Welcome back, outdoor people.

I have just received my latest update of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Outdoor Report. I really enjoyed reading about 14-year-old Jessica McCay from Henrico, who took a huge 6-point buck with a 23-inch spread and rough score of 150-plus when taken.

Jessica’s father, Michael, is disabled due to spinal cord disease and was forced to take early retirement from his job in law enforcement. He took Jessica hunting during the Youth Deer Hunting Day when she harvested this buck with a crossbow.

Sure would like to hear some local stories like Jessica’s. If you think you may have a story to tell, e-mail me at greyhound77@cox.net.

Here’s an item that everyone can get in on; this year’s Virginia Wildlife Photo Contest. Entries must be postmarked by Nov. 2. You can find additional information at the VDGIF website.

Now is the time to enroll in a hunter education class for the fall hunting seasons. The course is designed to teach hunting safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship, and is mandatory for all hunters age 12 and older. The 10-hour course is free.

Locally, a class will be offered Saturday, Oct. 16 and Nov. 6, at Wakefield Sportsman’s Club, 12205 Brittles Mill Road. To register, call Russ Lewis at (757) 335-2171.

Another class will be held Monday, Oct. 25, through Thursday, Oct. 28, at Surry County High School, 1675 Hollybush Road, Dendron. To register, call Kenneth Skinner (804) 731-9073.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a hunter education instructor, or sponsoring a course for novice outdoorsmen, visit the VDGIF website.

Virginia is already rolling with archery season. Muzzleloader and the regular seasons are right around the corner.

North Carolina is already into muzzleloader season, and this Saturday marks the start of the regular season.

I have heard of at least one large deer being turned in to a local taxidermist for mounting, but I would really like to share your stories with our readers. I will be in North Carolina with my 16-year-old twins, Robert and David, this weekend, and I may have something to share next week.