Thursday, October 19, 2006
Bill Cochran's Field Reports: CWD on hold
Bill Cochran is a Roanoke Times outdoors columnist.
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There was bad news in 2005 when Chronic Wasting Disease was found in deer in Hampshire County, W. Va., a few miles from the Virginia boarder. Following intensive testing, the disease has not been found in Virginia, according to Matt Knox, deer biologist for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
Nor have new cases occurred in West Virginia this year.
Recent research at Colorado State University, which was published in the journal Science, suggests that CWD can be spread from one animal to another through saliva.
The disease attacks the brains of infected deer, elk and moose, causing the animals to become emaciated, display abnormal behavior, lose bodily function and die. Virginia officials have asked hunters to report deer that they suspect may have CWD.
There is no evidence that the disease is linked to any neurological disease that affects humans. At present, it has been found in 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces.
During the 2006 General Assembly, DGIF was given the authority to set regulations designed to help it deal more quickly with disease problems. On Tuesday, the board proposed such regulations, which will be voted on in December.
They give officials authority to quarantine or dispose of animals held in captivity and they provide the option of lengthening a hunting season to deal with wildlife numbers.
BILL
FRIENDS OF NRA BANQUET
Since its start in 1993, Friends of NRA has given approximately three-quarters of a million dollars to youth, women and family shooting and gun safety programs. Some $400,000 has gone to support 4-H shooting programs.
Friends of NRA currently is looking into the possibility of providing a grant to help support Hunters for the Hungry in Virginia.
Friends conducts more than 25 fund-raising events across the state, including a banquet in the Roanoke Valley scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21, at the Salem Civic Center. Tickets, which cost $40 for singles, $70 for couples, still are available from Mike Kessler, 540-884-2917, or Harvey Bulaski, 540-343-9040.
BILL
KAYAK FISHING KICKING UP WAKE
Saltwater fishing from kayaks has been a fast-growing new segment of angling in Virginia and beyond. A recent charity fishing tournament at Virginia Beach attracted 45 anglers who raised $2,500 for two charities, Wish-a-Fish and Lynnhaven River 2007.
The boats may be small, but the catches aren't. During the contest, Tarus Vebeliunas of New Jersey caught a 28-inch flounder and Josh Kapture of Maryland had a 34-inch striped bass.
Kayaks have some distinct advantages. They can reach spots many other boats can't; they are much more inexpensive to buy and operate than traditional fishing boats and their quietness and maneuverability put the paddler at one with his or her element, especially when a big fish ends up towing the craft. What's more, users say they are just plain fun.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>Department of Game and Inland Fisheries officials say they aren't seeing significant buyer resistance in the wake of sharp increases in hunting and fishing license fees. Buyer resistance appears to be around 3 percent.
>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is studying ways to recruit and keep game wardens. The warden force has fallen below 170 officers and the agency's new warden academy is not keeping up with needs, officials say.
>Most of us flinch when we lose a $5 fishing lure. That's not keeping MacDaddy's Fishing Lures, Inc. from plans to use a $1,000,000 lure, designed by a California jewelry, in the Oct. 25-27 Bisbee's Black and Blue Marlin Tournament in Mexico.
>Public health officials are advising that people eat no more than two meals a month of carp in a 15 miles stretch of the Maury River from Buena Vista, at Virginia 60, to where it enters the James River. Tests have indicated that polychlorinated biphenyls exceed the Virginia Department of Health's level of concern. Officials also expanded their warning about eating fish in the James River from Richmond to Hampton Roads.
>Wildlife artist Richard C. Clifton, a 44-year old duck hunter from Milford, Del., won the 2006 Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest in Memphis, Tennessee. His painting of two swimming ring-necked ducks bested 296 other entries and will grace the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp. Clifton said he had entered the contest more times than he could remember.
>The NOAA Fisheries Service has made a long-awaited policy decision on the use of circle hooks in billfish angling. Circle hooks will be required in marlin tournaments, although tournaments that feature blue marlin as the prime catch can apply for an exemption. Circle hooks won't be required of non-tournament anglers. Research has found that white marline mortality is considerable less when circle hooks are used.
>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has proposed to add yellow perch, white perch, gizzard shad, carp and gar to the list of freshwater fish that can be harvested from below the fall line in all tidal rivers of the Chesapeake Bay and sold commercially. In addition, the agency has proposed to legalize the taking of gizzard shad and white perch from the same areas while using a gill net.
>Cabela's isn't just selling hunting and fishing gear. It also is listing recreational property through its Cabela's Trophy Properties LLC. While the housing market has been slumping, sales of multi-million dollar land for hunting and fishing has been brisk, the company said. Cabela's has brokers in 27 states, including Virginia.
>Years ago, those who fished the Eastern Shore often ended up eating at Paul's Restaurant in Cheriton. It was the place for outstanding seafood. The restaurant was operated by Paul Watson, Jr. from 1937 to 1975. Watson died this month at the age of 90.
>The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has convened an 11-member task force to look at the impact of lead shot on the environment. Lead shot was banned from waterfowl hunting in the late 1980s, but continues to be used by upland game hunters.
BILL
SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT.
The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament has its first true albacore entry and a new leader in the gray triggerfish category. Here are the standings for catch-and-keep entries:
BLACK DRUM: 83 pounds, 13 ounces, Charles Porter, Birdsnest, caught at Oyster Bay.
COBIA: 109 pound pending state record, Joseph Berberich II, Hayes, lower-western Chesapeake Bay.
CROAKER: 4 pounds, 2 ounces, Vernon Wilson, Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven Bay.
DOLPHIN: 56 pounds, 6 ounces, Richard Koch, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
FLOUNDER: 13 pounds, 13 ounces, Lewis Graves, Sr., Fredericksburg, lower-eastern Chesapeake Bay.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 5 pounds, 13 ounces, Earl Sari, Chesapeake, ocean off Virginia Beach.
GRAY TROUT: 12 pounds, 4 ounces, Marvin Williams III, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
KING MACKEREL: 39 pounds, David Worton, Norfolk, off Virginia Beach.
KINGFISH: 2 pounds, 2 ounces, Any Backowski, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
POMPANO: 2 pounds, Bruce Williams, Virginia Beach off Eastern Shore.
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 2 ounces, Steve Harding, Norfolk, off Virginia Beach.
SHEEPSHEAD: 17 pounds, 13 ounces, Arun Nhek, Newport News, lower western Chesapeake Bay.
SPADEFISH: 14 pound state record, Austin Edwards, Powhatan, Cell in the Chesapeake Bay.
SPANISH MACKEREL: 6 pounds, 13 ounces, Charles Quann, King George, upper western Chesapeake Bay.
SPECKLED TROUT: 12 pounds, 1 ounce, Barclay Shepard, Poquoson, Elizabeth River.
SPOT: 1 pound, 5 ounces, Selby Balance, Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven Bay.
STRIPED BASS: 68 pounds, 1 ounce state record, Clay Armstrong, Mechanicsville, off Virginia Beach.
TAUTOG: 18 pounds, 1 ounce, Paul Hurtubise, McGaheysville, off Virginia Beach.
TRUE ALBACORE: 40 pounds, John Hanna, Seaford, ocean off Virginia Beach.
TUNA, BLUEFIN: 168 pounds, Cory Cinque, Annapolis Md., off Eastern Shore.
TUNA: 260 pounds, John Travers, Damascus, Md., off Eastern Shore.
WAHOO: 91 pounds, Aurelio Diaz, Jr., Glen Allen, off Virginia Beach.
BILL
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, 5:30 p.m., Oct. 21, Salem Civic Center, tickets $40; $70 for couples, information from Mike Kessler, 540-884-2917, or Harvey Bulaski, 540-343-9040.
17 th annual H.C. Edwards Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society banquet, Oct. 28, 6 p.m., Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, Va., tickets or information from Matt Smith, 540-459-3559.
Bassmaster Northern Open, Smith Mountain Lake, Oct. 26-28, information on www.bassmaster.com.
Woodcock season Nov. 4-18; Dec. 23-Jan. 6.
Two-day wilderness first aid course, Nov. 4 and 5 in Blacksburg, $160, information and registration, http://wfa.net.
Two-day wilderness first aid course, Nov. 11 and 12 in Richmond, $160, information and registration, http://wfa.net.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Dec. 12, 4000 W. Broad Street, Richmond.
Final portion of the dove season, Dec. 28-Jan. 15.
Western Virginia Sports Show, Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, Feb. 16-18.
CITGO Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 23-25, Birmingham, Ala.
BASS Elite Series, June 7-10, 2007, Smith Mountain Lake, information from www.bassmaster.com.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
