Crow’s Nest Mentored Hunt

September/November 2024

in partnership with Virginia Department of Conservation of Recreation

The following information, rules and regulations apply to the managed deer hunt at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve, Stafford County, Virginia. Any violation will result in revocation of permit and elimination of your participation in any hunting programs sponsored by DCR’s Division of Natural Heritage and possible criminal charges. 

Overview:

If you are interested in learning how to hunt deer, but haven’t had the opportunity or don’t know where to start, this mentored hunt is a great opportunity. Selected new hunters will be paired with mentors that will show them the basics of deer hunting from scouting, shooting, setting up, and the hunt itself. There will be skinning and butchering demonstrations on the day of the hunt pending successful hunts. Please note that applicants will be selected from the applicant pool- we will contact you if you are selected.

Event details

New hunters will be paired 1:1 with mentors. The hunt will take place at Crows Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County, Virginia. Events will include an in person meet up at the property on September 21st, where new hunters will meet their mentors and have an opportunity to scout the refuge, discuss hunting strategies, and be shown how to look for deer.

Hunters will be required to arrange a time and place to practice at a range with their mentor. Mentor will be responsible for judging the proficiency of the hunter.

Hunters and mentors will be allowed to set up stands on the property after the September 21st meet up date. Stands must be out of sight from the publicly accessible areas and removed after the hunt. The hunt date is November 6th.

This is a managed quota hunt. This is a muzzleloader or archery only hunt. Both mentors and mentees are allowed to take deer. Mentees can hunt separately from their mentor if they are comfortable doing so and fulfill all the safety requirements (hunter education certificate, blaze orange requirements, treestand harness if using a treestand). Firearms restricted to muzzleloader only, lead-free only. Antlered and antlerless deer may be taken.

Reminders

• This managed deer hunt will be held on November 6th 2024. A Mandatory orientation will take place at the preserve the morning of the hunt at 5:00 AM. 

• Check-in is between 4:30 am and 5:00 am at the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve Raven Road trailhead parking lot.

• Hunter check-out is by 6:30pm. Hunters MUST check-in and check-out at the Raven Road trailhead parking lot. Address is 88 Raven Road, Stafford Virginia. 

•  Due to limited parking at the Raven Road trailhead, hunters accompanied and mentors MUST carpool. Only one parking spot per selected hunter will be available. 

• Participants must be 18 years of age. 

• Hunters are encouraged to scout their hunting area prior to the hunt, unarmed, and during normal preserve hours only. The Raven Road trail head is open Thursday through Sunday. The Raven Road entrance is closed on Monday through Wednesday. 

• Access to hunt zones varies. Some hunt zones will be accessible from pull offs along the entrance road, Raven Road, or a short walk from the check station. Some of the zones are remote and will require a longer hike-in from the check station. DCR staff will assist in retrieving deer as possible if the hunter can get the deer to a drivable section of service road or trail. DCR staff will not assist hunters in reaching these more remote zones. 

• Hunters will be required to have taken and passed a hunter safety course. Proof of hunter safety certification must be presented on the day of the hunt. No hunter will be allowed to hunt without proof of having completed a hunter safety course. 

• All required Virginia hunting licenses apply to the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve hunt and will be checked prior to hunting. 

• Every hunter shall wear at least 500 square inches of solid blaze color in the form of a blaze orange or pink hat and blaze orange or pink upper body clothing that is visible from 360 degrees. 

• Only Muzzleloaders and archery tackle are permitted; all other weapons are prohibited. The ammunition must be lead free. Weapons will not be loaded prior to arrival at the assigned hunting zone and will be unloaded prior to leaving the zone. 

• Hunters will be allowed to use portable (climbing or ladder) tree stands; however, safety harnesses are required. Screw peg steps are not allowed. Trimming of trees for shooting lanes or to secure stands is prohibited. 

• Hunters leaving their assigned hunt zone must unload their weapon prior to doing so. Unauthorized entry into adjacent hunt zones is prohibited. If you need to retrieve a deer from another hunt zone, contact DCR staff. 

• Only deer may be killed in accordance with the Code of Virginia. No other wildlife species may be killed during this hunt. 

• Deer may be field dressed no closer than 200 feet from hiking trails, structures, or roads. All deer must be checked by DCR staff at the check station (trailhead parking lot). Information will be collected on each deer. All deer killed by/before 1 pm must be checked in by 2 pm. 

• Hunters must park off of roadways at their zone’s assigned area. Vehicles must not be driven off road. 

• There will be no shooting from the road, across roads, or across water. 

• In accordance with state hunting laws, hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. 

• Use of bait is prohibited. Artificial deer scent is permissible. Dogs are prohibited. No drugs or alcoholic beverages. Only one weapon is allowed per adult hunter.

We need mentors for this hunt!

Mentors are able to take deer alongside their mentee.

Apply to hunt