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Joined: Jul 2003
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OP
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Posts: 314 |
Due to the need to take care of my wife's ill parents, we're relocating to north (closer to Lexington) of Roanoke. I've done a fair amount of research, but thought I'd ask locals who know; you guys.
1. Would shooting in the Nat Forest be ok, or are there too many people where it'd cause problems? How 'bout ranges. I want to play long distance too. Up to 500yds.
2. Gun/sporting goods stores
3. Hunting looks good, I'm excited about that.
4. Meet & greet later in the Spring? Had a nice campout w/ the CO/WYO/Ut guys earlier this year.
We're packing now and should be there mid Feb. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,597
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I lived in central VA for a few years, so I'm no expert, but I'll get the conversation started. I doubt you can target shoot on NF land the way you can out west. There are some public, free, established ranges on NF land, but they probably only go to 100y. Green Top isn't close but it's worth a visit. http://www.greentophuntfish.com/Buy a canoe, float fishing the James... Feel free to PM me some time.
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
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rnr;
That area is home. Send me a PM, and we'll talk.
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,871 Likes: 5
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
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rnr,
1. Target shooting in the national forest is generally illegal in most cases. There are some 100 yard ranges operated by the forest service, one is located 30 minutes west of Lexington at Low Moor. Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club has 300 yard range and they are located just east of Roanoke, it is a members only but is not hard to join.
2. Best gun shop near Lexington will be Dominion Outdoors located in Fishersville, approximately 30 minutes north of Lexington. Green Top is located north of Richmond, but that area does not allow centerfire rifles for deer hunting so I have found they stock "Black Rifles", handguns, and shotguns but little else.
3. Great hunting in that part of Virginia. Approximately 1.7 million acres in Jefferson and George Washington National Forest.
4. As already stated the James River has great smallmouth fishing and there are also fine trout steams in the area.
PM me when you get to the area and I can give you more specific information if needed.
Welcome to Virginia
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 52,680 |
Due to the need to take care of my wife's ill parents, we're relocating to north (closer to Lexington) of Roanoke. I've done a fair amount of research, but thought I'd ask locals who know; you guys.
1. Would shooting in the Nat Forest be ok, or are there too many people where it'd cause problems? How 'bout ranges. I want to play long distance too. Up to 500yds.
2. Gun/sporting goods stores
3. Hunting looks good, I'm excited about that.
4. Meet & greet later in the Spring? Had a nice campout w/ the CO/WYO/Ut guys earlier this year.
We're packing now and should be there mid Feb. Looking forward to meeting some of you guys. Dangit we are going to miss you this summer. Gentlemen rnr and his missus are great people!
Liberalism is a mental disorder that leads to social disease.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314 |
Yeah, I was looking forward to gettin' w/ everyone again. But duty to family takes precedence.
Excited about getting know a new area, tho.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314
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Campfire Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314 |
Thanks everyone. Lots of good info. I'll PM after we get settled in. Weird that you can hunt in the NF, but not target shoot.  Oh well I'll find something.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 948
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
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There's a Gander Mtn on I-81 right on the north side of Roanoke. SW of Roanoke into Floyd, Patrick, Henry & Carroll counties (I'm in Carroll) has superb hunting. There are two TOP NOTCH gun shops out I-81 in Christiansburg. Whitetail Outfitters on Rt 8 & Miller's in C'burg are two of the best I've ever been around. Tommy Miller is a great guy & runs a very nice place. Darrell over at Whitetail makes you feel like you just came home every time you go in the door. There is at least one gun/shooting club in Roanoke, maybe another in Blacksburg &/or Christiansburg. Good folks around this area so making new friends with a farm or two to do some shooting on will be no problem. Whenever you get moved in PM me & I'd be glad to meet up & show you around that area.
beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur Matthew 5:9
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Joined: Dec 2006
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Dec 2006
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Yeah, I was looking forward to gettin' w/ everyone again. But duty to family takes precedence.
Excited about getting know a new area, tho. Their gain..you 2 will be missed, but family does take precedence.
Liberalism is a mental disorder that leads to social disease.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33,971 |
By far VAnimrod is your best source of info.
I can help here as well. Drop me a PM.
Proud to be a true Sandlapper!!
Go Nats!!!!
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 100 |
This is my home , too.
I run the local Highpowermatches, and am installed
on the BOD of the local shooting club.
You can hunt on our 355 acres, too.
Google...
Roanoke Rifle and Revolver.
Best,
Michael
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jul 2006
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Don't know if you'll be in the outskirts of Lexington,such as Glasgow or the like,but Roanoke is still a good hour drive,(55 miles) from Lexington.
I'd love to own land in Lexington if I didn't have a connection and fondness for the Nelson County area.
Lexington is simply a beautiful area steeped in history and tradition.
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
William Arthur Ward
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I've been up and down 81 a few times when I moved from NY to GA...VA is really nice down that way.
Kiss your girlfriend where it smells.......take her to Jersey!
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2009
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I'm from a little West of there, grew up on Claytor Lake in Dublin. Lots of National Forest and great fishing on the New River. Lots of deer and other game, sure helps that I grew up there and know some farmers for access.
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what are the gun laws like specific to handguns and carrying?
Kiss your girlfriend where it smells.......take her to Jersey!
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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I've been up and down 81 a few times when I moved from NY to GA...VA is really nice down that way. Two totally different worlds of VA. I-81 side -vs- I-95 side. To me I-81 wins over I-95.
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Campfire Regular
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what are the gun laws like specific to handguns and carrying? Open carry state. Concealed carry by permit. See link for info : VSP - Weapons & Concealed Carry
Last edited by skullmonkey; 01/15/12.
beati pacifici quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur Matthew 5:9
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Joined: Jul 2003
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OP
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what are the gun laws like specific to handguns and carrying? Open carry state. Concealed carry by permit. See link for info : VSP - Weapons & Concealed Carry And from what I've read, Shall Issue. If you don't get your permit (barring a disqualification) your application is your defacto permit with in 45 days. That's pretty cool!!
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33,971
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 33,971 |
I've been up and down 81 a few times when I moved from NY to GA...VA is really nice down that way. Two totally different worlds of VA. I-81 side -vs- I-95 side. To me I-81 wins over I-95. HA! There's about 6 different worlds to VA.
Proud to be a true Sandlapper!!
Go Nats!!!!
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 314
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OP
Campfire Member
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Don't know if you'll be in the outskirts of Lexington,such as Glasgow or the like,but Roanoke is still a good hour drive,(55 miles) from Lexington.
Lexington is simply a beautiful area steeped in history and tradition. LOL. Driving is not a big deal to me. Not to be a smart azz, but an hour barely gets me out of Denver!!  Distances are different out here. But I'm really looking forward to exploring.
"How often have I said to you that when you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth?
Sherlock Holmes
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