Tom James Virginia Outdoors

Saturday, September 8, 2007

Do you own or have a favorite GPS unit

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

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

I'm looking at these two: link

Anyone have any opinions or comments?

Monday, August 27, 2007

2007 deer classic winners

http://virginiadeerhunters.org/winners.html

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

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

The Results are:

Regular Gun

12 + Points - Typical

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

12 + Points - Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

7-8 Points - Non-typical

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

6 and Less Points - Typical

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

Female

Womens 12 Points + Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Rosalie Coultrip - Callao - 136 5/16

6 and Less Points - Typical

Heather Burton - Spotsylvania - 114 2/16

Youth

12 + Points - Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

7-8 Points - Non-typical

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

6 Points and Less - Typical

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

Bow

12 + Points - Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

6 Points and Less - Typical

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

Muzzleloading

12 + Points - Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

6 Points and Less - Typical

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

Historical

12 + Points - Non-typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Typical

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

9-10-11 Points - Non-typical

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

7-8 Points - Typical

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

7-8 Points - Non-typical

Hunter Purcell - Mechanicsville - 128 12/16

6 Points and Less - Typical

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

HD Likely source of die offs

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

Deer Hemorrhagic Disease Likely Source of Die-Offs

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

College Sports? How 'bout fishin?

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

Friday, July 13, 2007

Chinese Mitten Crab

Public urged to report Chinese mitten crabs

The Chinese Mitten Crab

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thursday, July 5, 2007

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

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.

Friday, June 22, 2007

Bears on the move in VA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dog Hunting

Heat from dog-hunting issue generates plan to take action

Friday, Jun 22, 2007 - 12:06 AM

By LEE GRAVES

TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Georgia's requirements essentially are three-fold:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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