What kind of future do elk have in Virginia? That is expected to be outlined in a draft of Virginia’s Elk Management Plan scheduled to be presented to the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in Richmond on June 8. The draft will be up for a final vote Aug. 17 following 60-90 day public comment period.

Board members likely will choose from different management options presented by staff biologists. The options are expected to include future hunting opportunities in far Southwest Virginia.

So far, the DGIF staff has met with wildlife officials in Kentucky, a state that has seen a significant elk herd develop the past dozen years. Meetings also have taken place with organizations including the Virginia Farm Bureau and the Virginia Mining Association. Plans call for additional stakeholder meetings this month and next and will be broaden to include the U.S. Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and county officials in far Southwest Virginia.

“We want to do it right,” said Bob Ellis, chief of the DGIF wildlife division.

DGIF hopes to receive federal aid for the project and perhaps money from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

SEASONS SET FOR FLOUNDER, BASS, TROUT

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission has lowered the minimum-size limit on flounder from 19 to 18.5 inches for the 2010 season. The demanding 19-inch limit was unpopular last year with many anglers complaining that they had to throw back a bunch of fish to garnish a legal one.

With the less demanding size limit comes a lower catch limit of four fish, compared to five last year. There will be no midseason closure of the flounder season.

The reduction of the size limit was possible because of an increased harvest quota authorized by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

VMRC reduced the limit on gray trout (weakfish) to one per day for recreational anglers and 100 pounds per day or trip for commercial fishermen. Theses regulations take place May 1.

Gray trout once were a popular catch for recreational anglers, a go-to species when other fish weren’t cooperating, but their numbers have dwindled to the point that not a single one was entered in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament last year.

A split black sea bass season was set for May 22-Aug 8 and Sept. 4-Oct. 9.

AWESOME AUDIT FOR DGIF

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries received a perfect score in an audit conducted by the Department of the Interior’s Office of Inspector General. DGIF had undertaken a huge effort to overcome a series of audits in the past that were far from flattering.

In a letter to Charles Yates, DGIF chairman, John Organ, chief of the Interior Department’s Division of Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration stated: “I feel compelled to write to you because the OIG auditors have notified us that DGIF has essentially received a perfect score on their audit. This is truly remarkable.”

The audit is mandated of every state fish and wildlife agency once every five years.

Organ commended Bob Duncan, executive director of DGIF, and key staff members for their efforts that led to a flawless audit.

The federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program is a major source of financial support for DGIF.

FORGET TO RENEW YOUR LICENSE?

If you forgot to renew your fishing license, you may have received a postcard saying it had lapsed. Some 75,000 anglers did.

The mail-out was part of an effort by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to hold onto its funding sources. Did it work?

Well, 10,798 licenses were renewed during the effort. That generated $190,901 in sales. The agency invested nearly $75,000 in its renewal effort for a net gain of $116,759.

That’s good business, but it gets even better. DGIF next is going after hunters who have let their license laps. This time, the seed money for the effort is going to come from a $79,000 grant presented by the National Shooting Sports Foundation.

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

• Like Virginia, New Jersey has been struggling to meet federal mandates that call for a saltwater angling registry. New Jersey is advancing legislation that would set up a state database of anglers, one that wouldn’t charge them a fee or obligating them to the federal registry.
• The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has elected businessman James Hazel of Oakton as its new chairman. Vice chairman is former NASCAR driver Ward Burton of Halifax.
• Sheldon Arey of Virginia Beach recently hooked a 24-inch speckled trout while casting a MirrOlure in the Elizabeth River. He tagged it and released it. That’s nothing new. Arey tagged more than 900 speckled trout last year which earned him the top trout tagger of the year honors from the Virginia Marine Science Institute.

MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS

Appalachian Highlands Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society Sportsmen’s Banquet, March 13, 5 p.m., Holiday Inn, 101 W. Springbrook Drive, Johnson City, Tenn.; information from Spencer Young.

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Virginia Big Game Banquet, March 13, Richmond, contact Wayne Martin.

Virginia Trappers Association annual fur sale, March 13, 8 a.m., Augusta Expoland, Fisherville.

Smith River Trout Unlimited meeting, March 18, 6:30 p.m., Rania’s Restaurant, Martinsville, update on Smith River fishery by Scott Smith, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologist, information from Shane Pinkston.

March 27 end of urban archery season.

Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, April 2, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center.

Youth spring turkey hunt day, April 3, 2010.

Trout Heritage Day, April 3

Highland Drummer Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society banquet, April 17, 5:30 .p.m. Blackwell Restaurant, Lewisburg, W.VA. Information from Cnbro47@dishmail.net.

Spring gobbler season, April 10-May 15, 2010.

BASS Elite Blue Ridge Brawl, April 15-18, Smith Mountain Lake.

Captain Zed’s 20th annual Spring Flounder Tournament, April 16-25, Wachapreague.

Virginia Fly Fishing Festival, April 17-18, Waynesboro.

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, 9 a.m. April 20 at the agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St., Richmond

Botetourt Longbeards National Wild Turkey Federation banquet, May 1, Lord Botetourt High School, Daleville.

NRA annual meeting, May 14-16, Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte, N.C.

Virginia Hunter Skills Weekend, May 14-16, Holiday Lake, detailed classes on a number of outdoor pursuits, ages 11 and up, $85 includes meals, lodging and instruction, information and registration.

North Carolina State University Sport Fishing School, May 30-June 3, 2010, Hatteras, N.C.

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, 9 a.m. June 8 at the agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St., Richmond

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, 9 a.m. July 13 at the agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St., Richmond

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, 9 a.m. August 17 at the agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St., Richmond

Hunters for the Hungry banquet, Sept.25, Moose Lodge on Virginia 311 at foot of Catawba Mountain in Roanoke County.

Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, 9 a.m. October 5 at the agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St., Richmond

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