Thursday, April 30, 2009
Hunters for the Hungry hurting
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
Hunters for the Hungry has hit a financial snag, with $30,000 in bills for processing venison piling up and no money to pay them. The program, which distributed more than 380,000 pounds of deer meat to the needy last year, has dispatched a plea to its supporters asking for help to pay the current processing fees.
“This meat has been distributed and our processors are working with us while we work to raise the additional funds,” a spokesperson said.
It costs about $40 to process a deer.
Because of the current economic challenges, the demand for meat is greater than ever. New people are showing up for handouts -- people who have lost their job or who have seen their retirement income decline or who are working harder for less money and dealing with higher food costs.
At the same time, available funding for the program has become tighter.
Contributions can be sent to Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, Va. 24526.
BILL
KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR FISH KILLS
Hold your breath. So far the fish kills of recent years which have ravished smallmouth bass and sunfish in several of Virginia’s storied streams have not occurred this spring.
Since 2004, unexplained fish kills have shown up in the Shenandoah River Basin. During 2007 and 2008 they spread to the upper James and Cowpasture rivers.
Officials say none has been observed in the streams in 2009, though April and May are the most likely time for them to occur as the water temperatures rise above 50 degrees.
Representatives of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are conducting weekly observations along with in-depth research on the possibility of bacterial problems causing the previous kills.
Anglers, paddlers and others are being urged to report kills they spot. That can be done toll-free at 800-592-5482.
BILL
TURKEYS 3; HUNTERS 1
The James River Chapter of the Wheelin’ Sportsmen sponsored a spring gobbler hunt Saturday for handicapped hunters. It attracted 12 hunters from across the state along with a bunch of guides and assistants.
One gobbler was killed and three were shot at and missed. The successful hunter was Barry Arrington, the organizer of the chapter. He killed a 17-pound, 3-ounce tom with his crossbow.
This was the fourth year of the event, which Arrington dedicated to the memory of his close friend Gene Parker.
“He was the first person I asked to be a guide when I was arranging our first hunt,” said Arrington. Parker was a veteran Blue Ridge Parkway ranger who lost his battle with cancer last year.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is receiving a $78,500 grant from the National Shooting Sports Foundation to develop a marketing plan designed to motivate hunters with lapsed licenses to renew their hunting license.
- Dominion Virginia Power has named Dan Genest one of 15 employee Volunteers of the Year, recognizing his leadership role in Project Healing Waters, which uses fly-fishing as way to help wounded soldiers recover from their injuries. Genest is a senior Corporate Communications Representative in the company’s Richmond office. He is a past president of the Fly Fishers of Virginia, a sponsor of Project Healing.
- Flounder fishermen along the coast of Virginia are going through a lot of throwbacks in order to find a 19.5-inch keeper. One charter boat out of Wachapreague reported catching 71 flounder during a recent outing in order to get six keepers.
- Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County has announced its summer 3D tournament scheduled with events scheduled May 17, June 7, Aug.16 and Sept. 13. Check vfaa.org for details or write Jim Overfelt.
- Deer hunters are told to kill more does, and many are, but since female deer don’t have antlers there really is no way to score them in a competitive sense. Until now. An outfit called Big Mama Scoring System has established a measuring system for does that combines measurements of the body length, neck circumference, hoof length and ear length. A deer from Virginia requires 100 inches to make the book. Check geocities.com/doerecords.
- “This feels really good!” That was the reaction of Stetson Blaylock of Benton, Ark., after winning $200,000 in the Walmart FLW Tour National Guard Open on Lake Norman near Charlotte, N.C. At age 21, Baylock is the youngest ever to win a FLW Tour event. Finishing seventh was Jacob Powroznik of Prince George, VA. He won $26,000.
- Christiana Bradley of Bealeton, Va., placed ninth in the 2009 Academy Sports + Outdoors Women’s Bassmaster Tour event on Ouachila River, La. The winner, Texan Janet Parker, took home $55,650 for her 32 pound, 2 ounce total. In 20th spot was Mary Croft of Bedford. Croft is 11th in the seasonal point race.
BILL
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The first croaker of the year and first black drum release have been registered with the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
BLUELINE TILEFISH: 20 pounds, 4 ounces, David Akridge, Jr. Norfolk, caught at Norfolk Canyon.
CROAKER: 3 pounds, 10 ounces, Philip Scott, Suffolk, Nansemond River.
FLOUNDER: 10 pounds, 9 ounce, James Breen, Newport News, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 4 pounds, 4 ounces, Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, wreck off Virginia Beach.
SEA BASS: 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Rob Collins, Norfolk, wreck off Virginia Beach.
SPECKLED TROUT: 13 pounds, 14 ounces, Michael Whittaker, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.
SPOT: 1 pound, 2 ounces, Chris Brooks, Virginia Beach, Elizabeth River.
STRIPED BASS: 66 pounds, 8 ounces, Pete Johnson, Hampton, Smith Island.
TAUTOG: 21 pounds, 13 ounces, Skip Feller, Virginia Beach, wreck off Virginia Beach.
TUNA (BLUEFIN): 119 pounds, Ryan Masters, Ellicott City, Md., Cigar.
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
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.
Joe Malat’s Outer Banks Surf Fishing School, May 7-10, Comfort Inn South in Nags Head N.C.
The Advanced Auto Parts Blue Ridge Brawl (bass tournament on Smith Mountain Lake) ESPN2, 9 a.m., May 9.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament May 17, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
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.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament June 17, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Aug. 16, check vfaa.org for for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Aug. 29, Salem Civic Center. Address questions or ticket purchase to Mike Kessler, or Al Milton.
Hunters for the Hungry banquet, Sept. 12, 5:30 p.m., Roanoke Moose Lodge #284, 3233 Catawba Valley Drive, Roanoke County, $20 single, $35 couple, children under 12 free, tickets from Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, Jeff Fletcher, 540-985-6523 or Fred and Phyllis Wells, 540-992-3874.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Sept. 13, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
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