CoastalHunter

So, as the title says, I am new to hunting in VA (and new to hunting in general). I am int he Coast Guard stationed in Portsmouth, and am struggling to find good places to hunt.

I have tried Ragged Island, and all I can say is bleh!! Haven't even seen a deer there, and due to the marsh/copper creek I can't even get back to where I think they are at.

I also went to Chickahominy, and hada nice day out there. There were way too many other hunters though, and I couldn't find any of the fields or clearings mentioned on the VDGIF site. I will be hunting there this Thursday though, so hopefully there won't be as many people and I might see a deer or two.

Does anyone know of good hunting land within an hour or so of Portsmouth? I would be interested in joining a hunt club, but most of them I have heard of are around $500 a year, and being int he military with 2 kids, that is hard to justify since I haven't even killed my first deer lol.

I have a climbing stand, a 30-30, and a 12 gauge, so I have most of the tools to hunt most anywhere, I am just not sure where to go, and it's getting late in the season. Thanks,

Nick

NEW61375

I work in Portsmouth as well but live in the Chesapeake area. I can hook you up with loads of places to hunt. Being in the Coast Guard there are several bases in the area you will have access to (NAS Oceana, Dam Neck. Fentress Air Field, Northwest Coast Guard Annex). These 4 are lumped together when you go to the orientation and get qualified(very easy) you get access to all 4 for $25 a year. Those places won't beavailable to you until next season unfortunately. PM mewith your number if you want and I can give you more information about these areas and can tell you how to access many other public/land areas. I hunt with some hunt clubs in VA and NC but over the past few seasons I have been hunting a lot of public land and there are some great places nearby that are not hunted too hard.

virginiashadow

That was cool of you New....good luck Coastal. I bet you will have a ton of places to hunt shortly.

NEW61375

virginiashadow,

I pm'd Vabowman and I thought I would tell you. Next year some of us from VA may bowhunt a WMA or some priivate property one weekend next season or spring gobbler. Just to get to know some other from this site and look at some new land. If you are interestedkeep in touchor pm me I have some sweet spots in mind.

virginiashadow

New, I am very interested. My email is [email protected] Put together an e-mail distribution list and lets all keep each other updated. Would be alot of fun to meet up now and then to hunt together. Thanks bud.

coolbrze0

How far are you from Game Farm Marsh? We duck hunt down there...

geogj

Coastalhunter,
I am stationed on Oceana and hunt oceana and damneck regulary, lots of deer available with some nice bucks here and there. Email me if you need additional info.

CoastalHunter

Thanks for the replies all. I will probably try oceana next season. I still like Chickahominy on the weekdays, but the weekends are out of control hehe. I am trying to get a bow this spring, so hopefully by Fall I will be proficient enough to start hunting with it.