If there were a Rookie of the Year award for turkey hunters, Jonathan Carderelli would be a credible candidate.

The Harrisonburg man recently filled his tag by killing three turkeys during three consecutive hunts. That came after he expressed an interest in learning to hunt, purchased a shotgun and solicited Richard Pauley of Botetourt County to take him.

Pauley organized a rudimentary squirrel hunt to start off with, and Carderelli killed three squirrels his first time out.

Next up: turkeys. On a hunt in Botetourt County with Pauley, a flock of fall turkeys were broken up, but when Pauley called them back, Carderelli moved and they flushed. Beginners mistake.

The two hunters hadn’t gone far when a second flock was confronted and scattered. This time Carderelli got a 10-1/2 pound hen.

“That’s a pretty good start,” said Pauley.

Come spring, Carderelli called up and killed a 15 pound jake. Second turkey hunt, second turkey.

Later, Pauley received a letter from Carderelli.

“I’m thinking about coming down this weekend to fill my third turkey tag,” it said.

Pauley chuckled at the confidence that bordered on naivete.

But Carderelli pulled it off. Three turkey hunts, three turkeys.

That doesn’t happen very often, said Pauley, who, along with his son, Michael, recently returned from Mexico where they completed a World Slam, achieved when six different subspecies of turkeys are taken.

A THIRD-PLACEWIN FOR JOHN CREWS OF SALEM

John Crews of Salem finished a solid third in the BASS Elite tournament on Lake Guntersville in Alabama the past weekend. He won the season’s initial Elite tournament in California beating Skeet Reese of Auburn, Calif., by one ounce.

Reese has been paying Crews back, wining last month’s Elite event on Smith Mountain Lake, then following that with the Guntersville’s win. His four-day catch at Guntersville was 110 pounds, 13 ounces, worth $101,500.

Second was Davy Hite of Ninety Six, S.C., who weighed 93 pounds, 3 ounces. Crews had 92 pounds, 11 ounces, good for $20,000. He ranks eighth in the Angler of the Year standings with 1,115 points. Reese is first with 1,485.

WHAT TO DO WITH A FAWN

If you come across a deer fawn this time of the year, what should you do?

A. Consider the fawn to be orphaned and take it home and force feed it cow’s milk?

B. Run it down and take it to a rehabilitation facility.

C. Leave it alone

D. Attempt to raise the fawn in captivity with the idea of later releasing it.

The answer, according to the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is a resounding “C.”

The fawn you come across in a hayfield or along a road or in your yard most likely isn’t orphaned. It just can appear that way. Does often spend much of their days away from fawns to avoid leading predators to their location, DGIF biologists say.

If you take a fawn home in an attempt to raise it in captivity, you are breaking the law unless you have a state permit. If you feed it cow’s milk, that can induce very severe diarrhea. If you chase it down to catch it, that can be fatal for it.

Most licensed wildlife rehabilitators give other wildlife a higher priority and really would rather work with other animals. Even under good conditions, DGIF biologists say more than 50 percent of the fawns taken to rehabilitation facilities die. Those that survive pose a problem when they are released. Only a small percentage survive the first year. And where to release them? Many areas already are overflowing with deer and new releases can spread diseases.

The best advice for someone who wants to help wildlife is to leave it alone. “Keep it wild,” is the advice from DGIF.

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

• Maryland has passed legislation that immediately requires youngsters under the age of 13 to wear a personal floatation devise while aboard a boat that is under way. Virginia turned down similar legislation during the 2010 General Assembly. Maryland legislation also requires children under 16 to possess a certificate of boating safety education before they can operate a boat unless supervised by an adult who has such a certificate.
• What will it mean for the area where Virginia’s first Chronic Wasting Disease case was discovered earlier this year? The people in western Frederick and Shenandoah counties and the city of Winchester are about to find out. The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will host an information meeting May 12, 7 to 9 p.m. at the Gainesboro Elementary School. Wildlife biologists and conservation police will be on hand to discuss the agency’s CWD Response Plan.

SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT

A 9-pound, 12-ounce flounder that won the Capt. Zed’s tournament at Wachapreague is a new leader in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:

BLUELINE TILEFISH: 19 pounds, John Lander, Chesapeake, Norfolk Canyon.

CROAKER: 3 pounds, 5 ounces, Zachary Washington, Hampton, James River.

FLOUNDER: 9 pounds, 12 ounces, Chuck Riddleberger, Joppa, Md., Wachapreague.

SPECKLED TROUT: 12 pounds, 6 ounces, Michael Whittaker, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.

STRIPED BASS: 64 pounds, Michael Collier, Sandston, off Sandbridge.

TAUTOG: 16 pounds, 14 ounces, Alexander Thompson, Deale, Md., Chesapeake Light Tower.

TUNA (bluefin) 196 pounds, Brian Davis, Virginia Beach, Cigar.

BILL

EVENTS, MEETINGS AND SEASONS

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.

Black Drum World Championship Fishing Tournament, May 14 & 15, Bay Creek Marine, Cape Charles.

3D archery tournament May 16, register 9 a.m. to noon, Triangle Bowhunters range in Blacksburg near Corning Plant, sponsored by Whitetail Outfitter, hosted by Triangle Bowhunters, variety of classes, shooting stakes and food, shooting fee $12; $25 for a family and $6 for youngsters.

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

Smith Mountain Striper Club meeting, June 4, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center.

Spring squirrel hunting season, June 5-19.

3D archery tournament June 6, register 9 a.m. to noon, Triangle Bowhunters range in Blacksburg near Corning Plant, sponsored by Whitetail Outfitter, hosted by Triangle Bowhunters, variety of classes, shooting stakes and food, shooting fee $12; $25 for a family and $6 for youngsters.

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

3D archery tournament August 15, register 9 a.m. to noon, Triangle Bowhunters range in Blacksburg near Corning Plant, sponsored by Whitetail Outfitter, hosted by Triangle Bowhunters, variety of classes, shooting stakes and food, shooting fee $12; $25 for a family and $6 for youngsters.

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

Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Aug. 28, Salem Civic Center.

Eastern Regional Big Game Championship, Sept. 11 & 12, Southampton County Fairgrounds, Franklin, information from Kenneth Pickin, 804-633-0275

3D archery tournament Sept.l9, register 9 a.m. to noon, Triangle Bowhunters range in Blacksburg near Corning Plant, sponsored by Whitetail Outfitter, hosted by Triangle Bowhunters, variety of classes, shooting stakes and food, shooting fee $12; $25 for a family and $6 for youngsters.

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

Western Regional and State Big Game Championship, Sept. 25 and 26, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, contact is John Ritenour, 540-434-8028.

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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