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New game check station, outdoor gear rental facility coming soon

30 Jul 2015 | Ida Irby Marine Corps Base Quantico

The Marine Corps Community Service is slated to open an outdoor recreation center which will facilitate the recreational usage of Chopawamsic Creek, which drains about 22,000 acres and empties into the Potomac River near Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico, and more than 50,000 acres of wildlife habitat at Marine Corps Base Quantico.

The beginning stages of the facility have started, as three trailers are staged to create the much anticipated structure.

According to Douglas Rudy, MCCS facilities director, the seasonal game check station — operated by Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Branch, and recreation facility is slated to open September of this year. The rental of outdoor and hunting equipment will also be available to support the base community.

A diverse hunting program on base provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, firewood gathering, bird watching, mountain biking, hiking, and boating. The new facility will offer patrons equipment rental, updated licensing, background checks, and guidance to check into and out of authorized areas.

“The facility will potentially provide a one-stop location to provide services required for outdoor recreation [on Quantico],” said Tim Stamps, Natural Resources Manager. “These activities must not conflict with military training and be conducted in keeping with base access, security and safety protocols.”

Safe use of the woodland area is key, as there are many vast areas of forest and sightings of black bear, bobcat, and coyotes have grown in recent years, mentioned Stamps.

“Military training is first and foremost the primary land use at MCBQ,” said Stamps. “Incidental to that, the Quantico landscape is a great green zone and ecological jewel within the highly developed northern Virginia landscape.”

The extensive forests are a deluxe habitat for wood thrushes, barred owls and pileated woodpeckers. Woodlands also provide a home for wild turkey, white-tailed deer, gray squirrels and numerous song birds. Beaver ponds dot the landscape and provide important habitat for wetland species such as river otters that frequent the abandoned beaver lodges; while the tidal creek is a significant nursery area for Potomac River fish, catfish, and largemouth bass.

Patrons interested in applying for a hunting license in the local area should visit the Game Check Station near the vehicle registration office on the Westside Marine Corps Base Quantico. For more information and updates on local wildlife regulations check the ‘outdoors’ tab online at www.quantico.marines.mil.

— Writer: iirby@quanticosentryonline.com
Marine Corps Base Quantico