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Bill Cochran

Recent mail

• Buck measure as much art as science
• An unopened package of nine
• Proof of big bass record elusive
• Of elk and mast

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BILL: Thank you for attempting to open the non-hunting public’s eyes to this subject (Elk restoration in Virginia, see last week’s Cochran Column). I hunted elk for 5 years in Southwest Colorado and it is amazing the money that is spent in that area each year by hunters.

I hope this plan in Virginia comes to fruition, because since going to Colorado and hunting these majestic animals, it has been a dream that in my lifetime I get to hear bulls bugling in these hills of Southwest Virginia.

BILL: Good column on the elk restoration possibilities in Virginia. Like many other Virginians, I am in the lottery for a Kentucky elk tag.

It would be interesting to review the history of elk in Virginia, the Bland/Giles herd form the '60s etc.

BILL: I’m not sure who to ask, but I’ve got a question regarding The Roanoke Times and an article that was said to be put in the paper about Patterson Creek ATV Trail on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

I’ve called and asked for a time/date on when this trail will be open since it is one of the best ATV trails around. Users of this trail have the ability to go over all sorts of terrain, such as mud, dirt, rock and water.

I guess my question is: how do I find this article and is there a way to convince the forest service to open this trail back up to perhaps those who carry a National Forest Stamp. After all, those of us who purchase these stamps for hunting and fishing should be able to use the resources we are helping to pay for.

FRANK: Illegal use of the Patterson Creek ATV Trail caused the forest service to close the facility. Mark Taylor has been addressing this story on his roanoke.com blog.