Thursday, September 13, 2007
Guns galore at NRA banquet
Bill Cochran
Recent field reports
If you enjoy guns, hunting and shooting sports, then grab your wallet and buy tickets to the Oct. 20 Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA Banquet.
Mike Kessler, a member of the banquet committee, says there will be at least 22 firearms offered at the annual event, which raises funds for shooting sports in the region.
“Some of the firearms are unique and only available at Friends banquets with special embellishment and limited serial numbers,” Kessler said.
The Roanoke Valley event, held at the Salem Civic Center, is one of 16 Friends banquets scheduled in Virginia this fall. The full list can be found via this Web site.
Often even sportsmen believe these banquets are held to garnish funds for the NRA itself, but 50 percent of the money is returned to the area, said Kessler. This is used as grants to financially support local programs that benefit shooting sports. In the Roanoke Valley and surrounding area, organizations that benefit include 4-H, Scouts and local shooting clubs that offer youth programs.
“We normally draw 180 to 200 attendees,” said Kessler. “Our net last year was just under $15,000. This placed our committee sixth in Virginia amount the 26 other committees."
The chance to obtain a gun isn’t the only attraction of the banquet, Kessler said. There will be art, shooting accessories, jewelry, guided hunts and other items offered through auctions, raffles, games and giveaways. Then, too, there will be food, fun and fellowship.
Tickets are available from Kessler, 540-884-2917; Harvey Bulaski, 540-343-9040 and Al Milton, 540-797-7777.
BILL
GREEN TOP IS AT THE TOP
Green Top Sporting Goods, a true hunting/fishing shop in Richmond (Glen Allen), doesn’t publish a sales catalog. It doesn’t specialize in Internet transactions. It will handle mail order sales if it must, but frankly will tell you it would rather have you visit the store.
So how is it hanging in there with the big catalog/retail outfits?
My visit recently underscored that it is doing well. It is as nice as any outdoor shop I’ve ever visited.
You can’t help but be impressed with the inventory. Size-wise, Green Top doesn’t rival Bass Pro Shops down the rod. The parking isn’t as generous and you won’t be awestruck with a spectacular building, big fish tanks or gobs of mounted trophies.
But if you factor in just the essential, the things you really want, it will hang in there with the big guys. I never saw as many lures, especially soft baits, some just out as 2008 offerings. The store keeps up to date.
If you can’t find what you want or have a problem understanding how something works, no sweat. The clerks are the best I’ve ever seen. I asked three different ones where to find a certain item and none just pointed a finger. Each left his station and took me to the exact spot I needed to be. They not only knew the business, but enjoyed what they do.
Professionalism in clerks is becoming a lost art. Even in some small shops you don’t get a “hello.” Big shops often hire people who don’t know the difference between a canoe and kayak. Being nice and knowledgeable has worked well for Green Top. It has been around since 1947, and is ballyhooed as Virginia largest independent hunting and fishing store.
I ran across a four-page magazine ad on Green Top that included a plug for the Hunters for the Hungry program. You have to like that.
Look for additional information on the store at greentophuntfish.com.
BILL
BIOGRAPHYS FOR BOARD MEMBERS
“What right do you have to sit in judgment over us?” Well, that isn’t a direct quote, but basically it is what several deer hound hunters have asked members of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board.
Some of the hunters have been peeved at the department for setting up a taskforce to address problems with dog hunting. More than one has asked board members how they got their job and if they even are outdoorsmen.
The answer to the first question is that the governor appointed them, and the answer to the second one is…well, some board members were offended that it even was asked. At a recent DGIF meeting, Sherry Crumley, board member from Buchanan, suggested that members place biographical information on the agency’s Web site.
Crumley, by the way, requires no defense. She is one of the highest profile woman hunters in the nation. Several other board members, including William Greer, Jr., of Norfolk, a college president, said it was hurtful to have people suggest that they have no interest or involvement in hunting. Such charges need to be put aside so the board can do its job, he said.
Board Member C.T. Hill, of Midlothian, brought a tattered newspaper clipping containing a story about his Dad, who was an avid and honored hunter, a trait Hill has continued. Earlier, Richard Railey, board member from Courtland, said he had more deer dogs than even his wife knew about. Ward Burton Board member from Halifax not only is a NASCAR driver, but also avid outdoorsmen who donates huge amounts of his land to wildlife habitat.
BILL
STAUNTON RIVER WOES
You can add mercury to the list of contaminants that hamper the Staunton River. Health officials recently did just that.
The river is one of Virginia’s best trophy smallmouth bass and walleye streams, and is the spawning grounds of striped bass out of Kerr Reservoir. It has been troubled by PCB contaminants for a number of years.
The Department of Environmental Quality recently revealed alarming levels of mercury in some of the stream’s fish, causing the Department of Health to issue new advisory reminding anglers to limit the consumption of the fish they eat.
The mercury advisory covers the stream from Leesville Dam for nearly 100 miles downstream to where Dan River flows into the stream. This actually is the Roanoke River, but traditionally is calls it the Staunton for a long stretch below Leesville Dam.
BILL
OUTDOOR BRIEFS
>State health officials are looking at the potential of lifting or amending the ban on taking fish for human consumption in the South Holston River. An Oct. 1-22 comment period has been set. Comments can be made to Dr. Khizar Wasti. Include your full name and mailing address.
>Members of the New River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited have been volunteering time and energy to install logs for fish cover in Big Stony Creek in Giles County. The section being targeted is known as Cherokee Flats and serves as an access point for disabled anglers. The chapter has its eye on similar work in the Glen Alton area. Information is available from Ryan McManamay or you can check the chapter Web site.
>The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is honoring 41 schools for their long-term commitment to increase the environmental literacy of their students. The effort is part of the agency’s Virginia Naturally School Recognition program. Nearly 20,000 students and 1,356 teachers are involved.
BILL
VIRGINIA SALTWATER TOURNAMENT
Offshore fishing for billfish has been good this month, and the same can be said of wahoo fishing. The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament has recorded 100 blue marlin releases and 254 white marlin releases. The top weight for a wahoo in the tournament is a hefty 93 pounds. There have been 64 wahoo registered thus far. Here are the tournament standings:
BLACK DRUM: 95 pounds caught by James Tran of Virginia Beach in Lynnhaven Bay.
BLUEFISH: 16 pounds, Peter Carey of Fredericksburg in the lower-eastern Chesapeake Bay.
BLUELINE TILEFISH: 20 pound, 7 ounce, Robert Holtz, Virginia Beach, ocean off Virginia Beach.
COBIA: 93 pounds, 8 ounces, Kara Maples, Hampton, lower-western Chesapeake Bay.
CROAKER: 8 pounds, 11 ounces, Norman Jenkins, Portsmouth, off New Port Light.
DOLPHIN: 53 pounds, 9 ounces, Greg Welch, Charlotte, N.C., ocean off Virginia Beach.
FLOUNDER: 13 pounds, 7 ounces, Dennis Curcio, Philadelphia, Pa., lower eastern Chesapeake Bay.
GRAY TRIGGERFISH: 4 pounds, 10 ounces, Geoffrey Filer, Chesapeake, ocean off Virginia Beach.
GRAY TROUT: 9 pounds, 9 ounces, Claude Shifflett III, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.
KING MACKEREL: 63 pounds, 1 ounce, state record, Susan Smith, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
KINGFISH: 1 pound, 12 ounces, Kasey Price, Virginia Beach, lower eastern Chesapeake Bay..
POMPANO: 3 pounds, 5 ounces, Shane Walker, Virginia Beach, lower western Chesapeake Bay.
SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 7 ounces, David Howard, Leesburg, ocean off Virginia Beach.
SHEEPSHEAD: 14 pounds, Andy Thompson, Virginia Beach, lower-eastern Chesapeake Bay.
SPADEFISH: 14 pounds, Mark Ottarson, North, lower-western Chesapeake Bay.
SPECKLED TROUT: 12 pounds, 10 ounces, Michael Tomesch, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.
SPOT: 1 pound, 4 ounce, Edward Farrah, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
STRIPED BASS: 62 pounds, 1 ounce, Wayne Rickman, Mechanicsville, off Virginia Beach.
TAUTOG: 22 pounds, 2 ounce, Lester Johnson, Newport News, off Virginia Beach.
BLUEFIN TUNA: 573 pound state record, Bo Haycox, Virginia Beach, off Virginia Beach.
TUNA: 241 pounds, Eric Kuester, Ashland, off Virginia Beach.
WAHOO: 93 pounds, Louis Biro, Norfolk, off Virginia Beach.
MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS
Early teal season, Sept. 17-26 east of Interstate 95.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Finance, Audit and Compliance Committee report, Sept. 18, 5:30 p.m. at the DGIF board room, 4000 West Broad St., Richmond. Subjects include finances, strategic planning, and media services.
The Eastern Region and State Championship of the Virginia Big Game Show, Sept. 22 & 23, Southampton County Fairgrounds in Franklin, information from from vpsa.org.
David H. Horne Memorial Hunters for the Hungry Annual Golf Tournament, Oct. 3, 1:30 p.m., London Downs Golf Course, Forest, captain’s choice, $280 per foursome, includes greens fee, cart, awards, hole prizes, door prizes, beverages, catered dinner. Proceeds benefit Hunters for the Hungry.
Early duck season Oct. 4-8.
Snipe season Oct. 4-28; Oct. 22-Jan. 31.
Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board meeting, Oct. 16, 9 a.m. at agency’s headquarters, 4000 W. Broad St.
Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Oct. 20, Salem Civic Center, tickets $40 single, $70 couple, tickets or information from Mike Kessler, 540-884-8917; Al Milton, 540-563-1422 or Harvey Bulaski, 540-343-9040.
Youth waterfowl hunting day, Oct. 20.
Eighteenth annual H.C. Edwards Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society Banquet, Oct 27, 6 p.m... Augusta Expoland, Fisherville, tickets $55 individual or $75 couple from Matt Smith, 540-459-3559.
Woodcock season Oct. 27-Nov. 10; Dec. 22-Jan. 5.
Snow goose season, Nov. 1-Dec. 1; Dec. 8-March 10.
Opening of Atlantic zone Canada goose season, Nov. 17-Dec. 1; Dec. 21-Jan 26.
Reopening of duck season, Nov. 17-Dec. 1.
Western zone Canada goose season Nov. 17-Dec. 1; Dec. 15-Jan. 14; Jan 15-Feb. 15.
Atlantic brant season, Nov. 24-Dec. 1; Dec. 8-Jan. 26.
Tundra swan season, Dec. 1-Jan. 31.
Reopening of duck season, Dec. 8-Jan. 26.
Reopening of western zone Canada goose season, Dec. 15-Jan. 14.
Reopening of Atlantic Zone Canada goose season, Dec. 21-Jan. 26.
Back Bay Canada Goose season, Dec. 24-Jan. 26.
Reopening of western zone Canada goose season, Jan. 15-Feb. 15.
The Greater Virginia Sports and Big Game Show, Feb. 15-17, 2008, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, vasportsshow.com.
Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.
