Moving to Ft Belvoir

[Machias]

Howdee soon to be neighbors!  I am moving from the Spokane, WA area to the Fort Belvoir area.  Should be out there first part of Jul.  I understand I'll have to buy a non-resident tag this year, no biggie.  I normally buy a non-resident Idaho tag anyways.  I'm running a bear bait over there now until I head back east.  Looking forward to hunting the hardwoods again.  Love hunting whitetails out of treestands and ground blinds!!  So I have a quick question.  When I lived in Missouri I belonged to a hunting club that leased a bunch of land, it was on the reservation type system, you call a head of time and reserve a piece of property.  I'm seeing some of these type of clubs in VA.  Any thoughts on if they are necessary?  Can I find some good bowhunting spots before this fall or do you think it's a good idea to join one of these clubs?  One thing different than the club in MO is the amount of property and the number of members I'm seeing in VA compared to MO.  I'll probably look for a place around Fredericksburg, but I really have no idea at this point where I'll be living.  Should be headed out there for a house hunting trip in the next few weeks.  Any thoughts or advice will be greatly appreciated.  Fred

[Killdeer]

Are you military? Belvoir Bowhunters is a very active club, and there is hunting on base there as well as Quantico. I have hunted Virginia since 1985 or so, and do not belong to a lease. I hunt public land. I am a member of Virginia Bowhunters Assn., and maybe you can get more info at their website.

And welcome!      
Killdeer

[Machias]

Thanks for the welcome!  I am retired Air Force, but now I work as a government civilian.  I'll be joining the VBA as well.

[Stinger]

Fred,

Welcome to the area!

Sorry I didn't see this sooner.  As retired military, you can hunt both Ft Belvoir and Quantico Marine Base very easily.  Lots of land and lots of deer.  For Belvoir, you will have to take a 1 day classroom course that is fairly easy and a qualification shoot that isn't bad.  For traditional guys you have to put 2 out of 3 broadhead tipped arrows in a 9 inch circle from 20 yards.

Additionally, there are plenty of urban hunting opportunities as the deer are plentiful in the woodlots that surround most of the suburban neighborhoods here.

[Machias]

Thanks Stinger, I appreciate the information.  I'll be arriving around the 26 or 27th of Jul.