As Hunting Season Starts, Campgrounds Close

Warm Springs, Va – An opportunity for disabled hunter access on Fore Mountain in Alleghany County is available during the regular deer gun hunting season. In an effort to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for as many people as possible, the Forest Service is opening the Fore Mountain Special Hunting Area, east of Covington in Alleghany County, to disabled deer hunters from November 13 through the 27th, Sundays excluded. As in past years, hunters with either a general disability or a permanent inability to walk can drive into the area for the regular deer rifle hunting season only.

Hunters and other forest users may still walk into the area. A valid Big Game License, National Forest Stamp, and Disabled Hunting License or Hunting Permit for Persons Permanently Unable to Walk is required to obtain a Forest Service Authorization Letter. Contact the James River Ranger District for more information on this program.

On October 30, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fish opened deer muzzle loading season and rabbit season, and closed bobcat bow season. Other dates in November include the opening of fox gun season and bobcat gun season on 11/1. On 11/6 bear muzzle loading season opens and turkey bow season closes.

Both bear and deer muzzle loading and bow season close on November second. Deer gun season for bucks opens on November 13. On 11/20 bear gun season closes and on November 27 deer gun season closes.

Campgrounds currently closed for the season at Lake Moomaw are Morris Hill, Campground 3, and Sugar Ridge. Campgrounds 1 at Lake Moomaw and Hidden Valley will close on November 29. Campground 2 at Lake Moomaw will be open late into December. McClintic Point Campground at Lake Moomaw will be open year round.

The Beards Mountain Bridge, also known as the Walton Tract Bridge, and the Beards Mountain Spur Trail is closed from October 25 to December 20 while repairs are made to the decking and rails. Funding for this project has been made available by The Recovery Act.

The Recovery Act is providing funding for road repair work on National Forest roads in Alleghany County. Culvert replacement and new arches are being installed. The Tri County road will be closed to the public until approximately November 19 while this repair work is taking place.