Tom James Virginia Outdoors

Visit the real Virginia

2009-03-14T13:38:00.001-07:00

RV Education

2009-03-14T13:14:00.000-07:00

Learn more about RV's and the proper safe way to RV.

RV Awning Use, Care and Accessories

Deep Cycle Battery Care and Maintenance

RV Campground Basics

RV Care and Maintenance

and much more!

Click here to learn more

Free Knife Contest

2008-12-09T12:17:00.001-08:00

http://www.thetreasuredepot.com/cgi-bin/contest/contest_config.pl

Weatherby "Why I want a Weatherby" video contest

2008-11-16T07:46:00.000-08:00

Deadline December 31, 2008.

http://www.weatherbynation.com/videocontest?utm_source=Outsidehub&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=Campaign

Virginia loses a great outdoorsman and friend. God Bless you Stuart and happy hunting and fishing in Paradise

2008-11-13T16:54:00.001-08:00

Stuart Warren Wood
WOOD, Stuart Warren, 59, of Richmond, died Tuesday, November 11, 2008. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Barbara Wood of Mechanicsville; son, Hilton Wood of Richmond; and sister, Patsy Kiiffner of Chesterfield. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Bonnie E. Wood; son, Alex Wood Hansen (Renee); sister, Joan Bennett (Ronnie); two grandchildren, Summer and Austin. He is also survived by many other family members and friends. Stuart was the owner and CEO of Lake-N-Woods Taxidermy. He was an avid fisherman and hunter and a longtime member of Bump-A-Stump Bass Club. He served as Region 3 Director of Virginia Bass Federation, Treasurer of Virginia Sportsman Reward Fund and President of Concerned Bass Anglers of Virginia (CBAV). The family will receive friends 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Bliley's - Central Chapel, 3801 Augusta Ave., and where a memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the American Heart Association or to a charity of your choice.

No-Net-Loss: Ensuring Future Generations A Place To Hunt

2008-10-10T05:17:00.001-07:00

No-Net-Loss: Ensuring Future Generations A Place To Hunt

If there is one thing that threatens the future of hunting more than any other, it is the challenge of finding a place to hunt. More and more hunting land is being lost, either through development or because of restrictive regulations that preclude its use. Concerned hunters working together with NRA-ILA have found a solution: protect our public hunting lands with No-Net-Loss laws.

Simply put, No-Net-Loss requires that states maintain at least the level of available public hunting land that currently exists. It requires that additional lands be opened to hunting if land that is currently open to hunting is closed. The end result is to assure hunters that the opportunities they now have will not diminish.

No-Net-Loss laws have been enacted in Illinois, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, West Virginia and Georgia, and NRA-ILA is actively pursuing similar legislation in Kansas.

But states are only part of the problem, and offer only part of the solution. The federal government administers millions of acres of public land. Much of this land has traditionally been open to hunting. In order to keep those lands open to sportsmen, Senators Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Ted Stevens (R-AK), Richard Burr (R-NC), James Inhofe (R-OK), John Sunnunu (R-NH) and Jim Bunning R-KY) have introduced the Hunting Heritage Protection Act (S. 408) to apply the No-Net-Loss policy to all federally administered land. Passage of S. 408 would mean that the amount of BLM, Forest Service, Wildlife Refuge and National Parks land that is now available for hunters will not diminish. NRA-ILA is pursuing similar legislation in the House of Representatives.

Important Points About No-Net-Loss

The goal of No-Net-Loss is to create a base line number of public hunting acres that are always open to hunting, guaranteeing that future generations have the same hunting opportunities that we enjoy today. By preserving America's public hunting lands, we will allow people to continue to enjoy our sporting heritage.
The legislation in no way infringes on private property rights, or on the ability of local governments to manage their own lands. It applies only to publicly owned lands.
Hunters are the foremost conservationists in America. By preserving hunting we are ensuring that hunters will continue to protect wildlife and the environment. Through license fees, hunters pay for 75% of the budget of state wildlife agencies. Without hunters there would be no agencies, and without the agencies wildlife would be unprotected.
Taxes collected from hunters provide half a billion dollars annually to the preservation and expansion of wildlife habitat. In the last 67 years, hunters have contributed $9.5 billion to wildlife conservation. Without these funds America's wildlife could not survive.
Hunters contribute $67 billion to the economy each year. Without that money, many rural economies would wither and die. Expenditures by hunters support 575,000 jobs around the country. The federal income tax generated by hunting related activities could pay the salary of 100,000 members of the U.S. armed forces. Protecting public hunting land protects this important part of our economy.

What Smallmouth fishing is all about

2008-08-21T04:57:00.001-07:00

From Tommy S. at Nelson County Life, thanks Tommy!

2008-08-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

Also had a question Monday sent in by NCL web reader Nancy Maxson about the Perseid meteor showers:

“Hi Tommy!
Say, when’s the best time to view the coming Perseid shower this year?
I’ve heard anywhere from 9 pm to not before 3 am.
And what’s the weather forecast for viewing, cloudy or worth the trip up to
the parkway? Thanks and enjoy!
Nancy”

Stefan Seip took this picture over Riedseltz, France. The image shows the Milky Way in the Cepheus and Summer Triangle region. It shows also 6 Perseids and one Non-Perseid meteor. August 12/13, 2005 22:32 - 1:28 UT. Camera: Canon EOS 20Da, tracking the stars. Lens: Canon EF-S 10-22mm @ 11mm f/4 ISO 1600. Exposure time for the background: 10x 2 minutes. Credit: Stefan Seip. Courtesy www.space.com

Well, Nancy with a little research here’s what I have found out from an article on www.space.com last night:

“The best time to watch, regardless of your location, is from 2 a.m. to dawn local time, but the best seats will be in the western half of North America where dark skies coincide with the peak activity.

The Perseids get their name from the constellation Perseus, from which they tend to emanate like spokes from the hub of a wheel. The meteors can make their appearance anywhere in the sky, however.”

The absolute peak was this morning on the 12th, but don’t let that disappoint you, there’s still some mornings left to view the showers that will continue over the next several early mornings.

The BRP is a great location to view from because you get away from any light noise, but if you have a rural location away from lights here in the valley, you should still be in great shape! The weather for the next couple of nights should be very good for viewing!

Good luck Nancy, and thanks for the question!

http://www.nelsoncountylife.com/index.php

http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/upload/overlook_sum_08.pdf

http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/unatural_light2.htm

http://www.nps.gov/shen/naturescience/nightsky.htm

97 lb rattlesnake?

2008-08-13T05:39:00.000-07:00

THEY GROW 'EM BIG IN Tooele County UTAH
This snake was recently found at the old Wendover Military Base in Wendover Utah Tooele County.

A reminder that these creatures are actually out there and no matter
what you believe, sometimes they should get not only prescriptive
rights to be there but the full right of way!

9 feet, 1 inch - 97 lbs.

No matter what anybody else tells you, kill the snake before you try to do anything else to it!
It's the safest way for you and the snake doesn't care anymore.

DEEP-FRIED RATTLESNAKE

1 medium-sized rattlesnake (3-4 lbs.), cut into steaks
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup cornmeal
1/4 cup cracker crumbs
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)
1 teaspoon salt
dash pepper

Mix dry ingredients. Whisk milk into beaten egg and use to dip snake steaks.
Then coat them with dry ingredients. Fry, uncovered, in 400 degree oil until brown.

Tear Drop camper trailers

2008-08-09T18:34:00.000-07:00

With the price of fuel so high, it's a little pricey to go off for the weekend in the 4x4 and big truck camper.

So maybe with a little sweat and blood I can build a portable sleeper that I can pull behind the TDI VW. Save fuel and still have a great weekend in the boonies.

Here are some great websites on the topic if your interested.

http://jpodbuild.wordpress.com/my-favorite-td-links/

Send in your documents and photos

2008-08-08T06:38:00.000-07:00

http://www.vpsa.org/OLD%20HISTORICAL%20PHOTOGRAPHS%20AND%20DOCUMENTS.htm

OLD HISTORICAL & INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS

Do you have an old photo, document etc. that pertains to the history of either the VPSA or the Virginia Big Game Contest that you would like to share with viewer of this web site? If so, email them to the webmaster and we will place them here on our next update. All material on this page are copyrighted and require written permission from VPSA to copy or duplicate.

2 more great articles from Bill Cochran

2008-08-08T05:33:00.000-07:00

Apprentice License

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/172053

Health and Status of Sport Fishing

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/171254

OUTDOOR BRIEFS

>>Lack of rain has prompted officials of the Appalachian Power Co. to decrease downstream releases from Smith Mountain and Leesville lakes in an effort to raise the declining water level in Smith Mountain Lake. The decreased releases don’t always sit well with downstream interests, who say they also need water. This will be the subject of a public hearing tonight, 6 p.m. at Gretna High School.

>>State fish officials say all those dire predictions about the damage the snakehead fish would do may have been overstated. The fish is an Asian import found in the Potomac River. A Virginian-Pilot article quotes a biologist who says the fish appears to have found its own niche and is not harming bass and other native species. Reports that the snakehead could “walk” on land were false. Even so, fishermen are instructed to kill the snakeheads they catch.

>>Capt. Ferrell McLain, a Chesapeake Bay charter boat operator, said the Bay is enjoying the best run of Spanish mackerel in years. However, few people are renting charters to go after them. “Spanish mackerel to 24 inches have been caught around the Northern Neck Reef and Buoy 62 area,” McLain said. The preferred method is to troll for them with small spoons. Bluefish in the 3-5 pound ranges also are being caught. The area west of Tangier Island a good place to try for blues.

>>Angler Dr. Julie Ball of Virginia Beach used a fly rod to catch four spadefish she believes would qualify for world record status. She is a representative of the International Game Fish Association, the keeper of records. Ball was using flies tied for spadefish by Crab Creek Outfitters. I’m “not sure what they are supposed to look like, but the spades were very interested,” she said. She kept her two largest fish for certification purposes.

>>More than 271,000 pines are scheduled to be planted by the National Wild Turkey Federation on 678 acres surrounding Fort Stewart, Ga., part of a longleaf pine restoration program

>>State fish officials have been investigating a die-off of gizzard shad in South Fork Rivanna Reservoir near Charlottesville. The fish were found around the bottom of the dam and their death was blamed on hot weather and low water conditions that decreased oxygen in the impoundment.

BILL

SALTWATER FISHING TOURNAMENT

There are new leaders in the king mackerel and sheepshead categories of the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Here are the standings:

BLACK DRUM: 87 pounds, 3 ounces, Paul Elliott, Surry, Latimer Shoals (C-2 Buoy).

BLUEFISH: 19 pounds, 4 ounces, Richard Brown, Richmond, off Virginia Beach.

BLUEFIN TILEFISH: 18 pounds, 14 ounces, Chris Boyce, Hampton, Norfolk Canyon.

COBIA: 90 pounds, 10 ounces, Charles Thain, Birdsnest, Inner Middle Ground, C-13.

CROAKER: 4 pounds, Glen Ford, Newport News, James River.

DOLPHIN: 58 pounds, 6 ounces, Burt Whitt, Norfolk, Cigar.

FLOUNDER: 11 pounds, Rudolph Levasseur, Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

GRAY TRIGERFISH: 4 pounds, 2 ounces, Adam Lyons, Chesapeake, Seagull Pier on Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel.

GRAY TROUT: 9 pounds, 8 ounces, Joseph Hudgins, Jr., Chesapeake, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel (4th island).

KING MACKEREL, 62 pounds, 3 ounces, James McDonald, Virginia Beach, Sandbridge Pier.

KINGFISH: 2 pounds, 3 ounces, Bill Pope, Norfolk, Sandbridge surf.

SEA BASS: 7 pounds, 8 ounces, Reggie Myrick, Portsmouth, wreck off Virginia Beach.

SHEEPSHEAD: 14 pounds, 5 ounces, Kay Alley, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. .

SPADEFISH: 13 pounds, 15 ounces, Donald Knight, Chesterfield, Wolf Trap Light.

SPANISH MACKEREL: 6 pounds, Alfred Simpson, Virginia Beach, Sandbridge pier.

SPECKLED TROUT: 9 pounds, 15 ounces, David Hester, Chesapeake, Elizabeth River.

STRIPED BASS: 73 pounds, state record, Frederick Barnes, Chesapeake, off Virginia Beach.

TAUTOG: 20 pounds, 6 ounces, Michael Shreve, Glen Burnie, Md., Monroe Wreck.

TUNA, BLUEFIN: 226 pounds, Kim Schwallenberg, Edgewater, Md., off Wachapreague.

TUNA: 89 pounds, Troy Holtry, Newburg, Pa., 20 Fathom Finger.

WAHOO: 68 pounds, Ron Fair, Cheriton, off Wachapreague.

MEETINGS/EVENTS/SEASONS

Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show, Aug. 8-10, ShowPlace, 3000 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond, features Larry Weishuhn, the NRA trophy deer display and nearly 300 exhibitors. Adult tickets $10 per day or $15 for the weekend, kids under 15 can enter free with a paying adult. Information from sportsmanshow.com.

Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Aug. 17, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from Triangle Archers 3D tournament, June 22, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt.

Outdoor Sportsmen’s Classic, Aug. 22-23, Salem Civic Center.

Smith Mountain Lake Striper Club Fishermen’s Flea Market/Swap Shop, Sept. 5, 7 p.m., Moneta Community Center.

Eastern Regional Big Game Championship, Sept. 13 and 14, Southampton County Fairgrounds, Franklin, sponsored by the Virginia Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association, more information from Kenneth Pickin, P.O. Box 1860, Williamsburg, Va. 23187-1860; 757-229-0490. This is the contest for deer, bear and turkey killed east of the Blue Ridge. Additional information from vpsa.org.

Triangle Archer’s 3D tournament, Sept 14, Blacksburg, fee $12 or $25 per family, information from James Overfelt.

Third annual WSLS 10 Hunters for the Hungry banquet, 6 p.m. Sept. 27, Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, Salem, tickets $20 singles; $35 couples, kids 12 and under free, to benefit the organization’s feed-the-needy program, tickets from Jeff Fletcher, 540-985-6523 or Fred and Phyllis Wells, 540-992-3874 or may be purchased at Dave Sarmadi Mitsubishi, additional information from hunt4hungry@cs.com.

Western Regional and State Big Game Championship, for deer, bear and turkey killed west of the Blue Ridge or advanced from the Eastern Championship, Sept. 27 & 28, Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, more information from Jon Ritenour, 2041 Spaders Church Road, Harrisonburg, Va. 22801, 540-434-8028. Additional information from vpsa.org.

Fall Optimist Club of Cave Springs Fishing Tournament, Oct. 3-5, Smith Mountain Lake.

Saltwater striped bass tournament opens Oct. 4.

Roanoke Valley Friends of NRA banquet, Oct. 18.

Got an event? Let us know: xtrails@earthlink.net.

They're here

2008-08-05T05:36:00.001-07:00

Fire ants invade Va. public parks

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (AP) -- Fire ants have invaded at least eight public parks in the South Hampton Roads area.

State officials say the ants are being transported from southern states in uninspected and untreated shipments of plants, soil and mulch, either illegally or unintentionally.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services says most of the affected parks are in Virginia Beach.

Greenbrier Sports Park in Chesapeake, and Buckner Farms, City View, Hillcrest Farms, Mount Trashmore, Newlight, Pine Ridge and Rosemont Forest parks in Virginia Beach have been treated with insecticide in an attempt to eliminate the pests.

Fire ants are aggressive, swarming insects known for their venomous attacks on animals and humans.

Cheap alcohol stove

2008-08-04T19:57:00.001-07:00

Some neat Youtubes

2008-08-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/user/survivethewild

http://www.youtube.com/user/jasonklass

Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show

2008-08-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

http://www.sportsmanshow.com/index.html

Larry Weishuhn
Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 1pm

What a gorgeous day in Shenandoah Nat'l Park!

2008-08-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.instacam.com/showcam.asp?id=LRAY1&size=L

Temp in the low 60's at 9 am high around 74 for the day. Clear sunny skies and an abundance of wildlife to view along with a few nice people, but not too many. Not bad for August!

A great day to be alive!

http://www.nps.gov/shen/

http://www.nps.gov/shen/parknews/upload/overlook_sum_08.pdf

Tarpon on the seaside of Virginias Eastern Shore

2008-08-02T18:23:00.000-07:00

One of this week's biggest developments was the catching and releasing of two tarpon on the same boat with charter skipper Capt. W.T Nottingham of Picketts Harbor Charters (757-3312-4552).

The leaping, silvery fish of Florida fame were pulled from Seaside back-country waters by Curt Caplinger of Mechanicsville, VA, and Edward Brown Jr. of Aydlett, VA.

From hutch's fishing report

Mountain Lions

2008-07-18T06:40:00.000-07:00

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/mail/wb/169577

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/168668

Could the DGIF or U.S. Forest Service have brought them in?

I often wonder: if there are mountain lions in Craig County,and other Virginia counties, why haven’t bear hunters treed them? Craig has truckloads of bear hounds and bear hunters.

“Bear hunters have told me that they tree them and they worry that their hunting will be messed with if they report what it is,” said Horn. So they keep quiet when it comes to dealing with this protected animal.

Best Crabs in VA

2008-07-13T12:23:00.000-07:00

Crab Shack

5098 Richmond Tappahannock Hwy
Aylett, VA 23009 Map (7.64 miles)

(804) 769-3315

Cherrystone Family Camping Resort

2008-07-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

http://www.cherrystoneva.com/

HUTCH FISHING REPORT WEEK OF JULY 7, 2008

Cherrystone Family Camping Resort will update this fishing report weekly through mid-October, later if conditions warrant. It is compiled by Bob Hutchinson, seasonal camper site #143. Hutch is the retired outdoors editor for hunting and fishing for The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot. Find out the latest on fishing at Cherrystone.

*******************************************************************

Diversity remains the operable word for anglers fishing out of Cherrystone Family Camping Resort. This week's catches in waters of the lower Chesapeake Bay have included gray trout (weakfish), flounder (fluke), cobia, bluefish, sheepshead, spot, croaker and kingfish.

In fact, young Justin Baranek of Hampton, NJ, earned a citation award from the free Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament when he caught and released a 13.75-inch kingfish from the head boat Miss Jennifer.

The kingfish is a creature of many names. It is also known as sea mullet, sand mullet, roundhead and whiting. And it makes excellent table fare, the meat white, flaky and succulent.

As usual, croaker make up the biggest catch for anglers sailing from the camping resort, according to Capt. Ray Cardone, skipper of the Miss Jennifer. "But we're also getting a few keeper trout and flounder," he said.

The hottest Chesapeake Bay croaker action remains north of Cherrystone. The good thing about that is the fish should soon be migrating south into this area, especially if history holds.

Croaker also are being taken in good numbers out of the Seaside (oceanside) village of Oyster, 4.5 miles east of Cherrystone Family Camping Resort. There the better hauls are being made on falling tides.

Flounder are available along both sides (Bayside and Seaside) of the lower Eastern Shore. But anglers are finding it tough to fill the state's new limits of five fish measuring at least 19 inches.

And remember, the Virginia season will be completely closed July 23-28.

Anyway, Bayside waters have produced some bragging-size flatfish in the past few days. Randy Diamond of nearby Machipongo, VA, earned a citation award with a 7-pound, 7-ounce catch, while Howard Garringer of Easton, PA, scored at 7-3. Both fish were registered at Chris Bait & Tackle.

While cobia have been scarce, Robert Fortner of King George, VA, decked a citation-winning 68-pounder. And waters of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel producted an award-winning 12-1 sheepshead for Mike Ragland of Quinton, VA.

While a few tarpon (yep, those of Florida fame) have been spotted in the Seaside back country, no reports yet of landings or even hook-ups. This fishery peaks during the hottest days of July and August.

Finally, although blue crabs are not as abundant as one might like in the shallow waters around Cherrystone Family Camping Resort, most experienced crabbers are getting enough for occasional crab feasts.

And the good news in this area is that the crabs are big and full of the indescribably sweet meat.

VMRC fishing report

2008-07-09T12:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.mrc.virginia.gov/swr/saltwaterreview.shtm

The Fishing Reports

Chincoteague -

Donna at Captain Bobs reports fishing has been great for the past few days. The weather has been just about perfect with minimal winds, low temperatures, and the tides falling at the right time of day. While the throwback ratio is rising, keeper flounder are still being landed by boaters in front in Tom’s Cove, and off of the piers. Queen’s Sound and Cockle Creek have also been productive, with anglers catching there limits of keepers in relatively short time spans. Kingfish are keeping anglers busy at Markers 15 and 16, with croaker mixed in. Staff is still waiting for the big numbers of croaker to arrive. Small weakfish are arriving, and small spot have been caught. Shark and skate are also providing action for anglers in the area. Offshore fishing is hot! The 20-Fathom line (around the Lumpy Bottom and the Parking Lot) is producing bluefin tuna, and trolling has been best method to bring them up. Other offshore catches include mahi-mahi, cobia, king mackerel, spadefish, sheepshead and tautog at the wrecks.

Wachapreague -

At Captain Zed’s, the MARLIN MAGIC came in with a 102-pound bluefin tuna and two small dolphin on the 28th. Anglers have been catching kingfish, grey trout, and a keeper flounder (the throwback ratio is 30- 40 undersized flounder to one keeper). Staff reports the price of gasoline is keeping many anglers home.

Onancock -

In Onancock, medium and large croaker are being hooked at the mouth of the Pocomoke Sound, and few flounder are still being hooked. Anglers can catch spot with bloodworms, and nice sea mullet have been found in the area. Sharks are beginning to show, and Captain Wil expects more to show up by the middle of July. During hot times of day, anglers should fish in deeper waters, and during evenings, in the shallows. Nice fishing and good weather should make a great holiday weekend.

Cape Charles -

Chris at Chris’ Bait and Tackle reports a drop in citations this week. Flounder are still being reported from the Cell area, and spadefish have been brought in from the same area and the 3rd and 4th islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Croaker have arrived at Oyster, and anglers are coming home with full coolers. There is a mixed bag of bottom fish available off of the Kiptopeke Pier including croaker, spot, and a few small grey trout.

Flounder have been caught near Cherrystone Bait and Tackle. Anglers have found success fishing at low tide around Kings Creek. Croaker, grey trout, and white perch have also been hooked in the area.

Lower Bay/Bridge Tunnel

No citations were reported from Cobb’s Marina this week. Anglers have been catching flounder at the ODU wreck, between the 2nd and 3rd islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Spadefish have been landed sporadically in the same area. While none have been brought in, staff has heard reports of cobia sightings along the bridge as well. Croaker are keeping anglers occupied throughout the area.

At the Sunset Boating Center, anglers have reported numerous small croaker in the area. Spanish mackerel and flounder have been hooked near Cape Henry.

Massive cobia, flounder, and numerous citations were reported from Salt Pond’s Marina this week. A 78- pound, 6-ounce cobia was landed from the MISS SUSIE at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on the 25th, following a 57-pound, 60-inch cobia landed from the same area on the 24th. Two flounder citations came in from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on the 26th, (8 pounds, 29 inches and 7 pounds, 4 ounces, 27 inches), and on the 27th , two red drum release citations, both 47 inches, were brought in from the same area. Staff at York River Fishing Center reports that flounder has really picked up in the area. Many are able to find their limits of keepers. Anglers are also catching some cobia in the area. Spot and Croaker can be found in the river and off of Gloucester Point Pier where the occasional flounder is hooked as well. Spanish mackerel are biting at the mouth of the York River.

Ken Neill, reporting secretary for the Peninsula Anglers Club, contributed the following:

The long Independence Day weekend arrives with numerous species to target. Bluefin tuna are being caught on the inshore lumps like the Hot Dog and 26-Mile Hill. They are also being caught on the Fingers along with dolphin, king mackerel and some yellowfin tuna. Dolphin and marlin are available in the area southeast of the Cigar. Tilefish and grouper are being caught by bottom bouncers in the area of the Norfolk Canyon. Black sea bass, some tautog, and triggerfish are biting on the inshore wrecks. Some of these same wrecks like the Gulf Hustler, Ricks, and Hanks, are good locations to encounter some big amberjack. The Chesapeake Light Tower is another amberjack spot but for a sure bet, make the long run down to the South Towers. Spadefish can be caught on these and other wrecks, at the Tower Reef, the Chesapeake Light Tower, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and at the Cell. Black drum are a possibility around the islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, especially at the 2nd and 3rd islands. Large red drum are still being caught by anglers fishing the Inner Middle Ground area at night. Sheepshead are on the pilings of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with fiddler crabs being a preferred bait. Spanish mackerel are being caught along the oceanfront and in the lower bay up to Windmill Point. Numerous small bluefish are mixed in with the Spanish. Cobia anglers are catching fish while sitting on chum slicks at York Spit, Bluefish Rock, and the Inner Middle Grounds. Some large flounder are at the Cell/Buoy 42 areas but most of the larger fish are being caught at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and at Back River Reef by anglers fishing with live spot. A few speckled trout are being caught in the rivers of the Mobjack Bay and in the bayside creeks of the Eastern Shore. Croaker are biting everywhere.

Dr. Julie Ball, IGFA International Representative for Virginia Beach, contributed the following:

The Independence Day weekend is not the only event causing fireworks. The saltwater action along the Mid Atlantic coast is also going off. The flounder action is explosive this week, with heavy flounder tipping the scales daily at local tackle shops. Anglers are pounding the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and other lower bay structures, mostly with live bait and jigs. Live spot is working well near structure, while 2-ounce jig heads adorned with shad-style plastics are a good choice for jigging around the piling bases. Strip baits are also producing some decent fish. Gerald George of Suffolk scored with a 7-pound, 1-ounce doormat near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on bluefish strips.

The Spanish mackerel scene is another hot topic. Folks trolling the lower Bay, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, and the ocean shorelines are finding limits of Spanish mackerel and a smattering of Taylor bluefish. Small silver and gold spoons weighted with in-line sinkers will do the trick in anywhere from 18 to 30 feet of water. King mackerel are next. Anglers continue to report sightings of kings skying and crashing on bait inshore, while small kings are biting trolled baits on the inshore lumps.

Tautog are also back in the picture, with anglers beginning to show some interest. Rob Collins of Norfolk was rewarded for his togging efforts with a nice 11-pound, 4-ounce fish he hooked on a lower bay structure using fiddler crabs. Sheepshead are still not on fire, but more frequent catches along the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel are beginning to show promise. A good showing of triggers in the same area are also keeping things interesting.

Spadefish action is still sketchy most everywhere, with small to medium-sized fish the norm right now. Some bigger spades are lurking around the High Rise span and the 4th island of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, if you can slow them down. This season’s trophy spade catches are behind last year’s entries, with no signs of catching up.

Although red drum are becoming more elusive, a few big reds are still taking baits intended for cobia. Black drum continue to bite around the artificial islands of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, where anglers are hooking an occasional fish while casting grubs and shads. Cobia seem to be taking a break right now, with catches slowing even more this week. Frustrated anglers are reporting fish free swimming on the surface, but refusing any offerings. Chummers are also reporting slow action this week.

Puppy drum are active lately, with the best reports coming from the lower bay inlets and the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel. The Virginia Beach Fishing Center reports that spot showed up within Rudee Inlet, with the average size around ¾ of a pound. Croaker are most everywhere right now, with some fish pushing 1.5 pounds near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and the Cell. The flurry of anglers rushing into Oyster is an indication that the hardheads (croaker) made their debut in their back waters, where tarpon sightings should also come soon.

Amberjack are a good bet at the Southern Towers and some offshore wrecks such as the Triangles, and the Ricks and Hanks wrecks. Live bait is working well, while jigs are also a good alternative bait. Deep droppers are finding plenty of nice tilefish, wreckfish, and blackbelly rosefish, which can offer a break during a slow offshore trolling day.

The offshore season is offering some good options. Billfish are making a good showing near the Triple 0’s and the Cigar, where a few sailfish releases and grand slams made for a great week. Although yellowfin tuna are scarce, bluefin tuna ranging from 50 to over 100 pounds are biting on the inshore lumps, with the Hot Dog and 26-Mile Hill providing the best action. Some big gaffer dolphin over 50 pounds are also available. The new state leading mahi was landed this week by Burt Whitt of Norfolk while fishing on the NORFOLK BLUE in 100 fathoms and has a story with a twist. The fish slipped into the water while at the dock, until retrieved by a helpful diver to then land safely on the scales. The final weight of the fish was 58 pounds, 6 ounces.

Virginia Middle Bay -

Smith Point Marina has seen some good action with bluefish lately. Trolling and chumming has produced good numbers. Striped bass are still being caught (although you now have to throw them back in Virginia waters) as well as keeper flounder, croaker and spot.

Locklies Marina has seen good numbers of pan-sized spot. Some keeper flounder, nice-sized croaker, and bluefish around the bridges are being caught as well. Garrett’s Marina reports that croaker and catfish are coming through their area.

Capt. Jim Thompson reports croaker have dropped off to almost a trickle in the middle bay and on the Eastern Shore. It was a very short season for the big croaker this year. Some small croaker remain in hot spots. Cobia were taken at the Range light on the Eastern Shore as well a Red drum. In the Rappahannock, spot are in full swing but are small. The fishing spots include the Spike and in Butlers Hole, where sea mullet and trout could be found. In the Piankatank River, small spot were the main catch. Off of Gwynn’s Island, small to medium-sized croaker could be had, as well as dog shark.

Jerry Thrash, of Queen’s Creek Outfitters, contributed the following:

Medium Spot have started biting at the Spike and at Butlers Hole with small to medium croaker mixed in. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are available along Windmill Bar. Although there were two citations caught near Buoy 42 this week, flounder fishing at Buoy 42 and in the Cell area has been slow with few keepers. Two other flounder citations came from Cape Charles—a single lucky angler caught both. Spadefish are available at the Cell and at Wolftrap Light. The small fish have shown up a bit early so large fish are harder to catch with all the bait steelers mixed in. We weighed in one citation from the Cell through Sunday. Speckled Trout fishing has slowed.

Virginia Beach -

Staff at the Virginia Beach Fishing Center reports great fishing for the week. The offshore boats are doing great with dolphin, king mackerel, and bluefin tuna ranging from 80 to 100 pounds. The inshore boats are also seeing great catches of spadefish, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Head boats are out for black sea bass and croaker. In the inlet, spot are still popular, as is flounder, though there is only a 10 % keeper rate.

Paula at Fisherman's Wharf Marina has seen some good catches of bluefin tuna and king mackerel coming in from 26-Mile Hill. A few gaffer dolphin have been caught in the Norfolk Canyon and in the Cigar area. Inshore, tautog and sheepshead are being hooked at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. Bluefish and Spanish mackerel are also providing good catches. Cobia have been found around the Sandbridge area.

Virginia Piers -

Staff at the Ocean View Pier reports nice fishing during the day, and even better after night fall. Catches include croaker, flounder, Spanish mackerel and bluefish.

Staff at the Lynnhaven Pier has seen nice spot, roundhead, croaker, and flounder. Night anglers are seeing a little bit better fishing than those fishing during the day. Several decent catches have come in over the week.

The Virginia Beach Pier reports catches of striped bass and juvenile red drum, with a few keeper-sized flounder thrown in. Spanish mackerel, roundheads and bluefish continue their presence in the area.

Outer Banks, NC -

Offshore fishing in the Nags Head region has only included a few dolphin, yellowfin tuna and wahoo. The bright side has been the consistency of the billfish bite, which has been moderate to good, and includes blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. At least one grand slam (catching a blue marlin, white marlin and a sailfish in one trip) was reported out of Pirates Cove Marina. People fishing the mid-range artificial reefs had luck with triggerfish, black sea bass, amberjack and striped bass. Inshore action has also slowed down, and the best production is coming in the early morning hours for speckled trout and red drum. These species are found in their normal summertime haunts, the flats around marsh islands and in the surf. The pier action has been almost exclusively bluefish. Blitzes were likely to come at any moment of the day with Gotcha plugs being the preferred bait. The die-hard bottom fishermen could find a few spot or sea mullet when the wind dirtied up the water.

Offshore fishing out of Oregon Inlet slowed down with the wind from storms and cold fronts keeping a lot of anglers in port. On Saturday, when the weather was better, a good number of sailfish were reported, with a few blue marlin mixed in. A good number of dolphin were found by at least one boat. People trolling the inshore areas were able to catch bluefish and Spanish mackerel.

The surf fishing South of Oregon Inlet has been very slow due to the strong south west winds. Only a few reports came in of sea mullet at ramp 43, black drum at the jetties, and bluefish hitting spoons. Sound side fishing had flounder and bluefish on the menu. Offshore fishing out of Hatteras Inlet was blown out for the weekend.

If you have additional information or would like further details contact Joe Grist at (757) 247-2237.

Please credit the Virginia Marine Resources Commission's THE SALTWATER REVIEW as the source of the fishing information.

Project is funded by NOAA and VMRC.

America at her best

2008-07-05T14:56:00.000-07:00

http://www.iberianet.com/articles/2008/07/05/news/doc486ed8e9a9c92511089694.txt

What LA is all about!

Hutchs fishing report

2008-07-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

http://www.cherrystoneva.com/

HUTCH FISHING REPORT WEEK OF JUNE 30, 2008

BOB HUTCHINSON

"Hutch's fishing report"

2008-06-19T07:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.cherrystoneva.com/

from Roanoke.com's Bill Cochran

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/mail/wb/166248

Bill's my kinda guy all about truth and integrity.

Gary Bruch Original Fish Art - For Sale

2008-06-17T19:31:00.001-07:00

http://www.bruchsfish.com/

contact me if you are interested.

Beverage Game from "Fishing Jones"

2008-06-17T19:22:00.001-07:00

http://www.biminiring.com/default.aspx

http://fishingjones.com/2008/06/14/games-that-go-with-beverages/

It's that time of year again

2008-06-17T10:04:00.000-07:00

From Nelson County Life

http://www.nelsoncountylife.com/index.php

http://www.batteau.net/

http://www.batteau.net/2008/Batteau_Brochure_2008.pdf

Support this venture

2008-06-15T05:40:00.000-07:00

The Boyscout camp at Bayport Virginia aka Jamaica VA.

http://www.bayportsr.org/

I spent most of my childhood in this area and there could not have been a better use found for this property.

Truly a tour of Bayport, this program gives your Scouts a chance to sample the different programs that are offered at our High Adventure Base. The following days/activities are part of the Bayport SamplerProgram:

Waterman Program (Fishing)
Cope & Climbing
Canoeing or Rafting
Equestrian
Small group sailing with a recreational focus

Sabiki rigs and Crappie

2008-06-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

Tried a Sabiki rig today for bait fish in a pond and found out they make a super Crappie jig.

I just lightly bounced it up and down near structure holding a big school of Slabs and kept pulling them in. My partner kept asking if I had another rig with me, unfortunately I did not, but will try different sizes and combos in the future.

Go have some fun with a kid and a Sabiki!

http://www.squidjig.com/fishinggear/sabiki_jigs.htm

http://www.tsurishopjapan.com/product_info.php?currency=USD&products_id=1

/www.hawaiifishinglures.com

Hunting, fishing, and the outdoors are good for kids, who knew?

2008-06-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

Ivy League endorses hunting:

Show researchers a young hunter, and they'll show you a future environmentalist. The Cornell study found that children who hunt, fish or play in the wild before age 11 are more likely to grow up with deeper understanding and respect for nature.

Domestic outdoor activities like gardening also positively influence adult environmental attitudes and behaviors, but their effects aren't as strong.

When kids become truly engaged with the natural world at a young age, the experience is likely to stay with them in a powerful way, shaping their environmental path, Cornell researchers say. Interestingly, participating in scouting and other formalized outdoor education programs has no effect on adult attitudes toward the environment.

From the Great Falls Tribune

Great Falls, Montana Sept 06

Prime time

2008-06-08T21:11:00.000-07:00

link here

About Rick Taylor

Vintage

2008-06-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

It's all good

2008-06-08T06:45:00.001-07:00

Chicken? Or the chemicals they feed them and us?

2008-06-06T05:34:00.003-07:00

http://blogs.roanoke.com/wildlife/fishing/some_pictures_of_sick_fish_from_the_james_river.html

DGIF Events

2008-06-03T09:12:00.001-07:00

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/events/index.asp

Virginia's Record fish

2008-06-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

http://www.dgif.state.va.us/fishing/state_record_fish.html

Any ideas on molding and casting insects

2008-06-02T14:52:00.001-07:00

Update 06-04-08:

We're making progress:

Thanks to Chris Dunnavant at DGIF:

http://www.buytackle.com/cat_view.cfm?start=1&id=5&brand=Calcutta

http://www.cremelure.com/store/store_sub.cfm?Category_ID=5

Re: Any ideas on molding and casting insects

« Reply #6 on: June 18, 2008, 05:37:48 PM »

I found this but am unsure on how to get it out of the mold.

I could make a mother and then recast with this method I guess. What material should I cast the mother with, metal?

Any thoughts?

Description

This section is from the "Henley's Twentieth Century Formulas Recipes Processes" encyclopedia, by Norman W. Henley and others.
How to Make Castings of Insects

The object—a dead beetle, for example —is first arranged in a natural position, and the feet are connected with an oval rim of wax. It is then fixed in the center of a paper or wooden box by means of pieces of fine wire, so that it is perfectly free, and thicker wires are run from the sides of the box to the object, which subsequently serve to form air channels in the mold by their removal. A wooden stick, tapering toward the bottom, is placed upon the back of the insect to produce a runner for casting. The box is then filled up with a paste with 3 parts of plaster of Paris and 1 of brick dust, made up with a solution of alum and sal ammoniac. It is also well first to brush the object with this paste to prevent the formation of air bubbles. After the mold thus formed has set, the object is removed from the interior by first reducing it to ashes. It is, therefore, allowed to dry, very slowly at first, by leaving in the shade at a normal temperature (as in India this is much higher than in our zone, it will be necessary to place the mold in a moderately warm place), and afterwards heating gradually to a red heat. This incinerates the object, and melts the waxen base upon. which it is placed. The latter escapes, and is burned as it does so, and the object, reduced to fine ashes, is removed through the wire holes as suggested above. The casting is then made in the ordinary manner.

Bermuda Fishing

2008-06-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

If you are planning a trip to Bermuda and want to experience some the best offshore fishing in the world contact:

Gringo Charters
Just one hour away from the fishing grounds, this 31-foot custom JC is fully equipped for offshore fishing. Chum for yellowfin and blackfin tuna, or troll for wahoo, dolphin and blue marlin - whatever baits your hook. Our season runs from April through November with the marlin bite peaking in June, July and August. Contact Capt. Joey Dawson at 441-295-3500, 441-504-3474 (boat) or 441-295-8053 (fax).

Capt Dawson is down to earth, honest, and a direct descendant of the original inhabitants of Bermuda.

You will have the time of your life and return for more!

He also plays lead guitar in a local band that is available for gigs.

Ahhh the good life!

My #1 Boy!

Put the fun back in the outdoors

2008-05-31T05:11:00.000-07:00

http://extremepassionministries.org/

http://www.outdoorministrynetwork.com/

Don't miss this!

Fishing for college Money

2008-05-31T05:08:00.000-07:00

1st annual Chesterfield Fire Fighters Rockfish Tournament

Dec. 4, and 5 at Norview Marina, Deltaville, VA. Rockfish Tournament

Capt. Joe Newsom died at age 48 of a heart attack.

He is survived by his wife and two teenage children

The tournament is being held to provide college tuition money for his children.

the fee is $60 dollars.

Charters available at an extra fee.

Contact Lt. Mike Martell at 804-363- 3007

0r email at martellm@chesterfield.gov

Jeremy Camp

2008-05-28T05:44:00.001-07:00

Less of Me

Are record fish due to a rise in water temp?

2008-05-27T06:48:00.000-07:00

Story here

Working with Fiberglass

2008-05-26T03:53:00.000-07:00

Link to videos here

Thanks

2008-05-18T11:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks for the listing.

It's all good when we talk and think about Gods creation.

AlphaTrilogy.com

Romans 1:20 (New Living Translation)

For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.

Good Folks

2008-05-18T10:48:00.001-07:00

http://www.eberlysstore.com/

Strutting Gobbler Pittsylvania County

2008-05-18T10:43:00.001-07:00

For my Daughter

2008-04-27T08:20:00.000-07:00

Smallmouth mount I am working on for my daughter

Smallmouth Fishing on the New River

2008-04-19T19:06:00.000-07:00

Cabelas, Hamburg PA

2008-04-11T10:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.cabelas.com/

Directions to Hamburg, PA Retail Store
100 Cabela Drive
Hamburg, PA 19526

Telephone: 610-929-7000

GPS Coordinates:
N 40° 33.46" W 76° 00.19'

I-78 (From the East)

Merge onto PA-61 N via Exit #29B.
Travel approximately 1/2 mile and turn left onto Cabela drive

I-78 (From the West)

Merge onto PA-61 N via Exit #29.
Travel approximately 1/2 mile and turn left onto Cabela drive

PA-61 (From the South)

Traveling north on PA-61, turn left onto Cabela Drive

PA-61 (From the North)

Traveling south on PA-61, turn right onto Cabela Drive

Peacock Locator call

2008-04-11T10:31:00.000-07:00

http://www.cabelas.com/prod-1/0055117229004a.shtml

Who said it can't be done?

2008-04-04T23:08:00.000-07:00

VA outdoor TV

2008-03-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

http://www.myoutdoortv.com/new/virginia.html

What a Great Place to teach our youth about the Treasure we have called The Bay.

2008-03-26T05:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.bayportsr.org/boyscout.htm

This is very close to where I spent my youth. I am glad to see it being shared with so many young people!

Outdoor ministry

2008-03-25T12:26:00.000-07:00

Check out this site:

Outdoor Ministry Network

OMN Blog

Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show

2008-03-25T12:23:00.000-07:00

The Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show was a winner as always. Unfortunately Lefty Kreh injured his knee and had to cancel. However others filled in nicely.

There was a Film festival that was absolutely awesome and well worth the 5 dollar admission fee alone.

Nice job guys, see you next year!

Track Virginia outdoor Legislation

2008-02-12T16:57:00.001-08:00

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/legislation/

2008 Virginia General Assembly Legislation

Through this summary, VDGIF will provide information on bills related to the Department's mission that may be of interest to you.

Click on the bill number to go directly to the state's Legislative Information System (LIS) to view the most current version of the full text of the legislation, summary information, and current status. Please note that the "status" information will be updated on the LIS only when there has been action on the specific piece of legislation; not all bills will be acted on in the same timeframes.
Bill Title Status
HB114 Trap identification; permits hunters to attach an identification number to traps.
HB115 Submerged traps; licensed trappers allowed to visit every 72 hours.
HB319 Fishing permit, special; issued to patients from veterans or military hospitals.
HB872 Wearing blaze orange while hunting. No longer moving forward
HB886 Bear hound training season.
HB1016 Killing of deer over bait; local authority.
HB1088 Department of Game and Inland Fisheries; disclosure of official records; exceptions. No longer moving forward
HB1175 Apprentice hunting license.
HB1250 Personal flotation devices required for children; civil penalty. No longer moving forward
HB1352 Board of Game and Inland Fisheries. No longer moving forward
HB1361 Duties of Director of Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. No longer moving forward
HB1456 Hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow. No longer moving forward
HB1482 Bears; non-lethal control measures.
HJ114 Public's right to float, fish, and navigate waters of State; joint subcommittee to study. No longer moving forward
HJ231 Game and Inland Fisheries, Board of; Board & Department to provide for citizen input in regulations.
SB263 Retrieving hunting dogs. No longer moving forward
SB365 Hunting turkeys. No longer moving forward
SB524 Hunting on Sunday. No longer moving forward
SB552 Fishing license; exemptions for persons assisting disabled persons.
SB617 Apprentice hunting license.
SB708 Urban archery season; incorporate regulations consistent with daily hunting provisions. No longer moving forward
SB765 Water safety enforcement.

Lefty Kreh to be at Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show!!!

2008-02-07T13:54:00.001-08:00

http://www.ffflyfishers.org/show/index.htm

5th Annual Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show

March 22nd, 2008 at the National Guard Armory in Fredericksburg, VA

Another Great Eastern Sports Show #53

2008-02-04T05:18:00.001-08:00

It was a great weekend at the annual Harrisburg Show. Nearly an entire day talking to outfitters from around the world. What a wealth of hunting knowledge in one place.

Chuck Adams was terrific as usual albeit a slight incident in the seminar. The poor girl who won a free clinic with Chuck used the wrong pin on her first shot at the target, and the arrow ricocheted off the backstop, through the window glass, and out into the parking lot. Fortunately for everyone no one was injured. It was quite a moment of shock and silence for all when that happened!

Dan Thompson

and his wife were a wealth of knowledge of predator calling. Great folks with a great product!!

Chef Wutsch and Deer and Wild Game Butchering
Chef Wutsch's professional career has spanned over 30 years of culinary experience. He has received numerous culinary teaching awards, has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles. An avid hunter and outdoorsman, Chef Wutsch has cooked for professional outfitters in Montana's Bob Marshall, Scapegoat and Spotted Bear Wilderness, the largest untamed areas in America. He has cooked in many hunting camps throughout the country and has taught courses on game cookery across the nation. He has been a featured guest speaker for many sports shows and national conventions such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, the largest outdoor show in North America. View daily sessions.

The show is well worth the time and money a must for every outdoorsman!!!

link here

What's Going On This Week At The

Thank you for purchasing tickets to the 2008 Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show. We all look forward to seeing you and thought it would be helpful to share some of the great events and information happening at this years show. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at eseveral@reedexpo.com. Thanks!

Your e-Ticket gets you in fast.

Be Sure To Visit

You have access to our special "get in fast" entrance featuring our famous red carpeted, fast track in to the Show. Use the Cameron St. entrance and look for the red carpet.

• A hall filled with all types of calls.
• All types of outdoor and indoor apparel
• The Powersports Hall - filled with ATV's, Trucks, 4-Wheelers and Motorcycles

Show Hours - Check out Super Tuesday Hours! The Show Closes at 9 p.m.!

Have Your Deer Antlers Scored

Tuesday, Feb 5th	10am - 9pm
Wednesday, Feb 6th	10am - 8pm
Thursday, Feb 7th	10am - 8pm
Friday, Feb 8th	10am - 8pm
Saturday, Feb 9th	9am - 7pm
Sunday, Feb 10th	10am - 5pm

Co-sponsored by the PA Deer Association-PA State Chapter, Quality Deer Management Association, and Trupes Quality Hunting and Wildlife Management. Any legally obtained Whitetail Deer Mounted Head of Antlers with the skull plate intact may be submitted for scoring. An entry fee/donation of $15 for an official score and $10 for non-official score will be charged. Cash prizes of $100, $75, and $50 will be awarded along with merchandise prizes.

It's Easy To Bring Your Deer Antlers In:
1. You may drop off a companion (each person requires a ticket for entry) at the Cameron Street Circle Entrance to carry in your deer antlers.
2. Ask for a deer antler pass from anyone in an orange vest.
3. Visit Booth # 949 in the Northwest Hall.

For further information contact: Steve Trupe, event coordinator at
(877) 806-6993 or email him at steve@ezsowdeerfood.com.

New Color Coded Map - makes it easier than ever to get around!

Do not miss out on any of the Special Events!

Get around fast with our new color coded map - each hall color matches the map. Print yours out today! click here to access.

• Taste of the Great Outdoors - Tonight - Tuesday, February 5th
• Daily deer butchering seminars
• Free concert by Roses Wild - Tonight - Tuesday, February 5th and Friday, February 8th at 6 p.m.
See the entire event schedule here.

Event Hot Spots

Special Events Personalities

• Bass Pro Shops Hawg Tank - New Product Demonstrations
• US Smokeless Tobacco Western Legends Tour
(Must be 18 yrs. old to enter)
• Trout Pond - Fish while at the show!
• See an Orange County Army Chopper at the U.S. Army -
Booth # 426 & 427
• Great deals and specials through out the show

• Chuck Adams Bow Hunting Clinic
• Bob Foulkrod
Known as America's most respected bow hunting authority, will be on the Bass Pro Shops stage - Feb 8th and 9th
• Randy Oitker
Precision Archery Shooting Demonstrations, amazing trick shots and entertainment
• Chef Wutsch Deer and Wild Game Butchering
Discover ways to process and prepare your wild game

Plan Your Dream Adventure

• Over 500 Outfitters and Guides
• Fishing Charters featuring some of the best captains in the business
• Plan a great safari - even plan a photo safari

Visit these great exhibitors:

2008 Hunters will be eligible for four wheeler giveaway at the end of bow season.

Xtreme Outdoorsman Challenge. Hunt 4 species in 2 days.$100,000 in cash and prizes. Sign up at booth #3801. $1000.00 per team. See website for details

Lekota Safari's is a family run business located in the famous Limpopo Province in northern South Africa. Our goal is to offer you the best quality so that you can enjoy the experience of a lifetime! Booth 905

Happy Jalapeno Company - Booth #153

Zook Structures- Booth #999

High Lonesome Outfitters - Booth #3712

Western Maine Outfitters - Booth #1102

Call of the Wild Outfitters -
Booth # 1078

Advanced Solar Industries - Booth # 964

Happy Landing Lodge/Camp Manitou - Booth #1136

Outdoor Hands, LLC - Booth # 328

Double J Outfitters -
Booth #2417

ECT, Inc. Taxidermy and Tannery - Booth #1533

Hot Trails Inc - Booth #275

JD's Hunting Lodge Manitoba - Booth #1159

Kootenai Log Homes- Booth #359

Big Ben Moose Hunting - Booth # 2422

Pending State Record Striper!

2008-01-28T15:07:00.001-08:00

Here's the picture of what will probably be Virginia's state record saltwater striped bass. The particulars are:

Date: Jan. 23, 2008
Angler: Fred Barnes, Chesapeake
Fish weight: 73 pounds
Length: 52 inches
Girth: 31.5 inches
Lure: Mann's Stretch 30
Reel: Penn 30 level-wind spooled with 50-pound-test line
Boat: Country Girl
Captain: Pat Foster

Even though this fish is barely 5 pounds shy of the world record, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this record falls again soon. It sounds like there are just loads of stripers off Virginia Beach right now and you know there have got to be some bigger ones in there.

hat tip Mark @

http://blogs.roanoke.com/wildlife/fishing/fred_barnes_with_his_pending_state_record_striper.html

Fantasy Fishing? Win Millions!

2008-01-26T06:14:00.000-08:00

Link here

The lure of fantasy fishing

FLW Outdoors and chairman Irwin Jacobs have teamed with Wal-Mart and other major sponsors in an attempt to make fantasy fishing as popular as fantasy football and baseball.

While the concept is not original (ESPN and BASS teamed to provide fantasy fishing to contestants in conjunction with the BASS tournament schedule last year), the amount of prize money certainly is unique. FLW Outdoors has promised to distribute at least $1.7 million in cash prizes, with the cumulative points winner picking up a guaranteed $1 million first prize.

In addition to the $1 million overall prize, FLW Outdoors is also giving away $100,000 to the winner of each of the seven events on the schedule for this season. Along with the cash prizes, FLW Outdoors is giving away gift cards to Wal-Mart, gas cards for BP and other interesting prizes. For a full prize list, click here.

FLW Fantasy Fishing consists of seven events offered in conjunction with the Wal-Mart FLW Tour. There are six regular-season events and one championship tournament.

Each event allows contestants to create a team of ten pro anglers that they think will earn the most points in that particular Wal-Mart FLW Tour event. If your team accumulates the most points for that tournament, then you’re the winner of $100,000. Each regular-season event offers 585 prizes to fantasy winners, while the Forrest Wood Cup in August awards prizes to the top 639 fantasy fishermen.

And, as an added bonus, FLW Outdoors is offering a chance at an extra $5 million if you sign up before Jan. 31 and correctly guess the top seven anglers, in order, for the Wal-Mart FLW Tour final standings.

If you’re interested in attempting to become the newest millionaire, then I’d recommend checking out the 2007 Wal-Mart FLW Tour Standings to become familiar with the anglers on the tour. Scott Suggs, Luke Clausen and Bobby Curtis are some of the top names on the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, so keep those names in mind when picking your team.

I know that fantasy fishing doesn’t exactly sound like the most interesting way to spend your time, but think about the millions of dollars you could win by spending about ten minutes to select your team for each of the seven events. The events occur about once a month from February to August, so make it a point to set aside the time to try to become a millionaire. I know I’ll be trying and if I win, then maybe you’ll be pulling for me in next year’s event because I’ll have plenty of time to fish if I don’t need to work.

In search of a new director for VDGIF

2007-12-28T07:20:00.000-08:00

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

303 inch Muley taken by 14 yo

2007-12-13T18:57:00.001-08:00

But what exactly is Turner serious about?

2007-11-29T17:56:00.000-08:00

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

2007-11-26T09:27:00.001-08:00

http://www.easternsportshow.com/

Caroline County VA

2007-11-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

The "Sparta Buck"

Hunting Nat'l Forest

2007-10-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

Great read on hunting the Nat'l forest.

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

Hunting clothes. Any thoughts?

2007-10-15T11:18:00.000-07:00

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 &amp; 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?

2007-10-12T16:19:00.000-07:00

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

2007-10-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

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

Deer population needs culling

2007-10-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

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!

2007-10-05T06:56:00.000-07:00

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

2007-09-08T11:53:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-27T11:07:00.000-07:00

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

2007-08-27T11:00:00.000-07:00

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?

2007-08-27T10:57:00.001-07:00

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

Chinese Mitten Crab

2007-07-13T18:15:00.001-07:00

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

2007-07-05T11:59:00.001-07:00

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.

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

2007-07-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

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.

By DENA POTTER
Associated Press Writer

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

"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.

"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.

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.

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.

Bears on the move in VA

2007-06-22T17:48:00.000-07:00

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

2007-06-22T07:41:00.001-07:00

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

2007-06-14T17:55:00.000-07:00

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

Remarkable Trees of virginia

2007-06-14T17:21:00.000-07:00

click here

Great blog on Working Terrriers

2007-06-03T12:51:00.000-07:00

http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/

Hogzilla 2

2007-05-26T05:17:00.001-07:00

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?

2007-05-21T08:38:00.000-07:00

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

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

Snakeheads

2007-05-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

How to remove a tick safely

2007-05-04T08:56:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-20T17:56:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-20T08:59:00.000-07:00

Bluebells sprout at Merrimac Farm as future of land is discussed

By: Dan Roem

04/19/2007

Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly

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.

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.

Fly Fishing Festival this weekend 21 and 22

2007-04-18T11:32:00.000-07:00

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

Friends of Dragon

2007-04-15T09:59:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-15T09:58:00.000-07:00

Fishing Forecast!

Save the Honeybee

2007-04-13T06:15:00.001-07:00

"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!

2007-04-11T05:54:00.001-07:00

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!

2007-04-07T17:49:00.000-07:00

Five simple techniques from Flyfishingjournal.com

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

Learn about one of Virginia's unique treasures

2007-04-06T07:03:00.001-07:00

http://www.dragonrun.org/

RTD Guidebook

2007-04-06T06:41:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-04T16:26:00.000-07:00

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

2007-04-03T19:27:00.000-07:00

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."

Tom James Virginia Outdoors

Visit the real Virginia

RV Education

Free Knife Contest

Weatherby "Why I want a Weatherby" video contest

Virginia loses a great outdoorsman and friend. God Bless you Stuart and happy hunting and fishing in Paradise

No-Net-Loss: Ensuring Future Generations A Place To Hunt

What Smallmouth fishing is all about

From Tommy S. at Nelson County Life, thanks Tommy!

97 lb rattlesnake?

Tear Drop camper trailers

Send in your documents and photos

2 more great articles from Bill Cochran

They're here

Cheap alcohol stove

Some neat Youtubes

Virginia Outdoor Sportsman Show

Larry Weishuhn Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 1pm

What a gorgeous day in Shenandoah Nat'l Park!

Tarpon on the seaside of Virginias Eastern Shore

Mountain Lions

Best Crabs in VA

Crab Shack

Cherrystone Family Camping Resort

VMRC fishing report

America at her best

Hutchs fishing report

"Hutch's fishing report"

Gary Bruch Original Fish Art - For Sale

Beverage Game from "Fishing Jones"

It's that time of year again

Support this venture

Sabiki rigs and Crappie

Hunting, fishing, and the outdoors are good for kids, who knew?

Prime time

Vintage

It's all good

Chicken? Or the chemicals they feed them and us?

DGIF Events

Virginia's Record fish

Any ideas on molding and casting insects

Bermuda Fishing

Put the fun back in the outdoors

Fishing for college Money

Jeremy Camp

Are record fish due to a rise in water temp?

Working with Fiberglass

Thanks

AlphaTrilogy.com

Good Folks

Strutting Gobbler Pittsylvania County

For my Daughter

Smallmouth Fishing on the New River

Cabelas, Hamburg PA

Peacock Locator call

Who said it can't be done?

VA outdoor TV

What a Great Place to teach our youth about the Treasure we have called The Bay.

Outdoor ministry

Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show

Track Virginia outdoor Legislation

Lefty Kreh to be at Fredericksburg Fly Fishing Show!!!

Another Great Eastern Sports Show #53

Pending State Record Striper!

Fantasy Fishing? Win Millions!

The lure of fantasy fishing

In search of a new director for VDGIF

303 inch Muley taken by 14 yo

But what exactly is Turner serious about?

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

Caroline County VA

Hunting Nat'l Forest

Hunting clothes. Any thoughts?

How's the hunting out there?

A surprise wedding of sorts

Deer population needs culling

Bow season opens Tomorrow!

Archery Deer Seasons

Archery Either-Sex Deer Hunting

Early Archery Season

Larry Weishuhn
Friday 7pm, Saturday 2pm and Sunday 1pm

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