Belvoir Bow Hunters

What do you need to hunt on Ft. Belvoir?

Hunting Qualifications are held annually on Ft. Belvoir.  The basic requirements for every person wishing to hunt on Ft. Belvoir are:

• successfully pass this qualification
• possess a valid hunting license with archery tags and
• possess an IBEP (International Bowhunter Education Program) certification card.
• possess a Fort Belvoir MWR Card.  MWR cards can be obtained at the the SOSA Center for free. (Contact them at 805-3781 for more information on the MWR Card)

How to Qualify 

1. To qualify you must place 2 out of 3 arrows into a 9-inch circle at 20 and 30 yards
2. You must shoot the Top Left circle, Top Right Circle, and if required Bottom Circle.
3. Always shoot in this order or your arrow will not count.
4. Once you have sucessfully qualified you will be given the yearly LOI and a map of the Ft. Belvoir hunting areas.

Qualifications are held at the Fort Belvoir Archery Center indoor range at Tomkins Basin.

Qualification Dates:
Starting:   August timeframe on Wednesday and Thursday's from 1600 - 1900 (typically) *
Cost: $22.00
Qualifications end the 2nd week of November.

QUALIFICATION PROCEDURES (per 2008-2009 LOI)

a. Fill out the Application for Hunting Card Fort Belvoir with current information. Hunters under 18 years of age must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the application. Forms are available at the HCS.

b. A $30.00 non-refundable registration fee is collected prior to the skill qualification test. Youth hunters, 15 years old and under, and E5’s and below pay a $15.00 registration fee.

c. After qualification and completion of the application form, the hunter will be issued a green MWR card at the Community Center, Bldg. #1200, Taylor Road. If the hunter has a green MWR card from the previous season it can be validated for the 2008-2009 season. A $5.00 fee is charged to replace a lost green MWR card. Any illegible cards must be replaced by a new card at no additional cost.

d. Non-affiliated civilians can obtain a Vehicle Access Pass for the hunting season at the Tulley gate Visitor Center. The Visitor Center operates Monday through Friday from 0500 – 1900 hours. To receive a vehicle access pass the hunter must present the green MWR card, valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance. This pass is issued for six months only.

e. Qualifications begin Saturday, 16 August 2008, from 0800 - 1200 and 1400 - 1700. Qualifications are also conducted every Wednesday and Thursday starting Wednesday, 20 August 2008 through 13 November 2008, from 1600 - 1900 at the HCS. Patrons wishing to qualify on a day other than regularly scheduled days must present a valid explanation for requiring a scheduled appointment and make an appointment with the HCS staff (i.e. qualifications are conducted by appointment only or during the regularly scheduled times).

     (1) On 16 August 2008, hunters may attempt to qualify once during the morning qualification period and once during the afternoon qualification period. Following this date, only one attempt per day to qualify is authorized on Wednesday and Thursday qualification days. Practice shots directly before a qualification test is administered is not permitted.

     (2) If the hunter qualifies with a compound bow that hunter may only hunt with a compound bow. If the hunter qualifies with a recurve/longbow that hunter is only permitted to hunt with a recurve/longbow. If a hunter wishes to hunt with a compound and recurve/longbow, the hunter must qualify with both bow types. Hunters pay only one qualification fee even when qualifying with both bow types.

     (3) During scheduled qualification times, indoor ranges will not be available for practice. Individuals wanting to practice during the scheduled qualification times may use one of the outdoor ranges. Use the range that accommodates the type of arrow tip (field vs. broadhead) you use to practice. Archers must have an annual quiver tag or pay the daily range fee to use these ranges for practice. The HCS staff will NOT issue official qualification targets for practice.

f. The qualification target has three nine-inch circles which must be shot at in a specific order: top left, top right, bottom. Archers, regardless of bow type, will shoot up to three arrows at 20 yards. Two arrows must enter the circle or the arrow’s shaft must break the circle’s outer line.

g. Hunters who qualify with a bow type other than a recurve/longbow (including crossbows) will shoot up to three arrows at 30 yards. Two arrows must enter the circle or the arrow’s shaft must break the circle’s outer line.

h. Qualification is only conducted with bows and broadhead arrows which comply with current Virginia State Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Regulations. Legitimate practice broadheads are allowed provided the hunter bring a sample of the real manufacturer brand broadhead intended for use during hunting season.

i. Qualification is valid for both the Fall hunting and Spring Gobbler seasons.

j. The Qualification Test Administrator is the Range Safety Officer. Safety violations will result in immediate removal from the range. Examples include: shooting before being cleared; pointing a bow with a nocked arrow other than down range; and failure to cease shooting after the cease shooting command has been given. For additional instructions and/or safety issues, speak with the Qualification Test Administrator.

k. Youth hunters, 15 years of age and younger, and seniors, 66 years of age and older, are required to qualify at a 20 yard distance only.