C.F. Phelps WMA

Sunday Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands in Virginia »

The area provides good hunting opportunities as evidenced by its high popularity with hunters. Deer and turkey populations are good. Small game in the area includes doves, rabbits, quail and squirrel. Woodcock can commonly be found in many parts of the property, varying from open fields to dense brush and young forests. Several species of ducks can be found along the Rappahannock River. To enhance hunting success, management is directed toward small game in the open, grassy-shrubby areas and for deer, turkeys and gray squirrels on the forested land. Some of the management practices being used on the Phelps WMA include prescribed burning, timber harvesting, mowing,discing, and wildlife food plantings on woodland roads and clearings.

• C.F. Phelps WMA Deer Hunt for the Disabled

Sighting-In Range

The range is located on the C. F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area in Fauquier County near Sumerduck. To get to the range take Route 651 south from Route 29 at Remington or north from Route 17 near Goldvein to Rogers Ford Road, Route 632. Following the range signs, go approximately 1 mile on Rt 632 and take a right onto the gravel hunter access road. Follow the access road and bear right at the end into the range parking area. No reservations are required. Visitors age 17 and older who do not possess a valid Virginia hunting, freshwater fishing, or trapping license, or a current Virginia boat registration, will need to purchase an Access Permit.

Range Operation Dates and Hours

September 1 to March 31, closed on Mondays except holiday Mondays.

The three-acre pond on the Phelps area holds largemouth bass, bluegill and redear sunfish, and channel catfish. The catfish population is maintained by supplemental stockings. Another small pond, known as the Jam Pond, can be found on the northwesternmost part of the main tract. This pond hosts opportunity for bass and sunfish with supplemental stockings of channel catfish and redear sunfish. Anglers may also choose to fish the six to seven miles of Rappahannock River, with its combination of riffles, runs and glides, where it borders the management area. Here the Rappahannock is a unique smallmouth and redbreast sunfish river. An abundance of fallfish, some reaching 10–11 inches, can also be caught along this stretch of the river.

Wildlife viewing, hiking and nature photography are among other outdoor opportunities on the management area. The Rappahannock River, officially designated as a state scenic river, is popular for canoeing.

Rogers Ford Boat Launch

Vehicle access to the Rogers Ford Boat Launch through the gate near the sighting-in range will be closed according to the schedule below. The boat launch will remain open to use; however, this gate closure will require users to walk approximately 1 mile down the gravel road to reach the river.

• Last Saturday in September to First Saturday in January: CLOSED
• Second Saturday in April to Third Saturday in May: CLOSED

Parking lots are located along the perimeter of the area on routes 651 and 632 in Fauquier County, and on 674 in Culpeper County. Several additional parking areas in the interior are open during the hunting season. A parking area and ramp for small boats and canoes is located on the Culpeper side of the Rappahannock at Kelly’s Ford. Foot trails leading from some of the parking areas, help users reach the area’s interior. The Hogue Tract is an area designed to provide visitors with a mobility impairment access to wildlife related activities. This area is closed seasonally to those without a special access permit from October 1–January 31.

The Phelps Wildlife Management Area, located near the village of Sumerduck, is accessible by route 651, either south from U.S. Route 29 through the Town of Remington, Or from U.S. Route 17, 0.7 miles north of Gold Mining Camp Museum at Monroe Park. See the map for further detail.