I have a theory as to why vultures may have taken a few weeks to find Hannah. Hunting is not only for white tailed deer. Many family members of mine hunt and I know that as soon as they get a deer they gut it on site. I imagine that's done with other game too, it's important to empty the body cavity to not taint the meat. The guts are left in the woods. If there were a lot of guts around VA the vultures might have had plenty of food to go after. I don't know how far they travel for food, if anyone knows could you post it? I looked up hunting season in VA around the time of Hannah's disappearance and found these:
Urban Archery Deer Seasons
During this season only antlerless deer may be taken.
September 6 through October 3 and January 4, 2015 through March 29, 2015
Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Chesapeake (except on Department- owned lands), Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Fredericksburg, Galax, Hopewell, Lexington, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Richmond, Staunton, Suffolk, and Winchester; and in the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Bedford, Blacksburg, Blackstone, Christiansburg, Farmville, Halifax, Hurt, Independence, Irvington, Kenbridge, Pearisburg, Pulaski, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Saltville, Smithfield, Stuart, Tazewell, and West Point; and in the counties of Chesterfield, Fairfax, James City, Roanoke (except on National Forest and Department-owned lands), and York.
Elk
Elk of either sex, antlered or antlerless, may be taken during any open deer season using weapons legal for deer during that season, except that elk season is closed in the counties of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise.
The taking of an elk counts toward the hunter's daily and license year bag limit for deer.
Licenses, tag validation, and checking requirements for elk are the same as for deer.
It is unlawful to destroy the identity (sex) of any harvested elk until checked. Elk may be dismembered to pack it out from the place of kill. The identity of the sex and all parts of the carcass must be present when the elk is checked.
Elk Restoration
The Department has released a small number of elk in Buchanan County, part of a three-county elk restoration area comprised of Buchanan, Dickenson, and Wise counties. Elk hunting is not permitted within the three county elk restoration area.
Crow
Season:
August 16 through March 20 on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only.
September 3 through March 18 on National Forest Lands and Department lands on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only.
Groundhog
Season:
Continuous open season on private lands.
Groundhog hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1-March 10 and during the spring turkey season.
Groundhog hunting is permitted during the spring squirrel season only on Department lands that are open for spring squirrel hunting.
Groundhog hunting is not permitted on National Forest lands during the spring squirrel season.
September Canada Goose
Season: September 1–September 25
Hunt Zone: Statewide
Hours:
East of I-95
September 1–16: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. September 17–25: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
West of I-95
September 1–21: One-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. September 22–25: One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
Bag Limit: 10 per day, 30 in possession.
September Canada goose hunting is not permitted within the boundaries of the Amelia and Dick Cross Wildlife Management Areas.
Rails
Season: September 8–November 16
Gallinule and Moorhen
Season: September 8–November 16
Coyote
Season:
Continuous open season except on National Forest lands and Department lands. Coyote hunting on National Forest lands and Department lands is permitted from September 1 through March 10 and during the spring turkey season.
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/