HUNT WRITE UP BY Wade Truong
WHAT TO EXPECT
Rachel and I don't come from traditional hunting backgrounds, neither one of us had families that hunted. When we decided to get into waterfowling in VA, access was the toughest part. Most of Eastern Virginia is privately owned, though there are some opportunities on well managed WMAs, refuges, and military bases. We had to do a lot of research and meet a lot of people to find access to prime waterfowl habitat.
With the majority of land east of I-95 is private, unless you have deep pockets for private leases, you'll have to knock on a lot of doors and make friends to access most of the waterfront properties.
There are multiple military bases that allow public access, though there is some red tape, they are often premier habitat, though they do see a lot of pressure.
Quota hunts through the DGIF and Nature Conservancy offer some of the best public land waterfowl opportunities.
A boat is highly recommended for any of the major rivers.
There are ample swamp and marsh opportunities on many of the state's WMAs. Just be ready to hike further than others are willing to go.
Field hunts for geese are almost strictly a private land game, make some friends.
Tangier Island and the Eastern Shore offer some of the best public opportunities to hunt waterfowl, the logistics are complicated, but you can be rewarded with opportunities unlike anything else in the state.
Targeted Species - Wood duck, mallard, black duck, gadwall, divers, sea ducks, canada geese, snow geese
Wood duck / mallard / black duck / gadwall / divers / sea ducks / canada geese / snow geese
JOIN THE TEAM
JOINING MEANS CREATING A PROFILE FOR THE GOAL OF:
1. EXTENDING YOURSELF IN AN UPRIGHT MANNER TO FELLOW HUNTERS 2. SHARE WHAT YOUR COMFORTABLE SHARING REGARDING HUNTING THIS STATE3. ENHANCING THIS COMMUNITY FOR THE BETTERMENT OF WATERFOWL AND HUNTING NATIONWIDE 4. CONNECTING WITH OTHERS AS A REAL HUMAN NOT JUST A BUSINESS 5. TREATING EVERYONE AS YOU WOULD WISH TO BE TREATED