Friday, September 03, 2010
It's official: Parkway eliminates hunter permit program
Mark Taylor is outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times.
mark.taylor
@roanoke.com
981-3395
Mark Taylor
Outdoors coverage
- Notebook: Outer Banks beach-driving plan kicks up sand
- Outdoors commentary: Many Sunday hunting cons
- Winter tourneys invite fishermen out in the cold
- Visit our Outdoors page
The Wild Life blog
Officials with the Blue Ridge Parkway have announced a decision regarding how hunters will be able to use parkway property to access adjacent hunting grounds.
Hunters will no longer be required to obtain a special access permit in order to pass through Blue Ridge Parkway property to land where hunting is allowed.
Hunting is not allowed on Parkway property.
The change was put in motion by a change to federal law that required firearms regulations on national park land to be consistent with state and local laws.
Because North Carolina and Virginia both allow open carry of legal firearms and concealed carry of handguns with a proper permit, those rules now apply to the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Hunters also will no longer be required to park only in certain designated parking areas.
A few hunters had requested that park officials continue to require hunters to park in designated spots, said assistant chief ranger Lena Koschmann.
"But we legally can't treat hunters differently," Koschmann said.
The new policy doesn't allow hunters to transport game across park lands, or the Parkway.
If no other reasonable choice exists, however, hunters can call the park's 24-hour dispatch center at (828) 298-2491 to seek authorization.
Koschmann said rangers will use their discretion, such as with hunters who try to call but can't get a cellphone signal.
"We understand the situation with cellphone coverage," she said. "We have to deal with that, too."
Bowhunters will be treated the same as firearms hunters, Koschmann added.
Additional details on the new policy are available at www.nps.gov/blri/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm.
Sherwood to host bowhunters jamboree
Roanoke's Sherwood Archers will host its annual Bowhunter Jamboree Sept. 11 and 12 at the club's range in Roanoke County.
The event will feature 3D and novelty shoots.
The entry fee is $15 for the 3D shoot, which will have 25 targets. Registration runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.
A pop-up 3D course will be offered Saturday and until noon on Sunday, with a fee of $10.
Experienced bow mechanic Wes Goff will also be on hand to help with gear.
"I will look at anybody's bow free of charge that weekend," said Goff, who is the club's bowhunting vice president. "If they're having trouble getting their broadheads to group, for example, we'll try to get it fixed."
Goff, owner of Smith Mountain Archery in Moneta, also said he'll bring some merchandise to the club.
"But the main thing is just to get out and have fun," he said.
The club will allow primitive camping on the property Friday and Saturday evening.
More information is available at www.sherwoodarchersroanokeva.com or by contacting Goff at wdgmcg@gmail.com.
Wheelin' Sportsmen announce hunt schedule
Virginia's Wheelin' Sportsmen group is accepting applications for a long slate of special fall hunts for disabled sportsmen.
Among the hunts is a Nov. 13 general firearms hunt in Botetourt County co-sponsored by Greater Outdoor Ministries.
The hunts are free, though hunters are responsible for necessary licenses.
The application deadline is Oct. 2. Volunteers are also needed.
For more information, or to request an application, contact Mike Deane at (434) 996-8508 or wheelin4u@yahoo.com. Applications are also available online at www.vanwtf.com.
--Mark Taylor
