In search of a new director for VDGIF

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/142310

303 inch Muley taken by 14 yo

But what exactly is Turner serious about?

MULLEN, Neb. — Ted Turner's men didn't flinch. As the price climbed past $8 million, $9 million, $9.5 million, they continued bidding at a rapid-fire pace.

When the auction was over, they walked away with what they came for: 26,300 acres of prime ranch land, at a cost of nearly $10 million.

"It hasn't taken long to find out he's serious," said Duane Kime, a rancher and Turner neighbor who was outbid by about $100,000 by the CNN founder.

But what exactly is Turner serious about?

The question gnaws at folks here and in other rural areas of the country where people once thought the billionaire just wanted to play cowboy.

Turner has amassed 2 million acres over the past two decades to become the largest private landowner in the country. He owns land in at least nine states, with most of his holdings in New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana and South Dakota, and is restoring buffalo, cutthroat trout, wolves, black-footed ferrets and other flora and fauna that filled the Plains before the West was won.

His front men say their boss doesn't have a secret agenda — he just wants to be a rancher. But each big buy only heightens the anxiety and gives rise to conspiracy theories, the most ominous of which hold that the swashbuckling Atlanta executive is bent on putting Nebraska ranchers and farmers out of business.

"With him it's such a concern," said Cindy Weller, who lives on the family ranch near Mullen. "You don't know what his plan is and what he's going to do."

Among the theories: Turner is trying to corner the land over the Ogallala Aquifer, the world's largest underground water system, to gain power in the water-starved West.

Or: He is scheming, perhaps with the United Nations, to create a vast wildlife refuge and turn it over to the federal government, removing the land from Nebraska's tax rolls. That could hurt Nebraska schools and other services, which are already starved for cash.

"The entire way of life here is threatened, and it's not just Turner, but he's one reason. The whole area is economically depressed," Weller said.

Mike Phillips, executive director of the Turner Endangered Species Fund, a Turner offshoot, insisted his boss is just a "doggone serious rancher," though one dedicated to preserving the environment.

But Phillips' very presence is making people wonder. He once worked with The Wildlands Project, an environmental group that wants to create a continent-wide network of nature preserves to save endangered species. The Turner Foundation, the charity arm of Turner's empire, has contributed money to it and gives millions to dozens of other environmental groups.

Turner's organizations also have been in discussions with the World Wildlife Fund and the World Conservation Union about conserving bison. The groups have expressed interest in developing a huge park where bison could once again roam the Great Plains.

Actually, Turner's spokesmen say, the driving force behind Turner's land purchases is the desire to make money. Turner's Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico, for example, offers weeklong elk hunting excursions at $12,000 a pop. He has also entered the restaurant business with gusto, opening more than 50 Ted's Montana Grill restaurants across the country that feature bison meat.

Turner declined to be interviewed, only accepting written questions answered by spokesman Phillip Evans.

"Our agenda is not to create a vast wildlife preserve," Evans, vice president of Turner Enterprises, said in an e-mail. However, he said, Turner is concerned about preserving animal habitat while ranching. "We think we can do both."

Ron Arnold, head of the Center for the Defense of Free Enterprise and author of several books critical of the environmental movement, said he has studied Turner's activities and come to his own conclusion.

Turner is amassing land for "his own sense of grandiosity," he said. "If he wants to hunt ducks on it, he hunts ducks on it. If he wanted to raise buffalo, he raised buffalo on it. That's all I could conclude."

Turner owns the largest buffalo herd in the country, 45,000 strong, many of them on the 425,000 acres he owns in Nebraska.

The sturdy bison need less attention than cattle, requiring fewer ranch hands. That adds to people's worries here in Hooker County, where there is about one person for every 721 square miles, just 15 kids graduated from high school last year, and the population dropped 3.4 percent from 2000 to 2006.

Another persistent complaint is that Turner's extraordinary ability to outbid just about anyone is driving up land prices, making it tougher for longtime ranchers to expand and keep their operations afloat.

Over the past decade, ranch land in the Sandhills region of the state where Turner owns all his property has more than doubled in price to over $300 an acre.

Kevin McCully, a Mullen-area land broker, said only a part of the increase can be attributed to Turner. Maybe, said Kime, but he just knows he can't compete: The recent auction was the third time in recent years that he was outbid by Turner, who now borders about three-quarters of Kime's ranch.

Kime now wonders whether someday he might have to sell the ranch that has been in the family for generations.

"Turner might be the only one around that would want to buy it," he said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,313607,00.html

Don't miss it. Feb 2nd -10th

http://www.easternsportshow.com/

Caroline County VA

The "Sparta Buck"

Hunting Nat'l Forest

Great read on hunting the Nat'l forest.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/recreation/hunting/hunting_article.shtml

Hunting clothes. Any thoughts?

Anyone have thoughts on the best hunting clothes?

I have been studying the Raven Wear system. http://www.ravenwear.ca/

Polartec long underwear

Fleece outer wear

Sherpa over wear


Woolpower makes some great wool clothing and socks also. http://www.woolpower.se/en/asp/info_us.asp


More of my picks from this years show in Harrisburg PA


Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show 2007 - America’s largest, most comprehensive cons

Knife Sharpener :: Spyderco Product Details ::

Raven Wear Home Page

King of the mountain, professional hunting consultant, hunting clothes, wool camouflage, extreme weather gear, rugged outdoo

Woolpower - wool, garments, underwear, ull, underkläder, thermo-wear, micron, work-wear, merino, merinoull, klar, underställ

Ghillie Suits.com Inc. We offer the Original Patented Ghillie suits and supplies.

Alberta Whitetail Deer Hunting with Ron Nemetchek

Alberta Trophy Whitetail Deer Hunting, Alberta Mule Deer & Black Bear Hunting, Moose & Elk Hunting Alberta Hunting Guide & O

Bowhunters Hall of Fame Chuck Adams

Albert Wutsch From kill to table, handle venison properly - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

"The Art of Cooking Venison"

Bob Foulkrod.com "Preparing for your next Big Game Hunting Adventure"

The Chameleon Blind

Buckstumps Custom Antler Mounts Specializing in Whitetail Deer Antlers

Welcome to Emmrod.com - Compact Fishing Poles, Compact Fishing Rods, Travel Rods, Fishing Poles, Fishing Gear, Home of the 22" pole with the action of a 6' Rod

How's the hunting out there?

My friend and hunting buddy dropped a large doe early Saturday morning at about 30 yds. A double lung shot the deer only went 20 yds. His first Bow kill! He started bow hunting last year and missed some nice deer. So in the off season he practiced and practiced. It payed off opening morning, congrats!!!!!

Here's a nice story from the RTD. Link

Anyone else see or shoot anything?

A surprise wedding of sorts

http://www.hampshirereview.com/xnm/anmviewer.asp?a=139&print=yes

Deer population needs culling

Hunting restrictions on deer loosened due to overpopulation
Lynchburg News and Advance - Lynchburg,VA,USA
More than 223000 deer were reported killed by hunters in Virginia last year, according to the DGIF Web site. That was a 4 percent increase from the year ...
See all stories on this topic

Bow season opens Tomorrow!

Good link here

Archery Deer Seasons

Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting

• Deer of either sex may be taken full season during all archery seasons, unless otherwise noted below.
  • Only antlered deer may be taken during the early and late archery deer seasons on PALS (Public Access Lands) in Dickenson County.

Early Archery Season

October 6-November 16: statewide

Late Archery Seasons

December 3-January 5:

• In all areas west of the Blue Ridge (except Clarke and Floyd counties and on private lands in Frederick County).
• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
• On the Chester F. Phelps WMA and on National Forest lands in Frederick County.

December 1-January 5:

• In the cities of Chesapeake, Suffolk (east of the Dismal Swamp line), and Virginia Beach.

December 17-January 5:

• In the counties (including the cities and towns within) of Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad).

Urban Archery Deer Seasons

September 15-October 5 and January 7-March 29

• Within the incorporated limits of the cities of Colonial Heights, Danville, Emporia, Franklin, Lynchburg, Martinsville, Radford, Richmond, Winchester and the towns of Altavista, Amherst, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Farmville, Independence, Purcellville, Richlands, Rocky Mount, Tazewell, West Point and in Fairfax County.
• During these seasons only antlerless deer may be taken.
• Lists of properties available for hunting are not maintained by the Department or local governments.
• Go to the Urban Archery Season page on this Web site for local restrictions and other urban archery information.

Legal Methods and Restrictions During Archery Deer Seasons

Special restrictions may apply during this season. See Legal Use of Firearms and Archery Equipment and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.

• Archery tackle only.
• Crossbows are legal.
• Broadhead widths must be at least 7/8-inch wide or expand upon impact to 7/8-inch.
• Bows must be capable of propelling a broadhead arrow at least 125 yards.
• It is unlawful to use arrows to which any drug, chemical or toxic substance has been added or explosive head arrows.
• It is unlawful to have a firearm in possession (see exception for concealed handguns).
• It is unlawful to use dogs.

Do you own or have a favorite GPS unit

I own a discontinued Garmin model, GPS III Plus, I find it meets all my needs and more, although I wish it had a stationary compass. The compass only works while moving.



I'm shopping for a unit for my 19 yo son.

I'm looking at these two: link

Anyone have any opinions or comments?

2007 deer classic winners

http://virginiadeerhunters.org/winners.html

VDHA 2007 DEER CLASSIC
VIRGINIA SPORTSMAN SHOW
AUGUST 10,11, & 12th
HELD AT THE SHOWPLACE

Listed below are the winners in various classes of the deer antler contest put on by the Virginia Deer Hunters Assoc. at the 24th annual Virginia Sportsman Show.

The Results are:

Regular Gun

12 + Points - Typical

George E. Archer III - Chesapeake - 209 4/16
Scott A. Edwards - Courtland - 192 10/16

12 + Points - Non-typical

Tony Kemp - Burkeville - 220 13/16
James Booker - Gladys - 217 6/16
Anthony E. Bowers - Franklin - 215 7/16
Charles M. Davis - Eltham - 214 9/16
Dennis Bagley - Carroliton - 211 11/16
George Adam Pankey - Dillwyn - 209 1/16
Thomas W. Seay - Chester - 202 15/16
James T. White - Chester - 200 10/16
A. J. Harrell - Roanoke Rapids - 198 6/16
Richard Cottoms - Spotsylvania - 198 1/16
Sean W. Ellis - Hopewell - 196 4/16
M. D. Cook - Burkeville - 192 9/16
George E. Webb - Crewe - 190 10/16
Patrick Mahoney - Sandston - 189 8/16
Berlie Botkin - Scottsville - 184 13/16
Randall Canterbury - Toano - 184 4/16
Robbie Watkins - Manquin - 180 15/16
Joey Martin - Aylette - 179 6/16
Donald W. Bell, Jr. - Hopewell - 179 3/16
John Small - Goochland - 178 6/16
Robert Trower - Farnham - 168 11/16
Roger Elder - Chester - 166 15/16
James Haislip - Summerduck - 164 8/16
Mark Moore - Hampton - 162 12/16
Phil Palmer - Richmond - 159 10/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Eric E. Dimick - Franklin - 222
Jason Jefferies - Suffolk - 187 10/16
Joseph A. Calvert Jr. - Va. Beach - 185 11/16
Martin A. Hardy, Jr. - Richmond - 182 4/16
Christopher M. Long - New Kent - 180 5/16
Tony Garza - Jetersville - 175 15/16
Franklin D. R. Lafoon, Sr. - Goochland - 170 11/16
Randy Greene - Mechanicsville - 168 10/16
Edward Stevens - Va. Beach - 165
Timothy Grissom - Church Road - 164 14/16
Johnny B. Tuck - Disputanta - 162 5/16
Stuart Bolton - Glen Allen - 151 2/16
Chad E. Buchanan - Chester - 147 8/16
Troy Simons - Aylett - 146 11/16
Ron Schenck - Ford - 145 5/16
Thomas Jerrigan - Hanover - 136 12/16

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

Bobby Roller - Scottsburg - 214 5/16
Joseph W. Abernathy III - Burkeville - 195 3/4
Rickey Carpenter - Locust Dale - 191 7/16
Warren Purtee - Midlothian - 183 10/16
Brian Fogerty - Farnham - 183 5/16
David B. Pegram - Williamsburg - 182 9/16
William Schooley - Chesterfield - 182 8/16
Charles Dews - Crewe - 179 10/16
Jack Mcdonough - Va. Beach - 177 10/16
Jason Crowder - Dinwiddie - 177
Aubrey G. Field - Spotsylvania - 173 13/16
Kevin E. Berger - Richmond - 173 9/16
Billy Bohannon - Topping - 172 10/16
Chad Bordewyk - Montpelier - 169 5/16
Russell L. Green - Montross - 167 2/16
Robert T. Hurt, Jr. - Smithfield - 161
Michael Busam - Va. Beach - 160 1/16
Chris "Rudy" Goodman - Bumpass - 158 8/16
James M. Adams - Providence Forge - 155 8/16
Charles S. Jones - Glen Allen - 154 7/16
Mark A. Oldham - Midlothian - 147 3/16
Richard Brown - Ruther Glen - 142 15/16
Marvin Carroll - Mechanicsville - 136 8/16

7-8 Points - Typical

Kevin M. Chapman - Lancaster - 184
Henry C. Patterson Jr. - Church Road - 183 11/16
David B. Jenkins - Farnham - 178
Donald J. Rhodes - Yorktown - 176 12/16
Howard Sampson, Jr. - Jetersville - 170 4/16
Chris Talley - Louisa - 169 15/16
Adam Grebinger - Richmond - 166 11/16
Melvin F. Newton - Mechanicsville - 163
Dave Maiden - Glen Allen - 162 6/16
Timothy G. Burcham - Fredricksburg - 159 12/16
Anthony Ross - Hopewell - 156 2/16
Marshall Owen - Jarratt - 156 1/16
Stuart Gupton - Norfolk - 155 3/16
Harry Corum - Dolphin - 154 14/16
Stuart Gupton - Norfolk - 153 1/16
Kenneth W. Swann - Warsaw - 151 3/16
Paul Trent - Chesterfield - 151 2/16
Lloyd Walker - Glen Allen - 150 4/16
John D. Taylor - Montross - 143 8/16
V. Kent Mays, Jr. - Richmond - 137 6/16
Ernest B. Sprouse - Mineral - 136 9/16
John Michael Hoke - Richmond - 125 8/16

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Henri Lalik - Mechanicsville - 156 12/16
Richard G. Saunders - Chester - 156 1/16
James R. Cromwell - Bumpass - 120 9/16

6 and Less Points - Typical

Brandon Bolton - Glen Allen - 151
Jason S. Smallwood - Partlow - 150 15/16
John Baldwin - King William - 141 5/16
Daniel Bryant - Amelia - 138 14/16
Nelson Crowe - King and Queen - 136 4/16
Roy F. Proffitt, III - Mineral - 130 8/16
Randy Phelps, Jr. - Gladstone - 128 1/16

Female

Womens 12 Points + Non-typical

Lesa R. Danner - Woodstock - 201 4/16
Julie B. Gilliam - Virgilina - 167 11/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Deanne Bell - Callao - 141 2/16
Ryan Wright - Craddockville - 136 15/16

7-8 Points - Typical

Lorra Ambrose - Sandston - 147 8/16
Kelly L. Umberger - Maidens - 141 6/16
Kathryn Lenox - Fredericksburg - 104 15/16

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Rosalie Coultrip - Callao - 136 5/16

6 and Less Points - Typical

Heather Burton - Spotsylvania - 114 2/16

Youth

12 + Points - Non-typical

Harrison McGirt - Millers Tavern - 191 5/16
Kyle Lewis - Gloucester - 186 2/16
Scott Barto - Va Beach - 178 14/16
Chet Atkins, Jr. - Kenbridge - 169 15/16
Waverly Clements - Spring Grove - 165 13/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Corey Garner - Chesterfield - 157 3/16
Mark A. Nunnally - Midlothian - 154 2/16
Kyle Franklin - Mechanicsville - 151 7/16
Wilmer N. Stoneman, IV - Richmond - 146 2/16
Dominic Moschetti - Williamsburg - 141 9/16

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

Jonathan Brann - Callao - 168 10/16
Slade Weldon - Caret - 166 8/16
Joey Plutro - Petersburg - 159 15/16
Tyler Anderson - Powhatan - 157 1/16
Matthew Osborne - Powhatan - 150
Tyler Waugh - Culpeper - 149 13/16

7-8 Points - Typical

Taylor Hayes - Dinwiddie - 174 2/16
Aaron Ivey - Doswell - 169 8/16
Joshua Jones - Glen Allen - 169
Donnie Mitchell, Jr. - Prince George - 158
Gody Weston - Ashland - 156
Cole Tomlinson - Gloucester - 152 4/16
Jonathan Milby - West Point - 146 8/16
Justin Welch - Kilmarnock - 144 14/16
Kyle Franklin - Mechanicsville - 143 11/16
Cole Tomlinson - Gloucester - 139 2/16
Thomas J. Higgins - Quinton - 137 9/16
Hunter Basye - Lottsburg - 134 2/16
Preston Woodel - Midlothian - 127 1/16
Joseph Kemp - St. Stevens Church - 126 3/16
Nicholas Lancaster - King William - 125 8/16
Austin Chinault - Ruther Glen - 115 15/16
Brandon Swinson - Bumpass - 102 6/16

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Colin Kibler - Mechanicsville - 134 4/16
Nick Sidney - Gloucester - 134 2/16

6 Points and Less - Typical

Hunter Byington - Sandston - 135 7/16
Austin Simons - Aylett - 129 13/16
Scott Jones - Suffolk - 102 6/16
Daniel Webster - Mechanicsville - 93 15/16
David Kahl - Richmond - 89

Bow

12 + Points - Non-typical

Anthony Hodges - Patrick Springs - 247 5/16
Steve Yeaman - Midlothian - 186 2/16
Paul D. Rock - Farnham - 182 11/16
John L. Small, Jr. - Goochland - 154 1/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Mike Stankoski - - 202 1/16
Hunter L. Tucker - Chesapeake - 193 9/16
Adam Gideons - Church Road - 177
Kenneth J. Vick - Chesapeake - 164 6/16

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

Shawn Swinson - Richmond - 186 11/16
Stephen James - White Stone - 185 3/16
Stuart Houston - Richmond - 175 10/16
Ricky Seay - Louisa - 163 14/16
David W. Bryant - Goochland - 163 9/16
Dustin Gillespie - Chesterfield - 161 1/16
Chad Connell - Lanexa - 152 1/16
Justin Dickerson - Richmond - 151
Steven Phillips - King George - 134 15/16

7-8 Points - Typical

Andrew Parsley - New Kent - 166 8/16
Denny Smith - Fredericksburg - 159 5/16
Barry Spurlock - Ruther Glen - 152 13/16
Jesse Midgett - Smithfield - 149 7/16
Mathew E. Oty - Richmond - 144 1/16
Matthew Griffith - Richmond - 138 4/16
James F. Morano, III - Richmond - 130 14/16
Robbie Haynes - Smithfield - 128 15/16

6 Points and Less - Typical

Scott A. Edwards - Courtland - 127 6/16
Ed Tober - Lanexa - 125 5/16

Muzzleloading

12 + Points - Non-typical

Sy Gibbs - Wirtz - 225 3/16
Thomas M Suthard Jr. - Warsaw - 214 2/16
Scott K. Bernier - Powhatan - 206 1/16
Stacy Eppard - Ruckersville - 205 3/16
Otis T. Eanes - Windsor - 197 15/16
Charles W. Hawk - Maidens - 191 11/16
John Welch - Bealeton - 185
Vincent A. Lanana - Mechanicsville - 183 4/16
James S. Arnold - Unionville - 156 6/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Tommy Newton - Scottsburg - 193
William T. Goodman III - Bumpass - 182 12/16
Roger Kirby - Richmond - 174 2/16
Thomas Jernigan - Hanover - 171 15/16
David B. Robertson - Louisa - 164 3/16
Steve Faison - Mechanicsville - 161 10/16
Eugene W. Ferris - Richardsville - 153 10/16
Stephen Long - Richmond - 152 8/16

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

Steven Mozucha - Prince George - 180 4/16
James F. McInteen IV - King William - 170 15/16
Justin Sautter - Windsor - 170 4/16
Shannon Hartman - Chesterfield - 168 3/16
Andy Wasney - Gloucester - 166 7/16
Pete Vincze - Bumpass - 165 10/16
Shaun Starcher - Surry - 163 15/16
Jimmy Davis - Chesterfield - 158 15/16
Collin M. Smither - Weems - 154 12/16
Jeff Lukhard - Columbia - 153 8/16
Lloyd R. Bywaters - Troy - 153 7/16
Lee Woiteshek - Suffolk - 149 7/16
John E. Hofmeyer, Jr. - Williamsburg - 142 12/16

7-8 Points - Typical

James L. Goodman Jr. - Mechanicsville - 173 1/16
John W. Thurston Jr. - Va. Beach - 171 1/16
Lee A. Waiteshek - Suffolk - 168 2/16
Shawn Traylor - Manquin - 167 14/16
Leon Lacks - Shacklefords - 166 1/16
J. D. Stamper - Tappahannock - 164 2/16
William Burton - Chesterfield - 164 1/16
Mike Beschen - Quinton - 163 3/16
James Wendel - Amelia - 159 3/16
Troy Coleman - Chesterfield - 157 13/16
Matt Marshall - Gloucester - 157
Shane Painter - Chester - 156
Luke Martin - Manquin - 154 1/16
Chip Watkins - Manquin - 152 10/16
Willie Houston - Powhatan - 149 8/16
Mark Tucker - Mechanicsville - 149 4/16
Earl Lee Mesimer - Unionville - 145 2/16
Brian Colgin - New Kent - 143 7/16
Arthur F. Miller - Gloucester - 140 11/16
David C. Flora - Richmond - 137 12/16
William D. Jones - Glen Allen - 134 12/16
Lee South - Aylett - 133 9/16
Claude Park - Newport News - 126 6/16
Eric Coultrip - Callao - 125 9/16
Keith R. Snead - Dendron - 117 9/16
Jason A. Litowitz - Woodbridge - 111 3/16

6 Points and Less - Typical

Ray Bowlin Jr. - Powhatan - 163 3/16
Brian Reece - Hampton - 144 3/16
Lucian Vermillion - Richmond - 140 8/16
Harold Delano - Warsaw - 136 15/16
Thomas Pegelow - Montross - 133 13/16
Alan B. Richardson - Louisa - 131 10/16
Gary Carr - Locust Grove - 127 9/16
Todd Fox - Aylett - 123
Roy Prior - Amherst - 115

Historical

12 + Points - Non-typical

Gerald Collier Jr. - Stevensville - 231 7/16
Andre Q. Goodman - Glen Allen - 212 12/16
Jason Doustout - Richmond - 206 10/16
Charles R. Chiarky - Shacklefords - 185 3/16
Billy Hatchett - Disputanta - 178
Michael A. Hicks - Fredricksburg - 175 14/16
Charles Davis - Eltham - 160 5/16
Daniel E. Edwards - Beaverdam - 156 2/16

9-10-11 Points - Typical

Hunter Purcell - Mechanicsville - 197 15/16
Jonathan Bruton - Petersburg - 193 2/16
Robert Parrish - Chesapeake - 190 12/16
Paul Trent - Chesterfield - 182 6/16
Dennis Powers - Franklin - 181 1/16
Edward Stevens - Va. Beach - 178 6/16
Walter D. Duncan, Jr. - Midlothian - 169 2/16
Erin Wiggins - Lanexa - 161 15/16
Marvin Schaffer - Chesterfield - 157 12/16
Major Ball - Victoria - 146 5/16

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

C.T. Robertson - Mechanicsville - 209 5/16
Slade Seward - Bumpass - 195 5/16
Caleb Stiffler - Midlothian - 188 14/16
John Sparks - Sandston - 186 7/16
Donald Brown - Petersburg - 184 2/16
Michael Harris - Portsmouth - 183 11/16
Bryant Brooks - Kenbridge - 177 1/16
Hunter E. Purcell - Mechanicsville - 168 14/16
Keith Ragland - Montpelier - 166 13/16
Chris Dodson - Richmond - 160 15/16
Wister J. Ambrose, Jr. - Sandston - 160 8/16
Michael N. Edwards - Beaverdam - 158 15/16
Marvin Carroll - Mechanicsville - 153 1/16
Shawn Swinson - Richmond - 150 3/16
Chad Athey - Church Road - 149 5/16

7-8 Points - Typical

Arthur F. Miller - Gloucester - 175 3/16
Jason Doustout - Richmond - 174 6/16
Steve Yeaman - Midlothian - 167 6/16
Travis Jessee - Jetersville - 164 3/16
Joseph Gendron - Ashland - 160 12/16
Jeff Talley - Hanover - 158 13/16
Frank Saunders - Williamsburg - 149 13/16
Major Ball - Victoria - 144 11/16
Tony Freeman - Mechanicsville - 144 9/16
John M. Hoke - Richmond - 136 12/16
George Holland - Suffolk - 135
Jason Doustout - Richmond - 134 13/16
Jordan Holland - Suffolk - 134 8/16
Arthur Cottee - Gloucester - 131 10/16
Arthur Cottee - Gloucester - 130 10/16
Shawn Floyd - Glen Allen - 127 5/16
Hunter Garrett - Richmond - 126 14/16
Christopher Poythress - Aylett - 123 3/16
Mike Wiggins - Lanexa - 113 4/16
Hunter Denton - Providence Forge - 101 14/16

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Hunter Purcell - Mechanicsville - 128 12/16

6 Points and Less - Typical

Rickey Carpenter - Locust Dale - 149 3/16
Adam Schutt - Crewe - 138 11/16
Ernest B. Sprouse - Mineral - 131 7/16
Chad J. Lacy - Manakin-Sabot - 122 8/16
Douglas J. Spencer - King William - 118 4/16
Arthur Cottee - Gloucester - 114 4/16
John Michael Hoke - Richmond - 111 13/16
Arthur Cottee - Gloucester - 74 15/16

HD Likely source of die offs

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/news/release.asp?id=141

Deer Hemorrhagic Disease Likely Source of Die-Offs

Richmond, VA — The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has confirmed that the cause of death of a deer in Cumberland County was Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease. Hemorrhagic Disease (HD) is a common viral infectious disease of white-tailed deer, and outbreaks occur annually in the Southeast. Since late July, VDGIF wildlife biologists and conservation police officers have investigated reports of suspected outbreaks from Allegheny, Shenandoah, Nelson, Essex, Bedford, Scott and Hanover Counties. Currently, other states across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic are experiencing HD outbreaks.

College Sports? How 'bout fishin?

http://blogs.tampabay.com/fishing/2007/08/college-sports-.html

Chinese Mitten Crab

Public urged to report Chinese mitten crabs

The Chinese Mitten Crab

Live Chinese Mitten Crabs (Eriocheir sinensis) have been caught in crab pots in Chesapeake Bay (2005-2007) and Delaware Bay (May 2007). These are the first confirmed reports for the eastern United States. To date, there have been seven crabs documented, and five have been in the past two weeks.

“We don’t yet know whether the crab has established reproductive populations in these estuaries or spread to other locations along the eastern U.S.,” said a marine official.

The Chinese Mitten Crab is native to East Asia, and is a potential invasive that could have negative ecological impacts. Mitten crabs are already established invaders in Europe and on the West Coast of the United States. The crab is listed as injurious wildlife under the Federal Lacey Act, which makes it illegal in the United States to import, export, or conduct interstate commerce of mitten crabs without a permit.

The Chinese Mitten Crab occurs in both freshwater and saltwater. It is catadromous, migrating from freshwater rivers and tributaries to reproduce in saltwater. Young crabs spend 2-5 years in freshwater tributaries and can extend miles upstream of bays and estuaries. Mature male and female crabs migrate downstream to mate and spawn in saltwater estuaries. Chinese mitten crabs burrow into banks and levees along estuaries and are able to leave the water to walk around obstacles while migrating.

To determine the status, abundance, and distribution of this species along the eastern U.S., a Mitten Crab Network has been established. The network began as a partnership among several state, federal, and research organizations, with an initial focus on Chesapeake and Delaware bays. The network is now being expanded to include resources managers, commercial fishermen, research organizations, and citizens along the eastern U.S.

Citizens are asked to help by reporting any mitten crabs to the Network or to a state resource manager.

The mitten crab has claws equal in size with white tips and hair; carapace up to 4 inches wide; light brown to olive green in color; no swimming legs; and has eight sharp-tipped walking legs.

If you catch a mitten crab: do not throw it back alive; freeze the animal, keep it on ice, or preserve it in rubbing alcohol as a last resort; note the precise location and date where the animal was found; please take a close-up photo of the animal, and email to SERCMittenCrab@si.edu for preliminary identification (include contact information); and if you cannot take a photo, contact the Mitten Crab Hotline (443-482-2222).

Bill Limiting Pa. Farm Owners' Liability for Hunting Accidents On Gov.'s Desk

July 5, 2007

A bill limiting Pennsylvania farmers' liability for hunting accidents on their properties has flown through the House and Senate and been sent to Gov. Edward Rendell for signing.

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The measure was backed by Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, which sought to strengthen an existing law that provides liability protection for farmers and other landowners who allow hunters on their land.

House Bill 13 would amend the Recreational Use of Land and Water Act (RULWA) of 1965 by increasing protection for landowners from liability for injury or property damage caused by hunters that occurs off the landowner's property.

The law already provides landowners liability protection for actions that occur on their property as a result of recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, swimming and hiking.

But farmers sought to clarify the law in the wake of a 2006 court case in which the owner of a Lehigh County orchard was found partially liable for damages for a situation where a stray bullet fired by a hunter traveled about a half-mile before accidentally striking a woman sitting in a car on a different property.

PFB argued that many farmers would choose to limit or exclude hunters from their property if they could not re not sure of protection from liability.

"Pennsylvania farmers need assurances that they will not put their property and livelihood at risk when they allow hunters on their land. This bill should ease their concern," said PFB President Carl T. Shaffer.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission soon will begin collecting carcasses of several elusive species _ cobia, spadefish, sheepshead, red and black

July 2, 2007 - 11:22am

By DENA POTTER
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Next time you slice up your favorite saltwater fish, consider donating its carcass to science.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission soon will begin collecting carcasses of several elusive species _ cobia, spadefish, sheepshead, red and black drum, tilefish and grouper _ from recreational fishermen to study the health of the fish populations.

Since 1998, the commission has collected length, weight, sex and age information from more than a dozen species in the Chesapeake Bay. The majority of the samples come from the commercial fishing industry, but some of the species aren't popular commercial catches, so the commission is turning to recreational fishermen to fill the gaps.

"Instead of going out and catching live ones ourselves, we can get much of the data that we need from the remnants of what's already caught," VMRC spokesman John Bull said.

Scientists must remove a fish's otolith, an ear bone that contains growth rings similar to rings in the trunks of trees, to determine its age. Hundreds of samples are needed each year for researchers to get an accurate reflection of the population.

"Why go and kill new fish to do the studies when we can learn the stuff from the dead fish?" Bull said. "That leaves more fish out there for other people to catch."

Bull called the project a "normal, routine, health-of-the-species population assessment" and said scientists have no reason to believe any of the targeted species are in serious danger.

Researchers are interested in how long the fish are living, how big they're growing and other details such as the ratio of females to males to determine what that might mean for the viability of the species.

The project targets fish that are most difficult to catch. Species such as flounder and striped bass are prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay, but the targeted fish either don't flock to the bay in large numbers or don't bite as well, Bull said.

Last year, 26,000 cobia were recorded caught by recreational fishermen, and all but about 8,000 were released, Bull said. In contrast, recreational fishermen caught more than 67,000 striped bass during a four-week season last year in Maryland alone.

A project set up last year to collect sheepshead carcasses produced only 174 donations, said Hank Liao, a scientist at Old Dominion University's Center for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology. VMRC funds the center's Growth and Age Lab where last year Liao and another full-time scientist examined about 6,000 fish in 2006.

Liao said anywhere from 200 to 1,000 fish carcasses are needed to get a proper scientific sample, depending on the species. Some like striped bass live longer, so more samples are needed to get an accurate reflection of the population. Others like spotted seatrout have very short lifespans and only about 250 are required for study.

Cobia remain one of the most elusive. Last year, scientists had only 30 samples to study, Liao said.

"Each year we have to put a specific effort to go to a cobia tournament to collect fish from recreational fishermen," Liao said. "We never get enough."

But organizers of the Marine Sportfish Collection Project are hoping anglers will come to them.

Recreational fishermen will be able to drop off carcasses _ head and tail intact _ in freezers located at several bait shops spread out across the Chesapeake Bay area. They will receive a T-shirt in return.

Bull only hopes anglers will package the remains neatly.

"Hopefully they're not all just dumping their fish skeletons in a freezer and walking away," he said.

The project will continue indefinitely.

If you have fish to donate, you can take them to to the following bait and tackle shops: Wallace's Bait and Tackle in Hampton; Long Bay Pointe Marina in Virginia Beach; and Chris' Bait and Tackle in Capeville.

(Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

By DENA POTTER
Associated Press Writer

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Next time you slice up your favorite saltwater fish, consider donating its carcass to science.

The Virginia Marine Resources Commission soon will begin collecting carcasses of several elusive species _ cobia, spadefish, sheepshead, red and black drum, tilefish and grouper _ from recreational fishermen to study the health of the fish populations.

Since 1998, the commission has collected length, weight, sex and age information from more than a dozen species in the Chesapeake Bay. The majority of the samples come from the commercial fishing industry, but some of the species aren't popular commercial catches, so the commission is turning to recreational fishermen to fill the gaps.

"Instead of going out and catching live ones ourselves, we can get much of the data that we need from the remnants of what's already caught," VMRC spokesman John Bull said.

Scientists must remove a fish's otolith, an ear bone that contains growth rings similar to rings in the trunks of trees, to determine its age. Hundreds of samples are needed each year for researchers to get an accurate reflection of the population.

"Why go and kill new fish to do the studies when we can learn the stuff from the dead fish?" Bull said. "That leaves more fish out there for other people to catch."

Bull called the project a "normal, routine, health-of-the-species population assessment" and said scientists have no reason to believe any of the targeted species are in serious danger.

Researchers are interested in how long the fish are living, how big they're growing and other details such as the ratio of females to males to determine what that might mean for the viability of the species.

The project targets fish that are most difficult to catch. Species such as flounder and striped bass are prevalent in the Chesapeake Bay, but the targeted fish either don't flock to the bay in large numbers or don't bite as well, Bull said.

Last year, 26,000 cobia were recorded caught by recreational fishermen, and all but about 8,000 were released, Bull said. In contrast, recreational fishermen caught more than 67,000 striped bass during a four-week season last year in Maryland alone.

A project set up last year to collect sheepshead carcasses produced only 174 donations, said Hank Liao, a scientist at Old Dominion University's Center for Quantitative Fisheries Ecology. VMRC funds the center's Growth and Age Lab where last year Liao and another full-time scientist examined about 6,000 fish in 2006.

Liao said anywhere from 200 to 1,000 fish carcasses are needed to get a proper scientific sample, depending on the species. Some like striped bass live longer, so more samples are needed to get an accurate reflection of the population. Others like spotted seatrout have very short lifespans and only about 250 are required for study.

Cobia remain one of the most elusive. Last year, scientists had only 30 samples to study, Liao said.

"Each year we have to put a specific effort to go to a cobia tournament to collect fish from recreational fishermen," Liao said. "We never get enough."

But organizers of the Marine Sportfish Collection Project are hoping anglers will come to them.

Recreational fishermen will be able to drop off carcasses _ head and tail intact _ in freezers located at several bait shops spread out across the Chesapeake Bay area. They will receive a T-shirt in return.

Bull only hopes anglers will package the remains neatly.

"Hopefully they're not all just dumping their fish skeletons in a freezer and walking away," he said.

The project will continue indefinitely.

If you have fish to donate, you can take them to to the following bait and tackle shops: Wallace's Bait and Tackle in Hampton; Long Bay Pointe Marina in Virginia Beach; and Chris' Bait and Tackle in Capeville.

Bears on the move in VA

---

This 200-pound black bear was struck by a car and killed recently in Gloucester.

Last week Penny Reed of Jamaica was driving toward Gloucester County on Route 17 at Glenns when she struck the bear with her car and killed it. She was near the EVB Bank building in Glenns.

Authorities said the bear was a young black male and could have been roaming in search of a mate and had just roamed too far off course. Last week black bears also were spotted in King and Queen and even the suburbs of Richmond.

Reed said the bear looked like a “big shadow in the night” crossing the road and then there was a “big bang” when she hit it. “I knew it was more than a shadow then,” she said.

“I’m not surprised it was a young male,” said a representative from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries in Richmond. “This is the breeding season and yearling males are out trying to find their own territory because they have been pushed out by older males. We get a lot of movement in the bear community this time of the year.”

Game department statistics show bears occur in at least 92 of Virginia’s 98 counties and cities. For more information and tips about what to do if you see a bear in our area, check the game department web site at dgif.state.va.us.

Dog Hunting

Heat from dog-hunting issue generates plan to take action

Friday, Jun 22, 2007 - 12:06 AM

By LEE GRAVES

TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST

Denny Quaiff used to rank Sunday hunting as the most volatile issue among hunters. No longer. "Since this has been on the table, I've had more correspondence on this than I ever had on Sunday hunting," he said. The issue is hunting deer with dogs, and Quaiff, who is executive director of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association, is among a group of key players hoping to quiet the baying that's developed between various factions.

"Our position is to work with the [Virginia] Department of Game and Inland Fisheries on this and see if there isn't some way to improve the situation," he said. "We're not in any way, shape or form wanting to abolish deer hunting with dogs, but we recognize that there are some problems here and they need to be addressed."

Bob Duncan, director of the wildlife division of VDGIF, said he plans to propose at the July 17 board meeting that a process be initiated similar to the one used to develop the state's long-term deer and bear management plans.

The first step would be a series of focus groups to identify issues. Landowners, bear hunters, deer hunters, fox hunters - all will be considered, Duncan said.

Those concerns would be addressed by an advisory committee made up of a cross-section of stakeholders. Using technical support from VDGIF staff members, the group would draft recommendations that would be reviewed by the board and the public. A final report would follow that could include potential legislation to be considered in the 2009 General Assembly.

Duncan and his staff already have fashioned a proposed objective: "To provide a diversity of opportunities for hunting with hounds in Virginia in a manner that's fair, sportsmanlike and consistent with the rights of private property owners and other citizens."

The dog-hunting issue went from a bubble to a boil this spring. In April, the VDGIF Web site posted preliminary staff recommendations about regulatory amendments. Only one mentioned dogs, and it suggested using a tracking dog on a leash to retrieve wounded deer.

One citizen's recommendation, however, led to an online forum with hundreds of postings.

The issue gained momentum in board meetings and in a letter sent by the Virginia Deer Hunters Association to members in May. The letter cited regulations adopted in Florida and Georgia and legislative efforts in South Carolina.

"We've got the same issues alive and very well here in South Carolina that you do in Virginia," Charles Ruth said in a phone interview this week. He's deer and turkey project leader in South Carolina, where regulatory changes are determined by the state's legislature, not the game department.

State law for years has allowed deer hunting with dogs in South Carolina's Coastal Plain but not the Piedmont. As in Virginia and elsewhere, Ruth said, large tracts of land have shrunk, tightening the collar on the space that dogs have to hunt.

A bill introduced in the South Carolina Senate proposed changes akin to those adopted four years ago in Georgia. The measure rests in a subcommittee.

"I think that was more of a message being sent out that [legislators] are tired of hearing about the complaints," Ruth said.

Georgia's requirements essentially are three-fold:

Anyone owning or leasing property where dogs are to hunt needs a permit.

The property must contain at least 1,000 contiguous acres.

All dogs and vehicles used in the hunt must be identified with their permit numbers.

Todd Nims, a Georgia wildlife biologist who runs the permitting program, said complaints have decreased since the regulations took effect.

Last year, warning letters went out to two clubs out of 333 groups that had received permits on 398 tracts of land. That's less than 1 percent and consistent with the trend, Nims said.

"There are certain clubs that have always been the problem, and those are the ones that are getting ferreted out," he said. "The ones that go out there and do things right have not been a problem whatsoever."

In Florida, dogs and property must be registered, dogs must be kept on registered property and restrictions are placed on training periods.

At the VDGIF board's March meeting, a Gloucester resident suggested following Georgia and Florida's lead because residential growth in parts of Virginia has created conflicts in densely populated areas.

Quaiff is not comfortable with Georgia's 1,000-acre rule, but he acknowledges something needs to be done. Roughly half the association's members hunt with dogs.

"It's the kind of thing we can't bury our head in the sand over," Quaiff said. "I think we can put something together that will be meaningful for everybody and preserve dog hunting in the right way for a long time."

Contact Lee Graves at (804) 649-6579 or outdoors@timesdispatch.com.

Great F&S article on how a buck's body changes throughout it's life span

http://www.fieldandstream.com/fieldstream/photogallery/article/0,13355,1631624,00.html

Remarkable Trees of virginia

click here

Great blog on Working Terrriers

http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/

Terrierman's Daily Dose

Information on working terriers, dogs, natural history, hunting, and the environment. This web log is associated with the http://wwww.terrierman.com web site. Please see this web site for more information on working terriers, or to order the book.

Hogzilla 2

http://www.wtopnews.com/?nid=456&pid=0&sid=1150599&page=1


http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news809759.html

By KATE BRUMBACK
Associated Press Writer

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Hogzilla is being made into a horror movie. But the sequel may be even bigger: Meet Monster Pig. An 11-year-old boy used a pistol to kill a wild hog his father says weighed a staggering 1,051 pounds and measured 9 feet 4, from the tip of its snout to the base of its tail. Think hams as big as car tires.

If the claims are accurate, Jamison Stone's trophy boar would be bigger than Hogzilla, the famed wild hog that grew to seemingly mythical proportions after being killed in south Georgia in 2004.

Hogzilla originally was thought to weigh 1,000 pounds and measure 12 feet long. National Geographic experts who unearthed its remains believe the animal actually weighed about 800 pounds and was 8 feet long.

Regardless of the comparison, Jamison is reveling in the attention over his pig.

"It feels really good," Jamison said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "It's a good accomplishment. I probably won't ever kill anything else that big."

Jamison, who killed his first deer at age 5, was hunting with father Mike Stone and two guides in east Alabama on May 3 when he bagged Monster Pig. He said he shot the huge animal eight times with a .50-caliber revolver and chased it for three hours through hilly woods before finishing it off with a point-blank shot.

Through it all, there was the fear that the animal would turn and charge them, as wild boars have a reputation for doing.

"I was a little bit scared, a little bit excited," said Jamison, who lives in Pickensville on the Mississippi border. He just finished the sixth grade on the honor roll at Christian Heritage Academy, a small, private school.

His father said that, just to be extra safe, he and the guides had high-powered rifles aimed and ready to fire in case the beast, with 5-inch tusks, decided to charge.

With the animal finally dead in a creek bed on the 2,500-acre Lost Creek Plantation, a commercial hunting preserve in Delta, trees had to be cut down and a backhoe brought in to bring Jamison's prize out of the woods.

It was hauled on a truck to the Clay County Farmers Exchange in Lineville, where Jeff Kinder said they used his scale, recently calibrated, to weigh the hog.

Kinder's scale measures only to the nearest 10, but Mike Stone said it balanced one notch past the 1,050-pound mark.

"It probably weighed 1,060 pounds. We were just afraid to change it once the story was out," he said.

The hog's head is being mounted by Jerry Cunningham of Jerry's Taxidermy. Cunningham said the animal measured 54 inches around the head, 74 inches around the shoulders and 11 inches from the eyes to the end of its snout.

"It's huge," he said. "It's just the biggest thing I've ever seen."

Mike Stone is having sausage made from the rest of the animal. "We'll probably get 500 to 700 pounds," he said.

Jamison, meanwhile, has been offered a small part in "The Legend of Hogzilla," a small-time horror flick based on the tale of the Georgia boar. The movie is holding casting calls with plans to begin filming in Georgia.

Jamison is enjoying the newfound celebrity generated by the hog hunt, but he said he prefers hunting pheasants to monster pigs: "They are a little less dangerous."

___

Associated Press writer Jay Reeves in Birmingham contributed to this report.

___

On the Net:

Hogzilla movie: http://www.thelegendofhogzillathemovie.com

Are you MAN or Woman enough to stick a HOG?

http://hunting.about.com/od/deerbiggame/l/aahogs3_8_03a.htm


Wild boar hunting with knife! Now this is really crazy!

Snakeheads

read more

How to remove a tick safely

To Remove the entire TICK safely..........

Tick Removal Please forward to anyone with children . or hunters, etc!!
thanks! A School Nurse has written the info below -- good enough to share --
And it really works!! I had a pediatrician tell me what she believes is the
best way to remove a tick. This is great, because it works in those places
where it's sometimes difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the
middle of a head full of dark hair, etc. Apply a glob of liquid soap to a
cotton ball. Cover the tick with the soap-soaked cotton ball and let it stay
on the repulsive insect for a few seconds (15-20), after which the tick will
come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.
This technique has worked every time I've used it (and that was frequently),
and it's much less traumatic for the patient and easier for me. Unless
someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any
way. I even had my doctor's wife call me for advice because she had one
stuck to her back and she couldn't reach it with tweezers. She used this
method and immediately called me back to say, "It worked!"

Please pass on; everyone needs this helpful hint.

VIMS Art Show and Auction

VIMS Art Show and Auction
Saturday, April 28, 2007
VIMS' annual Art Show and Auction for 2007 will feature the works of nationally known illustrator, photographer, and digital artist Guy Crittenden, a native of Tidewater Virginia who has been capturing images of North American wildlife and nature for more than 20 years. This gala fund-raiser gives participants an opportunity to bid on selected works by Crittenden, as well as trips, jewelry, boats, and other items. All proceeds from the auction benefit research and education programs at VIMS. Stay tuned for details.

Land Conservation

Bluebells sprout at Merrimac Farm as future of land is discussed

By: Dan Roem

04/19/2007

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It's beautiful.

No one in the Saturday afternoon tour group walking along the sometimes muddy, sometimes grassy paths at Merrimac Farm disputed that claim as they trudged through the landscape in search of the season's blossoming bluebell flowers.

Any given bluebell stem had up to two dozen pink buds. As they grow and sprout, they turn from violet sprouts into blue bulbs.

"The thinking is that bluebells want to make sure the flowers are out when the pollinators come by," Prince William Conservation Alliance president Charlie Grymes said.

About half a mile into the 300-acre nature preserve, right along the banks of Cedar Run creek, the bulbs shine bright.

On Saturday, they dressed the rain-soaked ground in shades of lavender-blue and forest-green, as there are leaves protruding from the stems that shade the ground below the bulbs.

Tourists walked through brown puddles, broken branches and over coyote droppings to take photographs and absorb an ever-enchanting view.

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The tour guides had something else on their agendas, though.

Grymes told the group of about 25 people that if the land were to be turned into 30 10-acre housing lots, the area's ecosystem could suffer a dramatic setback.

"It's in my self-interest to have good, clean drinking water," he said.

Grymes noted the creek - which resembles a river more than a little water path - eventually connects to larger bodies of water where drinking water is pumped for Prince William County citizens.

The president of the Prince William Conservation Alliance brought this up because several years back, developers had tried to acquire the land.

When Merrimac Farm owner Marine Col. Dean McDowell died in February 2001, the property was left to members of his family, including his children.

The 2004 death of Ralph McDowell, the last remaining family member to live at the farm, triggered the land sale by the four surviving family members who own the property, including Gail McDowell, who was at the farm on April 14.

McDowell said her father had always intended for the land to be saved for preservation purposes as he had always been an avid hunter and conservationist.

Though the family and the Conservation Alliance have been managing the land, the fact that no one resides there full-time is a problem.

"There needs to be a guardian," McDowell said of the property, which has been valued at more than $3 million.

Quantico is just across Cedar Run, land owned by the federal government and used as a Marine Corps base.

According to Grymes, the Marines have an interest in the land not being taken over by developers because a land conservation farm would provide a buffer between their base, where training exercises occur, and civilian homes.

John Rohm, Steve Living and John Odenkirk from the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries also served as tour guides last weekend.

If the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation approves a bond on June 13 for the state to purchase the land, then the DGIF moves one step closer to becoming the new owner.

The foundation's governing board rejected a proposal from the Conservation Alliance in 2005 that would have given the group a $2 million grant for purchasing purposes because the land was being taken out of an agricultural-zoning district and put into a development district.

Grymes explained that this time around, the Conservation Alliance is acting as a catalyst of sorts. The nonprofit, nonpartisan group is doing what it can to get the title to go from the McDowells to escrow, where it will then be purchased by the state government.

The Conservation Alliance will not pay anything or have any ownership rights to Merrimac Farm; it will be completely run by the state.

The federal government would pitch in with possible land management as well. Quantico would then own development rights of the property, thus securing it away from developers. The state would manage the 300-acre plot through the DGFI, creating a federal and state alliance.

According to Grymes and McDowell, this creates a win-win-win-win situation.

The property owners will be compensated for the land, which is home to a cemetery, wetlands and countless plant and wildlife species.

Locally, the county will have 300 acres of protected land that it doesn't have to pay for and doesn't have to manage because the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be handling it.

For the state, the 300 acres would add additional hunting and fishing property to a Northern Virginia county experiencing rapid growth and development.

Currently, hunters need to obtain permission from the Merrimac Farm owners to use the land.

At the federal level, the Quantico Marine Corps Base would have its requested buffer from civilians.

While the county will have no say in the transaction, Supervisor Mike May (R-Occoquan) is in favor of the deal and believes the other members of the Board of County Supervisors are too. He is also a member of the Prince William Conservation Alliance.

He said he thinks of the farm situation as an opportunity for the state and federal government to work together to secure open land.

"I think any time we have the opportunity to preserve property in such pristine condition and really just get a glimpse into what Virginia looked like...we ought to take a serious look into it."

May appeared briefly at the start of the afternoon tour Saturday but did not walk the paths, though he did earlier this year.

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think anyone who goes out there would be delighted with what they see," May said.

©Times Community Newspapers 2007

Fly Fishing Festival this weekend 21 and 22

http://www.vaflyfishingfestival.org/index.html

Friends of Dragon

GENERAL MEETING MEETING

Our next general meeting will be on Thursday, April 26 at Rappahannock Community College, Glenns campus.

The speaker will be Gerald H. Johnson, professor emeritus of geology at the College of William and Mary.

Dr. Johnson has extensively studied Virginia’s coastal plain, including the development of Jamestown Island, and the origin of a Sussex County archaeological site containing the oldest recognized human occupation site in North America.

Be sure to put this great program on your calendar!

Come at 7 p.m. for refreshments. A short business meeting and the program will follow.

Friends of Dragon Run

New from the Weather Channel

Fishing Forecast!

Save the Honeybee

"If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would only have four years left of life. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man."

„Wenn die Biene von der Erde verschwindet“, so Albert Einstein, „dann hat der Mensch nur noch vier Jahre zu leben; keine Bienen mehr, keine Bestäubung mehr, keine Pflanzen mehr, keine Tiere mehr, keine Menschen mehr.“

Albert Einstein

Check this Blog out!

I really like getting feedback from others of like passions.

Here is another great blog http://huntinglife.blogspot.com/

Please stop by and check him out. Lot's more great info on the passion!

Thanks for the kind words and link Kevin.

I equate blogging to HAM radio. In the old days you had to be a radio geek to participate, now with blogs folks of like interest can connect and share stories. What a great new world!

Double your shad catch!

Five simple techniques from Flyfishingjournal.com

http://www.flyfishingjournal.com/archives/fa199905_2.htm

Learn about one of Virginia's unique treasures

http://www.dragonrun.org/

RTD Guidebook

GUIDEBOOK
Richmond Times-Dispatch
Friday, April 6, 2007

Try this

Fishing and wildlife lovers are gearing up for another celebration of the aquatic life that fills the waters in Richmond.

As in years past, the 14th Street Fish Festival will be held at the south end of the 14th Street Bridge and along the adjacent floodwall. The festival is scheduled for April 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

An array of groups, including the city of Richmond, several state agencies, Maymont Park, the Richmond Audubon Society and Virginia Commonwealth University, will provide activities ranging from hands-on fishing to wildlife displays.

The latter will be the focus of an exhibit by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. "We'll emphasize our watchable wildlife program, which this is a great example of, for people who are interested in wildlife," said Lou Verner of VDGIF. "It's not just for anglers but for everybody."

Representatives of the state Department of Environmental Quality will collect various species through electrofishing and display them in a flooded canoe. City officials will host two bus trips to Bosher's Dam so participants can see the fishway. Fly fishermen will demonstrate casting and other elements of their sport, and birding aficionados will lead guided trips.

Youngsters in a city program will stage an interpretive dance symbolizing the springtime run of shad and other anadromous species. A VCU educator will help children release larval shad into the river, and area guides will coordinate some actual fishing.

The festival is being held in conjunction with Earth Day activities, including the Mayor's Walk and Roll. For details about the festival, call (804) 646-8911. For details about Earth Day, go to www.earthdayrichmond.org. Calendar

April 14: The Big Cat Quest catfish tournament and Jack Randolph River Fest will be held out of Hopewell City Marina. For details, call (804) 541-2353 or go to www.kenfreemanoutdoorpromotio ns.com.

April 21-22: The seventh annual Virginia Fly Fishing Festival will be held in Waynesboro with programs beginning at 8:30 a.m. both days. Seminars, vendor displays, wine-tasting and live music are planned. For details, call (540) 836-9367 or go to www.vaflyfishingfestival.org.

April 22: The Poor Farm Spring Cup Mountain Bike Race will be held at Poor Farm Park in Hanover County. Divisions range from hard-core enduro racers to juniors and beginners. Events include a 5-K trail run and a mountain bike excursion for children 6 to 11 years old. For details or to register, call Richmond Multisports at (804) 303-4833 or go to www.richmondmultisports.com.

April 28: A freshwater fishing workshop for beginners will be held at Oak Grove Lake Park in Chesapeake from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $15, and participants must be at least 8 years old. For details, call (804) 367-6778 or e-mail chris.dunnavant@dgif.virginia.gov.

May 2: A sporting clays tournament to benefit Log a Load for Kids and the Children's Miracle Network will be held at Sussex Shooting Sports in Waverly. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with competition at 10 a.m. Smurfit Stone and four other companies are sponsors. Fees range from $80 for individuals to $1,000 for a host sponsorship. Deadline for entries is April 19. For details, call (434) 736-8505 or (804) 843-5250.

May 9: The Downing Ruritan Club will hold its annual David H. Horne Memorial Hunters for the Hungry Golf Tournament. The captain's choice tournament will be held at Birkdale Golf Course in Chesterfield County. Registration is at 11 a.m.; the shotgun start is at 1 p.m. The cost is $70 per player or $280 per foursome. For details or to sign up, contact Braxton Bell at (804) 739-3010 or at bbellharehill@gmail.com.

Seasons

Tomorrow: Virginia Trout Heritage Day will be held on 16 lakes and rivers in the state. Fishing begins at 9 a.m. Waters are closed today for stocking.

Tomorrow: Youth Turkey Day statewide for hunters 15 and younger. One-half hour before sunrise to noon.

- Lee Graves

Save the Bay

Rain barrels

From Friends of the Rappahanock

Add an underground water storage tank to be used for non-potable use such as flushing toilets etc. like they do in Bermuda, and save water and money.

This should be required code in the Bay watershed.

Bermuda link

MORE

Rainwater Harvesting

Marriage part 1

http://blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-V.9drMU_dLRk.koqMdJHaYOB4kk1IQ--?cq=1&p=3081


Husband says, I want dinner to be on table unless I tell you that I won't be home for dinner. I'll go hunting, fishing, boozing and card-playing when I want with my old buddies and don't you give me a hard time about it.

Those are my rules. Any comments?

His new bride said, "No, that's fine with me. Just understand that there will be sex here at seven o'clock every night... whether you're here or not."

Foxworthy named honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day

Foxworthy named honorary chairman for National Hunting and Fishing Day
nwitimes.com - Munster,IN,USA
In his new volunteer position, Foxworthy will spend the coming months communicating the message that hunting and fishing are vital conservation tools, ...
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FLS Outdoor calendar

Outdoor calendar
The Free Lance-Star - Fredericksburg,VA,USA
Saturday: Fun Shoot to benefit Caroline County Varsity & JV Boys Baseball Teams. Charity Hill Hunting & Shooting Preserve. 9 am--4 pm, $60 for 100 targets ...
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No Kidding, Farmers are cheap and don't waste anything!

It turns out that run-off from land development for housing, roads, stores, factories, and other commercial applications is, Whigham said, "actually more destructive to water quality than agriculture."

Ecologist Strives to Protect, Restore Chesapeake Bay
Wabash College - Crawfordsville,IN,USA
If you think research on the Chesapeake Bay has no connection to the Midwest, Dennis Whigham ’66 says you're wrong. "It’s totally relevant," the Smithsonian ...
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Farmers aren't going to use more than is absolutely needed of anything, the cost are to high and profit margin to low.

On the other hand home owners are not looking at the same volume of material so when they use too much the cost are insignificant monetarily, but devastating for waterways.

Also development closes off the ground with concrete, asphalt, and roof tops. Not to mention all the water absorbing vegetation that is destroyed, so therefore you have tremendous amounts of contaminated runoff flowing into waterways.

Poltics and Environment don't mix

An innovative proposal for raising public money needed to curb polluting runoff into the Chesapeake Bay, which passed the House of Delegates last week 96-41, has been abruptly halted in the Senate. Like other revenue measures, the Green Fund bill is being held hostage by Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller in his campaign for a broader budget package that includes approval for slots.

The bay can't wait
Baltimore Sun - Baltimore,MD,USA
An innovative proposal for raising public money needed to curb polluting runoff into the Chesapeake Bay, which passed the House of Delegates last week 96-41 ...
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Shad Cam

The Shad cam is up...
By Captmikestarrett
A sure sign that life is all a twitter is the shad cam. Capt Mike. http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/shadcam/

BassFishin.Com Forums - http://www.bassfishin.com/bassfishingforums

DGIF Outdoor Report

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) Outdoor Report Managing and Conserving Our Wildlife and Natural Resources Wednesday, March 28, 2007 In this issue: Youth-Only Spring Turkey Hunt: Saturday, April 7th Is it a Gobbler or a Hen? How to Tell the Difference Fee Fishing Areas Open April 7th Serial Wild Turkey Poacher Convicted 2007 Wildlife and Boating Regulation Review and Amendment Process People and Partners in the News "ReNew the New" River Clean-up Campaign Eagle Cam Update - Chicks Have Hatched! Youth Writing Contest Extended Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival: May 11-13th Time to Clean Out Blue Bird Boxes Be Safe... Have Fun! Make Your Spring Gobbler Hunt a Safe One! Wildlife Habitat Improvement Tip "Cleaning Up" the Yard? Create Brush Piles for Critters In Case You Missed It... Trout Heritage Day Virginia Waterfowl Stamp Grant Application Period Open Fulfillment Farms Offers Youth Turkey Hunt April 7th April Fishing Workshop Scheduled in Chesapeake Remember Tax Fund Checkoff Hunting and Fishing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Reminder to Buy Hunting and Fishing Licenses Youth-Only Spring Turkey Hunt: Saturday, April 7th The Youth Spring Turkey Hunt on Saturday, April 7, 2007, is open to young people 15 years of age or younger who must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult hunter. The adult hunter can help with calling birds but can not carry or discharge a firearm. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess the appropriate hunting licenses. Youth between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate hunting licenses. This is a great opportunity for hunters to pass the tradition down to the next generation. Spring Gobbler Season runs from April 14 to May 19 this year in Virginia with a change in hunting hours midway through the season. From April 14 to May 5, turkey hunting will be allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. From May 7 through May 19, turkey hunting will be allowed from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset. Learn more about the Youth Spring Turkey Hunt » Is it a Gobbler or a Hen? The Beard is Not the Best Clue! Although commonly called Spring "Gobbler" Season, the legal description allows that "bearded turkeys only" may be harvested. This is because 10-20 percent of hens may grow beards and could be mistaken for a bearded gobbler. Even though it is legal to harvest a bearded hen, take a good look and determine if your quarry is truly a gobbler. Hens have a fuzzy, blue-gray head - a gobbler's head is red and white. Gobblers will appear black in color while hens will be more brownish due to the buff color tips on the breast feathers. Although harder to see at a distance, only gobblers have leg spurs. Many sportsmen will pass up the hen with a beard to help the population grow a little. Remember as you take youngsters afield with you, always set a good example for safety and ethics. Teaching these hunting heritage traditions to the next generation are the most important lessons we as sportsmen and sportswomen can make. Learn how to tell difference between a gobbler and a hen (PDF) » Fee Fishing Areas Open April 7th - Day Use Permit Required Fee fishing areas at Clinch Mountain, Crooked Creek and Douthat State Park open on the first Saturday of April. This year, that will be April 7. As a reminder to those that frequent these areas, the cost for the one day permit has increased to $6.50. Concessionaires will not be present at Clinch Mountain or Crooked Creek. Anglers will need to purchase the permit through one of the nearly 600 license agents around the state, on the Internet or by phone at 1-866-721-6911. Phone sales are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.). Permits for Douthat can be purchased at the State Park office. However, especially during opening days, the line for obtaining those licenses can be rather long. The Douthat license can also be purchased at any license agent, on the Internet or via the phone. Serial Wild Turkey Poacher Convicted A tip from a concerned sportsman to VDGIF game wardens has resulted in the largest criminal conviction of illegal wild turkey poaching in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The single defendant in this case, Jason Cook, a former assistant chief of Spotsylvania County Animal Control, was charged with nearly 100 criminal violations related to his illegal turkey poaching activities over the past 15 years. A surveillance operation led to a search warrant for the defendant's residence. The execution of this search warrant included the seizure of 81 wild turkey beards, 17 turkey legs with spurs, 38 additional turkey spurs, 6 sets of turkey tail feathers, and hunting photo albums containing pictures of the defendant posing with illegally shot wild turkey carcasses. The conviction resulted in loss of hunting privileges, jail time, community service and over $10,000 in fines and game restoration costs. For more details, contact Lieutenant Rich Goszka at (540) 899-4169. Don't allow the actions of a few to tarnish the reputation of Virginia's sportsmen and sportswomen! To report a wildlife violation, call 1-800-237-5712 or email WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov. 2007 Wildlife and Boating Regulation Review and Amendment Process In 2007 the Board of Game and Inland Fisheries is conducting its Periodic Regulation Review and Amendment Process, in which it addresses all regulations administered by VDGIF. Key dates in the process are: March 27. "Staff Preliminary Recommendations" Board meeting. Staff presented its Preliminary Recommendations for regulation amendments. April 10. The Preliminary Recommendations Public Discussion Period opens, to run through June 15. June 5. Board meeting. Preliminary Recommendations Public Discussion Period public comments is accepted. June 15. The preliminary Recommendations Public Discussion Period closes. July 17. "Regulation Proposal" Board meeting. Staff summarizes the public discussion of the Preliminary Recommendations; staff presents its resulting Proposal-Stage Recommendations; the Board solicits and receives public comments on the Proposal-Stage Recommendations; the Board deliberates and votes to propose regulation amendments. July 24. The Proposed Regulations Public Comment Period opens, to run through September 24. September 24. The Proposed Regulations Public Comment Period closes. October 16. "Final Action" Board meeting. Staff presents a summary of the public comments received; Staff presents its Final Recommendations; the Board solicits and hears public comments on the Proposed Regulations and Staff’s Final Recommendations; the Board deliberates and adopts Final Regulation Amendments to take effect January 1, March 1, and July 1, 2008. VDGIF solicits the public's participation in the regulation review process; channels for submitting comments are: Online through the Department's Web site. Email sent to RegComments@dgif.virginia.gov. Mailed letters sent to: Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Attn: Policy Analyst and Regulatory Coordinator, 4016 West Broad Street, Richmond VA 23230. Public comment at Board meetings. On request and subject to their availability, VDGIF staff will meet with constituent groups, local government officials, or other groups in local communities to address specific regulatory issues of interest. Visit the VDGIF regulatory process site for additional details. People and Partners in the News "ReNew The New" River Cleanup Campaign Underway On March 31, 2007, Giles County's litter prevention program will kick off "ReNew The New," a county-wide cleanup campaign involving hundreds of volunteers. The first project, "Ramps and Roads," involves two river guide services: I Canoe-The New and New River's Edge. They will be leading Giles County school buses, filled with Virginia Tech volunteers, to river access sites to clear out debris and litter. Other groups of school children, church and civic clubs will work on Giles County roadways. Bags, vests and gloves will be provided by the county. The hard work will conclude at noon with a picnic and door prizes, all provided by Giles County. The County is installing information kiosks at boat access sites for the Department to post information. They will also be installing trash-pick-up bag dispensers at boat access sites. To volunteer contact the Giles County Public Service Authority at (540) 922-2576 or visit their Web site. Eagle Cam Update - Chicks Have Hatched The three eggs in the eagles' nest featured on the Eagle Cam have hatched! Observers can catch all the activity by way of a Web cam strategically placed in a tree near the eagles' nest located at the Norfolk Botanical Garden. Through a unique partnership with VDGIF, WVEC TV and Norfolk Botanical Garden, the public has a rare opportunity to witness key moments in the life of bald eagles. VDGIF has launched a blog with expert information provided by Watchable Wildlife Biologist Stephen Living. Read the Eagle Cam Blog View the Eagle Cam - LIVE! Youth Writing Contest Deadline Extended The submission deadline for the Virginia Outdoor Writers Association (VOWA) 14th Annual Youth Writing Competition has been extended to April 30, 2007. Normally, the contest deadline is January 31 of each year with the awards presented in March. However, this year the top three Youth Writing Awards will be presented during the Outdoor Writers Association of America Conference being held in Roanoke June 16-19, 2007. The winners will be introduced during a luncheon to about 300 national outdoor writers and editors. In addition, each of the three winners will receive outdoor gear and other prizes valued at several hundred dollars. The goal of the contest is to recognize students in grades 9 through 12 for excellence in communicating their personal experiences in the outdoors. The theme of this year's contest, "My Most Memorable Outdoor Experience," may include an experience by the writer with hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, hiking, birding or other outdoor activity. Submissions can be made by private, public or home schooled students. For contest rules, guidelines and information visit www.vowa.org. Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival: May 11-13, 2007 The Inaugural Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival is scheduled for May 11-13, 2007. This event will celebrate International Migratory Bird day with guided walks, narrated bus tours and family activities - all free. Huge numbers of migrating songbirds move through the swamp at this time of year - and you'll have a chance to experience them! The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is a treasure trove of wildlife and a great Virginia experience. This event is co-sponsored by VDGIF, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the City of Suffolk and the Great Dismal Swamp Coalition. Call (757) 986-3705 for information and reservations. Bluebirds are Back! If you haven't already put up your bluebird box, time is of the essence. Male bluebirds have scouted their territories and females are arriving; nesting will begin soon... Learn more about bluebird boxes » Be Safe... Have Fun Make Your Spring Gobbler Hunt a Safe One! To ensure a safe and enjoyable day afield, VDGIF recommends the following guidelines for Spring Gobbler hunting: Because a gobbler's head is distinguished by its bold white, blue and red colors, NEVER wear white, blue or red clothing - not even socks or undershirts - because a flash of white could be mistaken for a turkey. Even a red bandana or blue snack food wrapper could be misread in the woods during turkey season. Never shoot at a sound or movement. Wait until you have a good, clean shot at a legal bird. Never move, wave or make turkey sounds to alert another hunter of your presence. Instead, call out in a loud voice and remain hidden, until the other hunter acknowledges your presence. When you harvest a gobbler, carry it out of the woods draped in blaze orange. Otherwise, another hunter might just see the bird and not you. Get more tips on how to stay safe during your Spring Gobbler hunt! » Wildlife Habitat Improvement Tip "Cleaning up" the Yard? Create Brush Piles for Critters You can provide important cover for birds, mammals, and other wildlife species by creating brush piles from your yard debris, such as pruned branches or downed limbs. Also, don't remove leaves! Keep leaf litter intact as a ground cover, where possible, and allow the natural decomposition process to occur. Leaves provide a home for many insects that feed other animals in the food web. Learn more » In Case You Missed It... Editor's note: As our subscriptions have grown to over 8,000 and new readers continue to sign up, we realize that some of our seasonal features are important and timely enough to bear repeating. So you can easily note repeated items we have added this section, "In case you missed it..." Trout Heritage Day - April 7, 2007 On Saturday, April 7, 2007, VDGIF will host its annual Trout Heritage Day. A group of 16 waters will be freshly stocked with trout to allow trout anglers and communities to plan activities around a known stocking date. The Department has worked with the U.S. Forest Service, local communities and private landowners to provide this opportunity. During the previous Trout Heritage Days, anglers reported success on most waters and were pleased with the angling opportunity provided. On April 7, fishing begins at 9 a.m. View a list of the waters included in the Trout Heritage Day program for 2007 » Virginia Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Grant Application Period Open VDGIF is soliciting applications for the 2007 Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp grant cycle. This grant is open to non-profit organizations for cooperative waterfowl habitat improvement projects in Virginia. There are two grant application windows. Grant applications are due on March 30, 2007, and June 29, 2007, before 5:00 p.m. Successful applicants will be notified within 30 days of the submission deadlines. Application and instructions Questions should be e-mailed to WaterfowlStampGrants@dgif.virginia.gov Fulfillment Farms Offers Youth Turkey Hunt April 7 A special opportunity for young turkey hunters is being offered by The Virginia Wildlife Foundation at Fulfillment Farms in Albemarle County on April 7. Details and registration information can be found at www.vawildlife.org or by calling at (434) 286-2656. Fishing Workshop for Beginners Scheduled in Chesapeake Do you want to learn to fish? The VDGIF Outdoor Education Program is hosting a Fishing Workshop at Oak Grove Lake Park in Chesapeake on Saturday, April 28, 2007. This is a freshwater fishing workshop for beginners. The lake is reported to have plenty of bass and bluegill, so it should be a lot of fun. The cost is $15. Tell a friend and make it a family outing to remember! Information and Registration Form (PDF) Still Working On Your Taxes? Remember when you complete your Virginia state income tax form, you can support wildlife by simply marking the Nongame Wildlife Program checkoff box and filling in the amount of your donation. Your contribution will help support essential research and management of native birds, fish, and other nongame wildlife. Spring Hunting and Fishing Events Offered for Persons with Disabilities Virginia Wheelin' Sportsmen and VDGIF have seven hunting and fishing outings for April and May for persons with disabilities. Applications for these hunting or fishing opportunities are available online at www.vanwtf.com. All of the events are free and open to anyone with a disability. Participants are responsible for having all required Virginia hunting and fishing licenses. See the Upcoming Events section for dates and locations. The application deadline is April 1st. For more information, or to get an application by mail, please contact, Robin Clark at (434) 979-6154, or via email weeeelz@aol.com. Reminder to Buy Hunting and Fishing Licenses Most licenses now sold by the VDGIF are valid for one year from the date of purchase with two exceptions: the Deer, Bear, Turkey license and the National Forest Permit. VDGIF operates a Customer Service Center to assist purchasers of hunting and fishing licenses. Representatives are available 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays, to answer your questions about the appropriate licenses you need for your hunting or fishing outing and to re-issue a lost license. You can purchase licenses online, by telephone toll free at (866) 721-6911, or direct from hundreds of local license agents. Help Spread the News! We hope you enjoy the new, electronic Outdoor Report and invite you to share this information with your friends and colleagues. Simply visit the Department's Web site and click on the Outdoor Report link to subscribe. New editions are sent directly to your email address every two weeks. Stay informed on issues and opportunities about Virginia's outdoors! In upcoming issues of the new Outdoor Report, look for: Leave Fawns Alone Shad Cam Free Freshwater Fishing Days: June 1-3, 2007 BE WILD, VIRGINIA! The Dunlin by Spike Knuth The term "shorebird" is mostly used in reference to sandpipers, plovers, turnstones, willets, dowitchers and the like; birds that live along sandy, muddy shores. Dunlins winter farther north than most shorebirds. Even on cold, icy days in winter, waterfowl hunters will commonly see these small shorebirds on the marsh mudflats. Dunlins have been called by a variety of names, including black-bellied sandpiper, red-backed dunlin, brant bird, and winter snipe. They measure 8½ to 9 inches and have a fairly large, long, curved bill for its size. They are relatively short-legged and short-necked, giving it a hunch backed appearance. Like many other shorebirds, dunlins fly in tight, compact flocks, flying almost as one with great precision in twisting, rising, turning, circling flight without getting in each other’s way. When the flock lands, they scatter as they set down allowing room for each, folding their wings in unison and becoming statue-still for a brief period. In flight their wings show a distinct, narrow white line and a grayish breast band. Dunlins arrive to Virginia mainly in the fall and the bulk of them remain into the spring, inhabiting beaches, sand bars, tidal flats of bays and rivers and mudflats of marshes. They feed by probing for small mollusks, crustaceans, worms, sand fleas and other aquatic invertebrates. Come spring dunlin fly to their northern breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra. They will pair off and begin nesting on the ground near hummocks, grass tufts, small stunted shrubs and trees, near small pools. Four greenish-brown eggs are laid, which will hatch in about 22 days. · · · This section of each issue of the Outdoor Report features one of the 925 animals that have been identified in Virginia's Wildlife Action Plan whose existence is at risk. Think you can't make a difference? You can! Be wild and work with your local officials and in your local communities to conserve Virginia's wildlife resources. Find out how you can help and join our team! Learn more about the Virginia Wildlife Action Plan » UPCOMING EVENTS April 2007 7 Youth Spring Turkey Hunt (statewide) 7 Trout Heritage Day 7 Youth Turkey Hunt, Fulfillment Farms, Albemarle. Visit vawildlife.org or call (434) 286-2656 for information. 10-12 Environment Virginia Conference, Lexington (VMI) 13-14 Hunter Education Instructors Advanced Training, Holiday Lake. If you are interested in becoming a Hunter Education volunteer, please email Sgt. David Dodson. 21-22 Annual Fly Fishing Festival South River, Waynesboro 21 Covey Kids Event: Educational Workshop, Quail Unlimited, White Oak Preserve, Clarksville. Call (434) 374-2025 for information. 20-21 Butch Trinca Memorial Spring Gobbler Hunt - Central Virginia Chapter, Charlottesville 28 New Kent Forestry Center Spring Gobbler Hunt I, Providence Forge 28 James River Chapter NWTF Spring Gobbler Hunt, Bedford May 2007 5 Virginia Wheelin' Sportsmen Spring Gobbler Hunt, Buckingham County 6 Virginia Wheelin' Sportsmen Trout Rodeo, Broadway 11-13 Great Dismal Swamp Birding Festival (PDF). Call (757) 986-3705. 12 New Kent Forestry Center Spring Gobbler Hunt II, Providence Forge 18-20 Mountain Lake Migratory Birding Festival June 2007 1-3 Free Freshwater Fishing Days 5 Board of Game and Inland Fisheries Meeting, Richmond 16-20 Outdoor Writers Association of America 80th Annual Conference, Roanoke MAKE IT A FAMILY ADVENTURE! The Department offers numerous hunting, fishing, and outdoor education programs designed for families, women, beginners and seasoned outdoor enthusiasts. Hunter Education classes Outdoor Education events Boating Education classes LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO HUNT OR FISH? Visit Find Game, the Department's award-winning online public hunting lands locator! For persons with disabilities: a calendar of hunting, fishing, and skill-building events, as well as areas designed for access to persons with disabilities can be found on the Department's online events calendar, accessible fishing areas page, as well as the VANWTF site. Find out where to fish, fishing access, and much more at the Department's Web site. QUICK GLANCE AT HUNTING SEASONS For a quick reference to the season dates for hunting and trapping for all game species visit our online quick reference or refer to page 77 of the 2006-07 Hunting & Trapping Regulations Digest. March 2007 31 Urban Archery Season Closes April 2007 7 Youth Spring Turkey Hunt 14-May 5 Spring Gobbler Season (Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to noon) May 2007 7-19 Spring Gobbler Season (Hours: one-half hour before sunrise to sunset) June 2007 2-23 New Squirrel Season on selected VDGIF Wildlife Management Areas Please consider contributing to Hunters for the Hungry through the $2 check-off when purchasing a license, or at any time through our online Outdoor Catalog. REPORT WILDLIFE VIOLATIONS To report a wildlife violation, call 1-800-237-5712, or email WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov. FOR AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, contact the local game warden immediately through the local sheriff's office or police department. Don't allow the actions of a few to tarnish the reputation of Virginia's sportsmen and sportswomen! NATURE TIPS: "SIGNS OF SPRING" Dogwood and redbud blooming Hawk migration along Blue Ridge Gobblers gobbling Hummingbirds return Lady slippers, trout lily, dwarf crested iris bloom

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Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries
4010 West Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23230
(804) 367-1000 - www.dgif.virginia.gov