Va bow hunting
 

Just wondering how the fellow VA folks' season is going? I haven't got any shots, but boy did I have a nice one by my stand on Saturday morning. Just a little too far out of range. Actually drew back on a lesser buck, but he left before getting a clean shot. All in all, 2 mornings hunting I saw over 20 deer.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

2 mornings and 20 deer? Your living the good life. Havn't seen that many deer in all my years of hunting.....well ok maybe I've 25-30.
I got out for an hour this morning before work. Gotta take what you can get. Saw some tree rats.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I have not got to hunt but would love to hear some stories. From what I could see from the news reports the temp are wonderful for hunting.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I've seen more deer in these first two weeks of hunting than I did all last year. Each time I hunt in Fairfax I see at least 10-15 deer. I had a stampede of deer come down a hill to me and when they turned to walk parallel from me I knew it was my time to shoot. I misjudged the distance and missed just below the deer. Well they all looked right at me and watched me as I reached for another arrow. They all trotted around to behind me and started coming back towards me. I took another shot at 20 yards and SMACK/CRACCKKKK. I hit a limb just a few feet in front of me that I wasn't paying attention to. Third time was a charm...although I was reluctant at first to shoot with my luck on the day. The deer just didn't seem to care that I was there. They just sat and watched. I think its been years since they've been hunted...if ever... and I know people ride mountain bikes through these woods all the time. It was kinda too easy but I don't really mind. In Orange county I've seen alot of deer where I hunt near two small ponds and have taken a doe from there too. I let a nice 8 point with a small body walk for a nice sized doe. Oh yeah..my first doe I took went almost 50 pounds...if lucky. I was just looking for some nice stew meat. :) I'm going to just bowhunt all year if the deer keep to their same schedules and keep gathering around trying to tease me.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

Hi got a decent doe opening day vances cove. my buddy got a spike the following weekend
this weekend passed on another nice doe would of took her but didn't offer a quartering shot. nice size buck ran up the ridge to fast to count tines about 60 yds. At noon looked down to see a bobcat stalking down the ridge watched him slay a squirrel and go back up the ridge. felt like marty stoffer in our wild America. finally decent public land saw no other hunters. game warden said nice buck in the area and also been seeing an increased amount of bears. would love to get a trophy bear with bow. hope you have a good season . I already have just enjoying nature
[quote]ORIGINAL: brn2bow

RE: Va bow hunting
 

anyone near lee county?

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I'm in Wise County.In Pound to be exact.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I live in richlands, not to far away.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I have squirrel hunted Vance's Cove 1 time. I have a buddy who killed a nice bear up there last year with his bow. He scouted all summer and claims he saw more bear than deer. Not that the deer pop is down, just saw alot of bears. I thought about bowhunting it, but would not consider it for any gun season. TOO MUCH TRAFFIC!!! I guess I'm spoiled. I have hunted on various private farms for the past 15 years or so, and the deer population is high & the hunter population is low. It makes for safe, enjoyable hunting.

Oh yeah, when I was at Vance's Cove, we went off to the left side (Strasburg side) and still hunted a ways. After awhile, we decided to take a break, when we heard this strange noise. It got louder, and closer, out of no where 3 mountain bikers come flying up a road, scared the bejeebes out of me!!!! lol

forgot to mention that I got a shot yesterday. I've come to the realization that anyone can hit a deer's vitals at 30 yds, but only a true marksman can hit a branch 1/2" diameter at 30 yds. End result I got the branch, and the deer got to go on about his business.[:o]

RE: Va bow hunting
 

My first day of hunting will be this Sat. I can not wait. A buddy and his brother have been hunting every weekend and things are picking up and I think I am timing things just right.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

one more week! one more week! one more week! Will be in Faquier county for a few days. Last year saw deer every day (and I hunted just about everyday) but this year I will only be able to get out a few days in Nov and maybe a few days around Thanksgiving. I had to tranfer to NYC for work.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I saw 9 the first morning. And no less then 3 veryday I've been out. This is at my new spot, not even close to my food plot. Most of them a Does, but we've seen some ok bucks. My hunting buddy killed a nice little 3 pointer. Nothing special, but if it takes a BIG buck to get you excited your in the wrong sport. I was probably more excited then he was just finding the thing! :-)
Anywho, I moved my stand to a new spot, saw two from it so far, but I think I will have better luck in the mornings. Have had some rain and wind over here in Staunton.

I got a game camera too, the cheapo one from wallmart. I know some "well off" people that us the cheap on from wallmart and havent had any problems. I'll try to scan some pictures in for ya.

Well just saying howdy from Staunton. ( bored at work too )

RE: Va bow hunting
 

Is there any good hunting around Appomattox?
heel

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I had does get near and blow and go. I saw deer in the field as I drove in and saw two very good bucks. My buddy had a nice 8 point that he drew on but never presented him with a shoot. 18 or so wide, pretty heavy. His brother is going Wed and Fri after that buck. I can not go again until Sat.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

Well I killed my first deer with a bow. Just a button buck but hey, I was very happy. Now I am trophy hunting the rest of the year. I cooked up some stew last night and boy was it good!

RE: Va bow hunting
 

Got a nice 7 pt buck yesterday. He came straight in at me and I thought he would walk under my stand but when he got within 10 yards he turn behind a large oak. Luckily he stop in one of the few places that had an small opening and I made the 15 yard shot.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

I live in Woodbridge (Prince William County). I am getiing a bow in a couple of days. I have not shot for a while. Anyone know any good places to go and check out the Hunting?

RE: Va bow hunting
 

If you are just getting the bow and have not shot in a while, my advice would be to hold off on the hunting with it till next season. Go to a range and fling a bunch of arrows or maybe join a local 3-D club. Please don't take this in a negative way, it just the deer deserve nothing less than complete accuracy IMHO.

RE: Va bow hunting
 

YEah, I would practice a bunch. I mean we still have plenty of bow hunting here in VA, so you could practive and still hunt December. Here in Staunton I can bow hunt until the end of December.

_jim

RE: Va bow hunting
 

Scott,
If you're looking for a good range to practice, Ft. Belvoir has a great archery range.
Belvoir Bowhunters

kevin