2021 Hunting Activities

The club chairs are current planning the upcoming trips for 2021. As soon as they are set, we will announce via email and publish the details here.

 

 

 

 

2020 Hunting Activities

Decision not to renew hunting lease

 

After much discussion and debate, the board has decided not to renew the club’s hunting lease for the upcoming season. Considerations which led to the decision were: the low member participation rate (11 members, with about half projected to participate next year), the low usage rate and low total number of hunt hours, the loss of the only heavy bedding cover on the property, (cover was clear-cut to provide access to the bill boards) and the low harvest rates (No harvests were recorded). While the lease is participant funded, fewer members would drive up the per person cost of the lease beyond what the board thought was reasonable for the amount of land and hunting prospects for the club at large. These considerations prompted the board to not renew the hunting lease for the 2020/2021 hunting season. Lew Roach will facilitate introductions to the land owner for any group of members from the club who would like to approach the land owner to make leasing arrangements independently of the club. The board will continue to look for a more productive hunting lease for the club. Any member who has a potential lead for a lease for the club is encouraged to contact one of the board members.

 

 

Base Closure Notice - July 2020

Fort AP Hill has closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative. In 2018, hunters took 555 deer and 53 turkeys there. Fort Pickett did not close, nor did Fort Belvoir or Quantico Marine Corps base. Its best to check with all base authorities for updates before purchasing fishing or hunting permits for any of the military reservations.

 

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

It Was Magic – Submitted by Dave Burpee

The magic trip had finally arrived.  I had always looked forward to hunting with grandchildren and that magic event happened this summer.  Little did I know in advance how much magic would be involved.

 

My oldest grandson, Dylan – age 15, and I set out on June 14 this year for a three-day pig hunt near Coosawhatchie (try to pronounce THAT), SC.  We drove with friends Bob Seltzer (fellow DIA club member) and John Eckenrode.  The hunt site is about 28 miles north of the Georgia/South Carolina border and slightly to the west of I-95.  The plantation has an excellent cabin and about 2,000 acres.  We left at 0445 and arrived at 1500 with stops for gas and food – all COVID precautions taken.

 

Our rifle hunt was set for 15-17 June.  In preparation, Dylan had been to a range several times with his new 6.5 Creedmoor and had demonstrated good proficiency.  Still to be determined, however, was his accuracy under the pressure of an actual hunt.

 

The first and last days, no one saw pigs.  Bummer.  The second day saw all the action with Bob, John and Dylan getting animals.  I sat with Dylan and did not plan to shoot.

 

The very early morning sky in the SC woods/swamp was clear on the second day and the bugs were quiet in our pop-up blind (thanks to Termacell, perhaps one of the greatest inventions ever.)   We soon saw a HUGE raccoon come to the bait pile and this gave Dylan an opportunity to look through his scope at a real animal without pulling the trigger.  The raccoon ate his fill and departed.  Shortly thereafter, three pigs pranced out of the treeline, nestled close to each other, and began to feed.

 

Dylan took careful aim at the closest pig, striving to put a bullet in its ear so it would drop in its own shadow and thus not present us with an unpleasant, bug-filled tracking exercise.  He was deliberate, not rushed, and after getting a proper sight picture he pulled the trigger.  The pig dropped immediately and he was ecstatic, “Grandpa, I shot a pig, I shot a pig.”

 

I took a look through my binoculars and said, “No, you didn’t.” He could see the pig and of course pushed back that in fact he had killed the animal. I responded, “No, you did not kill A pig. You killed two!”  He did not believe me so I informed him he was perhaps the first hunter to kill a pig that had eight legs.

 

We exited the pop-up and sure enough there were two pigs on the ground.  His bullet had passed through the skull of the first animal and gone in the ear of the animal feeding beside it. Naturally, he now thinks that it was all skill -- no luck involved -- and that pig hunting is a piece of cake.  He will probably find out different next year….

Updated Base Closure Notice - May 2020

 

Fort AP Hill is closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative due to the corona virus pandemic.

 

Fort Belvoir is closed for Spring Turkey Season, but still open for fishing.

 

Fort Pickett is still open for hunting and fishing.  

 

Quantico Marine Corps base is also open for hunting and fishing.

 

It would be prudent to check the base web-sites for closure updates before planning a trip to these installations.  

 

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

 

 

Fort AP Hill Closed to Hunting

 

Fort AP Hill has closed to hunting and fishing until further notice as a "force protection" initiative. Last year, 2018, hunters took 555 deer and 53 turkeys there. Fort Pickett did not close, nor did Fort Belvoir or Quantico Marine Corps base. Check with AP Hill authorities for updates before purchasing fishing or hunting permits

 

You can read more about this at: https://faph.isportsman.net/

 

 

2019 Hunting Activities

Last Call for Hunting Lease Participants

If any additional members are still interested in participating in the lease please contact Mark White ASAP at: (540) 286-0169. The cost is $200. Rabbits, coyotes and beaver were added to the game list we can hunt on the lease as long as they are in season.

 

Information about the lease can be found on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/.

 

 

Conway Robinson State Forest Lottery Deer Hunt

The Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is conducting a lottery hunt for deer at Conway State Forest. Conway Robison Forest is over 400 acres and is located along Route 29 just north of its intersection with Route 66 near Gainesville, Va.  You may apply for the lottery at this link until 11:59pm on October 6th https://goo.gl/forms/OtwXI5sIiKkZhCWB2

or you may access the link on the DOF website by the end of the week at www.dof.virginia.gov. The attached flyer provides more details. The hunt manager is Kinner Ingram, who can be contacted for more information:  Mobile: 540-216-6524 or Kinner.Ingram@dof.virginia.gov

 

 

 

Mentors Needed for 2019 Novice Deer Hunters

VA DGIF is looking for mentors and instructors and other volunteers for upcoming Novice Deer Hunts. The mentors attend class with the novice hunters and get to hunt alongside them during special managed hunts. Each hunt is limited to 10 new hunters, Banshee Reeks is archery and Widewater is shotgun. Below you will find the dates for these hunts. If interested please send  Ed Herndon an email edward.herndon@dgif.virginia.gov  and let him know what role you would like to play. (mentor, instructor, logistics help, providing deer for processing, etc.). 

 

Banshee Reeks – located in Loudoun County near Leesburg, Va

Classroom (Banshee) - 10/19-20

Hunt Dates - 12/6, 12/13, 12/20

 

Widewater Park – located east of Stafford Virginia

Classroom (at Widewater) - 9/28-29

Hunt Dates - 12/5 and 12/12

 

 

 

Fairfax County Lottery Deer Hunt

Fairfax will conduct a lottery hunt in the Sully Woodlands Park near Chantilly, Virginia on Wednesday, December 11th.  A mandatory Safety Briefing will be conducted on Sunday, December 8th.  Application information is available at: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/wildlife/managed-deer-hunts

If interested contact Sgt Earit Powel at: Earit.Powell@fairfaxcounty.gov

 

 

 

Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay Lottery Hunts

The Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge deer hunt lotteries are now open. Visit https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com/#   to read current hunt program information, view updated maps, and apply for the hunt of your choice. Click the "Help" icon at the top of the website for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the website, creating and accessing your account, application procedures, and payments.  Please refer to the hunt brochures for any changes in this the hunt programs.  Applicants have the opportunity to apply in groups of two. Amanda A. Daisey is the project lead and can be contacted at: Tel: 703-490-4979 x 2015.

 

 

 

 Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member.

 

Status of Hunting Lease Renewal

The board recently met and agreed on the following actions before making the decision for the lease renewal.

a. We will reach out to the land owner and explain our situation and see if he is willing to reduce the cost of the lease.

b. We are reaching out to all members to remind them that it is essential for the lease renewal decision (and not too late) to send a $100 deposit. This will keep your options open to participate in the lease. This will not commit you to participating in the lease, but will give you the option once the final cost is known (see below). As of April, we have received deposit checks from 10 members.

If you are interested send $100 deposit checks to the club Treasurer, Bob Zebell at: 4305 Hollowview Ct, Fairfax VA 22032. Earnest deposit checks need to be made out to DIA Rod and Gun Club and must be clearly marked “2019/2020 DIA Lease Earnest Deposit”.

c. After the Spring Membership meeting, but not later than the end of May, the board will consider any reduction in total lease cost combined with the total number of interested members to determine what the cost per lease participant would be to break even. If each member who has sent in a deposit agrees and is willing to pay that cost, the board will renew the lease. If interested members are not willing to pay that cost, then the board will not renew the lease and all deposit checks will be refunded.

Information about the lease can be found on the club website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/.

And if you have any friends who are looking for a place to hunt, do not hesitate to let them know about our club and our lease. They will need to become members and pay the lease fee in order to participate.

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

 

2019/2020 Hunting Lease Earnest Deposits

 

IMPORTANT: Show us your interest now or we will not be able to renew the lease! The board needs to decide if there is enough interest to make it financially feasible to renew the hunting lease for the 2019/2020 hunting season. The lease must be a cost neutral event. What that means is that we need enough paying participants so the cost per member will remain reasonable. (We are looking for around 30 members in order to renew the lease.) Without enough paying members the club will not renew the lease. The decision must be made by the end of May. In order to get a count of genuinely interested participants, we are asking each member to send an upfront deposit of $100* if they intend to join the lease. Around the beginning of May, the board will decide if there is sufficient interest to continue the lease. If there is not enough interest, the club will refund all lease deposit payments. Information about the current lease can be found on the club

website at: http://www.diarodandgunclub.com/documents/. Earnest deposit checks need to be made out to DIA Rod and Gun Club and must be clearly marked “2019/2020 DIA Lease Earnest Deposit”. Send checks to our club Treasurer, Bob Zebell, 4305 Hollowview Ct, Fairfax VA 22032.

* $100 is just an initial earnest deposit, the actual cost of the lease, if it is renewed, could be higher or lower depending on the final number of participants.

 

 

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

 

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

 

 

 

When Geese Aren’t Flying – Order Pizza!

 

Longtime members Ed Fortunato and Charlie Tamez recently enjoyed a day of Goose Hunting in Maryland. On a cold day in early February they ventured to Queenstown MD. Unfortunately, the birds and weather didn’t cooperate, and they got skunked. On earlier trips they managed to kill several ducks and geese, but this trip reminded them why it’s called hunting and not killing! Shooting was so slow in fact, that Charlie decided to call out for pizza and had it delivered. Boy, I sure hope he tipped the delivery guy well!

 

An Old Buck Kills Nice a Buck (This story comes to us from member Andy Tirch. He is a spry 73 years old and is still out there enjoying the outdoors. Let’s hope we can all be so lucky!)

 

I arrived at my hunting spot on Quantico Marine Base just before day light. My friend Earl pulled up beside me in his vehicle. He was scouting for turkey and reported that he would be walking around and might push a buck to me.

 

I settled in my stand at first light near some pines on a ridge top. It was November 19th, and it was a very quiet morning with a cold frost on the ground. Perfect conditions to keep bucks, at the peak of rut, on their feet and moving around. I heard one shot close to me around 10am but otherwise it was a very quiet morning. Suddenly, around 12 noon a tall racked 8-point came trotting down the hill and right behind him was a larger 8-point chasing him. The thick cover and quick moving deer prevented me from getting a clear shot. I didn’t want to risk taking a shot under those conditions. About as quickly as they appeared, the larger deer disappeared over a hill and out of sight. I knew he was probably heading to a scrape on an old logging road that I had seen earlier. I was content that my decision not to shoot was the right one under those conditions.

 

By this time the temperature was warming up and felt good after a very cold start to the morning. I knew from past hunts that most large bucks move in the middle of the day. I have killed many of my biggest bucks around noon, so I was not discouraged. I knew bucks would be active all day.

 

I pulled out my doe estrus call and made a few calls. I no sooner had ended the last call when a buck come charging back up over the hill. He stopped momentarily, then continued moving directly toward me and into my shooting lanes. He stopped again behind some brush. By this time, I had my Savage 20 trained on him. He stepped forward from the brush and I squeezed the trigger. The Remington 2 ¾ ACCUTIP 260 grain sabot slug struck him in the shoulder at 70 yards. He ran head down for 70-75 yards and then stumbled over and did not move. It was a really nice feeling see him drop from the vantage of my portable tree stand. I was about 25 feet up the tree, and had a great view of the area. I gave him about 15 minutes to make sure he did not get up, and then I came down from the tree.

When I got to him I realized this was indeed the same buck that had been chasing the younger one. I took the time to reflect on what just happed and admire this beautiful animal. He was a nice heavy racked deer and seemed to be in good overall health. I always thank God for giving the opportunity to harvest such a nice buck. I took a few photos with my phone camera and sent them to my wife and good friend John.

 

I field dressed him and dragged him to over to my tree stand. Then I took my stand apart and carried it back to my truck. I was not far from my vehicle; maybe 15 minutes. I use a plastic snow sled to get deer out of the woods. They are inexpensive and work great to reduce the friction when there is no snow on the ground. I was getting it out of my truck when another hunter came driving down the road. He was a young Marine who worked on base and he offered to help me drag the deer out. At 73, I could use the help. He grabbed the sled rope and off he went. With his assistance it only took us about 25 minutes to get it back and in the truck. It was very much appreciated by me and thanked him very much. What great example of sportsmanship. He took the took time to help me before continuing his afternoon hunt.

 

When we had the deer back at my truck, there was another hunter who was sitting in his vehicle eating lunch. I raised my fingers indicating the deer was an 8-pointer. He yelled back that was “great” and gave me a thumbs up. He was eating in his truck when I killed my buck. I never leave my stand to go to lunch and always carry lunch with me. All too often other hunters going out for lunch, or coming in for the pm hunt will stir up the deer and chase them to me.

 

The deer was taken to the game check station on the base where it weighed in at 118 pounds (field dressed). When I got it home, I had my neighbor take a few photos of me with my buck, and then I got to skinning it in order to get it cooled down quickly. I have all the necessary stuff to cut, grind and vacuum-seal the meat. I took the next day off to butcher the deer and vacuum-seal all the meat.

 

I did see some other does during the remaining gun season but no other large bucks. I had made up my mind not too shoot small bucks and does this year. I was only after 8 pointers or better this season. I settled for the one nice 8 point in 2018; just enough for me and the family too enjoy. Hopefully, next season I will get a chance at the other eight point that my buck was chasing if he is still around.

 

I hope each of you had a great season here in Virginia and like me are waiting for another big buck to come running up to your stand.

 

 

 

 

2018 Hunting Activities

This is a NON-Club sponsored hunt from Ed Fortunato:
 
Last year I hunted geese twice in Queenstown (near Easton), MD. now have a reduced cost at $125 per person per day plus tip.
Cost includes breasting and bagging the birds. Two birds per hunter is limit for Canada geese (plus 2 for the guide which we keep), many more for snows which we saw in the hundreds but no shots offered..
 
The outfitter provides good dry pit sitting blinds, no waders required, decoys, guide/caller and retrieving dog also provided.
Non-resident license is required if you are not in MD, along with a Fed duck stamp and a MD duck stamp. There is a 3 day non-res license for $45 plus $9 for the MD waterfowl stamp and can be bought on line. A senior over 65 all season non-res license is only $65.
 
Location is 20 minutes or so from the RT 50 Bay bridge in MD. We drove from Fairfax in the early AM and hunted. You hunt in the  morning, come out for lunch and a break and then hunt in the afternoon, unless limited out in the AM which we did on the second day.
 
My son Ed and I and Lew Roach are hunting 4 Jan and we have one opening we are looking to fill.
 
Also there are openings 30 Jan, 31 Jan and 1 Feb.
 
 
Let me know ASAP for joining us 4 Jan or the other dates
 
 ed 703-622-9323,  email:  ed.fort.translog@comcast.net

 

 

 

DIA ROD & GUN CLUB HUNTING LEASE - Members interested in hunting on the lease property must first attend an on-site orientation and send their signed liability waiver and payment to Mark White. All the details are in the Lease SOP which was emailed to everyone. If you have any questions contact Mark White.  (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669.

 

Important documents such as Liability Waiver and Seasons are posted in the DOCUMENTS section of this website.

 

Club Hunting Lease Map

Add ‘Guest Vest’ to Your Checklist By Lee Hutcherson –

Since hunting season is near arrived, I want to remind my fellow hunters about keeping extra gear, including one special item that few of us keep as a spare. Exceptional whitetail hunters know success depends on preparedness before the season starts, beginning with archery and firearm practice.

 

But what about after the season is underway?

Checklist Reminder: Common extras include archery releases, batteries for rangefinders, a fully charged backup flashlight, and an additional length of rope. These spares could mean the difference between success and failure.

But the item I am thinking of could mean life or death.

As someone who works in an industry where fall protection is paramount, I shouldn’t have forgotten this spare gear, but I’ve since learned it’s a common oversight among other hunters.

Safety harnesses are thought of as a one-per-hunter item, but if you’ve hunted as long as I have, you can probably think of a time you wished you had an extra harness stored in your hunting vehicle, cabin or nearby hunting club trailer.

One cold morning I made it all the way to my stand then realized I’d left my safety vest at home. I’d gotten up early and gone to all that trouble to be in my stand before dawn.

The temptation was there to go ahead and climb, but I did the smart thing. I turned around and returned home, kicking myself all the way. No deer is worth risking your life, but what a waste of precious time!

After talking to other hunters, this happens more than you’d think, especially in colder weather when dressing with harnesses beneath heavy clothes is part of the routine.

Another great reason to keep a spare safety vest on hand is if a guest arrives unexpectedly. We can usually dig up all the gear for them to hunt EXCEPT the harness. Sound familiar?

For these reasons, my hunting friends and I began to keep a couple of spare guest vests at the hunting lodge and in our ATVs.

Most treestand companies supply a safety harness in their stand package which will make a decent spare. However, again, as someone who works in an industry where fall protection is a way of life, I invested in some quality Hunter Safety System vests and Lifeline Systems for my spares.

If you have a unique or special tip you’d like to share with Buckmasters fans, please email it to huntingtips@buckmasters.com and, if chosen, we will send you a cap signed by Jackie Bushman, along with a knife!

 

 

Read Recent Tip of the Week:

Wild Game Buttermilk Bath: Tenderize and flavorize wild game meat like a pro! This ingredient removes gaminess, and is the secret weapon of many professional chefs.

Wild Game Buttermilk Bath - By Rod Robert

Venison isn’t the only meat that sometimes has a gamey flavor, and that seems to be a recurring theme among people who eat wild game.  For example, where I’m from, we have sharp-tailed grouse. They are practically inedible unless you do something to help them out.  I have a simple trick that helps improve my wild game cooking, and it works for a variety of animals.

 

Whether you are cooking wild turkey, deer, gator tail, pheasants, rabbits, waterfowl, squirrels, wild hogs or doves, a good soak in buttermilk does wonders to tenderize, flavorize and remove gaminess.  I like to put my game steaks, birds or other meats in a sealed container or big ziplock bag, along with some buttermilk, and soak them in the refrigerator overnight. Regular milk or powdered milk will work, but buttermilk is best. Twelve hours seems to be the right amount of time for the buttermilk to work its magic, so try to remember to get the thawing and marinade process going the day before you plan to cook.

 

Simply rinse and drain the meat, dry and cook.

 

The meat will be tenderized, and you will notice the gamey taste is nearly gone or has been completely eliminated.

 

– Note by Tim H. Martin

 

Buttermilk is a secret weapon of many restaurant chefs. They pre-soak chicken, fish and other meats overnight before cooking to give it a hint of tanginess.  The good bacteria in buttermilk also speed up the breakdown process; hence it’s perfect as a meat tenderizer. Buttermilk is also my trick for removing the bassiness from largemouth bass fillets, and the gatoriness from gator tail.

 

Here are three of my favorite Country@Heart recipes using buttermilk:

Cajun Bass
Gator Tail Jambalaya
Chicken & Buttermilk Dunklins

 

DIA ROD & GUN CLUB SIGNS HUNTING LEASE
 
              Yes, you read the headline correctly.  Your club now has access to a hunting property that will enable us to pursue deer, turkey and waterfowl!
 
The property is a mix of pastures and hardwood that has never been hunted.  There are about 300 acres with nearly 100 acres of woods being in the center surrounded by the fields, which during the growing season are planted in corn or soy beans.
 
            There is also a large pond that is ideal for duck and goose hunting.  The large fields will also accommodate layout blinds.
 
            The leased land is located at about mile marker 115 on the east side of Interstate 95 and one edge of the open fields borders the highway.  This is about three miles south of the Thornburg exit.
 
            Details such as maps, directions, parking, restrictions (e.g. we can’t hunt doves), fees and other information will follow shortly.  This announcement is provided to share the good news and to encourage you to plan to hunt the property this year.
 
            Also, it has been several years since we have had a property and our membership numbers reflect that fact.  Now is the time to inform former members of our good fortune and to invite them – along with any of your hunting buddies – to join the club.
 
 
Deer Hunting Opportunity in NC for QDMA trophy bucks, Oct 14 - 17, Thornbury Plantation
 
I hunt annually with a group of 12 from here and PA in northern NC along the Roanoke Rapids river in old cotton and soybean fields, about 2.5 hours from DC, just over the NC line. Due to illness in PA, we have two slots open. Arrive Sun pm, hunt am and pm on Mon-Tues-Wed, outfitted lodge with home cooked meals, guided to blinds and deer retrieved and quartered for your cooler. Price $1500. Call Maston Gray 703-408-8020 for specifics.
 
 
 
 
 

Virginia Hunting Chair Update - Well after years of looking around, the DIA Rod and Gun Club finally has a hunting lease in Virginia. Members of the board have traveled out to the 292 acre farm southeast of Thornburg to sign the lease for the next year and to scout out the property. We have found plenty of deer sign, saw a mother turkey with about 10 pullets, and there is a 7 acre pond that we can use for duck hunting. The property has also been used for goose hunting with layout blinds in the past. The property has about 45 acres of woods and the rest is planted in corn.

 

The board members are working on an SOP for the lease with the idea that we want all members to participate, but that the lease should be close to paying for itself. The SOP will also have a strong focus on hunter safety. There will be a survey coming out in the next week or two to get an idea of how many of us would be interested in hunting this lease and what game. This is a good opportunity for our club and could become an asset we are able to use for years to come.

 

Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669.

 

THE BEAR THAT GOT AWAY - In May Club members Ed Fortunato Sr and Jr went on a spring black bear hunt in the mountains of Montana. Black bears there are 60-70% color phased meaning shades of brown. Hunt was at 6600’ – 7000’. Beautiful mountains with weather changing by the hour. Saw lots of game, elk, mule deer, whitetails, wolves, coyotes, foxes etc. Ed Sr spied a large cinnamon colored bear ranged at 505 yards. “I closed the distance to 125 yards but the bear kept walking away with woods close to its left. One step left and he would be gone. Not wanting to shoot at the rear of the bear, I laid prone hoping for the bear to turn right. At 125 yards it started a very slight right turn, I fired and the bear took off, showing no signs of a hit. No blood or hair was found. Either I pulled to the right too much, or the brush deflected the bullet. The guide estimated it to be a trophy bear meaning 6’ -6’1/2” foot in size. It was a great adventure and disappointment that keeps me awake at nights. “The bear awaits anyone going that way (Stockton Outfitters) in the future.”

 

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson - There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

2017-18 AP Hill Deer Harvest Report
2017-18 Fort AP Hill Deer Harvest Report
2017-18 FAPH Deer Harvest Report.pdf
Adobe Acrobat document [422.0 KB]

AP Hill Club Deer Hunt Results

DIA’s annual deer hunting trip to Fort A.P. Hill was conducted on 20 and 21 November. While several does were seen, no bucks were harvested. Nonetheless the participants enjoyed a few beautiful days in pursuit as well as excellent lodge accommodations and camaraderie. Please remember to thank Mark White our VA hunting chair and Dick Vande Hei for organizing this annual hunt. Recent harvest reports from A.P. Hill indicate that more and bigger bucks are consistently being taken. Any members who may be interested in attending this hunt next season will have to get qualified for hunting at A. P. Hill. To become qualified to hunt on A.P. Hill, hunters must register their firearms, watch a short training film, and undergo a background check in advance. If interested in the qualification details, contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669 phantom64@aol.com or Dick Vande Hei at 202 230-8656. Rvande2924@verizon.net.

 

Virginia Hunting Chair Update

The club made a bid on a hunting lease just south of Quantico, but the bid was not accepted. Our VA hunting coordinator Mark White will try again next year and will continue to investigate leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark. (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669. In addition, the club has the possibility to conduct upland bird hunts at Shady Grove Hunting Preserve, near Remington, Virginia based on gaining enough interested hunters. Interested members should contact Mark.

 

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, please contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

 

Club members volunteer at Occoquan Bay NWR Youth Deer Hunt

On 2 Dec 17 our club was privileged once again to support the VDGIF annual youth deer hunting workshop at Occoquan Bay NWR. Several members volunteered to help stir up the deer to enhance the chances for the youngsters to see and ideally harvest one. Thanks to Tom Johnson, Steve Johnson, Maston Gray, Suzanne Malone, Alex Kosyak, Doug McCafferty, Mark White and Bernie Gately for their time. We were augmented by two members from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. During our three-hour effort we kicked up several deer with at least one harvested. Positive results such as these will continue to pay dividends for years to come. Join us again next year to share in this rewarding experience.

2017 Hunting Activities

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

 

There are some excellent hunting opportunities to be had in Maryland. We are currently seeking activity chairpersons for the Maryland hunting activities. Our activity chairpersons play a crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves and guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through a chairperson. Remember that the club’s success depends on our members’ willingness to share their passions for the outdoors with others. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event, just contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter. 

 

Virginia Hunting Chair Update

 

Mark White, our new Virginia Hunting Chair, is off to a running start and doing great work in finding additional hunting opportunities for the club. He continues to investigate leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark.

 

AP Hill Deer Hunt

 

DIA’s annual deer hunting trip to Fort A.P. Hill is scheduled for 20 and 21 November

with cabin check in on the 19th of November at the field cabin. Five spots remain. The

cabin is used by VIPs so accommodations are first class. A stocked fishing lake is

available so you will want to bring your fishing equipment. Total cost is $46 per hunter.

Please contact Mark White (540) 286-0169, (540) 220-5669 or fhantom64@aol.com for

details and to reserve a spot. To be qualified to hunt on A.P. Hill, hunters must register

their firearms, watch a short training film, and undergo a background check- all of which

can be completed at range control. Additional training is required to access special

controlled areas. Controlled area access is not required as there are other good hunting

areas available. For A.P. hill general hunting and controlled area qualification

procedures, contact Dick Vande Hei at 202 230-8656. Rvande2924@verizon.net.

 

Mason Neck and OB Lottery Deer Hunts

 

The deadline for applications for this year’s lottery deer hunts at the local National

Wildlife Refuges is 23 September. New this year is the requirement to do all application

and briefing activities on line and the use of slugs to hunt. Get the details and apply at:

Mason Neck Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html

Occoquan Bay Website: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

 

Virginia Hunting Chair Update

 

Mark White, our new Virginia Hunting Chair, is off to a running start and doing great

work in finding additional hunting opportunities for the club. He is active with

investigating leads for a possible hunting lease for the club. We have placed a bid on a

300-acre lease near Thornburgh, Virginia. This property is 300 acres, with 2 ponds and

50 acres of woods surrounded by bean fields. We won’t know if we have won the bid for

at least a week or so. We may be able to announce something at the Fall Dinner.

 

In addition, another area of possible interest to the club and to individual members is a

new initiative by Outdoor Access. This program teams with Virginia land owners to

provide hunting access to private lands on a short term (i.e. day by day) basis. An

article about this program is provided here:

https://outdooraccess.com/assets/pdf/Outdoor-Life-Auguest-2017.pdf and more

information about “short term: access to properties can be obtained at:

https://outdooraccess.com/#/.

 

The club is approaching this organization to see if perhaps a larger land owner may want to give our members exclusive access. Any members that have any possible Virginia leases or Virginia hunting trip ideas should contact Mark.

 

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

 

There is some excellent hunting to be had in Maryland. We are currently seeking an

activity chairperson for Maryland hunting activities. Our activity chairpersons play a

crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are

interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or

would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In the past, hunting

trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves and guided waterfowl hunting

in the bay area. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially

sponsored through a chairperson. Remember that the Club’s success depends on our

member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others. If interested in

the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to help organize a single event just

contact a board member. The contact information for the board members and other

activity chairs is included at the end of this newsletter.

 

 

2017 A.P. Hill Spring Gobbler Harvest Report

 

For those of you who hunt turkey on A.P. Hill the following is a link to the 2017 Spring

Gobbler Harvest Report. The report can be found at:

https://faph.isportsman.net/files/Hunting%2FHarvest%20Updates%2F2017%20Spring%

20Gobbler%20Harvest%20Report.pdf

 

 

Antelope Hole in One?

Submitted by Dave Burpee

 

I went on an antelope hunt and a golf game broke out. Sounds too weird to be true and

of course it isn’t, but the truth is not far removed. First, the details.

 

Three friends (Bob Seltzer, John Peeler and Jack Denbow) and I have fallen into the

wonderful habit of hunting antelope in Wyoming every odd year. The others have been

on several trips, this was only my fourth. I had been fortunate to harvest antelopes on

my previous three trips and looked forward to another opportunity. My earlier

encounters were all good animals with one scoring close to Pope and Young, but so far

“the big one” had eluded me.

 

The night before the hunt we drew blinds (all of which were situated near water holes)

out of a hat and I drew one named West Solar. Arriving at the blind just past sunup, I

discovered the blind was aptly named for the nearby solar panel that powered a well

pump. About 30 minutes after settling in the blind, the parade of antelopes began. Over

the next 2 hours six NICE bucks came to water. And, naturally, each time fate

intervened. Fate included: three antelopes in the first group sent the smallest (still NICE)

to water first and he spotted me so they all ambled off, a fourth antelope watered headon,

another watered quartering towards, and the sixth (the smallest of all the animals)

presented a broadside shot, but I was not up to the task and missed.

 

I was using a Great Northern Ghost recurve with wooden arrows, but no excuses. I

must have found the panic button and mashed it because the arrow went right over the

vitals area and cleared the animal’s back. My only consolation is that it was a clean

miss…….

 

More than a dozen does watered in the next few hours and about 3PM I was still

bemoaning my fate and kicking my butt when I glanced out the shooting window and

saw a NICE buck about 100 yards away. By now I had determined the modes operandi

at the watering hole was for the animal to stand about 100 yards away on the high

ground and extensively survey the waterhole over an extended period of time. I had

made the mistake earlier of watching the animal move to water and then taking up a

shooting position and naturally was spotted as I moved.

 

This time I immediately moved to a back corner to where I could only see the water’s

edge. I knew that from this location the buck could not see me and I would be able to

see his legs when he started to drink, at which time I could take one step and come to

full draw. It took about 20 minutes – 20 VERY LONG minutes -- in that corner not

knowing if he had left but finally I spotted his legs moving to water. Unfortunately, at the

same time, a doe moved to water and was looking directly into the blind through the

other shooting hole. If I moved quickly, she was sure to spot me.

 

I debated whether to pass the shot but decided to take a slow step and draw. If the doe

did not alert, I was good to go. If she did alert, I would not shoot but wait for another

opportunity. Just as I completed my move and draw, I could sense her movement from

the water but the buck had not moved so I released what turned out to be an 11-yard

shot. The J&M Traditions arrow with a 145-grain eclipse broadhead flew true and

looked solid on the quartering-away buck. He ran off and I last saw him go over a small

rise about 200 yards away. I did not see him come up the far side and began to worry.

It was possible he had not been hit as hard as I thought and had turned left or right and

kept on going out of sight.

 

It is important to note at this point in the story that all our trips are to the same location –

the Werner Ranch about 45 minutes north of Douglas. JJ and Connie are terrific hosts,

Connie is a great cook and JJ spares no efforts to put you on antelope. He and his

brother-in-law Mark Woolard, who helps him each hunting season, are terrific guides.

I called JJ and Mark and over the next 90 minutes they scoured with binos the area

around the small rise as well as any other paths the buck may have taken. Finally, Mark

took his vehicle to very near the last spot I saw the buck and got out to walk the ground.

He had not gone far when he found my animal dead – and this is where the golf analogy comes into play. He had died on his feet at a full run and slid into a three-foot hole where he was invisible to any view except from directly above. Yes, I had done it. An antelope hole in one.

 

The buck scored 69 3/8 that evening so there is a good chance the final dried score will

exceed the Pope and Young minimum of 67. If not, no worries. I wanted an antelope

and the fact it was a NICE one was only icing on the cake.

 

I should add that the hunters also included Pierre Malko and his wife Dani (one of Bob’s

daughters). They brought their three youngest daughters along to enjoy the ranch

experience and see some historic sights going to and coming from the hunt. Pierre and

Dani had both harvested antelopes on previous hunts and this time they took turns each day with one going to the blind and the other staying in camp to entertain/watch/corral the enthusiastic youngsters.

 

The final hunt tally was hunters six, antelope zero. We packed all the antelope into two

large coolers and Dani/Pierre and the girls flew home while the four guys drove to

complete the 3,800-mile round trip.

 

A side benefit of this trip was that the ranch was located in the zone that included a full

eclipse of the sun. Fabulous to watch the process while sitting on the porch with a glass

of Crown Royal.

 

The next trip is August 2019 and I am already anticipating a great journey with friends.

 

Hunters for the Hungry Banquet

The Hunters for the Hungary 6th Annual Sportsman’s Banquet will be held on Saturday July 22, 2017 at 5:30 pm at Park West Lions Club, 8620 Sunnygate Drive, Manassas, VA 20109.  Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship while helping to make a difference in the lives

of many less fortunate in our community and our state. Event includes dinner, dessert, and beverages, a variety of raffles as well as live and silent auctions of donated merchandise.

DOORS OPEN AT 5:00 PM

COST: $40.00 Single $60.00 Per Couple

Children under 12 free!

Major Credit Cards Accepted!!! (Except AMEX )

Call Cole Cushman (540) 454 – 2688 or Jason McIntosh (571) 437 – 8304 for registration

and more information.

 

VA Hunter Education, IBEP, and Hunter Skills Courses

VA Hunter Education Course at Quantico

There is one remaining Hunter Education Courses at Quantico this year on Saturday 26 August. Please forward this to anyone who you think might be interested in attending. They can get information and register at https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/education/huntereducation-

course .  This free Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) course provides instruction in hunter safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship. It is required for hunters 12-15 years of age, and hunters at least 16 years of age who are hunting with their

first hunting license. Proof of completion of this course is also required for some quota hunts, such as at Caledon State Park. We often have hunters with many years of experience who take the course to ensure they are applying the best hunter safety procedures.

 

IBEP Course

There is also an International Bowhunter Education (IBEP) Course that will be held at the Stafford Isaak Walton League on 19 August. The course is currently full but they are accepting standby students in case vacancies occur before the course. The IBEP Course is required before getting a bowhunting license in about a dozen states and Canadian Provinces.  Locally, it is required to hunt on Fort Belvoir and the Fairfax County (Parks) Archery Program. Interested individuals can get on the Wait List at https://registered.

com/programs/virginia/66-virginia-bowhunter-education-course-ibep/agency:19

 

Hunter Skills Weekends

Finally, the Virginia Hunter Education Association is sponsoring two Hunter Skills Weekends. These courses offer a great opportunity for the whole family to learn new hunting skills or hone the ones they have. The first is from August 11th thru the 13th at

Airfield 4-H Center, 15189 Airfield Road, Wakefield, VA 23888. Information on Registration at: http://www.airfieldconference.com/page/specialty-events/ or by calling 757-899-4901. Registration deadline is 26 July.

The second Hunter Skills Weekend is at Holiday Lake State, located near Appomattox, Va. From Sep 29 thru October 1st Information and Registration at: http://holidaylake4h.com/upcoming.php . Or by calling 434-248-5444. Registration deadline is September 15, 2017

 

Seeking Maryland Hunting Chairperson

We are currently seeking an activity chairperson for Maryland hunting activities. Congratulations and welcome aboard to Mark White who has recently taken up the Virginia Hunting Chairperson position. Our activity chairpersons play a crucial role in the service of our club by organizing trips for club members. If you are interested in becoming a chairperson, or if you have an idea for a group hunting trip or would like to plan a single hunting trip let a board member know. In

the past, hunting trips have included upland bird hunting at local preserves, guided waterfowl hunting in the bay area, and group deer and turkey weekends at Fort A.P. Hill. The club subsidizes the cost of such trips but all trips must be officially sponsored through a chairperson.  Remember that the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others. If interested in the Maryland Chairperson position or if you want to

help organize a single event just contact a board member. 

 

 

New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management

Club members who want to participate in the 2017-2018 Fairfax County Archery Deer management program need to be aware of important program changes for 2017. Before you can apply, you must first qualify with 3 out of 3 arrows in a 7-inch pie plate at 20 yards and 2 out of 3 at 30 yards using your hunting equipment. Traditional archery equipment continues to be prohibited. Qualifications will be conducted March 31 through June 4. If you do not qualify on your first attempt, you must come back another day – no second chances the same day and only three total chances. The application period will begin after qualifications have closed. If qualified and selected, you must then complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) before the season begins or show proof you have completed it in the past. Members should schedule an IBEP course as soon as possible as they fill quickly.

 

 

2016-17 AP Hill Deer Report published

2016-17 AP Hill Deer Report
Click to view the AP Hill Deer Report showing harvest results for 2016-17
AP HILL 2016-17 Deer Report Combined.pd[...]
Adobe Acrobat document [1.7 MB]

Subsidies are back for Club Fishing/Hunting Opportunities

 

Our most important news is that 15% subsidies are back for 2017! As was done in previous years, each member participating in a club sponsored trip will receive a 15% subsidy per event from the Club with the annual total not to exceed their $40 annual membership dues. This subsidy is intended to encourage greater participation in our club sponsored events.

 

Members can look forward to another year of fishing and hunting trips organized by our activity chairpersons. The Board of Directors has approved the 2017 events requested by Committee Chairmen, which includes a minimum of three trips for each of the club’s standing activity areas. Spring fishing chairmen are organizing upcoming trips -- dates and trip details will be released as soon as they become available.

 

We currently have chairperson vacancies in the VA and MD hunting areas. Past hunting trips included upland bird and waterfowl hunting at local preserves and waterways. Any member who is willing to fulfill these positions or even organize an individual trip are encouraged to contact any of the board members. Remember that the Club’s success depends on our member’s willingness to share their passions of the outdoors with others.

 

 

 New Club Fishing and Game Awards Coming Soon

 

A new initiative for 2017 is the introduction of DIA Fishing and Hunting Awards. Club members who catch the largest fish of various species during club trips or harvest the best buck or spring gobbler on an individual hunt will be recognized. There will also be a category for the best newsletter article. Winners will be awarded a certificate of recognition at the subsequent spring membership meeting. The exact criteria for each award are currently being finalized and will be released soon, but in general terms members catching large fish need only to take a picture next to a ruler showing the size and get a fellow member to confirm the exact measurement. Hunters need to have a fellow member confirm the point count or beard and spur measurements of their 2017 harvest.

 

The bottom line:  Watch for announcement of fishing trips, sign up and keep your rulers and cameras ready!

 

 

 

New Qualification Standards for Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management

 

Club members who want to participate in the 2017-2018 Fairfax County Archery Deer Management Program need to be aware of important program changes for 2017. Before you can apply, you must first qualify with 3 out of 3 arrows in a 7-inch pie plate at 20 yards and 2 out of 3 at 30 yards using your hunting equipment. Traditional archery equipment continues to be prohibited. Qualifications will be conducted March 31 through June 4. If you do not qualify on your first attempt you must come back another day – no second chances the same day. The application period will begin after qualifications have closed. If qualified and selected, you must then complete the International Bowhunter Education Program (IBEP) before the season begins or show proof you have completed it in the past. Members should schedule an IBEP course as soon as possible as they fill quickly.

 

 

Belvoir Bowhunters Trip to Pennsylvania Outdoor Show

 

The Belvoir Bowhunters have invited our club members to join them in their club sponsored bus trip to the Pennsylvania Outdoor Show which is to be held in Harrisburg, PA on 6 February. They will be chartering a bus and departing from the Backlick North Park and Ride located at 6831 Backlick Rd., Springfield VA 22150 at 7:00 AM and returning at 7:30 PM. The cost is $55 and includes the bus, buffet breakfast enroute, and the show ticket. To reserve your ticket call or email Rich Vigue (703) 217-4988 or rich.vigue60@gmail.com. Payment with credit card or check is accepted.

 

 

Member’s Moose Hunt

 

Our own Club president, Dave Burpee, recently had success on a moose hunt in Canada this past fall. Not only did he harvest a bull moose, he did it using a traditional bow. Congratulations, Dave! Read his story below. ____

 

The sound was unmistakable -- a male moose had responded with a grunt to the female moose call screamed into the Canadian woods by my guide. This was scheduled to be my last moose hunt so any legal animal was in trouble. Game on!

 

This was my third trip to hunt about an hour and a half east of Edmonton, Alberta with the Alberta Wildlife Guide Service. I enjoyed the hunts even though the 7 days spent in the truck for the round trip of 5,236 miles was a drag. This hunt, however, had the added satisfaction of moose in the freezer.

 

I first heard the moose about 100 yards out in some dense woods. My guide was about 30 yards from me to my right and did not hear the first grunt so I was waving like crazy behind a tree to get his attention but he did not look my way. The second grunt was just inside the dense wood line and that definitely got the guide's attention! He scrambled to a spot about 30 yards behind me and prepared to call the moose to him and in the process draw him past my ambush. He did not get a chance to call because this moose definitely had sex on his mind as he beat a straight line through a relatively open patch of alders to a spot 19 yards from me. A quick prayer and the wooden arrow tipped with a 145-grain Eclipse broadhead was gone from my Great Northern bow, a 61" recurve with 58 pounds at 28" draw.

 

The animal was quartering away and I could see him jump and then run with the fletchings in the boiler room and about 8 inches of arrow showing. Later we would learn the arrow penetrated both lungs and lodged in the off-side shoulder.

 

We waited about 30 minutes and then tracked him about 250 yards to his final resting place. The guide estimated the bull was 2.5 to 3.5 years old and the butcher ultimately estimated the live weight at about 1,100 pounds.

 

We all have moments to remember and this was certainly one of mine.

 

 

 

 

2016 Hunting Activities

Possible Hunting Lease in Orange Co, Virginia

Our Club is currently negotiating a lease for a property south of Culpeper, VA.  Stand by for further details.

 

Volunteers needed for Occoquan Bay NWR Hunts

Once again the OBNWR staff has asked for our assistance with the fall hunting program there. We need a few volunteer lines to come out on Nov 15th to help check and put up the safety lines on the tree stands. Then we need help moving the deer for the youth hunt on Dec 3rd and the lottery hunts on Dec 8th and 15th. If you can help please email Bernie Gately at the above address as soon as you can clear your calendars.

 

 

Opening for South Dakota Pheasant Hunt, 20-27 Oct

There is an opening for 1-2 hunters to join us on our annual pheasant hunt in Menno, SD (near Yankton in southeastern SD) from 20-27 October.  Cost is $75/day for room/board plus your share of the $175 field fee from the landowner (divided equally among hunters).  Licenses are approximately $120 for non-residents.  Nearest airport is Sioux City, IA.  

 

Please contact Fred Kappus at Fred.C.Kappus@hotmail.com or Dick Vande Hei at rvande2924@verizon.net.

 

This event is not a formal Club event but is attended by many club members.

 

Fort A.P. Hill Hunting Survey

 

Board member Dick Vande Hei provided info from a hunter survey at Ft. AP Hill. There were a number of interesting topics mentioned, including: preventing hunters from checking into site, but not hunting, thus tying up those sites; access and opening more roads to recreational use; antler restrictions and either sex hunting; and coyote control. Also, about 74 percent of respondents opined that the deer herd was “too low” or slightly low.” If you want specifics from the survey, please contact Dick at rvande2924@verizon.net.

 

 

2015 Fairfax Co Archery Deer Management results


Jay Avery reports that his group harvested 35 deer this year at their assigned properties near
Clifton, VA. This is three less than last year’s harvest, but inclement weather kept hunters out of
the parks at times. Overall, the program resulted in the harvest of 1052 deer from county
properties.


The application period for this year’s hunt lottery will be in June and July 2016. If you are
interested in this program, information is available on the Fairfax Co website, as it becomes
available.

 

 

 

 

In advance of spring turkey season, the first Quantico Hunter Education Course this year will be held on Saturday, 26 March at the Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy.  

 

This course is required for new hunters 12-15 years of age, or for hunters at least 16 years of age and hunting with first hunting license.  Experienced hunters often take the course for review.

 

The major topics include:  Hunting Incidents, Hunting Safety, Wildlife Conservation, Hunter Ethics, and Virginia Hunting Regulations and Game Laws give by a Conservation Police Officer.

 

If you know anyone who may be interested in attending this course, please suggest that they register through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 

https://register-ed.com/events/view/78166

 

The next Hunter Education Course at Quantico will be in July.

 

Thank you for your support,

 

Jim Clarke

 

 

 

2015 Hunting Activities

Virginia Eastern Shore Waterfowl Hunt:

 

If you are ready for some waterfowl action, contact Rick Mrstik (stikmann@aol.comright away to get in on a 2-day hunt with Capt. Pete Wallace of Chincoteague Hunting and Fishing Center (http://www.chincoteaguehunt-fish.com/). The guided hunt is

scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, 9-10 January. Chincoteague is about a four-hour drive from the Washington area, so the plan is to drive out on Friday afternoon and spend two nights at the Hampton Inn or Comfort Suites (about $90 per night) and return

late on Sunday. The Chincoteague area is the winter home to all manner of migrating waterfowl, so a great variety of birds should be present, with combined bag limits totaling around 30 birds per day. Brant, a seagoing goose, is a featured bird and will be in season at that time. Two-day hunt cost will be $390 per hunter, and space is limited to four hunters, so contact Rick ASAP.

 

Fairfax Co. Archery Deer Management Hunt Report

 

Jay Avery heads up a group of bowhunters conducting management hunts on two county parks near Clifton, VA. As of this writing, the group has taken 16 deer, and hunting will continue until the program ends on February 20, 2016.

Potomac River NWR Complex Deer Hunts. Most members should have long since
received the hunt application message from the PRNWRC staff to hunt at Mason Neck NWR
and Occoquan Bay NWR this year. If you did not receive it, go to:
For Mason Neck Hunts: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html
For Occoquan Bay Hunts: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html
Application deadline is Saturday, Sep. 19th.
DIA Rod & Gun Club Newsletter, September 2015

Fairfax County Deer Management Hunts. Fairfax County has announced the details
on this year’s shotgun deer hunts. They will occur on 19 & 24 November, 14 January and 25
March at Sully Woodlands, a FCPA property of 1,821 acres. All information on applying,
qualifying and participating in the hunts has been emailed to all who were in the county data
base from previous shotgun hunts. This year’s application process will include a criminal
background check. If you are volunteering to join our team of volunteers (we hunt till 9:00 and
drive deer after that till noon or thereabouts), let Bernie Gately know of your intent. You may
also volunteer without hunting. You must have qualified on the Fairfax County Police Range to
hunt. Remember to schedule your weapons qualification for either the 4th or 11th of October.
Qualifications are good for three years and are accepted at all other northern Virginia
management hunts. All applications must be in by 01 October.


Novice Deer Hunter Workshop. Loudoun County and VDGIF are once again
sponsoring a deer hunter workshop for novice hunters at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. Class size is limited to ten novice hunters, or would be hunters, who have completed the Hunter Safety Course and are seeking additional confidence building skills as deer hunters. Each hunter is paired with an experienced volunteer mentor for the duration of a two day workshop in both the classroom and the field in October, followed by up to three days of deer hunting at Banshee
Reeks in December. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this workshop, please steer
them to http://blog.wildlife.virginia.gov/outdoor-report/2015/08/registration-open-for-banshee-reeksnovice-deer-hunter-workshop-and-hunt/.


Volunteers Needed. We need several members to help move the deer at Occoquan Bay
NWR on 5, 10 & 17 Dec and 11 Jan. The youth hunt on the 5th is for about two hours on
Saturday afternoon. For the remaining lottery hunts, we are there from 9:00 to 3:30 (or whatever
time you can contribute). There may also be a 4th hunt on Mar 21st. If you can help out and
maybe get to hunt as well, please let Bernie Gately know at 703-425-1494, or via email at
bernard.gately@verizon.net. You can also sign up at the fall membership meeting on 20 Sep

Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay Deer Hunts.  Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff are currently accepting applications for the 2015-2016 season Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay Deer Hunts. Please visit the deer hunt web pages for application forms, hunt program related dates, and updated information. All applications must be postmarked by Sep. 19. Links to the Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay websites are below.

 

Mason Neck Hunt: http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html

 

Occoquan Bay Hunt:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

Hunting News

Fellow members of the DIA Rod & Gun Club,

 

Below is a news release from the VDGIF.  The release centers on a topic of interest to all our members.  You are encouraged to read the document when posted and provide your input to the VDGIF.

 

Regards,

 

Dave Burpee

President, DIA Rod & Gun Club

 

 

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries News Release For Immediate Release June 3, 2015

Contact: Nelson Lafon, Deer Project Coordinator (540) 569-0023

 

Public Invited to Comment on Draft Deer Management Plan

 

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) invites public input on the Draft Virginia Deer Management Plan, which will be available for review June 10 – July 10, 2015, on the agency’s website.

 

The first Virginia Deer Management Plan, completed in 1999, has been revised twice through the involvement of public stakeholders and managers of deer.  Because DGIF's mission is "to serve the needs of the Commonwealth," it is important that the process used to develop and revise the Deer Plan incorporates both public values (e.g., economic, sociological, and political) and biological considerations.

 

The revised Virginia Deer Management Plan will guide deer management across the Commonwealth through 2024. This plan describes the history of white-tailed deer management, current status (supply and demand) of the deer resource and management programs, and the future of the deer management program in Virginia.  The plan identifies a framework of what needs to be done, how it should be done, and when it should be done.

 

Guided by the DGIF mission, the Virginia Deer Management Plan includes four goals which specify the general directions for: (1) deer populations, (2) deer-related recreation, (3) deer-related damage, and

(4) deer habitat.  Specific objectives help guide the attainment of each goal. Potential strategies then clarify how each objective could be achieved, but without delving into the operational details.  By clarifying goals and directions of deer management, this plan will assist the DGIF Board of Directors, DGIF administrators and staff, and the public in addressing deer issues.

 

The draft plan will be available beginning June 10 for public review and comments on the DGIF webpage at www.dgif.virginia.gov.

VDGIF Proposed Changes to Hunting License. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Board of Directors are proposing significant new regulations. The VDGIF staff and biologists did not recommend these changes but they are being proposed anyway by the Board. There is no reference to how these changes are related to the VDGIF Black Bear Management Plan.

 

These regulations are:

4VAC15-40-22 establishes a separate bear tag for $25, without reducing the cost of the deer and turkey tags.

4VAC15-50-12 moves the youth and apprentice hunter bear hunt day from September to the middle of the special deer archery season (mid-October) and allows the use of dogs.

4VAC15-50-70 allows use of firearms on the youth bear hunt day.

4VAC15-50-110 allows for bear hounds to be used during the youth and apprentice bear hunting.

 

Taken in combination these changes move dogs to the middle of the archery season, allow firearms in the middle of the archery season, require a new tag to hunt bear and remove bear from the regular hunting license without reducing the cost of that license.

Regardless of whether you are for or against these changes, please let the VDGIF know what you think. The regulations are planned to take effect in July. Comment period ends May 22. You will need to click on each of the proposed changes and voice your opinion. It does not need to be long and impassioned; numbers count. You can simply say you support/oppose or you can add your own comments.

https://www3.dgif.virginia.gov/web/comment-2015/display.asp

Please feel free to distribute this information to anyone who would be interested in providing comments to the VDGIF.

 

 

Fort A.P. Hill Controlled Area Certification Testing. The Club has set up a special controlled area access testing group test at Fort A.P. Hill on 26 May at 9AM. The director of AP Hill Fish and Wildlife has been a proven friend of the Club in the past and has presented us with a special opportunity to do this group test. The certification should take about 90 minutes and we can be back to work by noon. Passing this exam gives you access to the controlled areas of the reservation during hunting seasons. Interested members should contact Dick Vande Hei at rvande2924@verizon.net or (202) 966-7307 (h) or (202) 230-8658 (c).

 

 

Waterfowl Hunt Scheduled. E-mail Rick Mrstik (stikmann@aol.com) to get in on some late-season duck hunting with Widewater Waterfowl on the Potomac River near Quantico, VA on Saturday, 24 January. Cost for this guided hunt is $180 per hunter. We'll meet up with the guides around 0500 and go by boat to comfortable, fixed blinds where we'll hunt until midday.  You will need a VA hunting license and VA waterfowl stamp as well as a Federal waterfowl stamp (all can be purchased online). Non-toxic shot (steel, tungsten, bismuth etc.) is required for all waterfowl hunting, and #1 or #2 shot is recommended. Chest waders are not necessary, but if you own a set they're not a bad idea. Full camouflage is a must, duck blind or marsh type pattern is recommended if you have it. Contact Rick if you have further questions.

 

Field Goose Hunt Scheduled. E-mail Rick Mrstik (stikmann@aol.com) to get in on a field goose hunt arranged through Widewater Waterfowl. The hunt will take place near Middleburg, VA on Saturday, 7 February. Exact meeting location will be provided prior to the hunt. Cost for this guided hunt is $180 per hunter. We'll meet up with the guide around 0500 and set up to hunt until midday. You will need a VA hunting license and VA waterfowl stamp as well as a Federal waterfowl stamp (all can be purchased online). Non-toxic shot is required for all waterfowl hunting, and BBs or #1 shot is recommended. Full camouflage is a must, duck blind or marsh type pattern is recommended if you have it. Contact Rick if you have further questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014 Hunting Activities

Virginia Upland Hunt Planned.

Join VA Hunt Coordinator Rick Mrstik on Saturday, 13 December for a guided upland hunt at Shady Grove preserve (http://www.shady-grove.com/Preserve.htm) in Remington, VA. You'll have your choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12 quail. Cost for Club members will be $162 per hunter (and you may still have some of your annual club subsidy available). Recommend a $20 tip for per hunter for the guide. You can clean your own birds or have Shady Grove handle the chore for a modest charge. Check in is at 7:30, hunt will start by 8:00 and conclude before noon. Contact Rick by e-mail at stikmann@aol.com or call (703) 380-7992 to sign up.

 

Virginia Upland Hunt Planned. Join VA Hunt Coordinator Rick Mrstik on Saturday, 18 October for a guided upland hunt at Shady Grove preserve (http://www.shadygrove.

com/Preserve.htm) in Remington, VA. You'll have your choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12

quail. Cost for Club members will be $162 per hunter. Recommend a $20 tip for per hunter for the guide.

You can clean your own birds or have Shady Grove handle the chore for a modest charge. Check in is at

7:30, hunt will start by 8:00 and conclude before noon. Contact Rick by e-mail at stikmann@aol.com or

call (703) 380-7992 to sign up.

 

Fairfax County Deer Management Hunts.

Fairfax County has announced the details on this year’s shotgun hunts. They will occur on 19 November and 8 January at Sully Woodlands, a FCPA property of 1,821 acres. All information on applying, qualifying and participating in the hunts has been emailed to all who were in the

county data base from previous shotgun hunts. If you did not receive the information packet and want to apply, the information you need is in the separate zip file. If you are volunteering to join our team of volunteers (we hunt till 9:00 and drive deer after that till noon or thereabouts), let

Bernie Gately know of your intent, withhold your check from your application, and in the on-line application form enter “DIA Vol” in the Associates box at the end of the form. You may also volunteer without hunting. Remember to schedule your weapons qualification for either the 5th or 12th of October. Qualifications are good for three years. You must have qualified on the Fairfax County Police Range to hunt. All applications must be in by 17 October.

 

 

Fort AP Hill Annual Deer Hunt.

We have two lakeside first class cabins reserved for three nights starting on Friday 14 Nov for opening of shotgun deer season on 15 Nov. Sunday, 16 Nov will be a scouting day and fishing.  Monday will be a hunt day. We have three nights of first class billeting that should cost no more than $65 total per member for the entire three nights. $50 by 1 Nov holds your reservation.  Check made out to Dick Vande Hei and sent to 4535 Nebraska Ave N.W,. Washington, DC 20016. Many of you have already been certified to hunt in the controlled areas. Others interested in this certification contact Dick Vande Hei at (202) 230-8658(202) 230-8658 c or (207) 655-4338 up to 3 Oct then (202) 966-7307(202) 966-7307 after 7 Oct.

 

Potomac River NWR Complex Deer Hunts.

Most members should have long since received the hunt application message from the PRNWRC staff to hunt at Mason Neck NWR and Occoquan Bay NWR this year. If you did not receive it, go to:

Mason Neck NWR Deer Hunts:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html

Occoquan Bay NWR Deer Hunts:

http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

Application deadline is Sep. 20.

Deer Hunting at PRNWR Comlex:
The Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay Hunt Application period is now open. Visit the following websites to access the 2014 applications, view the 2014 hunt rules and regulations and learn the key dates in the application process.
Mason Neck NWR Deer Hunts:Â http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Mason_Neck/Visit/deerhunt.html
Occoquan Bay NWR Deer Hunts:Â http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Occoquan_Bay/Visit/DeerHunt.html

Fort AP Hill Hunter Certification. Congratulations to the following club members who passed the Controlled Area Certification exam at Fort A.P. Hill this month: BUD BRADDOCK, LOREN HAAG, VINCE LIVELY, ZACH LIVELY, RICK MRSTIK, RYAN SULLIVAN, and

DICK VANDE HEI. Several of these hunters maxed the exam. Now certified, they can hunt in the controlled areas, which are closed to non-certified hunters. Why is this critical? The deer herd in these closed areas is dramatically larger than in the normal training areas. Additional club members who wish to be certified this year, contact Dick Vande Hei at (202)230-8658(202)230-8658 or rvande2924@verizon.net.

 

Fort AP Hill Annual Deer Hunt. Two cabins have been reserved for the opening of the shotgun season Nov 15. Hunt days will be Saturday, 15 Nov and Monday, 17 Nov. Cabins have been secured for the nights of 14,15 and 16 Nov. Interested hunters contact Dick Vande Hei.  Cost is minimal. There are new and enhanced hunt area procedures that are currently being worked out by the Fort AP Hill staff, all of which will enable hunters to reserve hunt areas in advance by computer or cell phone. We will provide details when available.

 

Hunters for the Hungry Sportsman’s Banquet. The Hunters for the Hungry program will be holding its third annual Whitestone Farm / Hunters for the Hungry Sportsman's Banquet on Saturday July 26, 2014. This special event will be held at Whitestone Farm located at 22699

Whitestone Lane, Aldie, VA. Come enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship while helping to make a difference in the lives of many less fortunate in our community and statewide. The event includes dinner, dessert, beverages and a variety of raffles and live and silent auctions of

donated merchandise. For more information and tickets to the event contact Cole Cushman, (540) 454-2688(540) 454-2688 or Jason McIntosh, (571) 437-8304(571) 437-8304.

 

Fairfax County Deer Management's Archery Program.  Fellow Club Members, Jay Avery, our archery team leader, has sent the first message of the year to Club members who participated with us in the Fairfax County Park hunts last year. The edited message is provided below in case you want to join the team. This is a super opportunity for some quality bowhunting right here in our back yard. If you have questions, contact Jay (jnlavery@verizon.net) or Dave Eoff (deoff1@verizon.net). Time is short so if you are interested you should take action now.

 

Thanks, and hope to see you in the woods.

Dave Burpee

_____

From: "jnlavery@verizon.net" jnlavery@verizon.net

Sent: Monday, June 9, 2014 8:00 PM

Subject: Fwd: Fairfax County Deer Management's Archery Program - 6/9/14 Update

 

A lot has changed since last year with the Deer Management hunts. Below is a message from Tim Hartle that contains valuable information on this year’s program.  The first link is to an application for each individual archer. We all need to complete this form if you intend to hunt. Unlike the past years you may choose to apply to a park closer to you. Dave Eoff and I have been assigned Clifton Cluster this year. You may choose that park cluster if you want.  The second link is information Sgt. Powell has posted to the FCDMAP website.  Third is Sgt. Powell's email address if you have questions not answered.  Finally, Tim has set up a site for all to communicate about hunts, harvests, or just chat with other hunters.  We have until July 6th to apply. Also think about qualifications. If you did not qualify last year you will need to requalify this year.

 

If you have any further questions I can help with please feel free to contact me.

571-722-8059 703-732-3257

 

Thanks and good hunting,

Jay

 

Tim Hartle Message:

 

It’s been just over a week since Sgt. Powell circulated the individual archer form link http://goo.gl/U3X2aI for application in this year’s Fairfax County Deer Management’s Archery Program (FCDMAP). Since then, 328 archers have applied to the program.  As you may know, there were some issues with the email reaching everyone.

Despite the group leaders’ forwarding the email to last year’s participants, I’m still hearing from archers who never got it. Sgt. Powell’s email can be viewed on the FCDMAP website here: https://sites.google.com/site/fairfaxcountyarchery/home/q-a

The site has other useful information as well.

 

In an attempt to ensure that direct email to all archers is available, I’ve set up a MailChimp account with what I believe to be a complete list of email addresses for everyone associated with the program to date. The list currently contains 919 addresses. If this MailChimp email finds its way into your spam filter, please whitelist

my address so that you receive future important notifications. Sgt. Powell’s email address is Earit.Powell@fairfaxcounty.gov. White-listing it would also be a good

idea.

 

If you haven’t applied yet, please do so as soon as possible. If you know of other bona fide archers who may be interested in the program, please forward this email to them.

 

Additionally, so that participants in the program can communicate with each other, I’ve set up a private on-line forum. If you would like to register for the new forum, go here: http://fcdmap.freeiz.com, select the ‘’Register’’ option at top left of the screen, read and agree to the ‘’canned’’ user agreement, and then fill out the resultant

screen with your chosen user name and password. When you do, I’ll get an email and, as soon as I can, approve your registration based on the existence of your email address in the MailChimp address list used to send this email. (This validation process keeps the forum private.) If you upload an avatar (not required), you must

limit its size to 65x65 pixels.

 

As the forum site’s name implies, the host provider is free. That means limited resources. This past weekend the site was down for an unknown reason. If the forum becomes popular (currently only 80 registrants) and outages become too frequent, I may need to upgrade to a purchased account (about $5 per month). If you

register, or have already registered, please post a note on the forum indicating whether or not you believe the forum is worth maintaining. If the majority of the group feels the site is worthwhile, I’ll probably spring for the upgrade.

 

If at all possible, please do not reply to this email with questions. As in the past, questions should be routed through your group leader. If you don’t have a group leader try asking your question on the forum. If one of the moderators doesn’t respond, I will.

 

I hope everyone is looking forward to a fruitful deer management season.

 

Thanks,

Tim Hartle

 

Ft. AP Hill Controlled Area Permits. If you want to get a permit to hunt in the Ft AP Hill Controlled Area this fall, you must take the Ft AP Hill training lecture and pass the exam. Previous permit holders must also retake the exam annually. To accommodate as many interested members as possible, Dick Vande Hei will be setting up the lecture and exam in May or early June. Contact Dick at (H) 202-966-7307, (C) 202-230-8658, or rvande2924@verizon.net to join the class.

Virginia Upland Hunt Planned. If you thought hunting was over until the spring turkey season, think again. Join VA Hunt Coordinator Rick Mrstik on Saturday, 15 March for a guided upland hunt at Shady Grove preserve ( http://www.shady-grove.com/Preserve.htm) in Remington, VA. You'll have your choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12 quail. Cost for Club members will be $162 per hunter. You can also qualify for your once-per-year $40 club subsidy if you haven't used it yet. Contact Rick by e-mail at stikmann@aol.com or call (703) 380-7992 to sign up.

Virginia Upland Hunt Planned. Due to a shortage of participants, the hunt planned for February 1st has been shifted to Saturday morning February 8th. This will be a guided upland hunt at Shady Grove preserve <http://www.shady-grove.com/Preserve.htm > in Remington, VA. You'll have your choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12 quail. Cost for Club members will be $180 per hunter (the new subsidy rule mentioned in the President's column will be applied, and we're also finalizing a discount for club events at Shady Grove, so final cost will be less). Contact VA Hunt Coordinator Rick Mrstik by e-mail at stikmann@aol.com or call (703) 380-7992 to sign up.

Archery Team Update

The Archery Team has been hard at work in Burke Lake
Park as part of the Archery in the Parks Program.  So far they have
harvested 8 deer, which matches the total for all year when hunted last year
by a different club.  This is an extremely difficult piece of property to
hunt since the deer congregate around the golf course and other areas off
limits to our hunters.  With that in mind, the team is doing an excellent
job and should top last year's results when hunting ends on Feb 15.

Subsidized Events for 2014.

 

At its January meeting the Club Board of Directors approved the following events for a continuing subsidy during 2014. Interest in fishing and bird hunting events continues to grow; don't let the grass grow under your feet if your wish to participate in any of these activities. They fill up fast now. Sign up as soon as they are advertised and send the required check to confirm.


  • 4 preserve bird hunts in Virginia
  • 2 waterfowl hunts in Virginia
  • 5 Bay charter fishing trips from Virginia's Northern Neck
  • 1 Virginia Beach charter fishing trip
  • 2 Outer Banks charter fishing trips from NC
  • 4 Saltwater fishing trips from Maryland
  • 2 Striped Bass charters at Lake Anna
  • 1 Deer hunt at Ft AP Hill


Club Subsidies

 

The Club has a long history of subsidizing hunting/fishing events and 2014 will be no exception. The difference is in how the subsidy will be computed. In the past, we have subsidized at 20% of the event cost with no upper limit in total subsidy per person per year. This has led to the unsustainable situation of paying people more in subsidies than the amount of their annual dues. This year the Board has approved a system whereby the first time a member participates in a Club-sponsored hunting or fishing event for which they pay a fee, they will receive a $40 subsidy if an adult member and a $20 subsidy if a youth member. This is a one-time subsidy for the year and participation in future events will be at full price. In case an event fee is less than $40 for an adult or $20 for a youth, the Club Treasurer will apply the under $40/$20 cost to the event and use whatever is left of the subsidy for the individual's next event. This process, in conjunction with the $5 dues increase to $40 for the year, will hopefully stem our annual $1,500 operating loss and allow us to maintain a bank balance of about $10,000, which is our kitty when we find a deer lease. Subsidies continue to be a good deal and unique among sporting clubs – please plan to join us in the woods and on the waters. 

2013 Hunting Activities

Upland Bird Preserve Hunt

 

Join the upland bird hunt at Shady Grove (www.shady-grove.com/Preserve.htm) on Sunday, 20 October.  You will have your choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12 quail.  Cost of the hunt is $144 after club subsidy ($180 - $36 subsidy).  Tip for the guide (recommend $20 or better per hunter) and bird cleaning are extra ($3/pheasant, $2/chukkar, or $1/quail or you can clean your own birds).  Show time is 0730 at Shady Grove 11986 Lucky Hill Road  Remington, VA.  Please contact Virginia hunt coordinator Rick Mrstik at stikmann@aol.com or on his cell phone 703-380-7992 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-380-7992 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 703-380-7992 FREE  end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Club President Dave Burpee shares his antelope hunt. 

 

Hunting is always a privilege but in mid-August I had the special privilege of joining six friends for an antelope hunt near Douglas, Wyoming.  And what a hunt it was! Four of us travelled from Springfield via F350 and after three days on the road joined the other three who had flown in from Alaska and Virginia.  A quick afternoon tour of the ranch and we were ready to hunt the next day.

 

All hunting was out of blinds – either pop-up or 7’x7’ wooden blinds with no tops – near water holes. The pop-ups were REALLY hot but in the wooden blinds you had to constantly move to stay in the shade . . . so none of the hunting spots were easy. Temperatures in the 90s made for long days but also brought animals to the water.

Most of us used traditional gear – recurves or longbow with wood arrows – but there were a couple of bows with training wheels. Animals came and went to each blind but some were too far away, others approached/ departed at a bad angle and a couple drew a lucky card when they were subjected to a clean miss. Over the course of five days, however, there were five antelope at the butcher’s shop (four with a recurve and one with a compound).

The food was TERRIFIC, the a ranch house accommodations were excellent and the guides/cook were among the best. All in all it was a great trip – if you discount the engine trouble on the way home that caused a 24-hour delay in Nebraska. Next up is a mid-September fishing trip to Lake Erie for smallmouth bass and perch.  I will share the details and hope to see short articles and photos from you about your adventures.

 

Virginia Preserve Hunt. There are still one or two opening for a Club member to join the upland bird hunt at Shady Grove (
http://www.shady-grove.com/index.htm
) on Saturday morning September 28th.
If enough members respond, we’ll schedule an additional hunt there in October.  Shady Grove, in Remington, VA, offers a fully guided hunt with a choice of 5 pheasant, 6 chukkar, or 12 quail for each hunter.  Cost will be $144 per hunter after club subsidy (tip for guide and cost of bird cleaning is extra).  To sign up for either hunt or for more information please contact Virginia hunt coordinator Rick Mrstik 

Potomac River NWR Deer Hunts. There’s still time to apply for the
Mason Neck and Occoquan Bay NWR deer management hunts planned for this fall. The absolute deadline for applications is 20 Sep. Virtually all who apply for the Mason Neck hunt are selected as either primary or alternate hunters; and all alternates who complete the orientation and qualification package are normally picked up as primary selectees as well. Details and application forms are at:

Mason Neck NWR: www.fws.gov/refuge/mason_neck/
Occoquan Bay NWR: www.fws.gov/refuge/occoquan_bay/

Annual Ft AP Hill Deer Hunt. Dick Vande Hei has set up our annual
deer hunt in the controlled area and other training areas of Ft AP Hill for the opening day of shotgun season. He has reserved billets for 16 hunters for the nights of 15, 16, and 17 of November. Hunt days will be Saturday, the 16th, and Monday, the 18th of Nov. Total cost for the three nights should be between $40.00 and $60.00 per hunter. Contact Dick Vande Hei. This is the hunt for those of you who qualified for the controlled area back in the spring. Members who would like to complete this same qualification should also contact Dick right away.