While fall is usually associated with fall leaves, pumpkins and Halloween, in Fluvanna County the fall activity of choice for many is hunting. The Fluvanna hunting season kicked off on Youth Day, Sept. 25, when only children and teenagers under the age of 16 can hunt. This year, Bow season started on Oct. 3. Muzzle loader (black powder) starts on Nov. 5. Lastly, rifle season starts on Nov. 19. Deer season starts on Oct. 1, but the details in Fluvanna are more complicated.

One of the most challenging types of hunting is bow season, which takes hunters back to the days of the early settlers. “Bow season is probably the most difficult season to hunt because you only get one shot,” said local resident Troy Zeller. When you shoot at a deer with a bow and miss, the deer is often gone by the time you get your next arrow loaded. In comparison, hunting with a gun that allows you to take multiple shots quicker. Bow season in Virginia began on Oct. 3 this year and will run through Nov. 5. During this time, you can only  hunt with a compound bow or a crossbow (which has a trigger like a gun), and you are limited to two deer a day.

Lasting a brief two weeks, from Nov. 5 to Nov 19, muzzle loader season is the shortest of all the hunting seasons. Muzzle loaders are similar to the guns used during the Revolutionary War. Shooting these guns tends to be complicated, so it’s not for first-timers. During muzzle loader season, you are still limited to two deer kills a day.

Last comes firearms or rifle season, which starts Nov. 19 and ends Jan. 7. Some counties, like Fluvanna, restrict when you can kill does, bucks or both. During this season, the hunter is also allowed to hunt with dogs. “I like to hunt with my dogs because it is more fun and easier than hunting out of a tree stand,” said student Kyia Scott. Many consider this season the easiest season in which to hunt because you can hunt with either a rifle or shotgun. This allows you to make more shots at a quicker rate, and the bullet range is farther than with a bow or muzzle loader.

But beware: This is also the most dangerous season to hunt, with more deaths and injuries than during any other season. Hunters in the woods will sometimes shoot whenever they hear a noise, so take precautions like wearing blaze orange clothing and identifying your target before you shoot.

When you are hunting in the woods, there are certain safety regulations you should consider in order to hunt legally and safely. You should always tell someone where and when you will be hunting, just in case  an accident happens, and always carry your hunting permits. Be sure to identify your target and what’s beyond it, and treat your firearms as if they are always loaded. Most importantly, always wear blaze orange clothing so you can be easily seen by other hunters.  

There are many places to hunt in Fluvanna County such as WMA’s (wildlife management areas), public land and private land. “I never tell anybody my favorite honeyhole,” said Freshman Taylor Musselman regarding her favorite hunting spot. When you hunt on WMA land you must have two separate permits– a permit to hunt and a permit to hunt on that land (you can buy this permit when you buy your hunting permit). When you hunt on private land you don’t necessarily need your hunting permit, but to be safe, bring it anyways.

Last, but not least, public lands, such as state forests, are where people will hunt big game. To hunt on public land, you must have a valid state use form permit and a valid hunting permit in accordance with state hunting regulations. Special restrictions on either-sex hunting are always in effect. Sunday hunting is prohibited on public land. When you are hunting, be sure to always follow Virginia’s hunting safety regulations.  

For more information about these regulations, as well as hunting permits and hunting facts in Virginia, go to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website: https://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting