Back to the top (again).... Hey VA Hunters, has anyone heard anything yet on land/hunting clubs/etc...????

I recently took 360 to 460 out to Lynchburg, scouting all the way, then up to Amherst, and took Route 60 back to Richmond, again scouting all the way back too. Beautiful areas were all posted from other clubs.

On the way out, I stopped just past Jetersville on the cutoff from 360 to 460 and politely asked a man (out fixing up his mailbox) about hunting areas, clubs, land, etc... I was politely told to keep on going. All the clubs nearby are mostly family and are real tight. Oh well.

I kept on cruising and trying to look around the area, but 460 opens right up like an interstate. Amherst and the smaller towns were nice, but again, everything seemed to be posted by hunt clubs. Again, I stopped at a parking area by Gladstone(?) where Route 60 crosses the James River near Nelson and Buckingham counties. I saw a husband & wife launching a canoe and we made small talk, but they appeared to be nature lovers/tree huggers and/or bird watchers or something, so I didn't bring up hunting. Rule #1 in my book is to be respectful. I mean, I don't want to walk up to a stranger and go, "Hey man, how ya doing? Do you know anyplace where I can go kill and gut a deer?"

Further down on Route 60, I got stopped at a roadblock/VA cop checking licenses. So, I while the cop checked my license I figured I try asking him. He saw my "Retired U.S. Coast Guard" vinyl decal on my rear window and my retiree ID Card with my drivers license. So then he talked to me for a quick minute or two. I told him I was from Richmond and was out for a drive looking for hunting clubs or areas where someone might allow me to hunt. The cop gave me pretty neat advice that I will share: He laughed and said, "If you want to see some big deer, you're pointed in the wrong direction (heading back on Route 60 to Richmond)". He said to head back toward Skyline Drive and look around. Then for hunting, go get a National Forest permit, and really scout around in Bedford county, and check into hunting a famous area called Peaks of Otter.

Anyway, I wanted to let you all know I too have been scouting around and checking areas. Has anyone heard any news on a club or land leases?!?!?!

Butch A.