SOUTHERN PIEDMONT
Five counties from this fertile region made the top 20 list and none of them are strangers to that list. A total of 28,244 antlered bucks were harvested from the region.

We spoke to both Dan Lovelace and Cale Godfrey, biologists for VDGIF, for information on the hunting in the region.

Godfrey echoed the thoughts of Hall from the Tidewater Region when he stated that the entire district is quite capable of producing nice bucks. The habitat is great in the region and there is plenty of food for the bucks, too. Food sources are varied, with row crops and dairy farms mixing in with cutovers and timber lots. These types of diverse habitats are great for deer.

Godfrey pointed out that in recent years one of the best public lands in the region for nice bucks is Fort Pickett. Godfrey noted that access is a bit tighter in the post 9-11 world, which cuts down on the number of hunters on the installation. The training areas on the post are open subject to the training that may be occurring on any given day. This combination of factors has allowed some bucks to age a bit and they sport larger headgear.

Hunters are encouraged to have several areas scouted on the post, because some areas may be closed or full of hunters and a backup area will need to be selected in those cases. Hunters may call the post at (434) 292-2618 for information.

Another public-land opportunity that holds good buck-hunting prospects is the Featherfin WMA in Prince Edward, Buckingham and Appomattox. Here, hunters have 2,800 acres of prime land to search for a nice buck. An important note about this WMA is that it is on the quota hunt system and hunters must apply for a slot during muzzleloader and general firearms season. However, before those seasons, early archery season hunters may hunt until the muzzleloader season begins.

Bucks must sport at least 4 points on one side and must be at least 1 inch long. This rule is already producing results and making for a great public-land hunting experience.

Farther west in the region, the terrain begins to roll as the land forms the foothills of the Blue Ridge. Dan Lovelace, formerly of the Northern Piedmont, has taken the helm of this district. Lovelace pointed out that Franklin and Bedford certainly deserve some attention because of the number of deer that are harvested within their boundaries. However, all the counties in the region are very good buck counties -- none produce poor hunting. As with the district to the east, Lovelace's district has good food sources, such as corn and hay, good soils and a varied habitat composed of farms and woodlands.

Hunting methods also vary within the district. Hunting from stands and still-hunting are most common. In eastern Nelson and Amherst counties, hunting with dogs is popular.

Last season's harvest in this region was up in every county except Henry. Hunters are encouraged to take more does when possible. Doing so will permit those smaller bucks to grow to standards worthy of the wall.

The Jefferson National Forest is not hunted as heavily as it once was, possibly because the habitat has degraded some without active timbering creating early successional habitat. However, while habitat may not be ideal, the fact that fewer hunters are hunting the property means that in some areas, the percentage of older bucks is high and these older animals can become quality bucks.

Lovelace suggests hunters look at Nelson, Amherst and Botetourt counties for national forest hunting opportunities in the region. Overall, the buck hunting in the region looks to be fine for the upcoming season.

SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN
The Southern Mountain Region saw a total antlered buck harvest of 19,613. There were three counties from the region that made the top 20 list: Scott, Giles and Craig.

Bill Bassinger, a district wildlife biologist for VDGIF works a portion of the region and had a few great tips for hunters looking to put a big buck on the wall.