18 VIRGINIA FORESTS a gobbler on the limb of the loblolly. The next gobble was fainter, and my guide whispered, “He’s on the ground.” In layman’s terms that means he had flown down from his roost and was now on the ground and, hopefully, heading our way. His next gobble was closer, and we watched as he strutted from the pines into the clearing a mere 100 yards away. It was then that we spotted the hen and watched in frustration as she entered the clearing slowly, luring our gobbler in the opposite direction. But that’s turkey hunting, and he would live to see another day. Though our first morning hunt did not turn out exactly the way we had hoped, we still enjoyed the first of many wonderful hunts to follow on this beautiful property. After our safe and successful spring hunt, DOF agreed to allow us to hold the first muzzleloader deer hunt the following November. After that first hunt, we quickly developed an amazing working relationship with New Kent DOF staffer, Jeff Stout. Jeff does an awesome job ensuring each hunt is successful. He always makes sure the property and blinds are prepared and ready to accommodate our hunters, in addition to giving us scouting reports. Currently, our program is working through our Virginia State Chapter NWTF Super Fund project to fund replacement of the twelve aging wooden blinds. These new modular blinds will lessen the maintenance by DOF staff and enhance the hunting experience and comfort of not only our hunters, but the veterans and DWR apprentice hunters who also utilize the property. DWR also loaned their elevated Huntmaster stands to us for our fall muzzleloader hunts. Most mobilityimpaired hunters never have the opportunity to hunt from 20-feet up, and these stands provide a great view. Our partnership continued to grow, and in 2008 we teamed up with Zach Olinger, Forest Manager of Matthews State Forest just outside of Galax. This property was already open to public bow hunting, but they allowed our disabled hunters to use firearms. Zach and the Matthews staff have been wonderful to work with, and we have held many successful deer hunts on this beautiful 500-acre property. The DOF partnership with VAWS and our parent organization, NWTF, continued to expand into other areas. In March 2009, during my tenure as NWTF State Chapter President, DOF donated free sawtooth oak and Alleghany chinquapin seedlings for distribution to NWTF members all over the Commonwealth. By mid-April, almost 12,000 of these seedlings had been distributed and planted. After 14 years, these mature trees are now providing valuable mast for Virginia’s wildlife, such as deer, turkey, and ruffed grouse. Our DOF property hunts continue to be among our most popular, and now include Paul State Forest in Rockingham County in the Shenandoah Valley. This wooded 150-acre property is surrounded by farmland and deer are abundant, so Jack Kauffman, State Forests and State Lands Forester, contacted me to offer VAWS a new hunting opportunity. It just so happens our Chapter President and Regional Hunt Coordinator Doug Galica resides in Rockingham County. Doug is also a wheelchair user and an avid hunter. I connected the two of them, and they began to organize this new hunt. Doug grew up in western Maryland where he was injured in a hunting accident at the age of 13, leaving him paralyzed. He didn't let that stop him from enjoying the outdoors and getting back to hunting and fishing. “After moving to Virginia, I lost the ability to hunt again because of the lack of accessible hunting areas and help. Luckily, I found Virginia Wheelin’ Sportsmen and was able to get back Patrick Olmstead of Mechanicsville with his first gobbler ever (2023). Quadruple amputee Dayton Webber prepares to go up in the DWR Huntmaster blind. Mickey Wilmouth of Midlothian with an early morning seven-point buck.
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