Thursday, August 06, 2009
Bill Cochran's Field Reports: Spring gobbler kill up 10 percent
Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.
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This is the time of year turkey hunters begin wondering what kind of hatching success their favorite bird had in the spring. It’s still too early to know for certain, said Gary Norman, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries’ turkey biologist. So far it is a mixed bag, with some observers saying they are seeing the fruits of a good hatch and other saying they are seeing no polts at all.
Turkey reproduction has been below average since 2004, according to DGIF observations. That means the population density isn’t where biologists would like for it to be. In some areas, hunters are complaining about few birds.
While there are stories of hunting success on the Web site of the Virginia State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, chapter president Robin Clark had this to say:
“I have also heard rumblings of fewer and fewer birds being see in certain parts of Virginia. Out state chapter representatives are actively working with DGIF to establish regulations to protect our wild turkey resource, yet also create more hunting opportunities.”
Generally a poor hatch is the result of challenging weather during the nesting period. This year, hunters are concerned that there was a lot of rain.
The 2009 spring kill was 16,611 up 10 per from the previous year. Norman believes a lot of the credit for the welcome increase goes to good hunting weather throughout the season, particularly on weekends. But the figures also may suggest an increase in the turkey population.
There also were some adjustments to the fall season in many counties designed to increase turkey populations.
Here are some 2009 spring season statistics:
- Hunters reported killing 16,611 turkeys; last year’s count was 15,037.
- Counties east of the Blue Ridge Mountains reported a kill of 11,103, a 13 percent increase.
- Counties west of the Blue Ridge reported a 5,505 kill, a 6 percent increase.
- Some 92 percent of the turkeys were taken on private land.
- The highest one-day kill was 14 percent, the first day of the season.
- Adult gobblers made up 88 percent of the kill; juveniles (jakes) 12 percent.
- There were less than 1 percent bearded ladies.
- Youth hunters reported taking 365 turkeys on their special day; last year’s count was 238.
- Bedford was the top county, reporting a kill of 543. Other counties batting better than 500 were Franklin, 528 and Pittsylvania, 502. Filling out the top 10 were Southampton, 438, Halifax, 413, Scott, 327, Grayson, 305, Giles, 300, Campbell, 292 and Patrick, 290.
BILL
IF YOU LOVE ELK THIS IS YOUR TIME
If you are an advocate of restoring elk in Virginia, then these are exciting times.
- On August 10, the Wildlife and Boating Committee of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board is scheduled to hear a report from its biologists on research being conducted by the staff to determine if a viability population of elk has a future in far Southwest Virginia.
- On August 22 the Blue Ridge Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is scheduled to host a fundraising banquet at the Salem Civic Center. The chapter has been dormant for several years, but was visible at the weekend Outdoor Classic show in Roanoke.
These two happens are related. If DGIF decides to open the way to develop an elk herd in Virginia, and it appears that will be the case, then the agency will need funding. That is something the elk foundation says it is poised to help with.
DGIF has blocked elk restoration for more than a decade, but last year expressed a change of heart due largely to successes with elk in Kentucky and the prodding of board member Charles Yates. The agency is contacting landowners, citizens and land management officials in the region to reap their opinions on elk restoration.
Information on the elk banquet can be requested from Brandy and Pete Vassar.
BILL
TURNING SILVER STRIPERS GOLDEN BROWN
One of the benefits of being a member of the Smith Mountain Striper Club is the opportunity to delight in the culinary skills of Joe Esposito at one of the club’s fish fries.
Esposito frequently is asked to share the recipe for the batter he makes that gives the fish a delightful crunchy coating. Here goes:
1 Cup Big Spring Mill Seasoned Flour
1 Cup Aunt Jamima Pancake Mix or Bisquick Mix
1 TBL Old Bay Seasoning.
2 TBL Canola oil
1 Egg
1 ¼ Cup whole milk
Combine the above and stir in cold water as needed for desired consistency and let stand for 15 minutes.
Cut fish into chunks
Heat peanut oil to 325-350 in deep fryer
Coat fish in batter and cook in the hot oil for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
- Remember all the hoopla several years ago when snakehead fish showed up in the Potomac River and some of its tributaries. Officials expressed fear that the invasive Asian fish would destroy native smallmouth bass and sunfish. How to deal with them? Well, the August issue of Virginia Wildlife is doing it with culinary delights that include sautéed snakehead, healthy fried snakehead and baked pecan encrusted snakehead fillets. If you can’t fight them, enjoy them, but wouldn’t a change of name be helpful?
- Terry Moberly, an auto production worker from Berea, Ky., claimed the $1 million first-place prize in the FLW Fantasy Fishing Season.
- A new DVD tells you what to plant around your home for wildlife habitat. It is called Habitat at Home and is available from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for $12.
- Fundraising banquets for outdoor causes are common and predictable, but the Central Chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association will be offering a new twist during its Sept. 26 banquet at Colonial Downs. An auction item will be boat slips offered during the fall/winter saltwater striped bass season at Virginia Beach, Hampton and Mathews. Ticket information from ccavirginia.org.
BILL
VIRGINIA SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
There is a new leader in the wahoo category of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:
BLACK DRUM: 84 pounds, 12 ounces, William Brown, Hampton, Inner Middle Ground; C-13
BLUELINE TILEFISH: 20 pounds, 10 ounces, Kenneth Bowe, Chester, Norfolk Canyon.
COBIA: 105 pounds, 2 ounces, Keith Cole, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
CROAKER: 5 pounds, 3 ounces, Nathan Clendenin, Richmond, lower York River. .
DOLPHIN: 39 pounds, Robert Manus, Ark, Triple Zero’s.
FLOUNDER: 12 pounds, 12 ounce, Mike Perron, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 4 pounds, 4 ounces, Julie Ball, Virginia Beach, wreck off Virginia Beach.
KINGFISH: 1 pound, 11 ounces, Tarah Gilmore, Chesapeake, Sandbridge surf.
SEA BASS: 8 pounds, 4 ounces, Rob Collins, Norfolk, wreck off Virginia Beach.
SHEEPHEAD: 14 pounds, 4 ounces, Lesley Inge, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay.
SPADEFISH: 14 pounds, 14 ounces, state record, Roland Murphy, Fredericksburg, the Cell.
SPANISH MACKEREL: 6 pounds, 7 ounces, Michael Bell, Lynchburg, 26 Mile Hill.
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): 168 pounds, Paulette Johnson, Uniontown, Ohio, 100 Fathom off Virginia Beach.
TUNA: 230 pounds, Jeff Creekmore, Chesapeake, Norfolk Canyon.
WAHOO: 62 pounds, 1 ounce, K.W. Flowers, Richmond, The Fingers.
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, Aug. 7, 7 p.m., program on fly fishing with Dover England, Moneta Community Center.
Pirate’s Cove Big Game (Billfish) Tournament, Pirate’s Cove, Manteo, N.C., Aug. 10 and 11, information form Kevin Crum or pcbillfishtournament.com. Proceeded by Alice Kelly Memorial Ladies Only Billfish Tournament Aug. 9.
Look for displays by Trout Unlimited and Hunters for the Hungry at the Aug. 15 Celebrate Catawba event at the Catawba Community Center in Roanoke County. The displays, crafts, food and music are designed to call attention to the Catawba Valley and how it can be kept natural.
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.
Meeting of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board to set waterfowl regulations, Aug 18, 9 a.m., at DGIF headquarters 4000 West Board Street, Richmond.
September goose hunting season, Sept. 1-25, 10 per day.
Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, Sept 4, program by Captains Spike and Kathy Franceschini, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center.
Dove hunting season, Sept. 5-26; Oct. 7-Nov. 7 and Dec. 25-Jan. 9. Bag limit 15 daily.
Rail hunting season, Sept. 8-Oct. 3; Oct. 5-Nov. 17.
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.
Virginia Big Game Western Regional Contest, Sept. 12 and 13, Rockingham County Fairground, Harrisonburg, information from vpsa.org or John Ritenour, 540-434-8028.
Triangle Bowhunters of Montgomery County 3D tournament Sept. 13, check vfaa.org for details or contact Jim Overfelt.
H.C. Edwards Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, 20th annual Sportsmen’s Banquet, Sept 19, 6 p.m., Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, ticket information from Kenny Wilkinson, 540-337-1298.
September teal hunting season, Sept 21-30, east of I-95 only, four daily.
Virginia Big Game Eastern Regional and State Championship, Sept. 26 and 27, Southampton County Fairground, Franklin, information from vpsa.org or Kenneth Pickin 757-229-0409.
Hunters for the Hungry Sporting Clays Benefit Shoot, Sept. 27, Flying Rabbit Sporting Clays, Mount Crawford, $50 per shooter, prizes and lunch provided, information from 540-574-2529.
Snipe hunting season, Oct. 8-12; Oct. 21-Jan. 30.
Woodcock hunting season, Nov. 7-21; Dec. 26-Jan. 9, three per day.
BASS Elite Blue Ridge Brawl, April 15-18, Smith Mountain Lake.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
