Turkey plan should include more habitat improvement

BILL: I have been reading the wild turkey management plan and have found it very interesting. I will have to say that I have learned some things about the wild turkey that I didn't know, so after 72 years I am still learning.

From what I have read so far, I would have to say they did a pretty good job, although I had hoped that they would have addressed the need to improve the habitat in the national forests. I think our national forest needs to be managed in a manner that they are the home for our deer, wild turkey, grouse and so on.

As time goes on, and more and more of our private land is developed with subdivisions, malls and the like, there will be no homes for the wildlife. Most of our deer and turkey are found on private land.

As I have said before, the national forests need to have much better management practices, especially in their timber cutting. Additional clear-cutting needs to be done, which will create new growth to provide food for deer, turkey and other wildlife.

JOHN WRIGHT
Amherst

BILL: I was at the public meeting (Virginia Wild Turkey Management Plan) in Bedford. The turnout was light, only six, but I was pleased with what was said and done by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. And I learned something about the history of the wild turkey.

I did notice that of the six attendees, only myself and possibly one other did not have a monetary motive:

• One had a camo clothing business.

• One makes hunting videos

• One trains and sells turkey hunting dogs

• One has guided turkey hunts

• One unknown

• And myself

Now all these are legitimate reasons and I certainly can appreciate each one's concern for their welfare. But I did feel a little overwhelmed. Then I realized that it was me and the other hunters who financed all of these. We buy camo; hunting videos; turkey hunting dogs; sometimes go on guided hunts.

Now all of this ranting is not to complain, just to place the emphasis where I think it belongs. I just wish more hunters had come out to see all the hard work done by the DGIF and Virginia Tech grad Holly Morris.

RANDY SMITH
Salem

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