The Shadow
In an effort to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for as many people as possible, the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, is opening the Fore Mountain Special Hunting Area, east of Covington in Alleghany County, to disabled deer hunters from November 19 through December 3, Sundays excluded.
As in past years, hunters with either a general disability or the permanent inability to walk can drive into the area for the regular rifle deer-hunting season only. Hunters and other forest users may still walk into the area.
Please bring a valid Big Game License, National Forest Stamp, and Disabled Hunting License or Hunting Permit for Persons Permanently Unable to Walk to obtain a Forest Service Authorization Letter issued at the James River District office at 810A Madison Avenue, Covington between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays.
The Big Game License and National Forest Stamp can be purchased locally whereas the Disabled Hunting License or Hunting Permit for Persons Permanently Unable to Walk permit are issued by Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries in Richmond at 804-367-1000 or www.HuntFishVA.com.
To access the Fore Mountain Special Hunting Area from Covington, take Forest Service Road 125 (Dolly Ann Rd) for approximately 4.5 miles to the Fore Mountain access, Forest Service Road 448 (Fore Mountain Rd), which is on the right, across from the Bald Knob parking area at the Dolly Ann Divide.
From Clifton Forge, take State Route 606 for approximately 4.5 miles to FSR 125 (Dolly Ann Rd) and follow for approximately 2.2 miles to the Dolly Ann Divide where Forest Service Road 448 (Fore Mountain Rd) is on the left and will access Forest Service Road 448 (Fore Mountain Rd)
A sign on the gate will indicate “Fore Mountain Special Hunting Area.”
Four-wheel drive vehicles are strongly recommended. Wet roads may need to be closed without prior notice to protect the road surface, so check road status with the Forest Service at 962-2214. Please keep the area clean of litter.
Qualified disabled hunters may sign out a key for pre-season scouting purposes only on the following Sundays:
November 6, 13, 20, 27. Firewood gathering is not permitted.
The key may be picked up on the Friday prior to the desired scouting Sunday and must be returned the following Monday.
No more than five disabled permits, general and permanent combined, will be issued for a single hunting day.
Pre-season scouting is only allowed on Sundays so motorized vehicles do not disturb archery and muzzle loading hunting seasons in effect on weekdays through Saturdays.
For more information about the Fore Mountain Hunt, please contact the James River District office at 962-2214. The James River District office is located at 810A Madison Avenue in Covington.
Information about hunting licenses can be obtained by calling the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at (804) 367-1000 or at www.H-untFishVA.com.
