Relocated from Texas to Northern Virginia - Recs Needed

Hi All,

I moved from Austin, TX to Arlington, VA for work about a year ago and things have finally settled down enough that I can get back into shooting/hunting more seriously. I still have family in Texas and my lab is still with his trainer there (just got his first AKC Senior Hunter pass!), but I think I’ll be in Northern Virginia for the foreseeable future.

I would hugely appreciate your recommendations on the following in Virginia or the broader mid-Atlantic:
1. Ranges (big bore rifle, standard and long range rifle, clays, modern/tactical, pistol)
2. Gunsmiths for fine rifles/guns
3. Gun + hunting stores/shops (especially for fine guns and optics, but also Scheel’s/Cabelas/clothing+gear type places)
4. Hunting/Shooting Clubs ( whitetail, waterfowl, upland, shooting)
5. Hunting dog trainers and breeders
6. Outfitters/places to hunt mature whitetail bucks on/near East Coast (VA, West VA, Pennsylvania, etc) that are a. not on small preserves and b. don’t cost as much as a whole plains game safari in Namibia (really just looking for good trophy quality and a good value)
7. Outfitters/places to hunt upland game or waterfowl in the mid-Atlantic

Essentially if you’ve had a great experience with anything hunting or shooting related in Virginia, West Virginia or the greater mid-Atlantic, I’d love to hear about it!

I’m an Army vet, so if there’s anything military-related (I’ve heard about ranges at Quantico for example) feel free to include those!

Thanks for your time!

Hi Texian,

Apologies for the late reply, I am just seeing this. Welcome to Va! I am a native Richmonder, but now living in Austin, and before that, was in Arlington Court House.

As for your questions:

1) A ton of VA WMA's have rifle ranges, however Cavalier Sporting Clays in Montpelier has a 600yd range I believe.
2/3) NoVa gunsmiths I'm not too sure on, but Greentop in Hanover has great ones. In fact, Greentop is the best hunting store I have ever been to. It beats any of the ones in Texas in my opinion.
4) I recommend going with Guides and joining VA waterfowler facebook groups to solicit hunts. Monquin Creek Outfitters with Chip Watkins is my favorite outfitter in Central Virginia. Brian Bodine with Razorback Outfitters is also a favorite and a class act, I shot my first Turkey with him in '19 and have been back a few times.
5) Neal Kauder at Orapax Farm and Punto Blanco Gun Dogs!
6) Chip and Brian of #4 do great deer hunts at rates that are comparable to Texas if not less expensive.
7) I would check out War's End preserve in Appamattox. I have not been but I have heard they are the spiritual successor to Orapax Preserve. Great guides, as well as great pricing. Plus if your a history buff that area has a ton of it.

Hope this helps, and let me know if you'd ever want to hunt together.

TexianHussar said:

Hi All,

I moved from Austin, TX to Arlington, VA for work about a year ago and things have finally settled down enough that I can get back into shooting/hunting more seriously. I still have family in Texas and my lab is still with his trainer there (just got his first AKC Senior Hunter pass!), but I think I’ll be in Northern Virginia for the foreseeable future.

I would hugely appreciate your recommendations on the following in Virginia or the broader mid-Atlantic:
1. Ranges (big bore rifle, standard and long range rifle, clays, modern/tactical, pistol)
2. Gunsmiths for fine rifles/guns
3. Gun + hunting stores/shops (especially for fine guns and optics, but also Scheel’s/Cabelas/clothing+gear type places)
4. Hunting/Shooting Clubs ( whitetail, waterfowl, upland, shooting)
5. Hunting dog trainers and breeders
6. Outfitters/places to hunt mature whitetail bucks on/near East Coast (VA, West VA, Pennsylvania, etc) that are a. not on small preserves and b. don’t cost as much as a whole plains game safari in Namibia (really just looking for good trophy quality and a good value)
7. Outfitters/places to hunt upland game or waterfowl in the mid-Atlantic

Essentially if you’ve had a great experience with anything hunting or shooting related in Virginia, West Virginia or the greater mid-Atlantic, I’d love to hear about it!

I’m an Army vet, so if there’s anything military-related (I’ve heard about ranges at Quantico for example) feel free to include those!

Thanks for your time!

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@TexianHussar
There's a lot of Virginians on this site.
One that wouldn't be far from you is @ BeeMaa. He is in the Alexandria region and is a top bloke, very knowledgeable and likes fine rifles, just a pity they are blazers.
I'm sure if you reach out to him via a PM he would be able to help you with some answers.
I have met him personally and he is a fine gentleman and ex Navy
Bob

@BeeMaa is in your neck of the woods

My thoughts:

Fairfax Rod & Gun Club might be worth a look.

Sterling Arsenal is a decent gun shop west of you. There are also some usual type places around. Also look down in Fredericksburg (@RAVEN ROCKS PRECISION is down there).

NRA Headquarters used to have an indoor gun range in the basement. Out in Loudon and Warren counties there are some outdoor ranges. Black Bear Shooting Complex (a couple hours SW of you) has a 2200 yd range. Also, Quantico does have a 1000yd range. There may be some ranges near Manasshole (Manassas), but I don’t remember.

As someone who moved to Alexandria from Texas 28 years ago let me offer condolences.

That said there are some opportunites.

I belong to the Izaak Walton League in Chantilly. Good 100 yard rifle range and trap and skeet for a couple hundred bucks a year.

PG County and Bull Run are good for shotgun sports.

I've belonged to a couple different clubs on the Eastern Shore for waterfowl hunting. Currently without one but looking.

Good grouse and woodcock hunting in a few hours drive if you're willing to work.

As for dog trainers that's along conversation but I have a bit of experience.

Would be happy to buy you a cocktail and talk all things hunting, shooting, and dogs in the area. Just shoot me a PM.

I love living in central wv, endless outdoor opportunities, currently not much waterfowl hunting here and grouse are in a but of decline but it is never an issue to get permission from farmers to hunt Canadian geese, they all despise them. I have strangers calling me to hunt geese off their fields. Deer, Turkey , and squirrel hunting is fantastic here.

I’m from across the Potomac in Maryland.

For outstanding gun shops within reasonable driving range, I will second the recommendation for Green Top in Hanover VA, and would like to add Hendershot’s Sporting Goods in Hancock Maryland.

For gunsmith’s within a reasonable driving distance, I would recommend Gostimski’s gunsmith service in Mount Savage MD. Bill does general gunsmith work but is also an excellent gun builder. He has built several rifles for me.

Welcome to NoVA. I hope the change in scenery wasn’t too much of a shock.

I’m located in Alexandria not far from @Russ16.

I’ve been a big fan of Bull Run Shooting Center for skeet, trap, wobble and sporting clays. It’s not top notch, but it’s inexpensive and family friendly.

I usually go to the NRA range for pistol and rifle, but it’s only 50 yards. There are other options but distance (because of traffic) becomes a problem.

I use a small shop for my FFL called H&F Firearms. Good guys that cater mostly towards the tactical crowd.

Send me a DM if you want to get together for a drink or coffee.

Welcome to the Commonwealth, I am probably one of the few natives having grown up in Arlington and now live in Falls Church. We have property in the Shenandoah Valley, that is where I shoot and hunt mainly.

Gun shops, you will be sorely disappointed by the Cabelas in Gainesville (or Richmond) if you are looking for fine guns. Usually the Gun Library is locked, and once you get them to open it you will not stay long. You would be better driving to the Cabelas in Hamburg, PA (about a three hour-drive). Clark Brothers is in Warrenton, they have a public shooting range (I think you need to purchase your ammo there?) and occasionally they have some nice firearms. GreenTop is a very good hunting/fishing store with a good number of new firearms that you can pick-up and handle. Since COVID their used inventory is mainly AR/plastics with limited walnut and blued steel rifles. Their used shotgun inventory is larger. David Condon in Middleburg has some nice firearms and the town is nice to walk around. One of the best firearm shops I have ever visited is Mid-South Guns in Wagram, NC (about a six-hour drive) near Charlotte, NC. We stopped last year on the way to the SC beaches and I had my wife and dogs in the car. I could have stayed all day. I have never visited Eurooptics in Muncy, PA, but plan to. There are a bunch of small gun shops in VA, MD, WV with hit or miss inventory.

A free monthly publication you may want to pick-up is Woods & Water, it has hunting and fishing articles as well as advertisements for guides, gunsmiths, gun shows, real estate, etc.

I think most of the upland bird hunting in this area is now on preserves, I have not been yet but have friends that go with and without their own dogs. The Chesapeake Bay area is traditionally a big waterfowl hunting area.

DM me if I can be of more assistance.

Kevin

BeeMaa said:

Welcome to NoVA. I hope the change in scenery wasn’t too much of a shock.

I’m located in Alexandria not far from @Russ16.

I’ve been a big fan of Bull Run Shooting Center for skeet, trap, wobble and sporting clays. It’s not top notch, but it’s inexpensive and family friendly.

I usually go to the NRA range for pistol and rifle, but it’s only 50 yards. There are other options but distance (because of traffic) becomes a problem.

I use a small shop for my FFL called H&F Firearms. Good guys that cater mostly towards the tactical crowd.

Send me a DM if you want to get together for a drink or coffee.

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@BeeMaa
If Bull Run is where you, myself and another AHer went I can testify that it is a great place to shoot. I had an absolute ball there despite not hitting many clays.
Bob

Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:

@BeeMaa
If Bull Run is where you, myself and another AHer went I can testify that it is a great place to shoot. I had an absolute ball there despite not hitting many clays.
Bob

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LOL. That’s the place. @HankBuck and I were out there with you for the afternoon.

BeeMaa said:

LOL. That’s the place. @HankBuck and I were out there with you for the afternoon.

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@BeeMaa
And I had a great time despite missing more than I hit.
The guns didn't fit
They were the wrong loads
I had the wrong chokes.
Ah stuff it nothing wrong with anything apart from the shooter with not enough practice behind a shotgun.
Bob

Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:

@BeeMaa
And I had a great time despite missing more than I hit.
The guns didn't fit
They were the wrong loads
I had the wrong chokes.
Ah stuff it nothing wrong with anything apart from the shooter with not enough practice behind a shotgun.
Bob

Click to expand...

I use all those excuses at least once during a round of clays. And I don’t think I’m alone.

Deep down we all know the problem lies behind the trigger.

TexianHussar said:

Hi All,

I moved from Austin, TX to Arlington, VA for work about a year ago and things have finally settled down enough that I can get back into shooting/hunting more seriously. I still have family in Texas and my lab is still with his trainer there (just got his first AKC Senior Hunter pass!), but I think I’ll be in Northern Virginia for the foreseeable future.

I would hugely appreciate your recommendations on the following in Virginia or the broader mid-Atlantic:
1. Ranges (big bore rifle, standard and long range rifle, clays, modern/tactical, pistol)
2. Gunsmiths for fine rifles/guns
3. Gun + hunting stores/shops (especially for fine guns and optics, but also Scheel’s/Cabelas/clothing+gear type places)
4. Hunting/Shooting Clubs ( whitetail, waterfowl, upland, shooting)
5. Hunting dog trainers and breeders
6. Outfitters/places to hunt mature whitetail bucks on/near East Coast (VA, West VA, Pennsylvania, etc) that are a. not on small preserves and b. don’t cost as much as a whole plains game safari in Namibia (really just looking for good trophy quality and a good value)
7. Outfitters/places to hunt upland game or waterfowl in the mid-Atlantic

Essentially if you’ve had a great experience with anything hunting or shooting related in Virginia, West Virginia or the greater mid-Atlantic, I’d love to hear about it!

I’m an Army vet, so if there’s anything military-related (I’ve heard about ranges at Quantico for example) feel free to include those!

Thanks for your time!

Click to expand...

Texian,

Welcome to the Commiewealth! I moved here for work as well three years ago.

I'll second many of the recommendations from the members above.

One addition I'd like to make:

Not sure what your budget is, BUT.....If you love shooting clays, live birds, etc. I would highly recommend looking into Prospect Hall in Kearneysville, WV (right on the border with Virginia/Maryland). It's a traditional European shooting club with an incredible clays course that is constantly changing, trap, skeet, hunting course, 5-stand. They also host columbaire, continental, and box-bird quail shoots. Clientele is limited and I can't say for sure that they are accepting new members at the moment, but it would be worth a look if that interests you. Many of the gentlemen there enjoy VERY fine shotguns and are incredibly skilled wing-shooters. FULL DISCLOSURE: I AM NOT A MEMBER, but I have shot there many times over the years as a guest.

Arty0802 said:

Texian,

Welcome to the Commiewealth! I moved here for work as well three years ago.

I'll second many of the recommendations from the members above.

One addition I'd like to make:

Not sure what your budget is, BUT.....If you love shooting clays, live birds, etc. I would highly recommend looking into Prospect Hall in Kearneysville, WV (right on the border with Virginia/Maryland). It's a traditional European shooting club with an incredible clays course that is constantly changing, trap, skeet, hunting course, 5-stand. They also host columbaire, continental, and box-bird quail shoots. Clientele is limited and I can't say for sure that they are accepting new members at the moment, but it would be worth a look if that interests you. Many of the gentlemen there enjoy VERY fine shotguns and are incredibly skilled wing-shooters. FULL DISCLOSURE: I AM NOT A MEMBER, but I have shot there many times over the years as a guest.

Click to expand...

Prospect Hall is great. I used to be a member and am thinking of rejoining.

BourbonTrail said:

NRA Headquarters used to have an indoor gun range in the basement. Out in Loudon and Warren counties there are some outdoor ranges.

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During my one and only experience shooting at the NRA headquarters I watched a gentlemen in the lane next to me pull a brand new SCAR 17 out of the box, shoulder it with the iron sights still folded down, aim down the top rail, then proceed to pump rounds into the ceiling. I tried to stop him and tell him to put his sights up and he just gave me a thumbs up and yelled some facsimile of "Hell yeah brother!". A short time later the guy in the OTHER adjacent lane flagged us multiple times by pointing his handgun directly down the firing line. On our way out the RO came out and apologized. I don't plan to go back any time soon haha.

Peacemaker National Range is near you. It is in the Eastern Panhandle of WV but is on a few miles from Winchester, VA. Great facilities and there is a ton of public hunting lands in WV.

Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:

@BeeMaa
And I had a great time despite missing more than I hit.
The guns didn't fit
They were the wrong loads
I had the wrong chokes.
Ah stuff it nothing wrong with anything apart from the shooter with not enough practice behind a shotgun.
Bob

Click to expand...

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - don’t count your misses…only you’re HITS - it’s all for FUN and I had a good time shooting with you (if I counted my ‘misses’ I’d quit shooting!)

BeeMaa said:

I use all those excuses at least once during a round of clays. And I don’t think I’m alone.

Deep down we all know the problem lies behind the trigger.

Click to expand...

@BeeMaa & @Bob Nelson 35Whelen - I would rather miss a clay target, or ALL clay targets and “Save My Hits” for game birds. While running 100 straight on Clays would be Great —- Never missing another duck, grouse, or quail would be HEAVEN

HankBuck said:

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen - don’t count your misses…only you’re HITS - it’s all for FUN and I had a good time shooting with you (if I counted my ‘misses’ I’d quit shooting!)

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@HankBuck
Counting your misses is fun because it can only get less. A hit or a miss don't matter as long as you improve and have fun in the process. I definitely had a great time that day.
It's easy to improve so misses are good to learn. If you are good the only way is down I prefer going up in skill.
Bob