From VDGIF Files David Merritt operates Spring Lake Archery Park, as well as a pro shop (Spring Lake Archery Supply) in Moneta, Virginia. David is also a most knowledgeable bowhunter. Here, he weighs in on late season strategies.   “Whether someone is looking for a buck or a doe, deer movement revolves around food,” he says, “I think there are four major food sources a bowhunter, or … [Read more...]

By Sherman Shifflett   There's a buck in Louisa County that apparently has nine lives - like a cat. He's burned two of those lives by dodging bullets, but he is not out of the woods yet. During muzzle-loader season a friend and I were hunting around some bean fields near Mineral. We were about 400 yards apart, hunting over different bean fields. Both of us have stands in the cut-over, … [Read more...]

  If Virginia’s deer hunters are having as good of a year as the car drivers, they’ll have a record year. I have never seen so many dead deer on highways. Ever. We drove to Urbanna and back a couple weeks ago and there were dead animals every 5 or so miles along I-64. Daily, I see new carcasses on my 10-mile drive from Charlottesville to Ruckersville along 29 North. Just yesterday, the … [Read more...]

Sherman Shifflett forwarded this picture of a very nice Louisa County buck. Mark Lloyd with the Fox Run Hunt Club took with bow on October 27. FRHC is located in the eastern end of Louisa County, near Holly Grove. Part of the lease straddles the Louisa-Hanover border. Good shooting, Mark! … [Read more...]

The best part about autumn may be the hunting season, and it’s finally here. As the temperatures cool and the trees surrender their leaves, it’s time to lace up the boots and get in the woods. Hunting season for nearly all game species opens in the fall. Squirrel, deer, bear, turkey, migratory game bird and waterfowl all make for exciting experiences and delightful table fare. VDGIF biologists … [Read more...]

There is good news and bad news concerning the duck forecast for 2018. The good news is that the overall numbers are still above the long-term average. The bad news is that they dropped from 2017. Below is a press release from Duck’s Unlimited about their findings. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently released its report on 2018 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations, based on surveys … [Read more...]

  DGIF offers apprentice and youth hunters many great opportunities to hunt land with abundant managed wildlife populations without being pressured by other hunters. Both apprentice and licensed hunters are encouraged to apply, but successful license holders MUST bring an apprentice as a guest, and successful apprentice applicants MUST bring a licensed adult as a guest. Below are the … [Read more...]

Lots of hunters complain about not having any place to dove hunt. Well, they can stop complaining, enjoy some great shooting and contribute to the cause of one of the top outdoor conservation groups in the world – Ducks Unlimited. You need to act quickly if this interests you because it will quickly fill up. Join DU for three exclusive dove hunts on Sept. 3, 8 and 15 at Little George Rod … [Read more...]

  By Sherman Shifflett   Robert Runnett, of Mineral took this nice Louisa County gobbler Thursday morning, April 19. The big bird weighed 20 lbs., 8 oz. and had a 10" beard. Robert is a good hunter. I was hunting with him last fall when he took a black bear with bow. The following morning he tagged a wall-hanger buck. A few weeks ago he nailed a coyote. His dad, Lloyd, ran … [Read more...]

It’s time to gobble! The Virginia Spring Gobbler Season opened last Saturday, April 14 and runs through May 19. Hunters may harvest one bird daily and a total of three for the entire year. Only bearded birds are legal game – some hens have beards. Turkeys may be hunted with any modern firearms, plus archery tackle and muzzleloaders. Hunters may employ decoys and blinds but it is unlawful to … [Read more...]