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Few people bother to turn out to discuss turkey plan


Wednesday, August 7, 2013


Only 42 people turned out for the six public meetings held across the state to discuss a draft of Virginia's Wild Turkey Management Plan. Some meetings attracted more technicians from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and Virginia Tech than they did sportsmen.

The 60-plus page plan, more than a year in the making, is designed to serve as a road map for managing wild turkeys over the next decade. It is scheduled to receive a final vote Oct. 17 by the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

There still are a couple of days left for online comments. Let's hope that response won't be as pitiful as the in-person meetings.

"The public comment period will close on Aug. 9, so if you know of anyone interested in commenting, please encourage folks to submit their comments by then," said Holly Morris, a Tech graduate research assistant assigned to the plan.

The draft plan is available online through Friday for review and public comments at:

www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/turkey/management-planning-process/

Busy week for saltwater tournament

The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament has enjoyed another busy week, with new leaders in the flounder and tuna categories and first-time entries for king mackerel and pompano.

Word is that there were at least three bigeye tuna caught recently that were larger than the current state record. So far, none has been entered in the tournament. Recent tuna fishing has been exceptional.

The new leader in the flounder category is an 11-pound, 1-ounce catch from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel made by Elliott Laine of Newport News. The tuna (other than bluefin) leader is a 265-pound catch by Steve Spangler of Huntington, Texas, who was fishing the Norfolk Canyon.

The first king mackerel of the tournament is a 33-pounder by David Barnhart of Virginia Beach, who was trolling inshore along Virginia Beach. Leading the pompano category is a 1-pound, 13-ounce fish landed in Back River by Brandon Bartlett of Yorktown.

Rifle club offering basic pistol classes

The Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club is offering several NRA classes on basic pistol handling for beginner and experienced shooters that can satisfy the requirements of the state of Virginia for a concealed carry permit. The instruction includes time on the club's range, which is located at the foot of Windy Gap Mountain in Franklin County. Guns and ammo are provided or you can bring your own. Here is the schedule:

  • Aug. 24 & 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. first day, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. second day, $120, $20 deposit required, contact Rod Carter or Beth Christopoulos, 540-989-1776.
  • Sept. 29, 8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., $94, 540-354-7941 or rokisky2@cox.net for information or to register.

Daves family well represented in B.A.S.S tournament

The first-day results of the 2013 B.A.S.S. Northern Open on Oneida Lake in Syracuse, N.Y. this past weekend had Chris Daves of Hopewell leading the event with his dad, Woo, of Spring Grove, in ninth place. Woo Daves is a former B.A.S.S. Classic winner.

Now this could work into something special for the Daves family. How about a one-two finish for the State of Virginia?

That wasn't to be.

The second day, New Yorker Jim Bianchi vaulted to first place and Chris Daves dropped to sixth. Virginian Jacob Powroznit of Prince Grove was fifth. Woo Daves plunged to 15th which means he didn't make the final-day cut, but did take home $2,700.

On the final day, Bianchi won with a 52-pound, 7-ounce total worth $47,412. Powroznit was third behind Tracy Adams of Wilkesboro, N.C. Chris Daves was eighth, good for $5,508.

Outdoor briefs

  • Carson Rejzer and Chris Carwile of Virginia Tech finished ninth in the weekend Carhartt Bassmaster College Series National Championship, an event won by a team from Auburn University at Montgomery. The fishing event attracted 65 college teams to Georgia's Lake Chatuge. Jody White and Sean Snow of Virginia Tech finished 20th.
  • Leon Turner of Fincastle has been reappointed by Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to a four-year term on the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
  • I remember writing an article for the Roanoke Times 30 or more years ago about a woman boat salesperson, Sandi Loganadan, selling record numbers of Ranger bass boats to the good old boys of Henry County and well beyond. The business, Angler's Choice, still is flying high. At Ranger's recent annual dealer conference, owners Sandi and Nick Loganadan received a national award as the Top Volume Single-Market Ranger Dealer in the country.
  • The 58-foot charter boat, Sandra D, traveling out of Oregon Inlet, N.C., struck a support piling of Bonner Bridge resulting in what was described as a five-foot by 10-foot hole in the boat's bow. The nine passengers and crew escaped serious injury.
  • Gander Mountain has announced one of its outdoor specialties stores is coming to Charlottesville this fall. It will be the fourth Virginia location, joining existing stores in the Roanoke Valley, Fredericksburg and Winchester. The 45,000-square foot building in Charlottesville will be located on U.S. 29 (Seminole Trial) across from the Rio Hill Shopping Center. Persons interested in employment opportunities are directed to check www.GanderMountain.com/careers.

Events, seasons, dates

  • Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show, Friday-Sunday, 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.
  • Virginia State Catfish Championship, Aug. 17, Kerr Lake, 3 p.m.-1 a.m., weigh-in at Staunton View Boat Ramp, information from www.thecatfishshowdown.com.
  • Triangle Archers 3D tournament, August 18, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and pee wee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, 540-552-8023.
  • Meeting of Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to establish waterfowl hunting regulations, 9 p.m., Aug. 22, department headquarters 4000 West Broad Street, Richmond.
  • Virginia Hunter Skills Weekend, Aug. 23-25, Holiday Lake 4-H Education Center, Appomattox, ages 11 up, subject include hunting skills, firearms' handling, bowhunting and wild game cooking, $120 includes meals, lodging and instruction, register through www.holidaylake4h.com?upcoming or 434-248-5444.
  • Friends of NRA Banquet, Aug. 24, Salem Civic Center, doors open 5:30 p.m., 25 firearms up for grabs, tickets $45 for a single, $80 for a couple, $35 for youth, information and ticket 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 $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 or Sportsman's Warehouse in Roanoke.
  • 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 3 p.m. Sept. 15. Information from Jon Ritenour, 540-434-8028 or check www.VPSA,org. State Championship Sept. 28 & 29 (see below).
  • Jakes event, sponsored by Botetourt County Longbeards Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Sept. 21, registration at noon, activities 1 to 6 p.m., seven rotating stations set up to teach youngsters about turkey hunting, no charge, but for $10 you can become a member of the NWTF Jakes program, door prizes, information from Richard Pauley, 540-992-1883 or Pauleyr@nationwide.com. Earlier this year, the Botetourt chapter won the NWTF's top award for its Jakes program.
  • Triangle Archers 3D tournament, Sept. 22, on club range between Christiansburg and Blacksburg, $12, $25 per family, cub and pee wee $6, information from Jim Overfelt, 540-552-8023.
  • Youth deer hunting day, Sept. 28.
  • Eastern Regional Championship and State Championship Virginia Big Game Show, Sept. 28 & 29, Southampton County Fairground, Franklin, information from www.VPSA.org or Kenneth Pickin, 804-633-0275.

Have an event? Contact xtrails@earthlink.net

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Weather Journal

Nice weekend, plus winter talk

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