Thursday, December 20, 2007
Striper tournament moves on, might return
Bill Cochran
Recent mail
BILL: I noticed in your report that the FLW Striper Series won’t return to Virginia Beach next year after being here this year and last. Was it the lack of participation, poor fishing, sorry facilities or what that caused this decision? And where will tournaments be held next year?
J.D.
J.D.: I put that question to Dave Washburn, vice president of communications for FLW Outdoors. His reply: “Virginia has been a terrific host since the striper series was introduced. It’s not uncommon for us to move tournaments to new venues, which is simply the case here. We will be back.”
Worth noting, although Washburn did not mention it: Virginia drew just 36 fishing teams, fewer than any other location this year. An event in New London, Conn., attracted 58 entries, while two other venues had 58 apiece.
The 2008 tournament schedule: April 19, Fortescue, N.J.; May 24, Atlantic Highlands, N.J.; June 21, New London, Conn. and Aug. 9, West Dennis, Mass.
BILL
BILL: I wanted to get your thoughts on the current study being conducted by Virginia Tech on the hound hunting situation in Virginia. What with PETA and HSUS being invited to the meeting in Richmond, I’m beginning to wonder and worry where this might lead.
BARRY ARRINGTON
BARRY: My advice to hound hunters is to be active participants in this process. I have confidence that Virginia Tech and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will do a creditable job of addressing hound hunting issues and preserving this long-held tradition in Virginia. Out of distrust, some hound hunters are boycotting the process, and I think this is a bad move. As for protectionists groups being invited to be share holders, the DGIF by law is required to consider the wildlife viewpoints of all citizens in Virginia, not just the hunters who pay their way. I think you will find that hound hunters are receiving the dominant attention in this process.
BILL
