Thursday, March 26, 2009
A call to close quail hunting loopholes
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Leon Turner, former board member of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, has told current board members that if they are going to spend nearly $10 million on the Virginia Quail Action Plan (see Cochran Column) then several loopholes in quail regulations need to be closed.
Turner, who lives in Fincastle, presented the following recommendations:
- Reinstate the “snow law” which makes it illegal to hunt quail when there is snow on the ground.
- Limit shotguns used in quail hunting to three shells. DGIF officials recently gave approval to the use of unplugged guns in upland game hunting. “Three shots are enough for anybody,” Turner said. Two hunters with unplugged guns can rapidly get off 10 shots, he said. “You are wiping them out fast.”
- Seclude quail for any Sunday hunting that might be enacted.
Not one of Turner’s recommendations was added to the agency’s package of wildlife proposals now under consideration.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- Representatives of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the state of Kentucky are scheduled to brief the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board on the success of elk restoration in Kentucky. The VDGIF board, which meets April 7 in Richmond, is taking a fresh look at its elk management policy, which has been to suppress herd expansion.
- Mark Robertson, a senior at Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, won first place in the annual Virginia Outdoor Writers Association High School Youth Writing Contest. First place in the organization’s collegiate writing competition went to Lucy Adams a sophomore at Virginia Tech. The awards were presented in Hampton.
- A tog fishing trip out of Virginia Beach resulted in huge catches for Julie Ball and Capt. Skip Feller. Ball landed a 14-pound, 13-ounce pending world record in the 16-pound line category. Feller caught a 21-pound, 13-ounce tog that is the leader in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament.
- Virginia Wildlife Magazine is moving toward a more classical approach with emphasis on stories that catch the flavor of hunting, fishing and boating. There will be fewer how-to and where-to features, according to Lee Walker, the Information and Education Director of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Information on events will go to the agency’s online Outdoor Report, which has about 21,000 subscribers. For information on the magazine and report check dgif.virginia.gov.
- One of the best moves Dick Wolf made in his life, not counting marrying his beloved Elaine, was to relocate to Kerr Lake near Clarksville after serving as vice president of the fishing tackle giant Abu-Garcia. I had recommended the area to Wolf, who told me he was looking for a place to fish, hunt quail and do some outdoor writing. Every time I saw him he expressed gratitude for my suggestion. Word came this week of Wolf’s death.
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting/trapping proposal public input meeting, 7 p.m., March 26, Augusta County, Buffalo Gap High School. More information from dgif.virginia.gov.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting/trapping proposal public input meeting, 7 p.m., March 26, Salem, Glenvar Middle School. More information from dgif.virginia.gov.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting/trapping proposal public input meeting, 7 p.m., March 26, Warsaw, Warsaw Campus. More information from dgif.virginia.gov.
Appalachian Highlands Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society Sportsmen’s Banquet, March 28, Holiday Inn, Johnson City, Tenn., information from Donna Vance.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hunting/trapping proposal public input meeting, 7 p.m., April 1, Chatham, Chatham High School. More information from dgif.virginia.gov.
Roanoke Valley chapter National Wild Turkey Federation banquet, April 2, Corned Beef & Co., $55 single, $80 couple, ticket info from Crystal Hockenbery, 366-9700.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, April 3, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center program on night fishing by Marshall Harris.
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.
Smith Mountain Lake Striper Fest team tournament, April 11, $100 entry fee for teams of up to six anglers, $25 optional big fish bonus, sponsored by Glenda McDaniel of Long and Foster Real Estate, tournament director Angie Behan, $1,000 first place prize, headquarters Captain’s Quarters, information from smlstriperfest@yahoo.com.
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.
Smith Mountain Striper Club annual lake report meeting, May 1, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center, program by Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist Dan Wilson.
Cave Spring Optimist Club fishing tournament on Smith Mountain Lake, May 1-3, $15,000 offered in categories for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, crappie, muskie and catfish, Tickets -- $40 plus 50-cents shipping -- from the Optimist Club of Cave Spring, P.O. Box 1276, Salem, Va. 24153. Outlets in lake area are contest headquarters Foxport Marina, Crazy Horse Marina, Virginia Outdoorsman, Captain’s Quarters and Franklin Outdoors. In Roanoke, they can be purchased at Metro Heavy Duty Distributors, 913 McDowell Ave. (next to the Regional Trash Transfer Station).
Fifth annual Bill Cochran Youth Fishing Tournament, May 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., in conjunction with the Cave Spring Optimist Club tournament (see item above). Open to youngsters 12 and under, no entry fee as long as contestants are accompanied by an adult entered in the Optimist tournament. Competition for the largest carp and sunfish. Prizes will include saving bonds.
North Carolina State University Sport Fishing School, May 31-June 4, Hatteras, N.C., $1,445, limited to 45 participants.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, June 1, Moneta Community Center, program on wildlife artistry by taxidermist Dale Carson.
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.
