Thursday, March 05, 2009
DGIF applying the brake
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Like most everyone else, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is having to scale back its expenditures during these challenging economic times.
“We put a pretty heavy foot on the brake,” said Bob Duncan, executive director of the agency.
Revenue from hunting and fishing licenses and federal grants is holding steady, but revenue from boat tax and registration is down, Duncan said.
The agency has made cuts in travel, training, supplies, equipment and personnel to the tune of $3.5 million, creating a revised budget of $55 million, Duncan said. A planned shooting range that was to be shared with the State Police has been abandoned and work has slowed on the revamping the Coursey Springs Trout Hatchery in Bath County.
Duncan said the Obama stimulus package “does not have much to trickle down to our agency.”
BILL
TROUT UNLIMITED BREAKS ICE WITH BASS
What does Trout Unlimited have to do with smallmouth bass? Plenty.
The New River TU Chapter has scheduled a March 3 “Thaw Out” that will feature techniques for New River smallmouth bass fishing. Speakers include New River Outdoor Company guides Britt and Leigh Stoudenmire and writer Bruce Ingram.
The event is set for 7 p.m. at the Montgomery County Government Center in Christiansburg. It is free, but a $5 donation will be requested to support Trout Unlimited projects.
The program will include a report on the chapter’s Big Stony Creek project.
BILL
BASSMASTER CLASSIC SETS RECORDS
If you think interest in the Bassmaster Classic is waning, think again, says BASS, which has announced that the recent Classic held at Shreveport-Bossier City, La., set several records.
It drew 137,700 fans to the weigh-ins and other festivities. That broke the previous high attendance in New Orleans by 55,000, BASS reported.
Bassmaster.com and ESPN.com generated more than 12.3 millions page views, up 64 percent from last year.
ESPN radio listeners were up 31 percent. More than 320 working media attended the event.
TV statistics were not as strong. BASS reported a modest 3 percent increase in male 18-plus demographics.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries plans to invite a representative of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Kentucky Wildlife Department to one of its board meeting to discuss the potential of enhancing elk numbers in the Virginia. Kentucky has enjoyed a successful elk restoration program.
- West Virginia hunters posted a deer kill of 162,371 during the 2008 season, which was 11 percent above the previous season and the 15th highest on record. Hunters killed 68,540 bucks and 54,704 antlerless deer. Archers killed 30,749 while muzzleloaders accounted for 8,375.
- BASS has announced a joint marketing alliance with Bass Pro Shops that will allow the two to integrate both brands for promoting the outdoors.
- Randy Vance, editor of Boating Life, has written a book on power boating entitled “Power Boating for Dummies.”
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Smith River Trout Unlimited chapter meeting, 6:30 p.m., March 5, Rania’s Restaurant, 147 E. Main Street, Martinsville, information form B. J. Walker.
Smith Mountain Striper Club swap meet, March 6, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center.
The New River Valley Friends of NRA banquet, March 7, 5 p.m., Custom Catering, 902 Patrick Henry Drive in Blacksburg. Tickets from Betty at (540) 998-0779 or by e-mail.
National Capital Boat Show, March 13-15, Chantilly.
Third annual Mid-Atlantic Kayak Fishing Symposium, Wild River Outfitters, Virginia Beach, March 14, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Appalachian Highlands Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society Sportsmen’s Banquet, March 28, Holiday Inn, Johnson City, Tenn., information from Donna Vance.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, Aril 3, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center.
Tidewater Boat Show, April 3-5, Hampton.
Youth spring turkey hunting day, April 4, 2009.
Smith Mountain Striper Club Spring Striper Tournament, April 4, 5 a.m.-4 p.m., weigh-in at Captain’s Quarters, tournament chairman is Frank Skillman, 540-721-1220.
2009 spring gobbler season, April 11-May 16.
Ninth Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, April 18 and 19, on the banks of the South River in Waynesboro, $15.
Bassmaster Blue Ridge Brawl, Smith Mountain Lake, April 23-26, Parkway Marina, Huddleston.
North Carolina State University Sport Fishing School, May 31-June 4, Hatteras, N.C., $1,445, limited to 45 participants.
Board meeting of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to finalize hunting/trapping regulations, 9 a.m., June 2, DGIF headquarters, 4000 West Broad St., Richmond.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
