Originally Posted by
ButchA
OneFederalist,
I got you beat... I didn't start hunting until I was 40 years old.
I have always loved the outdoors and wanted to get into hunting, but back in the day, I was busy with a career in the US Coast Guard and couldn't always settle down somewhere and go hunting.
Know what you mean. Did some Navy time myself. Not retired...just did my 4 and nothing more. Still, been on the go since leaving and have finally hit a "settle" point.
Originally Posted by
ButchA
Anyway, since I retired and moved to Virginia, I got into hunting and have learned a lot since then. Most importantly I learned what to do, and what NOT to do.
I'd stay in the Blue Ridge Mts of Virginia and hunt out there. East of the Blue Ridge they run hound dogs after deer. Some localities (county ordnances) won't let you shoot your 30-30 rifle. You'd have to buy a shotgun and use that instead.
Roger that. I'm actually in Greene County (north of Cville), and kinda know what you mean. Seems there's 3 dogs a citizen around here, so I could see how what you're saying is probably the case. I was thinking GW Forest. Parts of there, esp. the Buena Vista area, are my old camping stomping grounds. Probably will take a drive down there to put in some time. As for Greene, I like it so far. Seems the gubmint and fellow Greenies mine their own business when it comes to guns, so no issues. You're the first I heard about 30-30 being illegal to shoot in some locales though. Wonder why? I likes my lever action.
Originally Posted by
ButchA
Try to find a deer club, private land, get into a lease, etc... it will be a lot better. You'd be far better off staying away from the public land WMA's (Wildlife Management Areas). They are loaded with so many hunters that it almost becomes scary. I mean, there is so much blaze orange, that when the sun comes up it looks like a dang pumpkin patch!
Heh. Yeah, that's pretty much we're I've hit actually (Rapidan WMA Mid River Tract). Saw a couple other hunters but that was all, so maybe got lucky or came too late. But you're not the first I've heard that from.
Originally Posted by
ButchA
I'd stick with the George Washington Nat'l Forest and hunt out there. That's what I do and it is so spread out, you'll hardly ever bump into another hunter, if you play your cards right.
Yep, will do.
Originally Posted by
ButchA
Also, your .30-30 is perfect for the heavy woods of the GWNF. I wouldn't put a scope on it though... Lever guns just don't look good with a scope on them. But that's just my opinion...
Good luck and welcome aboard!
Thanks!
