Managed Hunts & Workshops (2008-2009)

The Department's Managed Hunts are generally by on-site random drawings or by application through the local Regional Wildlife Office. Hunting opportunities are provided on various Department Wildlife Management Areas.

Waterfowl

Hog Island WMA September Waterfowl Hunts

Hunt resident Canada geese and teal when in season each Saturday for half a day on Hog Island WMA in Surry County. A total of 30 hunters are selected each morning of the hunt. There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts. Dogs are allowed and recommended.

The youth goose hunt scheduled for Saturday, September 6th, has been CANCELLED due to the safety concerns related to the forecasted impacts from Hurricane Hanna.

Note: Hog Island Wildlife Management Area is very dry this late summer and resident Canada goose numbers are not using the area. The habitat conditions are due in part to the drought we are experiencing and also due to habitat management work by DGIF. As the drought continued this summer, water was drained from the majority of the impoundments. The bulk of the water in the impoundments comes from the James River, which is relatively salty around Hog Island. Without rainfall, evaporation in the impoundments creates extremely salty conditions that eventually make it impossible for beneficial waterfowl foods to grow. Drawing down the impoundments is actually helpful in the long term because decomposition is sped up and overall impoundment fertility levels increase. Productive waterfowl plants are currently growing in areas where they were absent in years past. The dry conditions also enabled phragmites and cattail control using a tractor. Phragmites, or common reed, is an invasive plant that, when left unchecked, can completely take over a marsh. Although less invasive, cattail can also choke a marsh. In normal years, phragmites is controlled by spraying herbicide by helicopter, a costly but critical job. Conditions this year were dry enough that herbicide could be applied by tractor at a significant cost savings.

  • Hunt days: Saturdays.
  • Hunt dates: September 6 (cancelled, see notice above), 13, 20, 27 (Teal ONLY!), 2008
  • Drawing begins promptly at 5:00 a.m.

Hog Island - Youth Waterfowl Day

This is an opportunity for 30 youth to hunt waterfowl on the Hog Island WMA in Surry County. The Department in cooperation with Ducks Unlimited will host a youth waterfowl hunting day in October (to be announced Sept. 1, 2008, see Agency Web site). Only youths may hunt and carry a firearm. The hunt is restricted to youths (15 years of age and under) and each youth must be accompanied by a licensed adult (only the youth may carry a firearm). All youth hunters are to be registered for this event. To register, contact the Hog Island WMA after September 1, 2008 at 757 / 357 - 5224. There are no blinds or decoys provided for these hunts. Dogs are allowed and recommended.

  • Hunt date: October 25, 2008
  • Hunters to arrive before 5:00 a.m.

Princess Anne WMA Float Blind September Canada Goose/Teal Hunts and October Waterfowl

Hunt September Canada geese/teal and waterfowl (during the October waterfowl season) on the Princess Anne WMA in Virginia Beach. The area's 56 float blind stakes are available to float blind hunters on a first come, first served basis. Hunters are not allowed to tie float blinds to stakes before 5:00 a.m. Half-day (until 1:00 p.m.) hunting allowed on Opening Day, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and State Holidays. It is recommended that each hunting party visit the hunting area prior to the season to locate boat access, blind stakes, and scout the area in general. You must be familiar with the area to locate the blind stakes before shooting time. Dogs are allowed and recommended.

  • Hunt days: Opening Day, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and State Holidays.
  • Hunt dates:
    • September Geese: September 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 2008
    • September Teal: September 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 2008
    • October Waterfowl: October 9, 10, 11, 13, 2008 (no Sunday hunting)
  • Hunters may not tie up to blind stakes until 5:00 a.m.

Princess Anne WMA Stationary Blind September Canada Goose/Teal Hunts and October Waterfowl

This is an opportunity to hunt September Canada geese/teal and waterfowl during the October waterfowl season on the Princess Anne WMA in Virginia Beach. The area's impoundment system will be first come, first served. The area offers half-day (until 1:00 p.m.) hunting on Opening Day, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and State Holidays. Hunters are required to park in the designated parking areas off Munden Road.

  • Hunt days: Opening Day, Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and State Holidays.
  • Hunt dates:
    • September Geese: September 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24, 2008
    • September Teal: September 20, 22, 24, 27, 29, 2008
    • October Waterfowl: October 9, 10, 11, 13, 2008 (no Sunday hunting)
  • Hunters may not occupy blinds before 5:00 a.m.

Princess Anne WMA Late Snow Goose Hunts

This is an opportunity for float blind hunters to hunt snow geese at the Princess Anne WMA after the general duck season. The Princess Anne blind stakes and impoundments at Back Bay are available for snow goose hunting after the general duck season. These hunts will be permitted after the general duck season and will be on a first come, first served basis. Daily hunting times will be ½ hour before sunrise to sunset.

  • Season dates: January 26 - March 10, 2009

Princess Anne WMA - Youth Waterfowl Day

Float blind stakes will be open on a first come, first served basis to youths 15 years or younger when accompanied by an adult. The Department will host a youth waterfowl hunting day in October (to be announced September 1, 2008). Only youths may hunt and carry a firearm. Youth hunters must be accompanied by a licensed adult. Depending upon impoundment conditions and number of participants there may be an option to use blinds on Beasley and Whitehurst tracts. This will be coordinated at the Trojan club house at 5:00 a.m. on the hunt day.

  • Hunt day: October 25, 2008
  • Hunters to arrive promptly at 5:00 a.m.

C. F. Phelps WMA Deer Hunt for the Disabled

This is an opportunity for persons with permanent disabilities to hunt white-tailed deer on the Hogue Tract of the C.F. Phelps WMA in Fauquier County. Two disabled hunters per day are chosen to hunt during the archery, muzzleloader and general firearms deer seasons. Each successful applicant may be accompanied by one companion, who may hunt if properly licensed. Applications for this special hunt must include the name, date of birth, address and telephone number (business and home), hunting license number, vehicle description and vehicle license number of the disabled hunter and companion hunter, and 2 preferred hunting dates. The application should be mailed to: Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, ATTN: Hogue Tract Hunt, 1320 Belman Road, Fredericksburg, VA. 22401. Applications must be received by the close of business on September 20, 2008.

  • Hunt dates archery: October 4, 6, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 27, and 29, 2008
  • Hunt dates muzzleloader: November 1, 3, 5, 8, 10, and 12, 2008
  • Hunt dates firearms: November 15, 17, 19, 22, 24, 26, and 27, 2008

Hunting Workshops - Deer

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will host a Generations Deer Hunting Workshop on the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Prince William County. For registration information on workshop dates and times, contact the Fredericksburg Regional Office at (540) 899-4169.

  • Workshop date: Saturday, December 13, 2008

Deer Hunt - Conway-Robinson State Forest

There is a new hunting opportunity at the Conway-Robinson State Forest in Prince William County. Applications are due by October 10, 2008. For more information, please see the Department of Forestry's website.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries reserves the right to manage hunter access and hunter use on Department-owned and controlled lands as deemed appropriate.

This program received Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to the Office for Human Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4040 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 300, Arlington, VA 22203.