt (Rating: D)

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

Turkey Hunt (Rating: D)

Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

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