Quota hunts open the door to exotic adventure

1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County

2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day

3. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen

4. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys

5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football

6. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping

7. WOYM: Fewer stinkbugs? You may have wasps to thank

8. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust

9. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli

10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Applications are being accepted for quota hunts in Virginia that will put sportsmen in exotic locations often with a chance at trophy animals in areas that otherwise would be closed to hunting. Included is the Radford Army Ammunition Plant hunt, which is the most popular quota hunt in Virginia, one that gives participants the opportunity of taking a buck of a lifetime.

The quota system has gone electronic. You do everything online, including creating an account at www.vaquotahunts.com. This lets you apply for hunts and make necessary payments. Participants are randomly selected by computer. You must have a valid email address. A complete list of the hunts, along with rules and regulations, can be found on www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/quotahunts/.

Several new areas and new hunts, including youth hunts, are being offered this year, including:

Waterfowl, deer and spring gobbler hunts for the first time on the 447-acre Doe Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Eastern Shore in Accomack County.

Shotgun and bow hunting for deer during a managed hunt in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Bow and crossbow youth hunts for deer, turkeys and squirrels at the York River State Park.

Working toward a new NWTF chapter in Roanoke

Organizing a chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation in Roanoke recently has been as illusive as calling in a season-wise, boss gobbler, but Billy Hall, a federation regional director, is determined to make it happen. This time, he has Jim Basham at his side. Basham is a recreation programs supervisor for Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism.

"I have been working with Billy Hall about trying to get the Roanoke Chapter going again," Basham said.

A chapter banquet has been set for Aug. 16 at the Valley View Holiday Inn in Roanoke. Tickets are available from Hall at bhall@nwtf.net, Jim Basham at (540) 521-8274 or from Sportsman's Warehouse.

Basham and Hall can use some help. They invite would-be workers to the next planning meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at Sportsman's Warehouse in Roanoke.

Outdoor briefs

Smith Mountain Lake has received a stocking of 351,219 fingerling striped bass during a recent five-day period. The fish were released in 11 locations around the lake. The average size of the fingerlings was 1.32 inches. Leesville Lake received 84,782 fingerlings that were released in three locations. Members of the Smith Mountain Striper Club assisted with the stocking. Elsewhere, the quota for Claytor Lake was 67,000 fingerlings; Lake Anna, 96,000 and Kerr Lake, 175,000.

The North Carolina Beach Buggy Association isn't happy with a National Park Service list of 29 projects on the Cape Hatteras National Recreation Area to be funded with money from the sale of off-road vehicle permits. Members say some of the projects are pedestrian oriented and have nothing to do with vehicle beach assess. The buggy association is telling its members to get involved in the public input process, but not use profanity or make threats.

Still another charter boat captain has been sentenced in U.S. District Court in Norfolk for trafficking in illegally harvested striped bass two years ago. Raymond Webb, 54, of White Stone was arrested as part of a broader effort to target charter boat fishing in a restricted area off Virginia Beach. He was find $3,000 and placed on three years probation. He also pleaded guilty on behalf of his company, Peake Enterprises, which was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution.

If you want to catch striped bass at Smith Mountain Lake in July, then set your alarm clock for an early wake-up. "The best time to try your luck will be early morning before the heavy boat traffic starts," said Dale Wilson, of SML Guide Service www.captaindalewilson.com. As for largemouth bass, try night fishing. Wilson likes cloudy days to go after smallmouth bass.

The Ruffed Grouse Society has scheduled what it is calling a "Greenbrier Event" Aug. 16-18 at the posh Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulfur Springs, W.Va. Activities include a banquet, auctions, gun display, a shooting clays challenge, fly fishing tournament, golf and the only Five-Star Spa in the world. There will be opportunities to rub shoulders with the RGS president/CEO and board members. As for the price, it will be available soon, the society said. Information form Dave Hansroth: daveh@ruffedgrousesociety.org.

There are two new entries in the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Matthew Small of Chesapeake entered the leading 72-pound cobia he caught off Virginia Beach. Bricken McCombs of Virginia Beach entered a 185-pound yellowfin tuna he caught in the Norfolk Canyon. The contest has registered 1,287 citation catches.

Events, seasons, dates

Smith Mountain Striper Club monthly meeting, July 12, 7 p.m. Moneta Community Center, discussion on recent stockings, www.smithmountainstriperclub.com

Smith Mountain Striper Club tournament, July 20, Captain Quarters, www.smithmountainstriperclub.com/tournament-info.html

Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show, Aug. 9-11, Richmond Raceway Complex, sponsored by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association, www.sportsmanshow.com

Roanoke Chapter of National Wild Turkey Federation banquet, Aug. 16, Valley View Holiday Inn, tickets from Billy Hall, bhall@nwtf.net, Jim Basham, (540) 521-8274 or at Sportsman's Warehouse in Roanoke.

Triangle Archers 3D tournament, Aug. 18, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and peewee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, (540) 552-8023.

Friends of NRA Banquet, Aug. 24, Salem Civic Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Twenty-five firearms up for grabs. Tickets are$45 for a single, $80 for a couple, $35 for youth, information and tickets available from Mike Kessler, (540) 529-7304, and Al Milton, (540) 797-7777.

Hunters for the Hungry banquet, Sept. 14, Moose Lodge on Virginia 311 in Roanoke County. Tickets are $25 for a single; $40 for a couple. Tickets and information from Ralph and Lois Graybill, (540) 427-5125, and John and Wanda Reed, (540) 427-4788.

Western Region Big Game Show, Sept. 14 and 15, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, this is the show that measures for the Virginia record book deer, bear and turkey killed the past season. Awards ceremony at 3 p.m. Sept. 15. Information from Jon Ritenour, (540) 434-8028 or check www.vpsa,org. State Championship Sept. 28 and 29 (see below).

Smith Mountain Striper Club tournament, Sept. 14 Captains Quarters, www.smithmountianstriperclub.com/tournament-info.html

Triangle Archers 3D tournament, Sept. 22, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Tickets cost $12, $25 per family, cub and peewee $6. Information from Jim Overfelt, (540) 552-8023.

Eastern Regional Championship and State Championship Virginia Big Game Show, Sept. 28 and 29, Southampton County Fairground, Franklin, information from www.VPSA.org or Kenneth Pickin, (804) 633-0275.