Virginia WMA's

Eastern va · 10-12-2005, 02:12 PM

Are all the WMA's in VA buck only? I know the one by me is and has been for last 10 years. Its the Chickahominy WMA in charles city. I dont know why it is still like that.I have hunted it over 10 years and have seen a total of maybe6 bucks killed. During the same time it is not uncommon to see 5-10 does a day. Anyway just wanted to see if this was the only one in the state like this.

ButchA · 10-12-2005, 02:57 PM

Not that I'm aware of. I know most follow the antlerless doe days within their own counties. Phelps, Hardware River, Powhatan, etc.... all have doe days and buck days.

Invented · 10-12-2005, 06:16 PM

I'd quit hunting if I had to hunt in a WMA, I've seen nothing but complaints on here

ButchA · 10-13-2005, 05:28 AM

Pearl Jam,

That's because they are overcrowded, overhunted, and, at times.... downright SCARY!

I wouldn'tquit hunting, I'd just go out further away from the crowds.

jackalope · 10-13-2005, 05:49 AM

I usually go up to Hog Island - the Carlisle Tract, which is buck only. If your looking for some decent hunting apply for some of the hunts that the WMA's have. They are usually buck or doe and are not overhunted or overcrowded. Usually you have to pay an application fee and that's it.

rafsob · 10-17-2005, 10:16 AM

I think I would get a little upset if that was the case in my situation. How about getting hooked up with a hunting club? However, I know how ya feel.

I am in the process of looking for some property out in the western part of our state. I hunt at two locations as of now and enjoy some great hunting and great friendship. But there is nothing like having your own place.

Chubber · 10-19-2005, 07:50 AM

I did 95% of my hunting on WMA's when I lived in Virginia. I usually hunted Phelps, which is small and right near the biggest metro area, so it is very busy. They can all be crowded and busy. But usually only on Saturdays and the first couple of days in the season. For the rest of the season they are not very busy. Of course, most of the folks jump out of their trucks and walk about 200 yards into the woods, set up a stand and "hunt" for 2 hours, then go home. If you walk as little as a 1/2 mile into the woods at the one I hunted at, you would be all alone. Hunt the second to last week of the season and you will think that it is all your own private game reserve. (The last week gets busy too because that is when the doe days are).

It was a rare day when I hunted the WMA when someone didn't pull a decent buck out of it. So they are in there somewhere.

Some WMAs in VA are many miles from any major towns, and so they are often very empty. Of course, for a few dollars more on your license you could also hunt GW Nat. Forest. You will be lucky to see anyone else in there.

VA HEAD HUNTER · 10-19-2005, 08:44 AM

we have a open season on does and bucks here in fauqier county which is a real nice way to thin out some of the does. our ratio is still around 10 to one though.

whitewolf393 · 10-19-2005, 05:57 PM

I wasn't aware of that..Continous? with what, bow, or rifle? I live in Alexandria and I can get down that way easily.

Eastern va · 10-19-2005, 06:06 PM

well spending the money for GW forest is NOT option for me. It is atleast 5 hours from me here in williamsburg.