Virginia State Parks announces its 2012-2013 Hunting Schedule
Caledon State Park's Disabled Veterans' Hunt
If you don't know much about hunting or resource management, your first thought might be that offering hunting in our parks might be contrary to what we are all about. But actually it is an important part of our mission to both protect our natural landscape and the wildlife in our parks.
Over the years most of the major predators for deer have disappeared creating an overpopulation in many areas. This problem creates herd sizes that are not sustainable resulting in over browsing in forests and woodlands as well as undersized and diseased animals. Another dangerous byproduct of overpopulation is that the deer move over larger territories to seek food and cross roads causing accidents.
We have been working with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to study our deer populations and create hunting opportunities when there are overpopulation situations or to maintain the deer population at a sustainable level.
For a quick reference guide to which parks offer hunting, what type of weapons and when, click here for a handy grid.
For details of the Virginia State Parks hunting opportunities, click here.
This deer tries to reach higher food at Hungry Mother State Park
In addition to the hunting opportunities at our parks, state forests adjacent to several of our parks also offer hunting and we offer overnight lodging opportunities including camping and cabins. Check out our amenity search to find out the accommodations available near your destination. Reservations can be made by calling the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800-933-7275 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by clicking here to check availability and/or make reservations.
