Hunting

Giles contains 92.4 square miles of Jefferson National Forest perfect for hunting. With an abundance of whitetail deer, wild turkey, grouse, rabbit, racoon, coyote black bear and bobcat, fall is one Giles County's busiest seasons.Hunters and sportsman come from neighboring states to enjoy the great hunting and for a chance to simply sit in the woods and drink in the peaceful beauty. Excitment, disappointment, and tall tails fill the local markets and check stations every evening as hunters of every kind slowly and unwillingly come from the forest and head in to check their game.

Tips:

• Let someone know the area in which you'll be hunting.
• Carry a topo map of the area you will be hunting.
• Bring a cell phone or radio in case of emergency.
• Scope out the area you'll be hunting and focus on landmarks. Once snow has covered the ground, what use to be familiar can now look very different. Especially when the sun goes down.
• Make sure your firearm or bow are in proper working order and you have the right ammunition.
• Check your tree stand and make repairs early.
• Always carry an emergency / survival kit with you just in case the unthinkable happens.
• Know your target and BEYOND. If you are unfamiliar with the area, you may just be shooting towards someone's cattle, or worse yet, their home.
• Carry all proper licenses and identification with you at all times.
• Know the regulations. Log onto the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to find out more

Hunt Camp
Whether you own a RV camper and park it in the local camp ground or just pitch a tent in the National Forest, please remember to extinguish all fires before leaving.

2011 Hunter Education Schedule

• March 12-13
• August 13-14
• September 10-11
• October 15-16

Location to be announced.  Please see the Virginia Leader for updates.

Carcass Collector Program

ReNew the New Committee to initiate Carcass Collector Program. In an effort to give sportsmen a location to properly dispose of deer carcasses, the ReNew the New Committee has initiated the Carcass Collector Program. Every year hundreds of deer carcasses end up along our roadsides and the banks of the river, primarily because many people simply have nowhere to take them. To solve this problem, there has been a dumpster placed at Pembroke Stop and Save that will be accessible twenty-four hours per day, throughout the hunting season. The location was provided at no cost, by one the Renew’s volunteers and store owner, Mike Bostic.

The dumpster itself bears the programs logo designed by Alisa Moody with Wild Country Studios, also one of the committee’s volunteers. The Giles County Public Service Authority plans to empty the dumpster several times per week. While this is currently the only location the service is offered, if successful, there are plans to expand the program next year.

Sgt. Charlie Mullins, a Conservation Police Officer with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries stated that the program was designed by sportsmen, for sportsmen, and he believes it will address a growing problem. Mullins also states they plan to ask for increased fines and/or jail time for violators who are caught illegally dumping carcasses; with the extra effort the county has made there is simply no explanation for improperly disposing of these carcasses.

ReNew The New is a volunteer organization made up of Giles Conservation, Law and County officials; outfitters, and citizens committed to stewardship of the 37 miles of the New River flowing through Giles County. ReNew sponsors two annual river clean-ups and welcomes anyone interested in protecting and renewing the beautiful New River. For more informations, please call 540-921-2525.