Thursday, April 13, 2006
Bill Cochran's Field Reports: License fees increase
Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.
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A $5 increase in most hunting and fishing license fees, with the exception of youth licenses, is expected to be proposed when the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' board meets in Richmond later this month. The General Assembly gave the board authority to increase license fees by $5 every three years, but it has not exercised the option in face of widely publicized problems at the agency.
In the meanwhile, the agency has seen license sales go soft while capital expenditure and operation needs have increased, which is an invitation to break out the red ink in the future.
The board’s Financial Committee discussed the situation this week and is expected to introduce a proposed increase for resident and non-resident licenses fees at the board’s April 25 meeting in Richmond.
Earlier plans called for the department to introduce its new director at the meeting, but that won’t happen. The board’s search committee is scheduled to announce a revised recruitment schedule. In the meantime, the tour of Col. Gerald Massengill as interim director has been lengthened.
BILL
FLOUNDER OFF TO BRISK START
Flounder fishing is enjoying a brisk start along the seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore where creeks, cuts, channels and bays offer this species abundant habitat.
Claude Bain, director of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament, reported that one trio of anglers landed a limit of 18 nice flounder.
As is typical of this fishery, out of Wachapreague, Quinby, Willis Wharf and Oyster, some days are hot; others are not.
The fish are running larger in size than usual for this of year, and if tradition holds the best of the sport is yet to come.
BILL
WANTED: GAME WARDENS
Twenty-five percent of the law enforcement force of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is illegible for retirement during the next three years. That has scent the department scampering to hire and train warden recruits. Competition from other law enforcement agencies is fierce, said Col. Mike Bise, who heads the division.
A new class of 19 wardens graduated March 16 from the agency’s training academy and is now in the field. The search is on for another 20 candidates. Full staffing is 192 officers.
Time was when openings in the warden force would attract hundreds of applicants. That’s no longer the case. Kids don’t grow up with a background in hunting and fishing like they once did, and the salaries and benefits offered wardens often isn’t competitive. The hiring range of the new recruitment class is listed approximately $29,000 to $55,000.
In order to save on training fees, preference is given to applicants who have a law enforcement background, Bise said.
At the request of Board Chairman Sherry Crumley, Bise has been asked to prepare a five-year plan that can be used to inform the General Assembly of the needs of the warden division.
BILL
GARDENS THAT ARE NATURE FRIENDLY
Some people erect electric fences to keep the deer out of their garden and spray toxics to keep the bugs off their beans. But Marlene Condon all but puts out a “Welcome” sign for birds and bugs, not to mention deer, rabbits, toads, you name it.
She writes about it in her book, “The Nature-Friendly Garden: Creating a Backyard Haven for Plants, Wildlife and People, too.”
The White Hall, Va. author advocates a low-impact, garden that coexists with nature, rather than being at war with it. She insists that this doesn’t mean turning your yard or garden into a bramble-invested wilderness. There are plenty of benefits for the gardener, including a close-up look at nature.
The book is available at the usual outlets, or you can order an autographed copy directly from Condon for $22.95 including shipping. Her address is Marlene A. Condon, P.O. Box 235, White Hall, VA 22987.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>Danny Hawks of Galax finished 12th in the CITGO Bassmaster Southern Tour at Santee-Cooper, S.C. with a 46-pound, 6-ounce catch that netted him $3,560. The winner was James Niggemeyer of Lindale, Texas with 64 pounds, 5 ounces.
>Steven Brandy of Hillsville won the Mr. BASS tournament at Kerr Reservoir with a two-day total that weighed 30.4 pounds. Steve Roberts of Lynchburg was second with 24.97 pounds. This earned both anglers a berth in the mid-Atlantic championship of the BASS Federation Nation in September, which is a step on the way to qualifying for the prestigious Bassmaster Classic.
>How big would a catfish have to be to win a major tournament in the Hopewell area? Maybe 35 pounds, or 50 pounds? Nineteen-year old Rodney Dunnan won the Cat Quest with a 72.95-pound fish. It earned him a boat, motor and trailer.
>The Holland & Holland Ladies Open that was scheduled April 27-30 at The Homestead has been canceled due to the lack of participants.
>Information on fly fishing along a private stretch of Rose River can be found on www.roseriverfarm.com
>The NRA is offering a free one-week summer learning camp June 19-25 that is available to rising sophomores and juniors with a 3.0 GPA. Information is available at www.nrafoundation.org/yes/.
>Wildlife officials in New York say a 115-pound coyote killed in that state during the past deer season is a state record. The large male had been spotted on several occasions chasing deer, livestock and pets.
>Joe Malat will launch his 13th year of Outer Bans Surf Fishing School on May 18 in Nags Head, N.C. The school, which covers classroom and in the water instruction lasts four days and has a $275 tuition. Other schools begin Sept. 7 and Oct. 19. For information, check www.joemalat.com.
>After their debut was delayed by bad weather, some of the nation’s top women bass anglers will launch the inaugural season of the Mercury Marine Women’s Bassmaster Tour April 20 on Alabama’s Neeley Henry Lake.
>Missouri has reduced its catfish limit because of growing interest in blue catfish. Anglers in that state will be able to keep five blue cats. In Virginia, the limit is 20 above the fall line and there is no limit in tidal water where commercial fishing exists.
BILL
SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT
The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament standings:
FLOUNDER: 9 pounds, caught by David Butler, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 2 ounces, Steve Harding, Norfolk, off Virginia Beach.
SPECKLED TROUT: 12 pounds, 1 ounce, Barclay Shepard, Poquoson, Elizabeth River.
STRIPED BASS: 68 pounds, 1 ounce state record, Clay Armstrong, Mechanicsville, off Virginia Beach.
TAUTOG: 18 pounds, 8 ounces, Paul Hurtubise, McGaheysville, off Virginia Beach.
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Spring gobbler season continues through May. 13.
Virginia Ducks Unlimited State Convention, April 21-22, DoubleTree Hotel, Charlottesville, information from Tom Colligan, TColligan@verizon.net.
Smith Mountain Striper Club Member/Guest Tournament, April 22, Smith Mountain Lake, information from Butch Shaffer, 540-297-0322 or Tom Scott, 540-721-6623.
Sixth annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival and Wine Tasting, Waynesboro, April 22-23, www.vaflyfishingfestival.org.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, April 25, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
Annual Bluefish Derby, June 9-10, sponsored by Smith Point Sea Rescue, $5,000 prize for the largest bluefish and largest striped bass; $250 for largest croaker, information from Jett Hardware in Reedville, 804-453-5325.
Annual Downing Ruritan Club David H. Horne Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Hunters for the Hungry, May 10, Richmond, information from Braxton Bell, 804-739-3010.
NRA Whittingon Adventure Camp for youngsters, June 11 for two weeks, teaches shooting and traditional outdoor sports, information from info@nrawc.org.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, June 20, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
Hunters for the Hungry Sporting Clays Benefit Shoot, Edmunds Farms Sporting Clays, Halifax, June 24 & 25, information from Clarence Morris, 434-572-6986.
NRA Whittingon Adventure Camp for youngsters, July 25, for two weeks, teaches shooting and traditional outdoor sports, information from info@nrawc.org.
Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show, sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association, Aug. 11-13, Mechanicsville, information from www.sportsmanshow.com.
Smith Mountain Lake Classic and Antique Boat Society Show, The Point at Mariners Landing, Aug. 11 & 12, www.woodenboats.net.
Belvoir Bowhunters 3D Tournament to benefit Hunters for the Hungry, Aug. 13, information from Bob Foster, 703-758-5540.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Aug. 22, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 23.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Oct. 17, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
Bassmaster tour event, Smith Mountain Lake, Oct. 26-28, information on www.bassmaster.com.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Dec. 12, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
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