coachsteve

I'm looking for any info on White Oak Mtn. WMA in Va.
Good hunting?
Crowded?
Good areas to try?
Thanks ahead of time guys.

Swampdog

Steve,White Oak Mountain WMA has some pretty good hunting,LATER on in the season.It is good early on but it is like being in the middle of a Viet-Nam fire fight.There are so many hunters on opening day .I am scared to go there.You can't hardly walk in to the woods without stumbling over top of somebody.

ButchA

I haven't been to White Oak WMA... But I have to agree with what Swampdog was saying. Some of the more populated (i.e nearby suburbs) WMA's are downright scary!

I had 900,000 "honey-do list" things to do this past Saturday, but was able to get out for a Saturday afternoon hunt. I drove to Powhatan WMA and didn't even want to get out of my truck. I just sat there thinking to myself.....
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GOD![&:][][:'(]

Pickup trucksand more pickups all over the place. There must have probably been a blaze orange hunter upon every ridgetop! I didn't want to take the chance (and like Swampdog was saying before- "a Viet-nam fire fight" [&:]), so I got the heck outta dodge, and cruised out further to Cumberland State Forest. Out there it was better, but loaded with deer dogs. I drove out to the far edges of the forest where it's more remote and more quiet. I saw more dog tracks then deer tracks though.

My opinion: VDGIF has GOT to do something about the crowded WMA's on a Saturday! It becomes absolute insanity out there... I mean, I'm not being all gloom and doom or anything like that, but, I mean, it's only a matter of time before someone gets SHOT! They need to open up Sunday hunting to spread out the crowded Saturday hunts!

coachsteve

Thanks guys,I am trying to find somewhere to hunt later in the year with a rifle. Looks like i may have to pull out the muzzle loader and stay west side of the state.

whitewolf393

I hear your concerns and frustrations about the WMAs. That's why I've almost all but stopped hunting after my visits to the Phelps, which is overrun, even during the week, it seems. This past Saturday we went to the GW Forest over near Edinberg, and although there were other hunters there, the place was big enough that we found a honey hole. Although we missed our time window, there was lots of deer sign, and turkey scratch everywhere. We'll just have to get onsite earlier in the day next time. But, it's worth the drive. It's 100 miles from where I live in Alexandria. At this point I think the Forest areas may be the better deal than the WMAs.

ButchA

BINGO!!!! You said it all right there, whitewolf!

I absolutely LOVED the time I had out in GW Forest, going hunting with a group of guys I found and the sweet deal they got going. For those who haven't discovered yet, Washington and Jefferson Forests are HUGE!!! I mean, you won't be 100 some-odd yards,from another hunter, like the crowded WMA's.... In the Nat'l Forests, you will be at least 1/2 mile to a full mile from another hunter! Some areas, you won't see anyone at all! You'll get the feeling you have the whole entireNat'l Forest all to yourself!

whitewolf393

Yeah, it was nice to get back into a hunting environment like that. Most of my hunting was done in WV in the Forest areas, and I loved it. That's why I was so cranked off when I hit the WMAs here - never again!!

coachsteve

I have hunted the National Forest my whole life, there are not very many WMA's around here, I just thought I would try somewhere else. I guess I should be glad. I live in Roanoke, any of you guys ever head down this way give me a shout I cansteer you to some good areas.

deermeat

in referance to your question about WMA's. I as told by alot of people here and in my area that all MWA's are a waste of time but I have a different opinion.In my case I have no real other place to hunt soI go to a WMA in Madison Co Va. .On opening day I only saw 6 other trucks parked along theroad, I park about half way up the road. During the whole day I saw no one else except one person on the roadwhile I was hauling down my 1st of two deers for the year. There are many bear up there (I've personaly seen 5 this year) and according to all the pawI saw in the snow yesterday. If I go during the week, I'm usually up there nearly by my self. there are lots of animals up there, you just have to scout alot to find out where where they live and eat. It's not a corn field where the deer stand around waiting for you to shoot them. if you shoot one up there, you have earned it.