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Becoming a Virginia Hunter: Spring Turkey

Interested in learning how to hunt turkeys in Virginia? Eager to harvest your own turkey? The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) wants to help you become a Virginia Hunter!

Join us on Saturday, March 9th from 9 AM – 3 PM at Monquin Creek Outfitters in King William, VA, for a free introductory workshop on hunting fundamentals and best practices.

Registration is required. Participants must be 18 years or older. Please bring your own bag lunch for this event.

If you’ve never hunted before but are interested in learning how, this event is for you! This full-day workshop is intended for beginners only and will be facilitated by DWR staff, certified Hunter Education instructors, and vetted hunting mentors to ensure safety and success. (If you are more experienced and interested in sharpening your skills, check out our other workshops across the state.)

The event will be held round-robin style with participants visiting and engaging in the following stations:

  1. Shotgun Basics for Turkey: Participants will learn to safely use shotguns for turkey hunting, learn about the various types of shotguns, chokes and gauges, and practice shooting turkey targets.
  2. Ground Blinds & Locations: Participants will learn how to optimize success by scouting for game food sources and how to safely set up a ground blind.
  3. Turkey Calls & Decoys: Participants will learn about the different types of call the wild turkey makes, and how we mimic their language using game calls. Participants will also learn about the safe and ethical use of turkey decoys and how to place them for maximum benefit.

In addition to the stations above, we’ll also have a Game Care and Processing session where participants will learn what do once you have harvested your animal. This overview will take participants through the legal steps post-harvest, how to field dress the animal, how to transport it from field to vehicle and considerations on how to keep the meat clean and safe for consumption.

Registration for this workshop is required and space is limited.

Register Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the age requirement?

18 years or older.

What is the event cost?

This event is free of charge. Space is limited, so registration is required.

What do I need to bring?

Warm clothes, lunch, and closed toed shoes. A water bottle is recommended.

Will food be served?

No, please plan to bring your own lunch.

I’ve hunted before. Can I come?

This event is designed with first timers in mind. If you’ve never purchased a hunting license or hunted before, you are welcome to come. If you are more experienced and interested in sharpening your skills, check out our other workshops.

This event was made possible by Monquin Creek Outfitters and Bass Pro/Cabela’s Outdoor Fund.