79th Annual VPSA Big Game Contest

Join DGIF at the 79th Annual VPSA Big Game Contest, September 22 & 23, 2018, at the Southampton County Fairgrounds, 25374 New Market Rd , Courtland, VA. The contest will feature a Eastern and Western Regional and State Finals. A Historical category is also included in this year’s judging. Game will be scored using the VA Scoring System and will be entered into the Official Virginia Record Book. Saturday, September 22, entries will be accepted 9 AM – 5 PM. Sunday September 23, open 10 AM – awards at 3 PM. For more information or directions, see vpsa.org or contact Mr. Michael H. Jones at 757‐371‐3335 or vpsa.big.game.contest@gmail.com.

• Southampton County Fairgrounds
• 25374 New Market Rd, Courtland, VA 23837

Hunter Skills Weekend

Hunter Skills Weekend is a family-friendly, hands-on weekend of workshops designed to help individuals get started or learn more about hunting and hunting-related skills. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn from experts through a variety of hunting and shooting activities over the course of three days. The event capacity is 120 students and will fill up quick. This partnership program is presented by the Virginia Hunter Education Association, VDGIF and Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center.

• Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center
• 1267 4-H Camp Road, Appomattox, VA 24522

Virginia State Fair

Stop by the Natural Resources Area and hold live snakes, see fish, learn casting with Backyard Bass, buy your fishing or hunting license, and meet our K-9 team. New this year is our live Elk Cam featuring Virginia elk!

• The Meadow Event Park
• 13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA 23047

Trapping Workshop

Virginia Trapper’s Association certified instructors will cover basic trapping skills including: types of traps, trap selection for various species, and hands on demonstrations of different sets and techniques; including several demos on coyote trapping. To register, call 434-392-9645 by October 6, 2018, no walk-ins. Class size is limited so sign-up fast. Meherrin Fire Department will be cooking lunch, menu will vary and proceeds will benefit the fire department!

• Meherrin Volunteer Fire Department
• 64 Moores Ordinary Rd, Meherrin, VA 23954

Next Level Bow Hunting Workshop and Hunt

Want to be a more successful bowhunter? Looking for expert instruction which includes a hunt? Then this is the workshop for you!

Who can attend? Licensed, adult bowhunters 18 years of age or older who have completed a hunter education course.

Topics include: Bowhunting Methods and Techniques, Treestand use Placement and Safety, Camouflage, Scent Control, Lures, Calls, Shot Placement and Recovery of Game, An Evening Bow Hunt on a Wildlife Management Area!

Cost: Early bird fee of $120.00 through Sept. 14, 2018; after Sept. 14, 2018: $130.00 Includes: Meals Friday dinner- Sunday Breakfast, lodging, and all instruction. Fees cover your meals and lodging for the weekend, all instruction and the hunt are at no cost to you.

Participants are required to provide their own archery equipment, hunting clothing, treestand with a TMA approved full body harness or ground blind. Proficiency with archery equipment out to 25 yards is required.

To complete your registration, please contact the Jamestown 4-H Center: Jamestown4hcenter.org or 757-253-4931. 

• Jamestown 4-H Educational Center
• 3751 4-H Club Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185

How-to Workshop For Butchering and Processing Venison

Learn from an expert butcher on how to fully process deer for freezing and canning.

• New River Wildlife Club
• 7107 Riverside Drive, Fries, VA 24330

Bird Dog Training Seminar

Bird dog Hall of Famer Rick Smith will again bring his nationally recognized two-day bird dog training seminar to Charlottesville, VA, Friday, October 19 and Saturday, October 20, 2018. In this seminar, participants bring their own dogs and learn time-tested ways to train their dogs to become bird dogs that they can be proud of and enjoy in the hunting field and in the house. Subjects to be covered will include the basics: to go with you, to come to you, and to stand still. These basics will be expanded to involve pointing and backing, whoa, heel, proper use of the e-collar, and steady to wing and shot. For details and a brochure contact Peter Easter at (434) 906-1776 or Rick Smith at (804) 784-3882.

Next Level Bow Hunting Workshop and Hunt

Next Level Bowhunting Workshop: Want to be a more successful bowhunter? Looking for expert instruction which includes an evening hunt on a Wildlife Management Area? Then this workshop is for you! WHERE: Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox, Virginia. WHO CAN ATTEND? Licensed, Adult Bow Hunters 18 years of age or older who have completed a hunter education course. WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE: – Bowhunting Methods and Techniques – Treestand Use, Placement and Safety – Camouflage, Scent Control, Lures, Calls – Shot Placement and Recovery of Game – Scouting Techniques – An Evening Hunt on a Wildlife Management Area! DETAILED CLASS DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE AT holidaylake4h.com COST: $100 INCLUDES: Meals Friday Dinner-Sunday Breakfast, lodging and all instruction. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 12, 2018. Participants are required to provide their own archery equipment, hunting clothing, treestand with TMA approved full body harness or ground blind. Proficiency with archery equipment out to 25 yards is required. TO COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION FOR The Next Level Bowhunting Workshop you MUST REGISTER AND PAY  Through: holidaylake4h.com/next-level-bowhunting-workshop or 434-248-5444. Fees cover your meals and lodging for the weekend, all instruction and the hunt are at no cost to you.

• Holiday Lake 4-H Center

Stafford County Novice Deer Hunt and Workshop

Calling all new hunters! Take the next step and join DGIF for a novice deer workshop and hunt at Widewater State Park in Stafford County. The workshop will take place on September 22-23 with hunt days on December 6 and 13 with a hunting mentor (shotgun only). Download the application and submit it before this class fills up! For questions, contact Justin Vollmer, justin.vollmer@dcr.virginia.gov or Kevin Rose, kevin.rose@dgif.virginia.gov. There is a $45 fee if selected.

• Widewater State Park
• 101 Widewater State Park Rd, Stafford, VA 22554

Loudoun County Novice Deer Hunt and Workshop

This opportunity is ideal for all types of novice and new hunters. This workshop includes two days of hands-on classes and information to get you prepared for deer hunting (Oct. 20 & 21), followed by three days of hunting (Dec. 7, 14 and 21) with a hunting mentor. Register now because this class typically fills up quickly.

• Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
• 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg, VA 20175