VA Chickahominy WMA Hunters

[always89]

To all the VA tradgangers out there, anyone ever hunt the Chickahominy WMA? Im going to be heading out there this weekend, and thought I would pick your brains:

1. Best place to park and bike in?
2. Which portion of the WMA have you had the most luck?
3. anywhere to camp there?

Thanks ahead of time for any help!

[Dozer]

I've hunted it. It a very large area and there are two places to park that I know of. It's a big place that requires good scouting to find out where the deer are. If I didn't live so far from it I would scout there more often.

Have you tried Hog Island WMA or Ragged Island WMA. Both are much closer and you could easly do some quick scouting before you go.

[always89]

Thanks Dozer,
I mainly hunt Ragged Island, and know the area well. But, the tides and wind will not be right this Saturday, so I would do more damage than good going in there. I thought Hog Island was a Lottery Hunt?

Im thinking about some of the creek saddles in the southern area of chickahominy. Looks like some natural funnels between the creeks.

[Apex Predator]

The Chickahominy is one of my favorite areas to hunt.  Used to spend lots of time there!  Some nice bucks too!  Have you done any scouting so far?  The first parking spot on the left down the main road to the creek is a good spot.  There is a creek bottom loaded with deer.

[Dozer]

Only the Carlise Tract is a lottery hunt. There is another portion of the island that is open. You probaly want to check with 'the Man' to make sure though.

Apex is right about the creek bottom. Thats the nicest area to hunt and lots of deer are taken there. You CANNOT cross the big river to hunt though. That area is considerd a wildlife preserve which is why I think that WMA holds so many deer.

[Dozer]

Ok I was sorta wrong about were you can't hunt. If this link works it'll take you to a map of Chickahominy. There are some spots you cannot hunt and if the link works you may want to print out the map so you have it as a reference.

 http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/maps/chickahominy.pdf

[always89]

Does the area get alot of pressure during archery season?

[Apex Predator]

See that private property that the road marker 621 is on?  There is a parking area just to the north of that.  Head due east of the parking area.  When you get into the ridges and creek bottom, you are in heaven!  I've seen some nice deer in that area.  I haven't hunted it in several years though.

[always89]

Thanks for the info Gents!

apex, does this look like the area that you are talking about? Im assuming that I will need to skirt the creek, as the wind is predicted to be coming from the north Saturday.

 

[Dozer]

Last time I was there I saw a couple of other people. I do know that the locals like to run dogs through it during general firearms. There's also a few places were you can tell the local highschool kids go back there and party. Haven't been there in two years because of the traveling distance.

I do plan on trying to get out to Ragged Island next week when it cools down.

[always89]

Dozer,
Thanks for the info. Me and my son will be out there (Ragged Island)next week as well. Give me a holler if you want to meet up, and maybe share some notes. Once gun season starts, I dont go out there anymore. Deer seem to go nocternal.

Do you canoe out to the back islands, or stay towards 17?

[Apex Predator]

I've lost my bearings on that Google photo.  I can't tell what I'm looking at.

I'm talking about hunting those finger creeks coming out of the area marked "private marsh" towards the north east of the map dozer posted a link to.

[always89]

Gotcha. Thanks Apex!

[Dozer]

Originally posted by always89:
Do you canoe out to the back islands, or stay towards 17?

I walk back until I can't go any further. I don't care to much about wet feet because its warm here. I would like to get back to the other islands though.