phelps wma

[bigjack4bucks]

Anyone got any advice(non-sarcastic) for someone going to phelps wma for the first time. I've read some older posts that the lake area is good but looking at google maps the bridge area in the northern section where there is a canoe put in looks good also.

Any advice much appreciated.

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[jdonovan]

The area is VERY heavily utilized as it is the only pubic land open to hunting near NoVA. Even if you are exempt from blaze (i.e. archery) I'd still suggest its use because of the hunters / sq-foot.

There are limited parking areas so expect to walk a bit to get away from the other users of the area.

In these heavily used areas I tend to find a spot a bit deeper into the block and let the other folks moving around push game to me. I find still hunting a bit too tough when there is so much foot traffic.

[bigjack4bucks]

Good advice. Thompson is a joke and the brush is just too think. So I'm gonna try phelps and see how it goes. I won't go to either during gun season. I'm only going there for bow in october.

Thanks.

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[suburbanredneck]

Even though its heavily utilized, I love it. The deer density is outstanding for public land. There are so many good spots... you really can't go wrong. I went in yesterday to take my little guy squirrel hunting and found lots of fresh sign. If I were you, I'd go in sometime this week with a GPS and just start marking spots. You'll find plenty. The early archery opener is fairly busy, but it winds down quickly. Starts getting crazy again for muzzleloader.

[suburbanredneck]

Word of advice, like jdonovan said - head deep. If Phelps is the only place you plan on hunting, take a chain lock and leave your treestand. I've seen plenty locked up and never heard of any getting messed with. I usually leave mine. In fact, last year I saw a deer cart chained up as well.