Vabowman you can use a bow during gun season if you want. You can also use a Blackpowder during gun season. Look at the regs. West of the Blue Ridge dogs aren't allowed to be used. Lots of public land here too. I left the coast 3 years ago and it's one of the best moves (pun intended) I ever made. I get to the beach just about as much as I did when I lived there and get in the mountains a bunch more than I used to. Besides the mountains are year-round attractions while the beach is only 6 months, less if you work. It's not that long a haul. My friends used to go from VA Beach to WV and back all in one day just so they could ski!