Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in one of the fastest developing areas in the Commonwealth. This WMA was acquired through a partnership with VDGIF, the United States Marine Corps, and the Prince William Conservation Alliance to insure the land remains wild and serves as productive wildlife habitat in the face of development, and to serve as a buffer for Quantico Marine Corps Base. Merrimac Farm WMA is unique, as it serves as a model that demonstrates that good wildlife management can be achieved in an urban/suburban setting. The property is managed to provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and outdoor education. All of Merrimac Farm WMA’s 301 acres lie within Prince William County. Nearly one mile of Cedar Run forms the southern boundary and Quantico Marine Corps Base makes up much of the eastern boundary. The rest of the WMA adjoins private land. The habitat on this WMA is diverse, ranging from upland and bottomland hardwoods to cedar thickets and old fields. For many years prior to its acquisition, this property was managed and operated as a licensed shooting preserve. Consequently, nearly one-third of the property contains remnant old field and shrub-dominated habitat that will be maintained to benefit quail and other wildlife species well into the future. A unique, mature white oak-hickory forest dominates the northern more upland portion of the area while a large expanse of bottomland hardwoods dominate the southern portion of the WMA that lies within the Cedar Run floodplain. A seven acre island surrounded by Cedar Run and bordering Quantico is located in the southern portion as well. A small 1½ acre pond is located near the center of the WMA, close to the eastern boundary. In order to provide a quality hunting experience, all hunting at Merrimac Farm will be by permit only. Permits will be issued through the Quota Hunt system under multi-species and spring gobbler hunts. Both deer and turkey populations are good on the area. Quail hunting is prohibited until further notice to allow quail populations to increase. Habitat management work will focus primarily on maintaining early-successional habitat; thus, improving small game and deer hunting opportunities. The Cedar Run shoreline and adjacent floodplain will be the destination of choice for perspective waterfowlers