IMHO any deer taken with a flintlock is a trophy. This has apparently been a somewhat disappointing deer season in Va over all. Fewer deer reported taken than last. Bear harvest is said to be great, however. For some reason I've not seen a buck - too many "buck only" days - and only three does. Finally got a shot at one.
I've hunted my Va property for 3 seasons. Its in the southern part of the state, east of the Blue Ridge, but in the "earn a buck" area. The limit is (2) deer per day, (6) total for the season, with no more than (3) being bucks. Admittedly, I'm a buck hunter, BUT.....the bucks have out numbered the does 3-1 where I've been hunting. Not being a game hog, I have taken a shot at (1) buck, and that was this season, and only because I was carrying my flintlock. It was a decent 8 pointer, but I was thrilled to have taken it with my flinter. Unless the doe population explodes, I won't be taking any.
The local folks report that there were a lot of bears around, but they had seemingly disappeared, and that suits me. Where you have bears, the deer seem to avoid. I think that I have another problem, though, and it has a long tail.
