Hunting and Fishing

BRSR Sportsman's Program

Hunting Regulations for the Reservation

1. All Virginia Game and Fish Laws must be observed.

2. Hunting on the Scout Reservation is permitted only with a special permit. This permit must be on your person when hunting on the Reservation.

3. Each hunter must display his hunting permit number on the dash of his vehicle.

4. No hunting on Fridays after 12:00 noon, Saturdays, Sundays, Holidays, or when any Scouting groups are using the Reservation-except the two weeks of rifle season for deer, when hunting will be permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, and Holidays.

5. A permit will be issued to anyone under 18 years of age if accompanied by a parent, guardian, or supervisor 21-year-old or older.

6. Permits will be issued to individuals only. No group permits will be issued.

7. The BSA reserves the right to close the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation to all hunting.

8. No camping or hunting within 500 yards of any permanent building or structure on the Reservation (This includes but is not limited to Camp Ottari, Powhatan, the rangers residence, and central storage).

9. The possession of alcohol or drugs on BSA property will not be permitted.

10. Do not cut any trees.

11. No hunting from vehicles. No loaded guns are to be carried in vehicles on Reservation property. While walking through "No Hunting Areas", Firearms must be unloaded.

12. Any dogs used in hunting on the Reservation must be retrieved at the end of each hunt.

13. The Powhatan and Ottari gates will be closed to vehicles—except you may drive through to retrieve game.

14. No bear hunting. No coyote hunting.

15. No fires are permitted.

16. No off-road vehicles (ATV's) will be permitted.

17. All hunters that plan to camp must notify the rangers of the time of arrival and departure, location of campsite, and the names of all persons planning to camp.

18. Parking permits are issued at Camp Powhatan for parking only at lower parking lot below the dam. (Limited issue) No camping or overnight stays are allowed in parking lot.

19. Only deer with an antler rack which is wider than the deer's ears shall be taken from the BRSR (except for hunters under 18 years of age).

Quality Deer Management and Conservation Improvements

Council Conservation Committee

The Blue Ridge Mountains Council is proud to have a newly formed Conservation Committee. This committee is composed of professionals with expertise in: Cultural Resources, Forestry and Fire Management, Hazard Tree Management, Non-timber Forest Products, Soil Erosion, Trail and Campsite Management, and Wildlife. The information gathered by committee experts is being woven into a new Ecosystem Plan for the Reservation.

The committee has recently completed projects ranging from GPS mapping the High Knoll Trails and protecting two groves of Hemlocks from the woolly aldegid infestation, to helping revise Reservation hunting policies. The committee is committed to making sure conservation is a vital part of our Council program and facilities management.

Quality Deer Management Program

In order to better understand the quality and population of the Reservation's deer herd, the Boy Scouts are entering into a partnership with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The Quality Deer Management Program (QDM) will include a Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) area of approximately 3700 acres. Hunting for deer within this area will be by a special permit only.

To receive a permit to hunt the QDM area, hunters will be required to attend a special educational session that will outline the program and the responsibilities of the DMAP hunters. These special requirements include taking any deer harvested within the QDM area to a special check station to be located near the central storage area at the Camp Powhatan entrance. The hunter will be required to collect biological deer harvest data at the check station to included the weight of the deer, certain specified harvest data such as location of the kill, and an extracted deer jawbone. Those holding QDM permits may hunt in any designated hunting area on the reservation. The QDM boundary will be identified with blue flagging and QDM area signs. Failure to follow the special QDM requirements will result in a loss of hunting privileges or a $50.00 fine. Mr. Charlie Stutz, Reservation Property Superintendent, is designated as the QDM liaison with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. We hope that you will consider participating in this valuable program.

Thanks Hunters!

Over the past year, many hunters contribuited time and money to the creation of a food plot off of Greenwood Trail. In addition to improving wildlife habitat, these work days provided an excellent opportunity for hunters to meet one another and share their hunting stories. If you are interested in assisting with future projects, please contact Charlie.

Contact Information

Council Service Center:
Blue Ridge Mountains Council
Hunting Permits
PO Box 7606
Roanoke, VA 24019
(540) 265-0656

Reservation Superintendent:
Charlie Stultz - 540-230-0449 - charlie70@psknet.com