Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve

2026 Mentored Deer Hunt

STAFFORD, VA

In partnership with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Division of Natural Heritage

The following rules and regulations apply to the 2026 Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve Mentored Deer Hunt in Stafford County, Virginia. Failure to comply with these rules may result in revocation of your hunting permit, removal from current and future hunting programs sponsored by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Division of Natural Heritage, and possible criminal charges.

We need mentors for this hunt!

Mentors are able to take deer alongside their mentee.

Event overview

If you're interested in learning how to hunt deer but haven't had the opportunity or don't know where to start, the Crow's Nest Mentored Deer Hunt is a great opportunity to learn from experienced hunters in a safe, supportive environment.

Selected new hunters will be paired one-on-one with experienced volunteer mentors who will teach the fundamentals of deer hunting, including scouting, shooting proficiency, stand placement, hunting strategies, and ethical hunting practices. Participants will also have the opportunity to observe a deer processing demonstration on hunt day if deer are harvested.

Please note that this is a managed quota hunt. Applicants will be selected from the application pool and contacted if chosen to participate.

This is a managed quota hunt open to both mentors and new hunters. Both mentors and mentees are permitted to hunt and harvest deer in accordance with Virginia hunting regulations and the rules of this managed hunt. Only lead-free ammunition is allowed to be used. The program is designed to provide hands-on experience while allowing both participants to enjoy a full day in the field.

Important Dates

Saturday, October 3, 2026

Mandatory Orientation, Zone Assignment & Scouting Day

Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Raven Road Trailhead, Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve

Attendance is mandatory for all mentors and mentees.

During orientation, participants will:

Meet their mentor (if they have not already done so)
Receive their hunting zone assignment
Review hunt procedures and safety expectations
Spend the remainder of the morning scouting their assigned hunting area

Because parking at the Raven Road Trailhead is limited, mentors and mentees are strongly encouraged to carpool. Overflow parking is available at the Brooke Station commuter lot.

Following orientation, participants may install portable tree stands during normal preserve operating hours.

Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Hunt Day

Check-in: 4:30 AM – 5:00 AM
Location: Raven Road Trailhead Parking Lot

Hunters will depart for their assigned hunting areas following check-in.

Around midday, participants are welcome to return to the parking area where a complimentary lunch will be provided for all mentors, mentees, volunteers, and staff. If deer have been harvested during the morning hunt, a field dressing and deer processing demonstration will also be conducted.

Following lunch, hunters may return to the field to continue hunting.

All hunters must check out no later than 6:30 PM.

Mentor & Hunter Requirements

Each new hunter will be paired with one experienced mentor.

Mentors and mentees are expected to communicate before the hunt and coordinate one or more practice sessions at a shooting range.

Before participating in the hunt, hunters must demonstrate:

Safe firearm or archery handling
Adequate shooting proficiency
Safe hunting practices

The mentor is responsible for determining whether the mentee is prepared to hunt safely.

Mentees may hunt independently on hunt day if they:

Have successfully completed a Virginia Hunter Education Course
Meet all blaze orange requirements
Properly use a full-body safety harness when hunting from an elevated stand
Have demonstrated safe hunting practices to their mentor

Scouting & Tree Stand Rules

Participants are encouraged to scout their assigned hunting zone before the hunt.

Scouting is permitted only during normal preserve operating hours.

Raven Road Entrance

Open: Thursday through Sunday
Closed: Monday through Wednesday

Portable climbing and ladder stands are permitted.

Tree stands:

Must remain out of sight from public hiking trails
Must not damage trees
Must not use screw-in steps
Must be removed immediately following the hunt

A full-body safety harness is required whenever using an elevated stand.

Trimming vegetation or trees to create shooting lanes or secure stands is prohibited.

Required Licenses & Certifications

Each hunter must possess:

A valid Virginia hunting license (as required by law). If you are a new hunter, we would encourage you to look into purchasing a Virginia Apprentice Hunting license.
Virginia deer/turkey license
Proof of successful completion of a Virginia Hunter Education Course

Proof of certification and all required licenses will be verified before hunting.

Weapons

This is an archery and muzzleloader-only managed hunt.

Permitted equipment includes:

Archery equipment
Muzzleloading firearms

All other firearms and weapons are prohibited.

Additional requirements:

Only lead-free ammunition may be used.
Weapons must remain unloaded until reaching the assigned hunting location.
Weapons must be unloaded before leaving the hunting zone.
Only one weapon is permitted per hunter.

Blaze Orange Requirements

Every hunter must wear at least 500 square inches of solid blaze orange or blaze pink visible from all directions.

This includes:

A blaze orange or blaze pink hat
Blaze orange or blaze pink upper-body clothing visible 360 degrees

Hunting Zones

Hunters must remain within their assigned hunting zone.

If a deer travels into another hunting zone:

Do not enter the adjacent zone.
Contact DCR staff before tracking or recovering the animal.

Hunters leaving their assigned zone for any reason must first unload their weapon.

Access varies between hunting areas.

Some hunting zones are located near parking areas, while others require a significant walk from the check station.

DCR staff may assist with deer retrieval when possible after the deer has been moved to a drivable road or trail. Staff cannot transport hunters or provide access to remote hunting locations.

Harvest Rules

Both mentors and mentees are eligible to harvest deer during this managed hunt.

Only deer may be harvested during this managed hunt.

All hunting must comply with the Code of Virginia.

No other wildlife species may be taken.

Hunters must field dress deer at least 200 feet from:

Roads
Hiking trails
Buildings or other structures

Every harvested deer must be checked by DCR staff at the Raven Road check station, where biological information will be collected.

Parking

Parking at the Raven Road Trailhead is limited.

Mentors and mentees should carpool whenever possible.

Only one parking space is guaranteed per mentor/mentee pair.

Safety Rules

No shooting from or across roads.
No shooting across water.
Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
Baiting is prohibited.
Artificial deer scents are permitted.
Dogs are prohibited.
Alcohol and illegal drugs are prohibited.