Woods & Waters Magazine

31/08/2024

Welcome to our September edition. Our cover shot was from a Chesapeake Bay cobia trip taken by W2 Adventure Editor Aaron Ball and Brian Green and we have the article for you to enjoy. We also have the results from the recent Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen's Association Big Game Trophy Show - find out who harvested the biggest deer, bear and turkey for last hunting season. Our Destination File covers our travel to the birthplace of rivers in West Virginia. Chris Gorsuch from Reel River Adventures offers his advice on fishing with youngsters. Did resident Canada geese annoy you all summer long? Well, it's goose season so don't complain if you don't do your part and we have an article by Travis Stauch on hunting early season geese. Brian Boog's Small Waters focuses on Diascund Reservoir this month. Steve Chaconas' Hook, Line & Thinker describes the tackle buying effect of forward facing sonar. Kate Ahnstrom gets us ready for dove season with her Winged Wisdom. There's all that plus What's New? bits, Calendar of Events, Regional Focus Reports and Tide/Moon Charts in between our covers this month. Pick up a copy at a sport shop near you or go to https://woodsandwatersmagazine.com/ enjoy the digital edition.

31/08/2024

Like paddling and fishing rivers? You’ll love Brian Vincent’s posts!

This past Sunday we hit the James River with 8 adults and 8 kids for a 2 + mile float within the James River State Park. It was the perfect time to test out the NRS Approach 120 Fishing raft. Shoutout to Matt and Coltin at the shop for getting one set up and ready to enjoy. The NRS Approach 120 is 4...

29/08/2024

Looking for a premium brand aluminum fishing boat? Consider a new Lund from The Dry Dock at Lake Anna!

29/08/2024

Penn Battle 3 10000 model is one bad beast of a spinning reel available for just $169 at Pats Sporting Goods Inc.

28/08/2024

New arrivals at Fishing Pro Tech include a Rick Clunn Special Edition Rico (two sizes), the Rat Benny, Poppa Walka, XZone soft plastics and the Luhr Jensen Speed Trap.

28/08/2024

The Black Aces Tactical Bullpup semi-auto is an impressive piece of engineering you’ll find at Toano General Gun Store. We’ll have the story on Black Aces Tactical in an upcoming edition of Woods & Waters.

28/08/2024

Get ready for the holiday weekend with a new grill or resupply with our friends at Green Top Sporting Goods!

19/08/2024

Congratulations to W2 Pro Team member Noah Peters (Noah Peters Fishing) for making it two-in-a-row and winning the Jon Boat Elite Trail's August 17-18 event on lakes Cahoon and Meade. Peters amassed 44.30 pounds over the two days of fishing (26.29 lbs. Day 1 and 18.01 lbs. Day 2) with a 10.60 mailbox on Day 1!

17/08/2024

Virginia elk hunting raffle is wrapping up...

Last call to enter the 2024 Virginia Elk Conservation License Raffle! 🦌🎟️

The grand prize winner will receive the 2024 Virginia Elk Conservation License plus the Elk Hunter's Essential Package! There will also be prizes for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. Drawing takes place this Saturday, August 17 at 5 p.m., at Noah Horn Well Drilling Main Office in Vansant, VA. No need to be present to win. Open to residents, nonresidents, and youth hunters. Secure your chance to experience the thrill of elk hunting and support crucial habitat improvements, calf survival, and overall wildlife health. Don’t wait—get your tickets today! https://events.rmef.org/shop/virginiastate.

📸: DWR Staff

17/08/2024

Check out our new YouTube video on Lake Anna saugeye fishing with guide C.C. McCotter...

Learn about Lake Anna’s growing saugeye fishery from long time guide, C.C. McCotter.

16/08/2024

Looking for a Lund boat? Look no further than The Dry Dock at Lake Anna for this legendary brand powered by Mercury outboards!

15/08/2024

DWR STATEMENT ON THE COURT RESOLUTION OF THE
ILLEGAL KILLING OF THREE DEER INCLUDING
THE HOLLYWOOD BUCK

RICHMOND – After countless hours of investigative work and 10 search warrants executed by the Law Enforcement team at the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), with assistance from Chesterfield County and Richmond City police departments, the Richmond Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, and Hollywood Cemetery, Jason Walters was charged with 20 separate wildlife violations and Alan Proffitt was charged with six violations related to the illegal killing of three deer including the Hollywood Buck.
The Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond has been a dedicated partner in the prosecution of these crimes and today, we are seeing one of the strongest enforcement outcomes in recent memory.
Mr. Walters pleaded guilty to all 20 charges and was sentenced to six months in jail with three months suspended, fines totaling $2,500 and replacement costs totaling $11,000 for the Hollywood and the two additional illegally killed bucks. In addition, Mr. Walters will lose his hunting privileges for 24 years (100 years, with 76 years suspended).
Alan Profitt was found guilty and must pay $1,250 in fines and serve 30 days of house arrest. Mr. Profitt’s hunting privileges were revoked for six years (30 years, with 24 suspended).
The considerable penalties included will certainly be a deterrent to future wildlife crime and should give the community a level of comfort that this type of crime is taken very seriously in the Commonwealth.
Hunting is a treasured tradition in Virginia. Unethical and criminal behavior tarnishes the reputation of the sport and gives a bad name to those that engage in it lawfully. The department will always put the safety of the public and the conservation of the Commonwealth’s natural resources first and pursue anyone who violates the law.
In addition, DWR will be working with the outdoors community and partners to determine the best way to memorialize this incredible animal.

15/08/2024

Is the Chickahominy River as good as it was just 10 years ago? We visited and spoke with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Fisheries Manager John Bednarksi to find out...

BY C.C. MCCOTTER

09/08/2024

Do you have land you want to keep, perhaps even harvest the timber from, and still earn income on? Read our article on the American Forest Foundation and learn about one option.

BY C.C. MCCOTTER

09/08/2024

The Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen's Association (VPSA) in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show held the 85th annual Virginia Big Game Contest (August 2-4) at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, Virginia.
The contest featured all the large deer, bear, and turkey harvested throughout the state during the last hunting season. Overall, the event featured a record 400 deer, turkey, and bear! All were displayed for all the public to view.
This was the best turnout in contest history! In 2022 VPSA saw 335 entries and in 2021 they reached the previous record number of entries with 392.
DWR Executive Director Ryan Brown reacted to the amount of entries by saying, “The VPSA put on a tremendous show and I’m proud of the strides the DWR has made in Virginia to make this possible”.
Mike Jones, VSPA’s President, noted this was the smoothest runnings how he has led since he has taken over the show. He said that over 10,000 members of the public came through the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show to view the entries. Mike noted that he is so blessed to be heading an organization that cares so much to volunteer their time to highlight the accomplishments of the hunters of Virginia! Mr. Jones made it clear that the VPSA could not have pulled off a show of this magnitudewithout the 45 VPSA volunteers who spent a year planning and executing this contest! Their work was tremendous and did not go unnoticed.
The VPSA team themselves travelled great distances to be onsite each day and worked 12 hour days to ensure this contest was a success for all. The VPSA made it known that they were very thankful for the support provided by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, WILCOX BAIT & TACKLE of Newport News, VA, GREENTOP of Ashland, VA, and BASS PRO SHOPS of Ashland VA.
In addition, the VPSA was able to help Hunters for the Hungry raise $700 in donations at the awards ceremony! The money raised will allow them to process and distribute essential protein going to men, women, and children struggling with hunger. To date from just passing that bucket to the crowd at the VPSA award ceremony VPSA has helped to raise over $12K! This tradition was started 25 years ago in 1997 and has provided hunters for the hungry the opportunity toprocess and distribute a total of 7,240 pounds, 28,960 quarter pound servings to the citizens of our great Commonwealth who deal with hunger every day just from the generosity of those who attend the VPSA State Show annually.
The VPSA, headquartered in Williamsburg, is a group of sportsmen who serve sportsmen. They founded the Virginia BIG GAME CONTEST in 1940 and developed the Virginia Scoring System for Deer and Bear. The group is the caretaker of the 85-year-old Virginia Record Book documenting the largest deer, bear, and turkey ever to roam within the Commonwealth.
The contest held last weekend is the oldest consecutively held deer contestin the country. The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources supports the group but VPSA manages the contest entirely with its cadre of well-trained volunteers.
See our September edition for the new Virginia State Champions in 14 divisions and Youth and Ladies Only divisions as well.
The new Overall Virginia State Champion is Michael Arrington! Michael’s buck was harvested with a blackpowder rifle in Spotsylvania CountyVirginia and sported a 13-point rack and scored 225 8/16.

08/08/2024

Are you looking for a great dove hunt? Look no further than Bacon Farms dove hunts.
Nestled right on the county lines of Lunenburg and Brunswick, sits over 200ac of amazing upland fields. Owner and professional bird dog trainer, Jacob Bacon has again agreed to allow VSS to take over for our own dove hunt.
Bacon Farms was a huge success last year (featured in Woods & Waters Magazine's October 2023 edition) and everyone is super excited for the upcoming season. The opening day hunt is scheduled for Monday, September 2nd, but is SOLD OUT! There is a wait list. The second hunt is being held Saturday, September 7th and there are just a few pegs left so don’t delay in reserving your spot.
Check-in begins at 12pm to allow ample time to set up blinds, mojos, etc with shooting time from 1p until 5.30p. We’ll top off this fantastic hunt with our usual shindig featuring a delicious home-cooked meal and ice cold beverages. Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Well behaved retrievers are welcome to assist their shooters on stand. Cost is only $250 per gun.
Click here to reserve your spot... mailto:[email protected]?subject=Reservation%20for%20Dove%20Hunt%209.7&body=

05/08/2024

W2 Adventure Editor Aaron Ball and W2 Pro Team member Brian Green enjoyed a productive day on the lower Chesapeake chasing cobia today! Eddie Mayes and Scott Hutchinson also were part of the adventure. We’ll have the story in our September edition.

31/07/2024

The new Bullet Boats XST has arrived at Propeller Dynamics! This is one of the hottest bass boats made and rest-assured, Robbie Patterson will rig it right!

The Bullet Boats XST is a must see. The boat rides and fishes just as well as it looks!! Stop by and check it out.

31/07/2024

You’ll find plenty of impressive trophies like this 10 pointer taken in Charles City Co. On De. 12 by John Hofmeyer
with muzzleloader at this weekend’s Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen's Association Big Game Trophy Show running with the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show.

31/07/2024

Fishing Pro Tech has an impressive supply of “Artist Grade” Great Hunting Minnow baits from Megabass. This is the lure that sparked the Vision 110 craze.

31/07/2024

Big ammo sale starts tomorrow at Green Top Sporting Goods. If you are dove hunting there are some good deals!

30/07/2024

Did you harvest a trophy deer, bear or turkey last season? Why not see how it ranks by entering it in this weekend’s Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen's Association Big Game Trophy Show, part of the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show.

30/07/2024

Alright, it’s almost time to kick off the unofficial start of the hunting season with the Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show this Friday, Saturday and Sunday!

29/07/2024

Take a minute to read this tribute to the late Mark S. Wood, a.k.a. - Woodduck by Josh Morris of the Richmond Crappie Club.

BY JOSH MORRIS

29/07/2024

Our August edition is packed with the diverse hunting and fishing information you expect from Virginia's fishing and hunting magazine. We start off with our annual Guide To Hunting Preserves & Outfitters that will keep you busy this coming season. Then we bring you the story of our recent visit to the Chickahominy River and our chat with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Chief of Fisheries on the river's bass fishing. Next up is Duane Adam's third installment of Gobbler Quest and it recalls two stories that didn't include a harvest. Ever heard of the American Forest Foundation? You might want to check out our article on it and see if your land can make you money while you sleep. Our Top 5 Summer Adventures will hopefully motivate you to make some plans. Josh Morris of the Richmond Crappie Club penned a special In Memorial for the late Mark S. Wood, a.k.a. - Woodduck. Our monthly columnists have been busy. Brian Boog fished Lee Hall Reservoir with his Small Waters feature. Ahnstrom's Winged Wisdom offers tips on preparing for the upcoming dove and goose seasons. Steve Chaconas' Hook, Line & Thinker notes how far women have come among the ranks of professional angling. There's all that plus Tide & Moon Charts, our famous Regional Focus Reports and our Calendar of Events! You can read it all at www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com.

27/07/2024

Our August edition is coming soon! You can always view it earliest at www.woodsandwatersmagazine.com. Check out this article that appears in the issue... https://woodsandwatersmagazine.com/w2-top-5-summer-adventures-2024/

By C.C. MCCOTTER