Pamunkey Hunting Grounds

Big bend in Pamunkey River; Uttamussak in the distance.

The Pamunkey tribe maintains a significant tradition of controlled hunting and trapping rights on their 900-acre reservation, which includes cultivated land and a virgin forested swamp. Each hunter is assigned a specific, bounded area for their activities, reflecting a communal system rooted in Algonquian heritage. The hunting grounds are historically divided into six tracts, still recognized by the tribe. The enduring practice throughout centuries of English contact showcases the tribe’s adaptability and resilience in preserving their cultural and economic institutions.