Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

So, what are you guys in too? Been reading about chasing turkeys and shooting a few doves...... what's happening in your world?

I have almost , notice I said "almost" given up deer hunting for predator hunting. No bigger rush than sittin' in the bushes in the dark trying to call something in that's looking for a meal when it gets there. I just wish there were more coyotes here, we have plenty of fox and bobcats.

I hear ya Vahunter, but I like to put some meat in the freezer too.

I'll give up deer hunting when they plant me.

See know where you are coming from Va hunter, but you are the first person I've heard say that wished we had more yotes

VH, used to have a contact in your neck of the woods, best rabbit and dove hunting around. He was a game warden, name was Dick Thorpe. man he used to put us on the game, great hunting in your area.....used to be anyway.

We have a $50.00 bounty on 'yotes so that would help pay for my habit. We still have some hunting, where else can you ease open your patio door and take a deer during hunting season? The game warden we have now is not much fun to be around. Two years ago I shot a doe (it was a doe day) and turned to walk out to get my truck. I took about three steps and walked right into Mr. Possum Cop. He wanted to know what i had shot and I told him. Then he wanted to see the deer . Then he accused me of using too small of caliber rifle since the deer had a small entrance hole. I rolled the deer over to expose a fist size exit hole and then asked him if that was big enough. We had a semi-heated discussion about sneaking through the woods ruining someones hunt and he left mad because he couldn't write a ticket. BTW I shot the deer with a handloaded 150 grain .308 Sierra.

You'd probably never know it by the 22's I've got pictured around here somewhere but I enjoy squirrel hunting. That's right. Believe it or not I like to squirrel hunt. I can walk right out the door and go over to the Phelps range, just depends on how I feel. We see a few deer and coyotes around here too. There have even been reports of at least one bear in the area, but I've never seen hide nor hair of it.

I used to do a lot of deer hunting, but gave it up when I found myself on a stand, on the side of Pamunkey River one day wishing I was bass fishing. I later discovered I hadn't even loaded my gun. The next day I went fishing. I bass fished year round after that for years. Until I got burned out tournament fishing. Got rid of my bass boat and quit fishing for a while. Then I rigged up a "jon boat" for my wife and I. Now we just fun fish.

I may pick up deer hunting again. I bought a 30/30 rifle which is a new thing for me. I've always lived in "shotgun only" country.

Cool, nothing wrong with liking squirrel stew. Spend many a winters morning hitting the hardwoods lookin for a limit of squirrels. They are a lot of fun, especially using a dog. Being a waterfowler, I've carried a rod with a spinner bait ties on for a little mid day active as well. Some nighty good fishing can be had on those warm winter days.

I love squirrel huntin'. I ordered a scope for my Ruger Mark II target pistol to make it more interesting.

I don't squirrel hunt much any more, but when I did I used to save all the tails and sell them to Mepps (the spinner co) I think they still buy them, you all might want to check out their web site. I still get Fur, Fish, and Game Mag. they have all the current fur prices.

They didn't give you much I think it was something like 20 or 25 cents a tail, but you could get a few bucks if you hunted enough. If I find an add for squirrel tails I will post it here.

I only shoot them now if I have too, --depricating-- my crops, --depricating--, thats a pretty fancy word directly from Va Fish and Game, I think I spelled that right.

I started deer and elk hunting in Arizona where most shots average 200-300 yards. Most of us used 7mag or 30-06 with a few 308s and 300mags here and there. Hunting their is much different than here. Very difficult to pattern the big game so you spend time glassing and then more time setting up a shot. Also enjoyed setting up coyotes with the dying rabbit call.

Now I love deer hunting from a stand with BP though I have taken a couple from the ground. Been a long time since I've been squirrel hunting. Spent a lot of time doing that as a youngster in Indiana. We ate quite a few fox squirrels back then. All I see here are the scrawny greys.

have an elk on my "bucket list"... They say that if you enjoy spring turkey hunting, you will love to hunt bugling elk. Well, guess I'd love it then Will be retiring next spring and that is definately at the head of the list. My weapon of choice will again be my TC..., BUt having never killed one, will have to decide if I'll use the BP or the 270 cal barrel

cutun - several western states have nice elk populations. I would recommend you research several as most offer permits via lottery and you are restricted to a specific area. Also, when you go make sure you've got the right kit to dress and pack out. I was lucky on my last one and was able to drive the truck to the kill.

I'm lucky enough to have 30+ acres of PRIME deer hunting land very close to where I go to college in Radford. It's pretty fun to wake up early and still hunt with some buddies before classes start for the day. If we're lucky it puts some free meat in the freezer, can't beat that when you're a college student.

My personal favorite is squirrel hunting. I spent a few years in KS with the Air Force and came to love pheasant hunting while out there. I've been trying to learn how to call Turkeys the past couple years. I also get out a lot for deer, but never take a shot... most of the time it's because I don't have a freezer, or feel like dressing and packing out the deer. One of these days I'll pull the trigger/release on a deer.

I just recently moved to Blacksburg after I got out of the AF. I've been trying to get a good feel for the national forest, good excuse for grabbing the .22 and looking for tree rats.

k5mitch wrote:My personal favorite is squirrel hunting.

Have you seen this thread?

http://vagunforum.net/general-discussio ... -t798.html

and welcome aboard!

Thanks, saw a link to here from THR (forget whether it was .ORG or .US... I just lurk there and stay away from the politik).

That vid has made its rounds before, still funny to watch!