Shared by Jim Meisner, Jr. Public Relations Specialist, as Guest Blogger.

An official press release of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation 

A deer hunter off on an adventure during a controlled wildife management hunt. Courtesy of John Gresham

Virginia State Parks to hold lottery deer hunts

     (RICHMOND) –  Applications are being accepted for lottery deer hunts at Grayson Highlands State Park in Grayson County, Kiptopeke State Park in Northampton County, Leesylvania State Park in Prince William County and Natural Tunnel State Park in Scott County.

     Grayson Highlands will hold a muzzleloader hunt on Nov. 7-8, a youth general firearms hunt Nov. 19, and a general firearms hunt Nov. 28-29. Applications are due by Sept. 30 for all Grayson Highlands hunts.

     Kiptopeke will hold archery‑muzzleloader hunts Nov. 5 and Nov. 18, and shotgun hunts Nov. 19 and Dec. 2-3. The lottery deadline for the hunts at Kiptopeke is Sept. 28.

     Leesylvania State Park will hold a shotgun hunt Jan. 18. The deadline for the Leesylvania hunt is Nov. 4.

     Natural Tunnel State Park will hold a youth muzzleloader hunt Dec. 17, and a regular muzzleloader hunt Dec. 19-20, with applications due Oct. 28.

     A $5 non‑refundable application fee must be submitted for each hunt. Anyone may enter the lotteries for a chance to participate in the controlled hunts. Successful applicants must, on the day of the hunt, show proof of completion of a hunter safety education course and pay a $10 fee. Each lottery entry requires a separate application. A weapons qualification certificate is required for the Leesylvania hunt.

     For more information about these and other hunting opportunities and programs in Virginia State Parks or to obtain a lottery application, contact the Virginia State Parks Reservation Center at 800‑933‑PARK. Applications and information may also be found at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/huntingl.

     False Cape State Park, in conjunction with Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, will hold a special hog-only hunt on Feb. 3-4, 2012, with a lottery deadline of Sept. 30, 2011. Those interested must apply through the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries quota hunt system. Applications may be made online at www.vaquotahunts.com or by phone at 1‑877‑VAHUNTS Monday through Friday 9:30 a.m. ‑ 4:30 p.m.

     For information on quota hunts, hunting licenses, hunter safety education and hunting regulations, call the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries at 804-367‑1000 or visit the DGIF website at www.dgif.virginia.gov.

     Mason Neck State Park, in conjunction with the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge, will also hold lottery deer hunts. Those interested should contact the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge at 703-490‑4979 for more information or visit this page.

     For more information about Virginia State Parks, managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, visit www.virginiastateparks.gov.