Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: September 29, 2004
Contact:
DCR offers hunting opportunities statewide
Lands managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation offer the outdoorsman a variety of hunting opportunities, including several lottery and reservation-only hunts as well as open hunting throughout the season. These opportunities assist the department in managing the wildlife population on these lands.
Applications are being accepted for lottery hunts at Kiptopeke State Park and Savage Neck Natural Area Preserve, in Northampton County, and for Grayson Highlands State Park in Grayson County. Kiptopeke will hold muzzleloading hunts Oct. 30 and Nov. 6 and shotgun hunts on Dec. 3-4. The Savage Neck hunt, in which only youths can hunt, will be Nov. 20. The application deadline for the Kiptopeke muzzleloader hunt is Oct. 1 and Nov. 5 for the shotgun hunt, and applications for the Savage Neck youth hunt are due Oct. 16.
The Savage Neck hunt on Nov. 20 is open only to young people ages 12-17. Youths 16-17 may hunt alone, and those 12-15 must have a non-hunting adult accompany them.
A second lottery hunt will be held at Savage Neck Dec. 6-11 and Dec. 13-18. The application deadline is Oct. 8. Successful applicants will have the option to purchase up to five permits for their hunt day, allowing each hunter to form a party consisting of themselves and up to four other hunters.
Grayson Highlands State Park will hold muzzleloading hunts on Nov. 9 and Nov. 11, and rifle hunts on Nov. 16 and Nov. 18. The registration deadline for both is Sept. 24.
Each lottery requires a separate application. Call 1-800-933-PARK for an application or download one from www.dcr.virginia.gov. Applications and a $5 application fee must be received by the designated deadlines.
A waterfowl hunt will be held at Dameron Marsh Natural Area Preserve in Northumberland County, Nov. 23 and 30, Dec. 14, 21, and 28, 2004, and Jan. 4, 11, 18, and 25, 2005. Hunters will be chosen in a random drawing, and the application deadline is Oct. 15, 2004. Call (804) 786-7951 or visit www.dcr.virginia.gov. for a complete set of rules and an application for this hunt only.
Participants must be at least 16 years old, or 12-15 years old and accompanied by a non-hunting adult. Both must have proof of successfully completing a hunter education course.
Hunters can reserve stands or zones on a first-come, first-served basis at the following hunts:
Muzzleloading and archery hunts at York River State Park, in James City County, Nov. 8 - 9 and Nov. 11 - 12, the reservation period begins Sept. 17; Smith Mountain Lake State Park, in Bedford County, Nov. 3-6, the reservation period begins Sept. 15; and James River State Park, in Buckingham County, Nov. 8 - 10, and Nov. 15 - 18, the reservation period begins Sept. 8. Muzzleloading-only hunts will be held at Caledon Natural Area, in King George County, Nov. 3-5, and the reservation period begins Sept. 29.
Shotgun hunts will be held at Chippokes Plantation State Park, in Surry County, Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, the reservation period begins Sept. 8; James River State Park, Nov. 29 - 30, Dec. 1 - 2, Dec. 13 - 16 and Dec. 29 - 30, the reservation period begins Sept. 8; York River State Park, Dec. 9 - 10, the reservation period begins Sept. 17.
Hunters may reserve preferred days and stands or zones for an advanced fee of $15 a day by calling the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center, 1-800-933-PARK. Reservations will be accepted until all slots are taken at each hunt up until two days prior to the hunt, provided that the hunter can complete the payment before the day of the hunt.
Open hunting is offered in designated areas of five state parks: Fairy Stone in Patrick and Henry counties; Grayson Highlands in
Grayson County; Hungry Mother in Smyth County; Occoneechee in Mecklenburg County; and Pocahontas in Chesterfield County.
Chippokes Plantation State Park offers a special Southern Heritage Deer Hunt Saturday, Nov. 20, from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. This traditional 19th century hunt features three southern meals, a blessing of the hounds and more. The cost is $325 per adult, $200 for children 12-17 and $50 for non-hunting companions. Reservations are required and may be made through Nov. 18 by calling the reservation center. Overnight accommodations are available to registered hunters by calling the park at (757) 294-3625.
All hunting laws and regulations apply at lands managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Additional rules may apply in individual state parks, and all lottery and reservation hunts have special regulations.
For information on hunting licenses, hunter safety education and hunting regulations, call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at (804) 367-1000 or visit www.dgif.virginia.gov.
For more information about hunting opportunities and programs in Virginia State Parks, hunt lottery applications or reservations, or camping or cabin reservations, call 1-800-933-PARK.
Virginia State Parks and
Natural Areas that allow hunting
Caledon Natural Area, King George County,(540) 663-3861
Chippokes Plantation State Park, Surry County, (757) 294-3625
Dameron Marsh Natural Area, Northumberland County, (804) 786-7951
Fairy Stone State Park, Patrick County, (276) 930-2424
False Cape State Park, Virginia Beach, (757) 426-7128
Grayson Highlands State Park, Grayson County, (276) 579-7092
Hungry Mother State Park, Smyth County, (276) 781-7400
James River State Park, Buckingham County, (434) 933-4355
Kiptopeke State Park, Northampton County, (757) 331-2267
Mason Neck State Park, Fairfax County, (703) 490-4979
Occoneechee State Park, Mecklenburg County, (434) 374-2210
Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County, (804) 796-4255
Smith Mountain Lake State Park, Bedford County, (540) 297-6066
Savage Neck Natural Area, Northampton County, (757)-787-5576
York River State Park, James City County, (757) 566-3036