Smith said two of the state's fatalities last year involved the shooter failing to identify his target. In one case, the hunter was trailing a deer that had been shot, and the victim was walking toward the hunter, who reacted to the movement and fired, she said. The majority of Virginia's 300,000 hunters have no problems in the field, Smith said, but they should know how to prevent accidents. Hunters are also injured in falls from tree stands, Smith said. If you start to nod off, get to the ground People hunt throughout Prince William, Grauer said, but the hunting is mostly concentrated in Nokesville, Haymarket and Gainesville areas out toward Bull Run Mountain.
Game wardens assist hunters in accidents, but they also monitor for poaching.
Hunting at night, on Sunday, on private property or taking too many or killing a doe on days not allowed is illegal, said Smith. That person is stealing wildlife. Last year through Oct. 31 there were 3,000 hunting violation arrests in Virginia, Smith said. The bag limit in Prince William is two per day and one deer must not have antlers, Smith said. The search is on for adult volunteers willing to donate their time as educational advocates for chronically truant students.