Thursday, May 29, 2008
Charges dropped against game warden
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Felony embezzlement charges against Terry Bradbery, former Department of Game and Inland Fisheries law enforcement chief, were dropped this week at the request of the state attorney general’s office. Bradbery had been scheduled to stand trial June 3.
Bradbery, along with Michael Caison, a former high-ranking game warden, and William Woodfin Jr., former department director, was indicted following a state audit that criticized them for mishandling state funds in preparation for an African safari.
Last month, Richmond Circuit Judge Beverly Snukals dismissed the charges against Caison, ruling that the state had failed to prove that he had known the purchases were illegal. His attorney said Caison’s actions had been approved by his superiors, which would be Bradbery and Woodfin.
Woodfin is scheduled to go on trail June 5, and word is that the attorney general’s office still plans to prosecute him on a single embezzlement count.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>>Rick Morris of Virginia Beach is tied with Mark Davis of Arkansas in the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year standings. First place is held by Mike McClelland of Arkansas.
>>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is expected to approve the use of electronic ignitions for guns used during the muzzleloading hunting season at its June 3 board meeting in Richmond.
BILL
SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The first dolphin and kingfish of the season have shown up on the leader board of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
BLACK DRUM: 86 pounds, 6 ounces, Christian Seay, Cheriton, Inner Middle Ground (C-13).
BLUEFISH: 19 pounds, 4 ounces, Richard Brown, Richmond, off Virginia Beach.
BLUEFIN TILEFISH: 18 pounds, 4 ounces, Russell Willoughby, Norfolk, Norfolk Canyon.
CROAKER: 3 pounds, 5 ounces, David Richards, Williamsburg, lower York River.
DOLPHIN: 38 pounds, 8 ounces, Brian Steadman, Norfolk, 100 Fathom Curve.
FLOUNDER: 10 pounds, 8 ounces, Thomas Horsley, Gloucester, off Cape Charles.
KINGFISH: 1 pound, 9 ounces, David Davis, Portsmouth, Sandbridge surf.
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Reggie Myrick, Portsmouth, off Virginia Beach.
SPECKLED TROUT: 9 pounds, 15 ounces, David Hester, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.
STRIPED BASS: 73 pounds, state record, Frederick Barnes, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
TAUTOG: 20 pounds, 6 ounces, Michael Shreve, Glen Burnie, Md., Monroe Wreck. .
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Third annual Oregon Inlet (N.C.) Tuna Roundup, May 29-31, sponsored by Pirate’s Cove, $88,000 payout. Information from www.pcbgt.com.
Smith River Trout Unlimited fishing and cookout, May 31, meet 8:30 a.m. at Mirrow Factor for fishing and 3:30 p.m. at the foot of Philpott Dam for cookout. Members will act as guides for newcomers. Public welcome. Check http://www.smithrivertu.com/ for more details.
3D archery shoot and fun day sponsored by Hunters for the Hungry and Quality Deer Management Association (Heart of Virginia Branch) June 1, a.m. to 6 p.m., at Wild Turkey Ridge Archery Range, Bedford, to register or for information contact Gary Arrington, 434-665-7658.
Meeting of the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, June 3, 9 a.m., department headquarters, 4000 West Board Street, Richmond.
June 6-8 free fishing days in Virginia, when a license will not be required to fish fresh or saltwater, with the exception of designated streams and impoundments stocked for put-and-take trout fishing.
Twenty-fifth annual Bluefish Derby, June 13 & 14, Reedville, information from Jett’s Hardware, 804-453-5325.
Hunters for the Hungry 5th annual sporting clays benefit shoot at Edmund Farms in Halifax, June 21-22, information form Clarence Morris, 434-572-6986, ext. 268 or 434-575-5493.
Triangle Archers 3D tournament, June 22, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt: james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Shenandoah River Rodeo, July 19, Bentonville’s Low Water Bridge Campground, $40, to benefit Shenandoah Riverkeepers, pig roast, bluegrass, fishing, canoeing, camping information from Shenandoah Riverkeepers, P.O. Box 405, Boyce, Va. 22620.
Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Aug. 17, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt: james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Eastern Regional Big Game Championship, Sept. 13 and 14, Southampton County Fairgrounds, Franklin, sponsored by the Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association, more information from Kenneth Pickin, P.O. Box 1860, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-1860; 757-229-0490. This is the contest for deer, bear and turkey killed east of the Blue Ridge. Additional information from www.vpsa.org.
Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Sept 14, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt: james.overfelt@vfaa.org.
Third annual WSLS 10 Hunters for the Hungry banquet, 6 p.m. Sept. 27, Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, Salem, tickets $20 singles; $35 couples, kids 12 and under free, to benefit the organization’s feed-the-needy program, tickets from Jeff Fletcher, 540-985-6523 or Fred and Phyllis Wells, 540-992-3874 or may be purchased at Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, additional information from hunt4hungry@cs.com.
Western Regional and State Big Game Championship, for deer, bear and turkey killed west of the Blue Ridge or advanced from the Eastern Championship, Sept. 27 & 28, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, more information from Jon Ritenour, 2041 Spaders Church Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, 540-434-8028. Additional information from www.vpsa.org.
Fall Optimist Club of Cave Springs Fishing Tournament, Oct. 3-5, Smith Mountain Lake.
Saltwater striped bass tournament opens Oct. 4.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Oct. 18.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
