Thursday, January 25, 2007
Flounder options bring concern
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Federal fish officials are forcing the Virginia Marine Resources Commission to choose one of four options designed to lower the 2007 recreational founder catch. The choice is scheduled to be made Feb. 27 following a public hearing in Newport News.
No matter which way VMRC turns, flounder fishermen, and those who provide them goods and services, are going to feel pain ranging from a lower catch limit, to closed dates, to a more restrictive length limit. Most likely, it will be a combination of restrictions.
Last year’s flounder catch was outstanding under a six-fish catch limit and 16.5-inch length limit and no closed dates. Virginia exceeded its 2006 federal flounder quota by such a wide margin that federal officials are calling for a 53.3-percent reduction this year.
Some anglers say that the abundance isn’t the result of undue fishing pressure, but a rebuilding of the flounder stock. Thus the new restrictions are uncalled for. The feds aren’t bending.
The four options designed to accomplish the reduction range from a 19-inch minimum size limit with a six-fish take limit and no closed season to an 18-inch minimum size limit, a two fish keep limit and a closed season through March 31 and from July 16-31.
Tackle shop owners from Virginia Beach to Chincoteague say the restrictions will hurt their business. The arguments include, “Fishermen aren’t going to drive long distances just to be able to catch a couple of fish” and “The closed dates occur at times when fishing is at its best.”
“Nobody around here is happy about any of this,” said Chris Snook of Chris’s Bait and Tackle Shop on the southern end of the Eastern Shore.
BILL
RETURN OF THE OUTDOOR REPORT
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is offering a twice-a-month Outdoor Report that will be emailed to subscribers free of charge. The new electronic report is a takeoff on a report that the agency once mailed to the media, sportsmen leaders and others each week.
The new report “will highlight the latest outdoor news, upcoming events and subjects of interest to outdoor enthusiasts,” said David Coffman, who is heading the project.
The current issue can be viewed by going to the department’s Web site: dgif.virginia.gov. If you want the report to show up as a regular email, click “Outdoor Report” and fill in the required information.
Coffman said the contents will include news features, General Assembly information, regulations/seasons, people who make a difference, outdoor skills and safety and upcoming events. It will not contain a fishing report, which once was a popular part of the mail-out report.
BILL
NEW OWNERSHIP FOR TROUT HATCHERIES
The ownership of trout hatcheries in Wytheville and Paint Bank (Craig County) is being transferred from the federal government to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries under legislation sponsored by Congressman Rick Boucher.
The DGIF has operated the facilities under a lease agreement since 1983 when the feds gave the operation up as a cost-cutting effort. The lease was set to expire in 2008.
“All parties are in agreement that a title transfer before that expiration date is appropriate,” said Boucher.
The combined output of the two hatcheries, which provide trout for stocking in Virginia streams and impoundments, is approximately 300,000 pounds of fish annually. The economic impact is estimated to be $40 million annually, Boucher reported.
BILL
GENERAL ASSEMBLY UPDATE
>Recent surveys have shown that Sunday hunting is receiving greater support from hunters, but that doesn’t mean it is finding friends in the General Assembly. The two bills that address partial Sunday hunting aren’t likely to get out of committee. One would provide Sunday hunting in afternoons (HB 1639); the other on private land (HB 2303).
Sunday hunting advocates lack a well-funded, politically-connected organization to promote their cause. Until that occurs, defeat and frustration can be expected on their part, no matter what surveys say.
>A bill that would change the name of game wardens to conservation police officers (HB 1867) has received support from Col. Mike Bise, head of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries law enforcement division. Game warden is an antiquated term, considering all the tasks DGIF law enforcement officers carry out, Bise told General Assembly members. The public understands the term “police” but often has a fuzzy understanding that a warden has police powers, he said.
Last year, the word “police” was placed on DGIF patrol boats and it made a resounding difference, Bise said.
To change the wording on DGIF vehicles, badges and materials could cost as much as $70,000. Most states already have done so, leaving only 10 to continue to use “game warden,” Bise said.
>Legislation that would require most boat operators to successfully complete a boating education course is making progress in the General Assembly. Unlike last year, successful is favorable this time. A boating education bill (SB 1241) introduced by Sen. Steve Newman, R-Lynchburg, passed the Senate Wednesday by a 40-0 vote.
Bills that would place stricter guidelines on operating a watercraft while intoxicated are also receiving a favorable view.
>A bill (SB 884) that would require a hunter retrieving his dogs from private land to identify himself upon the landowner’s request has passed the Senate by a 39-0 vote. A tougher bill (HB 2531) that would abolish the right of a hunter to retrieve his dogs on private property has not made progress.
Search all these bills and their status at the General Assembly Legislative Information System site.
BILL
OUTDOOR NOTES
>Ivan Morris, Virginia’s entry in the BASS Federation National Championship, was sixth place going into the final day on Alabama’s Lake Neely Henry, then fell on hard times. The Virginia Beach angler finished 12th, which means he did not earn a berth in the Bassmaster Classic. The event was won by Oklahoma’s Royce Dennington.
>After killing a monster buck in West Virginia, Alfred Watts, 40, of Branchland, W.Va., couldn’t resist posing for a picture with his trophy in the Lincoln Journal. The County Sheriffs recognized the photo as the face of a convicted felon and alerted conservation officers. Watts was arrested and charged with a number of hunting violations. He also could face charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm.
>Hunters in West Virginia reported killing 1,705 bears during the combined 2006 archery and firearms season, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the Division of Natural Resources. This preliminary data is two-percent higher than the 1,661 bears taken in 2005 and only two-percent below the record kill of 1,730 established in 2003.
>Hunters who spent as much as $1,000 for modern, inline muzzleloaders are out of luck in Idaho. That state’s Fish and Game Commission has given the boot to using guns with inline ignition systems during the special muzzleloading season. Guns used must have exposed, pivoting hammers and external ignition systems under a new regulation that has caught many sportsmen and gun shops by surprise.
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Bassarama, Jan. 26-28, Richmond Raceway Complex, information from bassarama.com.
Coverage of the FLW Striper Series Championship at Virginia Beach will be broadcast on FSN (Fox Sports Net) as part of the "FLW Outdoors" television program airing Jan. 28, 11 a.m. Eastern time.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meting, 7 p.m., Feb. 2, Moneta Community Center.
The Fly Fishing Show, Feb. 2-4, Charlotte Merchandise mart, Charlotte, N.C., flyfishingshow.com.
Western Virginia Sports Show, Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, Feb. 16-18, information from Mark Hanger, 540-337-7081.
The Greater Virginia Sports and Big Game Show, Feb. 16-18, Rockingham County Fairgrounds in Harrisonburg. More information from vasportshow.com.
Richmond Ducks Unlimited Wild Game Feast, Feb. 21, Science Museum of Virginia, 3:30 p.m., $85, includes DU membership, information from durichmond.com.
Southwest Virginia Boat Show, Feb. 23-25, Roanoke Civic Center.
CITGO Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 23-25, Birmingham, Ala.
The National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2007 National Convention and Sport Show, Feb. 22-25, Gaylord Opryland Resort, Nashville, Tenn.
Dixie Deer Classic, March 2-4, North Carolina State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, N.C. info from dixiedeerclassic.org.
Shenandoh Valley Sportsman’s Alliance banquet, March 3, details from Myron Reedy.
Bedford Outdoor Sportsman Association Sport Show, March 10, Bedford Armory, information from Steve Grant, 540-586-3807.
Celebration of American woodcock, March 11, 1-5 p.m., Canaan Valley State Park, W.Va. $25 donation, panel of experts, information from Dennis LaBare, 304-358-3154.
Hooked For Life banquet, April 20, Roanoke, will feature bass fishing pro Jay Yelas, information from www.hookedforlife.org.
BASS Elite Series, June 7-10, 2007, Smith Mountain Lake, information from bassmaster.com.
Outdoor Writers Association of America conference, June 16-19, Hotel Roanoke.
The Western Regional Championship of the Virginia Big Game Show, Sept. 8 & 9, Rockingham County Fairgrounds near Harrisonburg, information from vpsa.org.
The Eastern Region and State Championship of the Virginia Big Game Show, Sept. 22 & 23, Southampton County Fairgrounds in Franklin, information from from vpsa.org.
DGIF meetings
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, March 27, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, June 5, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, July 17, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Aug. 21, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
