Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Can you believe how opening day of deer season has changed?
By Bill Cochran
On Saturday, I drove across a big chunk of Virginia, from table-flat Eastern Shore to the blue-hued mountains of the Southwest. It was opening day of the deer hunting season, yet unless you were a hunter you probably wouldn’t notice. You had to look closely for evidence.
I spotted three pickups bearing dog boxes in the edge of a field in the Piedmont. Occasionally I would see a guy wearing a blaze orange cap going into a convenience store. On the highway were a few ATVs jammed into pickup beds.
Most startling was what I didn’t see. Not a single dead deer in the bed of a pickup or strapped to a vehicle, soft fur to hard metal. Nor would there be a story and pictures of first-day results in the Sunday Roanoke Times.
My, how opening day has changed.
I am certain there were pockets of intense activities, say in Southampton County where deer clubs were turning their hounds loose, or on private farms tucked into the fringes of the Blue Ridge in Bedford County, or on national forest property in Bath, Highland, Craig and Botetourt. But you’d have to look far and hard to find anything like the concentrations of deer hunters that once were common.
I recall 35 years ago you’d see a steady string of red taillights as a convoy of deer hunters headed north on U.S. 220 in the predawn darkness. They would late in the day, a 55 mph conveyor belt of deer in every grotesque shape of death you could imagine. A big buck on a Bonneville; a couple of spikes bouncing in a homemade trailer; deer lashed to hoods, to fenders to rooftops, eyes glazed, stomachs slit, tongues frozen in last-gasp positions, legs broken, blood for all to see, even those who didn’t want to see it.
What you couldn’t see in the dark interior of the vehicles was the joy of hunters who had gotten the job done quickly and were headed for home or the butcher shop or maybe a drive through town to show off their buck in a celebration that was as much life as death.
I remember one morning in Bedford County counting more than 100 shots fired the first hour of daylight. In the national forest, places like Patterson Creek, Tub Run and the narrow, gravel roads that traverse Potts Mountain, the big task could be finding a place to park.
Opening day was on a Monday, and deer season lasted a scant week or two. Schools were closed and workers either took vacation or became skillful at calling in sick. You’d better hope you didn’t need a plumber or mechanic or even a lawyer.
Wood smoke drifted from the chimneys of backcountry cabins, and campgrounds were filled with tents and trailers that had rusted wheel wells.
I once stopped at Blowing Springs Campground in Bath County and talked to a man who said he knew every one of the more than 200 people in the site. They had traveled from the coalfields of far Southwest Virginia, where deer were a rarity. They had brought their wives and kids and grandma and coon hounds, and the weather had turned hot and you could smell the stench of ripe deer hanging in the trees of the campground.
That’s how it once was. It is no longer like that, not because of a decline in deer hunters as much as the fact that deer hunting has been expanded across the state and across the calendar.
No longer do you have to drive from the coalfields to Bath County, because the coalfields have big bucks of their own. No longer do you have to crowd into national forest areas, because you are more likely to see a good buck flash around a barn in Roanoke, Botetourt or Franklin county than you are to see one in the wilderness. No longer is being out on opening day a must, because by using a variety of tools and seasons you can hunt deer from the first Saturday in October into January. That explains why I was driving, not hunting, opening day.
Deer hunting has become more methodical, more businesslike, with hunters spending an hour or two in a treestand before heading to work, or leaving the office a couple hours early. If they go to camp, some take a gun case in one hand and a laptop in the others. Many of the old cabins that housed deer clubs and harbored the aroma of smoke and greasy food have crumbled. Hunters nowadays are more likely to eat dinner at home, sleep in their own bed and shower regularly, rather than spend a week tethering between civilization and wilderness.
Gone are the red-clad crowds at country store check stations. A cell phone or computer is all you need to register a deer nowadays. Bites on a country store hotdog have given way to megabytes, and the store proprietor longs for your business.
Deer hunting isn’t the high testosterone, harsh language, hard drinks, men-only affair it once was. Chances are that the hunter on the next stand over from you is a lady.
And that’s pretty neat
On Saturday, I drove across a big chunk of Virginia, from table-flat Eastern Shore to the blue-hued mountains of the Southwest. It was opening day of the deer hunting season, yet unless you were a hunter you probably wouldn’t notice. You had to look closely for evidence.
I spotted three pickups bearing dog boxes in the edge of a field in the Piedmont. Occasionally I would see a guy wearing a blaze orange cap going into a convenience store. On the highway were a few ATVs jammed into pickup beds.
Most startling was what I didn’t see. Not a single dead deer in the bed of a pickup or strapped to a vehicle, soft fur to hard metal. Nor would there be a story and pictures of first-day results in the Sunday Roanoke Times.
My, how opening day has changed.
I am certain there were pockets of intense activities, say in Southampton County where deer clubs were turning their hounds loose, or on private farms tucked into the fringes of the Blue Ridge in Bedford County, or on national forest property in Bath, Highland, Craig and Botetourt. But you’d have to look far and hard to find anything like the concentrations of deer hunters that once were common.
I recall 35 years ago you’d see a steady string of red taillights as a convoy of deer hunters headed north on U.S. 220 in the predawn darkness. They would late in the day, a 55 mph conveyor belt of deer in every grotesque shape of death you could imagine. A big buck on a Bonneville; a couple of spikes bouncing in a homemade trailer; deer lashed to hoods, to fenders to rooftops, eyes glazed, stomachs slit, tongues frozen in last-gasp positions, legs broken, blood for all to see, even those who didn’t want to see it.
What you couldn’t see in the dark interior of the vehicles was the joy of hunters who had gotten the job done quickly and were headed for home or the butcher shop or maybe a drive through town to show off their buck in a celebration that was as much life as death.
I remember one morning in Bedford County counting more than 100 shots fired the first hour of daylight. In the national forest, places like Patterson Creek, Tub Run and the narrow, gravel roads that traverse Potts Mountain, the big task could be finding a place to park.
Opening day was on a Monday, and deer season lasted a scant week or two. Schools were closed and workers either took vacation or became skillful at calling in sick. You’d better hope you didn’t need a plumber or mechanic or even a lawyer.
Wood smoke drifted from the chimneys of backcountry cabins, and campgrounds were filled with tents and trailers that had rusted wheel wells.
I once stopped at Blowing Springs Campground in Bath County and talked to a man who said he knew every one of the more than 200 people in the site. They had traveled from the coalfields of far Southwest Virginia, where deer were a rarity. They had brought their wives and kids and grandma and coon hounds, and the weather had turned hot and you could smell the stench of ripe deer hanging in the trees of the campground.
That’s how it once was. It is no longer like that, not because of a decline in deer hunters as much as the fact that deer hunting has been expanded across the state and across the calendar.
No longer do you have to drive from the coalfields to Bath County, because the coalfields have big bucks of their own. No longer do you have to crowd into national forest areas, because you are more likely to see a good buck flash around a barn in Roanoke, Botetourt or Franklin county than you are to see one in the wilderness. No longer is being out on opening day a must, because by using a variety of tools and seasons you can hunt deer from the first Saturday in October into January. That explains why I was driving, not hunting, opening day.
Deer hunting has become more methodical, more businesslike, with hunters spending an hour or two in a treestand before heading to work, or leaving the office a couple hours early. If they go to camp, some take a gun case in one hand and a laptop in the others. Many of the old cabins that housed deer clubs and harbored the aroma of smoke and greasy food have crumbled. Hunters nowadays are more likely to eat dinner at home, sleep in their own bed and shower regularly, rather than spend a week tethering between civilization and wilderness.
Gone are the red-clad crowds at country store check stations. A cell phone or computer is all you need to register a deer nowadays. Bites on a country store hotdog have given way to megabytes, and the store proprietor longs for your business.
Deer hunting isn’t the high testosterone, harsh language, hard drinks, men-only affair it once was. Chances are that the hunter on the next stand over from you is a lady.
And that’s pretty neat
Friday, November 09, 2007
Is sharing the woods that big a deal?
By Bill Cochran
Next year at this time, bowhunters will be sharing the deer woods with muzzleloading hunters west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Some bowhunters don’t like that thought, but their quiet protest didn’t stop the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries from adding one week to the beginning of the western muzzleloading season starting next year.
The muzzleloading season dates will be Nov. 1-14 as compared to Nov. 10-16 this season. That means bowhunters in the west will have to share two weeks of their early season with muzzleloaders, rather than one, which already is the case in the east.
Bowhunters aren’t losing any hunting days in the deal, but what they are losing is the quality of the hunt, said Dave Burpee, hunting vice president of the Virginia Bowhunters Association. Gunfire makes deer hunting an entirely different game, he said.
“The loss of this week reduces the precious time an archer has in the woods to hunt deer that are not yet alerted by the sound of gunfire,” he said.
The new week to be shared happens to be a prime time for bowhunters, because the weather is beginning to cool and deer are becoming more active. Often the first two weeks of the bow season, which opens the first Saturday in October, are marked by high temperatures that make hunting difficult, Burpee said. That was the case this season.
“Every time someone proposes a new season or additional hunting time it seems to encroach on the early archery season,” a hunter from Linville told the DGIF.
Some purist bowhunters still are smarting over the fact that crossbows use was added to the bow season the fall of 2005. But that’s not the case for all archers. Many simply traded their compound for a crossbow. Others, who never tried bowhuning, have taken up crossbow hunting because they see it as quick and easy access to the long and lucrative archery season.
Crossbow license sales this season have passed the 20,000 mark, a record, while bow license sales have declined. Bow license sales still are twice that of crossbows.
Bowhunters aren’t the only ones sharing the woods with muzzleloaders. Add turkey, grouse and rabbit hunters to the list. There simply aren’t enough weeks in November to go around, so overlapping is going to occur.
But is sharing all that bad?
The National Ruffed Grouse Society says it sees no major problems with muzzleloaders using the woods the same time as grouse hunters. Difficulties haven’t occurred in other states where this happens, a society spokesman said.
But some grouse hunters will tell you that it is a bit unnerving to have their treasured dogs running through woods that harbor gun-toting deer hunters lurking in the shadows. Some may sit out the muzzleloading season, the same as they now do the modern firearm’s season.
That will mean one less week of grouse hunting next year. Outside a few days at the end of October, grouse hunters will have to wait until Dec. 2 for the woods to be cleared of significant numbers of deer hunters bearing firearms.
As for bowhunters, sharing the woods an extra week shouldn’t be a major loss. Not in this era when there are so many deer and so many places to hunt them. It is not like everyone is confined to the national forest, which once was the case. Most hunting nowadays takes place on private land, where the landowner can decide who get access.
Even so, you have to like the fact that bowhutners consider their season and the quality of their sport worth fighting for.
Next year at this time, bowhunters will be sharing the deer woods with muzzleloading hunters west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Some bowhunters don’t like that thought, but their quiet protest didn’t stop the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries from adding one week to the beginning of the western muzzleloading season starting next year.
The muzzleloading season dates will be Nov. 1-14 as compared to Nov. 10-16 this season. That means bowhunters in the west will have to share two weeks of their early season with muzzleloaders, rather than one, which already is the case in the east.
Bowhunters aren’t losing any hunting days in the deal, but what they are losing is the quality of the hunt, said Dave Burpee, hunting vice president of the Virginia Bowhunters Association. Gunfire makes deer hunting an entirely different game, he said.
“The loss of this week reduces the precious time an archer has in the woods to hunt deer that are not yet alerted by the sound of gunfire,” he said.
The new week to be shared happens to be a prime time for bowhunters, because the weather is beginning to cool and deer are becoming more active. Often the first two weeks of the bow season, which opens the first Saturday in October, are marked by high temperatures that make hunting difficult, Burpee said. That was the case this season.
“Every time someone proposes a new season or additional hunting time it seems to encroach on the early archery season,” a hunter from Linville told the DGIF.
Some purist bowhunters still are smarting over the fact that crossbows use was added to the bow season the fall of 2005. But that’s not the case for all archers. Many simply traded their compound for a crossbow. Others, who never tried bowhuning, have taken up crossbow hunting because they see it as quick and easy access to the long and lucrative archery season.
Crossbow license sales this season have passed the 20,000 mark, a record, while bow license sales have declined. Bow license sales still are twice that of crossbows.
Bowhunters aren’t the only ones sharing the woods with muzzleloaders. Add turkey, grouse and rabbit hunters to the list. There simply aren’t enough weeks in November to go around, so overlapping is going to occur.
But is sharing all that bad?
The National Ruffed Grouse Society says it sees no major problems with muzzleloaders using the woods the same time as grouse hunters. Difficulties haven’t occurred in other states where this happens, a society spokesman said.
But some grouse hunters will tell you that it is a bit unnerving to have their treasured dogs running through woods that harbor gun-toting deer hunters lurking in the shadows. Some may sit out the muzzleloading season, the same as they now do the modern firearm’s season.
That will mean one less week of grouse hunting next year. Outside a few days at the end of October, grouse hunters will have to wait until Dec. 2 for the woods to be cleared of significant numbers of deer hunters bearing firearms.
As for bowhunters, sharing the woods an extra week shouldn’t be a major loss. Not in this era when there are so many deer and so many places to hunt them. It is not like everyone is confined to the national forest, which once was the case. Most hunting nowadays takes place on private land, where the landowner can decide who get access.
Even so, you have to like the fact that bowhutners consider their season and the quality of their sport worth fighting for.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
VDGIF votes to allow unplugged shotguns
By ANDY THOMPSON
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST
It was a busy day yesterday for the board of Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The group convened for its periodic regulation review, deciding on dozens of proposed amendments to state regulations governing game wildlife, hunting, trapping, wildlife diversity, fishing and fisheries resources and boating.
The amendments considered were first introduced at the July 17 meeting of the board, and a public comment period followed from July 24 to September 24. According to the department, 352 individuals submitted a total of 825 comments during that time.
The vast majority of the interest, 755 of the comments, concerned a few proposed hunting and firearms regulations. And at yesterday's meeting, which included a public comment period, most of the citizens who spoke, and the debate among board members, centered on a couple of issues: the release of captive reared mallards, an expanded muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the use of unplugged shotguns for hunting non-migratory game.
Dave Burpee of the Virginia Bowhunters Association spoke out against adding a week to the beginning of muzzleloading season for deer because that's also the final week of the first bow-hunting season.
"We spent time with [the VDGIF] working up to where we would be able to have an archery-only season," he said. "The key there is that it would be before the animals were disturbed because of the sound of gunfire, and they change their patterns and it would make it an entirely different hunting experience."
Despite his protestations, the board voted to allow the extension of early muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge.
While no one from the public spoke about it, the issue of whether to allow the use of unplugged shotguns for hunting non-migratory game brought the most division among the members of the board.
Bob Duncan, the department's wildlife division director, pointed out that different states are split on the issue. The Carolinas and West Virginia allow the use of unplugged shotguns, while Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Georgia do not. Questions of safety were raised, which Duncan said weren't an issue in states that allowed unplugged guns. Ultimately the board voted 5-4 to allow the use of unplugged guns.
The effective date of that regulation was moved up to Oct. 26 (the standard date for hunting and firearms regulations was July 1, 2008) to allow hunters to use unplugged guns when fall turkey season opens Oct. 27.
The issue of whether to allow the release of captive reared mallards generated the most interest from speakers.
Richmonder Vince Thornhill spoke in favor of allowing releases.
"What these mallard releases can do is give opportunities within the grasp of the average hunter," he said.
Many approved of the recommendation to prohibit captive mallard release for a number of different reasons. Bob Hoffman, of Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes Regional Office, mentioned the possible spread of disease as a concern whenever domestic and wild animals come in contact. Reid Knight, a doctor from Virginia Beach, mentioned the possible negative effects on the black duck population that the release of captive mallards could have.
In the end, the board decided not to vote on the measure, citing a desire to wait for a forthcoming report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the issue.
Gary Martel, the director of fisheries, sought a few minor changes for his division, which the board adopted. Notably, for trout anglers, once trout are caught and taken into a fisherman's possession, they cannot later be released. Martel said because the rate of survival of creeled trout is so low, anglers must now either decide to keep the fish they catch or release them immediately. Fishing and boating regulations will go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Contact Andy Thompson at (804) 649-6579 or outdoors@timesdispatch.com.
TIMES-DISPATCH COLUMNIST
It was a busy day yesterday for the board of Virginia's Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The group convened for its periodic regulation review, deciding on dozens of proposed amendments to state regulations governing game wildlife, hunting, trapping, wildlife diversity, fishing and fisheries resources and boating.
The amendments considered were first introduced at the July 17 meeting of the board, and a public comment period followed from July 24 to September 24. According to the department, 352 individuals submitted a total of 825 comments during that time.
The vast majority of the interest, 755 of the comments, concerned a few proposed hunting and firearms regulations. And at yesterday's meeting, which included a public comment period, most of the citizens who spoke, and the debate among board members, centered on a couple of issues: the release of captive reared mallards, an expanded muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the use of unplugged shotguns for hunting non-migratory game.
Dave Burpee of the Virginia Bowhunters Association spoke out against adding a week to the beginning of muzzleloading season for deer because that's also the final week of the first bow-hunting season.
"We spent time with [the VDGIF] working up to where we would be able to have an archery-only season," he said. "The key there is that it would be before the animals were disturbed because of the sound of gunfire, and they change their patterns and it would make it an entirely different hunting experience."
Despite his protestations, the board voted to allow the extension of early muzzleloading season west of the Blue Ridge.
While no one from the public spoke about it, the issue of whether to allow the use of unplugged shotguns for hunting non-migratory game brought the most division among the members of the board.
Bob Duncan, the department's wildlife division director, pointed out that different states are split on the issue. The Carolinas and West Virginia allow the use of unplugged shotguns, while Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Georgia do not. Questions of safety were raised, which Duncan said weren't an issue in states that allowed unplugged guns. Ultimately the board voted 5-4 to allow the use of unplugged guns.
The effective date of that regulation was moved up to Oct. 26 (the standard date for hunting and firearms regulations was July 1, 2008) to allow hunters to use unplugged guns when fall turkey season opens Oct. 27.
The issue of whether to allow the release of captive reared mallards generated the most interest from speakers.
Richmonder Vince Thornhill spoke in favor of allowing releases.
"What these mallard releases can do is give opportunities within the grasp of the average hunter," he said.
Many approved of the recommendation to prohibit captive mallard release for a number of different reasons. Bob Hoffman, of Ducks Unlimited's Great Lakes Regional Office, mentioned the possible spread of disease as a concern whenever domestic and wild animals come in contact. Reid Knight, a doctor from Virginia Beach, mentioned the possible negative effects on the black duck population that the release of captive mallards could have.
In the end, the board decided not to vote on the measure, citing a desire to wait for a forthcoming report by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the issue.
Gary Martel, the director of fisheries, sought a few minor changes for his division, which the board adopted. Notably, for trout anglers, once trout are caught and taken into a fisherman's possession, they cannot later be released. Martel said because the rate of survival of creeled trout is so low, anglers must now either decide to keep the fish they catch or release them immediately. Fishing and boating regulations will go into effect Jan. 1, 2008.
Contact Andy Thompson at (804) 649-6579 or outdoors@timesdispatch.com.
Friday, October 05, 2007
Ann Zirkle property auction update- No Sale!
VARC member Mike McCalis went to the auction.
He, Ray Pennington (Gary Younkins partner), and one other were the only bidders.
Mike dropped out at $70,000 and Ray won the auction at $84,750.
But there was no sale as Ann had set the reserve at $250,000.
Ann thinks the road access to her property was the issue and she has spoken to Mac about improving the road on our property by hauling in gravel.
Don Rembert said we should let her go ahead.
He, Ray Pennington (Gary Younkins partner), and one other were the only bidders.
Mike dropped out at $70,000 and Ray won the auction at $84,750.
But there was no sale as Ann had set the reserve at $250,000.
Ann thinks the road access to her property was the issue and she has spoken to Mac about improving the road on our property by hauling in gravel.
Don Rembert said we should let her go ahead.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
If you are a deer, turkey or bear hunter, you are in luck
By Bill Cochran
Forget about the good old days. Hunting for deer, turkey and bear in the upcoming seasons is going to be … well, it just doesn’t get much better.
Rabbit hunting will be good, too, but if you are a grouse or quail hunter your dogs are going to have to cover a lot of ground in order to point what often will be a disappointing numbers of targets. Here are my preseason predictions, based on personal observations, input from Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists and antidotal reports from other hunters.
DEER
Recently my wife, Katherine, and I drove about 35 miles on a rural road and counted 144 deer just before sundown. I was relating that to a friend who lives in Craig County and he said that was nothing. On one of his trips he’d counted four times that many.
There is no scarcity of deer. But what about bragging-size bucks? The 2007-08 season is shaping up as a trophy deer year, for several reasons. Thanks to a decent food supply and mild weather the past winter, bucks came into the antler-growing season in good shape.
What’s more, there is a big-buck trend in progress as hunters manage for mature bucks and pass up shots at young ones. This has been evident in the large number of bucks entered in recent big game contests. The Virginia Deer Association show in Richmond registered 302 bucks, up more than 75 from what has been average.
“I had many persons who could not believe that the vast majority of them came from Virginia in just one season,” said Matt Knox, DGIF deer project manager.
The Eastern Big Game Show, held in Harrisonburg, attracted 267 deer, an increase form the 230 of the previous season. The eastern and state show is set for Franklin this weekend and is expected to continue the high numbers trend.
When you see large numbers of deer in the field often it is an indication that the mast crop is poor. It remains too early to say that for certain, but at best it appears to be spotty -- decent in some areas and poor in others.
Hunters reported killing 223,198 deer the past season, which was a 4-percent increase from the previous season, and 7 percent higher than the 10 year average. That caught Knox by surprise. Following three consecutive years of record female deer kills, he had expected a decline.
“I hope the deer kill is down [this season], but I have predicted that and been wrong for the past two seasons,” said Knox.
A decline in the kill would mean that the herd has stabilized and is not getting out of hand.
TURKEY
I recall a dozen years ago Gary Norman telling me that his goal as the DGIF biologist was to see the turkey population expands to the point that it would be common for people traveling to see flocks of the big birds from their vehicle. That day has arrived.
I have been seeing numerous turkeys along roadways, from the mountains of Southwest Virginia to the Eastern Shore. There will be plenty of turkeys for the fall/winter season.
Norman has been getting reports of abundant turkeys from several sections of the state, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“I’ve had fewer reports in the east, but what I’ve heard is likewise promising,” he said.
Hotspots include Giles, Craig and Montgomery counties where the best broods in recent years are being observed. Norman said his contacts in the northern Shenandoah Valley are seeing more broods this year than in recent years.
“One of our former technicians works in Bath County and he saw more broods in July than he’s seen in years,” said Norman. “He commented that observations have declined in August and that could be due to drought conditions in some areas that may have impacted insect populations and soft mast production.”
T
urkeys currently are spending lots of times in open fields. Whether there is enough mast in the woods to lure them away from the fields by the late October hunting season is uncertain at this point.
BEAR
Virginia’s bear kill has been increasing about 8 percent each year, and that isn’t expected to deviate much this season, according to Jaime Sajecki, DGIF bear project leader.
Complaints of bears invading populated areas and causing crop damage are at a record high. This could be the sign of an increasing population or an indication of a poor food supply, probably both. Soft mast -- berries, cherries, seeds and the like -- was damage by a hard freeze in the spring. Mast that escaped the freeze has been adversely impacted by dry weather in the summer months.
Hounds men out during the chase season have had to deal with hot, dry weather, not exactly desirable conditions for striking a bear. Even so, they have been seeing good numbers of bears.
RABBITS
From spring into summer, I observed impressive numbers of rabbits. Come fall, the count dwindled rapidly. That trend is not unusual, but this time it probably was hurried along by the hot, dry weather of late summer and early fall.
Rabbit populations have been riding a high the past several years in Virginia. Look for a season this time similar to last years, says Pat Cook, small game biologist of the DGIF. Last year was a good one.
Interest in rabbit hunting has been holding up, even during a time when big game hunting has become highly popular. The latest DGIF hunter survey revealed that nearly one-quarter of the license buyers in Virginia hunt rabbits.
GROUSE
The past decade, grouse hunters have had to work hard to flush their targets, and that won’t change this season. DGIF trend data suggests that breeding population levels have declined 3.1 percent annually the past 10 years. Add those figures and you conclude that the population is down about 40 percent in a decade.
Some sportsmen, with good dogs, continue to enjoy decent hunting. Much of that now is found on private land because national forest land is not timbered enough to provide the kind of new succession habitat that grouse need to thrive.
On the average, you pretty well can figure that it will take an hour of pushing through grouse covers for each bird flushed.
QUAIL
The quail population has been down for years, and don’t expect this season to be anything like a turnaround. Fact is, expect it to be pretty sorry. Look for a season similar to last year’s, said biologist Pat Cook. With the exception of a few pockets where birds could be found, last season was just another in a string of dismal seasons.
Quail had the benefit of a mild winter void of heavy snow, but there simply wasn’t enough of them, or enough habitat, to make a difference. The current drought conditions probably haven’t had an impact on quail, Cook said.
The DGIF is encouraging the use of native warm season grasses in livestock operations to improve quail habitat.
Forget about the good old days. Hunting for deer, turkey and bear in the upcoming seasons is going to be … well, it just doesn’t get much better.
Rabbit hunting will be good, too, but if you are a grouse or quail hunter your dogs are going to have to cover a lot of ground in order to point what often will be a disappointing numbers of targets. Here are my preseason predictions, based on personal observations, input from Department of Game and Inland Fisheries biologists and antidotal reports from other hunters.
DEER
Recently my wife, Katherine, and I drove about 35 miles on a rural road and counted 144 deer just before sundown. I was relating that to a friend who lives in Craig County and he said that was nothing. On one of his trips he’d counted four times that many.
There is no scarcity of deer. But what about bragging-size bucks? The 2007-08 season is shaping up as a trophy deer year, for several reasons. Thanks to a decent food supply and mild weather the past winter, bucks came into the antler-growing season in good shape.
What’s more, there is a big-buck trend in progress as hunters manage for mature bucks and pass up shots at young ones. This has been evident in the large number of bucks entered in recent big game contests. The Virginia Deer Association show in Richmond registered 302 bucks, up more than 75 from what has been average.
“I had many persons who could not believe that the vast majority of them came from Virginia in just one season,” said Matt Knox, DGIF deer project manager.
The Eastern Big Game Show, held in Harrisonburg, attracted 267 deer, an increase form the 230 of the previous season. The eastern and state show is set for Franklin this weekend and is expected to continue the high numbers trend.
When you see large numbers of deer in the field often it is an indication that the mast crop is poor. It remains too early to say that for certain, but at best it appears to be spotty -- decent in some areas and poor in others.
Hunters reported killing 223,198 deer the past season, which was a 4-percent increase from the previous season, and 7 percent higher than the 10 year average. That caught Knox by surprise. Following three consecutive years of record female deer kills, he had expected a decline.
“I hope the deer kill is down [this season], but I have predicted that and been wrong for the past two seasons,” said Knox.
A decline in the kill would mean that the herd has stabilized and is not getting out of hand.
TURKEY
I recall a dozen years ago Gary Norman telling me that his goal as the DGIF biologist was to see the turkey population expands to the point that it would be common for people traveling to see flocks of the big birds from their vehicle. That day has arrived.
I have been seeing numerous turkeys along roadways, from the mountains of Southwest Virginia to the Eastern Shore. There will be plenty of turkeys for the fall/winter season.
Norman has been getting reports of abundant turkeys from several sections of the state, especially west of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
“I’ve had fewer reports in the east, but what I’ve heard is likewise promising,” he said.
Hotspots include Giles, Craig and Montgomery counties where the best broods in recent years are being observed. Norman said his contacts in the northern Shenandoah Valley are seeing more broods this year than in recent years.
“One of our former technicians works in Bath County and he saw more broods in July than he’s seen in years,” said Norman. “He commented that observations have declined in August and that could be due to drought conditions in some areas that may have impacted insect populations and soft mast production.”
T
urkeys currently are spending lots of times in open fields. Whether there is enough mast in the woods to lure them away from the fields by the late October hunting season is uncertain at this point.
BEAR
Virginia’s bear kill has been increasing about 8 percent each year, and that isn’t expected to deviate much this season, according to Jaime Sajecki, DGIF bear project leader.
Complaints of bears invading populated areas and causing crop damage are at a record high. This could be the sign of an increasing population or an indication of a poor food supply, probably both. Soft mast -- berries, cherries, seeds and the like -- was damage by a hard freeze in the spring. Mast that escaped the freeze has been adversely impacted by dry weather in the summer months.
Hounds men out during the chase season have had to deal with hot, dry weather, not exactly desirable conditions for striking a bear. Even so, they have been seeing good numbers of bears.
RABBITS
From spring into summer, I observed impressive numbers of rabbits. Come fall, the count dwindled rapidly. That trend is not unusual, but this time it probably was hurried along by the hot, dry weather of late summer and early fall.
Rabbit populations have been riding a high the past several years in Virginia. Look for a season this time similar to last years, says Pat Cook, small game biologist of the DGIF. Last year was a good one.
Interest in rabbit hunting has been holding up, even during a time when big game hunting has become highly popular. The latest DGIF hunter survey revealed that nearly one-quarter of the license buyers in Virginia hunt rabbits.
GROUSE
The past decade, grouse hunters have had to work hard to flush their targets, and that won’t change this season. DGIF trend data suggests that breeding population levels have declined 3.1 percent annually the past 10 years. Add those figures and you conclude that the population is down about 40 percent in a decade.
Some sportsmen, with good dogs, continue to enjoy decent hunting. Much of that now is found on private land because national forest land is not timbered enough to provide the kind of new succession habitat that grouse need to thrive.
On the average, you pretty well can figure that it will take an hour of pushing through grouse covers for each bird flushed.
QUAIL
The quail population has been down for years, and don’t expect this season to be anything like a turnaround. Fact is, expect it to be pretty sorry. Look for a season similar to last year’s, said biologist Pat Cook. With the exception of a few pockets where birds could be found, last season was just another in a string of dismal seasons.
Quail had the benefit of a mild winter void of heavy snow, but there simply wasn’t enough of them, or enough habitat, to make a difference. The current drought conditions probably haven’t had an impact on quail, Cook said.
The DGIF is encouraging the use of native warm season grasses in livestock operations to improve quail habitat.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Unlimited DMAP tags
We have picked up our DMAP tags at Gander Mountain in Winchester.
We received 10 tags, and Fred Frenzel, the VDGIF District Wildlife Biologist, told Pleze that we can get as many as we want by contacting him.
In otherwords, we can shoot as many deer as we can find!
Good hunting!
Fred Frenzel
District Wildlife Biologist VDGIF
(540) 984-4101
We received 10 tags, and Fred Frenzel, the VDGIF District Wildlife Biologist, told Pleze that we can get as many as we want by contacting him.
In otherwords, we can shoot as many deer as we can find!
Good hunting!
Fred Frenzel
District Wildlife Biologist VDGIF
(540) 984-4101
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Ann Zirkle property
Click picture to enlarge.
Click on Picture to enlarge.
Charles and David Benkert were at the cabin Saturday and wrote in the logbook that they had spoke to Ann Zirkle. She was up trying to clear a path into the property. They wrote she did not know what the property was worth. Several people came by to look at the property and left when they saw the condition of the road. I spoke to Mr. Pangle of Pangle Real Estate. He said she just wanted to get rid of the property and they felt that an auction was the fairest way to deal with the neighbors, as several people has expressed an interest in the property. He had her go and try to clear up the road.
Terms: A $25,000 bidder’s deposit by cash or cashier’s check at the conclusion of the auction, balance due in full within 30 days at closing OR Seller to take back a purchase money First Deed of Trust on the following terms: An additional $25,000 due at closing, 7 ½ % simple interest with one-half of the remaining principle and interest balance due December 31, 2008 and the other one-half remaining principle and interest balance due December 31, 2009. There shall be a 10% of purchase price pre-payment penalty.
There will be a reserve price. The property is valued at $107,500 by Shennadoah County. It was last sold in 1995.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Ann Zirkle to auction Property Saturday, September 22nd
ZIRKLE AUCTION
Auction Company:
Auction Date/Time:
Location:
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 10:00AM EST
Off Rt. 691
Edinburg, VA 22824
43+/- WOODED ACRES UNIMPROVED (Auction to be held at the front steps of the Shenandoah Couty Circuit Courthouse - 112 S. Main St., Woodstock, VA)
Directions: Property Location: From Woodstock take Senedo Road (Rt. 42) south approximately 6 miles then right onto Union Church Rd. a short distance then left onto Back Road to bottom of hill then right onto Wolf Gap Rd. for 2.5 miles. Proceed straight on Liberty Furnace Rd. for 2.5 miles, then right onto Cold Springs Rd for 4/10 miles then left onto an unmarked Forest Service road go approx. 1 mile to property on left. (Auction held at Shenandoah County Circuit Courthouse).
Description: AUCTION
VALUABLE REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 – 10:00 A.M.
· 43 +/- Wooded Acres * Near Liberty Furnace
· George Washington National Forest Frontage
· Hunting * Owner Financing
AUCTION HELD AT THE FRONT STEPS OF THE SHENANDOAH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE 112 S. MAIN STREET, WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA
Property Location: From Woodstock take Senedo Road (Rt. 42) south approximately 6 miles then right onto Union Church Rd. a short distance then left onto Back Road to bottom of hill then right onto Wolf Gap Rd. for 2.5 miles. Proceed straight on Liberty Furnace Rd. for 2.5 miles, then right onto Cold Springs Rd for 4/10 miles then left onto an unmarked Forest Service road go approx. 1 mile to property on left. (Auction held at Shenandoah County Circuit Courthouse).
Description: Woodland containing 42.958 +/- acres by survey. This property is rolling mountain land and is unimproved. Zoned C-1 Conservation.
Legal: 42.958+/- acres by survey as described in Deed Book 231 Page 713, Tax Map # 040 A 19. Property is accessed via a deeded right of way for ingress and egress as described in Deed Book 231 Page 714. Said roadway is in need of repair to allow vehicular travel.
AUCTIONEERS: SELLER:
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc. Ann Zirkle
Woodstock, VA 22664
(540) 459-2113 VA.AF #272
www.pangle.com
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc
pangle@shentel.net
http://pangle.com
Auction Company:
Auction Date/Time:
Location:
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007 at 10:00AM EST
Off Rt. 691
Edinburg, VA 22824
43+/- WOODED ACRES UNIMPROVED (Auction to be held at the front steps of the Shenandoah Couty Circuit Courthouse - 112 S. Main St., Woodstock, VA)
Directions: Property Location: From Woodstock take Senedo Road (Rt. 42) south approximately 6 miles then right onto Union Church Rd. a short distance then left onto Back Road to bottom of hill then right onto Wolf Gap Rd. for 2.5 miles. Proceed straight on Liberty Furnace Rd. for 2.5 miles, then right onto Cold Springs Rd for 4/10 miles then left onto an unmarked Forest Service road go approx. 1 mile to property on left. (Auction held at Shenandoah County Circuit Courthouse).
Description: AUCTION
VALUABLE REAL ESTATE
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2007 – 10:00 A.M.
· 43 +/- Wooded Acres * Near Liberty Furnace
· George Washington National Forest Frontage
· Hunting * Owner Financing
AUCTION HELD AT THE FRONT STEPS OF THE SHENANDOAH COUNTY CIRCUIT COURTHOUSE 112 S. MAIN STREET, WOODSTOCK, VIRGINIA
Property Location: From Woodstock take Senedo Road (Rt. 42) south approximately 6 miles then right onto Union Church Rd. a short distance then left onto Back Road to bottom of hill then right onto Wolf Gap Rd. for 2.5 miles. Proceed straight on Liberty Furnace Rd. for 2.5 miles, then right onto Cold Springs Rd for 4/10 miles then left onto an unmarked Forest Service road go approx. 1 mile to property on left. (Auction held at Shenandoah County Circuit Courthouse).
Description: Woodland containing 42.958 +/- acres by survey. This property is rolling mountain land and is unimproved. Zoned C-1 Conservation.
Legal: 42.958+/- acres by survey as described in Deed Book 231 Page 713, Tax Map # 040 A 19. Property is accessed via a deeded right of way for ingress and egress as described in Deed Book 231 Page 714. Said roadway is in need of repair to allow vehicular travel.
AUCTIONEERS: SELLER:
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc. Ann Zirkle
Woodstock, VA 22664
(540) 459-2113 VA.AF #272
www.pangle.com
Pangle Real Estate & Auction Co., Inc
pangle@shentel.net
http://pangle.com
More zoning
§ 142-24. Private water and/or sewer. [Amended 6-25-2002 by Ord. No. 02-11; 6-24-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-4]
Subject to the requirements of § 142-23, nothing in this regulation shall prevent the installation of privately owned individual water and/or sewage disposal facilities in areas where public water and/or sewerage facilities are not available; provided, however, that pit privies will not be allowed, and other private installations must meet all requirements of the State Department of Environmental Quality, the State Health Department and any other state or local regulation having authority over such installation.
Subject to the requirements of § 142-23, nothing in this regulation shall prevent the installation of privately owned individual water and/or sewage disposal facilities in areas where public water and/or sewerage facilities are not available; provided, however, that pit privies will not be allowed, and other private installations must meet all requirements of the State Department of Environmental Quality, the State Health Department and any other state or local regulation having authority over such installation.
Conservation District (C-1). zoning
Conservation District (C-1)zoning effecting us.
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/reportscode/code/165.htm
§ 165-11. Conservation District (C-1). [Amended 6-8-1982; 1-24-1985; 4-8-1986; 6-9-1987; 11-14-1989; 12-12-1989; 7-9-1991; 9-10-1991; 11-8-1994; 6-13-1995; 5-28-1996; 11-26-1996 by Ord. No. 96-3; 9-23-1997 by Ord. No. 97-7; 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 00-2; 5-23-2000 by Ord. No. 00-6; 6-26-2001 by Ord. No. 01-6; 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-8; 1-22-2002 by Ord. No. 02-1; 1-22-2002 by Ord. No. 02-2; 2-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2; 6-24-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-4; 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-08; 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09; 6-26-2007]
A. Statement of intent. This district covers portions of the County which are occupied by various open uses, such as forests, recreation areas, farms, lakes or streams. Uses not consistent with the existing character of this district are not permitted. Real property in this zoning classification may be subdivided only in accordance with § 142-3.1 of the Code of Shenandoah County. [Amended 3-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-4]
B. Uses. In this district, structures to be erected or land to be used shall be for one or more of the following uses:
(1) Uses permitted by right:
(a) General farming, agriculture, dairying and forestry. See Article XI for poultry and hog regulations.
(b) Conservation preserves.
(c) Single-family detached dwellings.
(d) Kennels.
(e) Churches, cemeteries, schools, parks and playgrounds, fire and rescue squad stations, office buildings and other public and semipublic uses.
(f) Roadside stand or market.
(g) Country or general stores.
(h) Sawmills or pulpwood concentration yards.
(i) Manufactured houses on permanent foundations.
(j) Lines, poles and pipes to provide electric, gas, telephone, water or sewer service to structures located on properties adjacent to said facilities.
(k) Retail greenhouse and nursery operations under 10,000 square feet. Site plan approval is required as per Article XIV.
(l) Storage buildings or sheds, as defined.
(m) Recreational vehicle provided that the recreational vehicle is on the property no more than 30 consecutive days and is removed from the property for at least 14 consecutive days each time it is removed. [Added 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
(n) Open Space Developments meeting the requirements of Article X [Added 6-26-2007]
(2) Permitted accessory uses:
(a) Off-street parking for uses permitted in the district as provided in Article XII.
(b) Signs as provided in Article XIII.
(c) Customary accessory uses and structures as provided in § 165-26.
(d) Home occupation as provided in § 165-29.
(e) Level 1 home business as provided in § 165-30.
(3) Uses permitted by special permit:
(a) Level 2 home business as provided in § 165-30.
(b) Public utility generating, booster or relay stations, transformer substations, railroads, water and sewerage installations (other than pipes), telephone facilities (other than lines, poles and towers), and other facilities for the provision and maintenance of public utility service.
(c) Garages, public.
(d) Farm, lawn and garden machinery and equipment sales and service.
(e) Lodges, hunting clubs, camps, golf and country clubs.
(f) Recreational uses or facilities, commercially operated or for private membership, such as game courts, swimming pools, campgrounds, archery ranges, fishing or boating lakes, ski slopes, picnic grounds, marinas and accessory facilities (including the sale of food, beverages, bait, incidentals, supplies and equipment); provided that no such use, structure or accessory use is located closer than 50 feet to any adjoining property lines.
(g) Conversion of a single residential structure on a lot to contain a maximum of four dwelling units, provided that such structure was in existence prior to September 12, 1978.
(h) Wineries.
(i) Nursing homes and adult-care centers.
(j) Airports, commercial and private.
(k) Flea markets.
(l) Mobile home or manufactured housing parks as provided in Article IX.
(m) Retail greenhouse and nursery operations over 10,000 square feet. Site plan approval is required as per Article XIV.
(n) Telecommunications towers as provided in Article XIX.
(o) (Reserved) [EN]10
(p) Museums.
(q) Conversion of existing single-family dwellings to bed-and-breakfasts, provided that the bed-and-breakfast is located at least 900 feet from all lots containing intensive poultry facilities, intensive hog facilities, and other confined feeding operations.
(r) Corporate training centers. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(s) Country inns. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(t) Rural resorts. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(u) Temporary electric service [Added 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
C. Area regulations.
(1) The minimum lot area shall be 10 acres.
(2) There shall be a maximum of one single-family detached dwelling or manufactured house per 10 acres.
(3) There shall be a maximum of two dwellings or manufactured houses or combination thereof per lot.
D. Frontage regulations. The minimum frontage for each lot shall be 450 feet. (See § 165-27 for cul-de-sac.)
E. Yard regulations. [NOTE: See Article XI for residential setbacks from poultry facilities.]
(1) Front yard. Structures shall be located 100 feet or more from the front lot line. This shall be known as the "setback" line.
(2) Side yard. Each side yard for each main structure shall be a minimum of 80 feet. No accessory building shall be located closer than 30 feet to any side property boundary line.
(3) Rear yard. Each main structure shall have a rear yard of 150 feet or more. Accessory buildings may be built to within 10 feet of rear property line. When the lot was recorded prior to October 1, 1978, the rear yard may be reduced to 60 feet when it is determined by the Zoning Administrator that the required setback cannot be met because water and/or sanitation facilities are necessary to be located in front of the house as determined by the Health Director.
(4) Lots adjoining an industrial-zoned district. No residential structure shall be constructed closer than 100 feet to any adjacent property line if that property is an industrial-zoned district or contains an industrial use; however, this distance may be reduced to 50 feet for side or 60 feet for rear yards if a screen buffer consisting of total screening is provided.
F. Building coverage. The maximum building coverage on a lot shall be 20%.
G. Height regulations.
(1) Structures may be erected up to 35 feet in height.
(2) All accessory buildings shall be less than the main building in height. Church spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, water towers, farm silos, barns and other farm related structures, chimneys, flues, flagpoles, parapet walls, television antennas, radio aerials, microwave towers and other public communication facilities are not governed by the height regulation of 35 feet set forth in the previous subsection.
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/reportscode/code/165.htm
§ 165-11. Conservation District (C-1). [Amended 6-8-1982; 1-24-1985; 4-8-1986; 6-9-1987; 11-14-1989; 12-12-1989; 7-9-1991; 9-10-1991; 11-8-1994; 6-13-1995; 5-28-1996; 11-26-1996 by Ord. No. 96-3; 9-23-1997 by Ord. No. 97-7; 3-28-2000 by Ord. No. 00-2; 5-23-2000 by Ord. No. 00-6; 6-26-2001 by Ord. No. 01-6; 11-27-2001 by Ord. No. 01-8; 1-22-2002 by Ord. No. 02-1; 1-22-2002 by Ord. No. 02-2; 2-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-2; 6-24-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-4; 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-08; 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09; 6-26-2007]
A. Statement of intent. This district covers portions of the County which are occupied by various open uses, such as forests, recreation areas, farms, lakes or streams. Uses not consistent with the existing character of this district are not permitted. Real property in this zoning classification may be subdivided only in accordance with § 142-3.1 of the Code of Shenandoah County. [Amended 3-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-4]
B. Uses. In this district, structures to be erected or land to be used shall be for one or more of the following uses:
(1) Uses permitted by right:
(a) General farming, agriculture, dairying and forestry. See Article XI for poultry and hog regulations.
(b) Conservation preserves.
(c) Single-family detached dwellings.
(d) Kennels.
(e) Churches, cemeteries, schools, parks and playgrounds, fire and rescue squad stations, office buildings and other public and semipublic uses.
(f) Roadside stand or market.
(g) Country or general stores.
(h) Sawmills or pulpwood concentration yards.
(i) Manufactured houses on permanent foundations.
(j) Lines, poles and pipes to provide electric, gas, telephone, water or sewer service to structures located on properties adjacent to said facilities.
(k) Retail greenhouse and nursery operations under 10,000 square feet. Site plan approval is required as per Article XIV.
(l) Storage buildings or sheds, as defined.
(m) Recreational vehicle provided that the recreational vehicle is on the property no more than 30 consecutive days and is removed from the property for at least 14 consecutive days each time it is removed. [Added 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
(n) Open Space Developments meeting the requirements of Article X [Added 6-26-2007]
(2) Permitted accessory uses:
(a) Off-street parking for uses permitted in the district as provided in Article XII.
(b) Signs as provided in Article XIII.
(c) Customary accessory uses and structures as provided in § 165-26.
(d) Home occupation as provided in § 165-29.
(e) Level 1 home business as provided in § 165-30.
(3) Uses permitted by special permit:
(a) Level 2 home business as provided in § 165-30.
(b) Public utility generating, booster or relay stations, transformer substations, railroads, water and sewerage installations (other than pipes), telephone facilities (other than lines, poles and towers), and other facilities for the provision and maintenance of public utility service.
(c) Garages, public.
(d) Farm, lawn and garden machinery and equipment sales and service.
(e) Lodges, hunting clubs, camps, golf and country clubs.
(f) Recreational uses or facilities, commercially operated or for private membership, such as game courts, swimming pools, campgrounds, archery ranges, fishing or boating lakes, ski slopes, picnic grounds, marinas and accessory facilities (including the sale of food, beverages, bait, incidentals, supplies and equipment); provided that no such use, structure or accessory use is located closer than 50 feet to any adjoining property lines.
(g) Conversion of a single residential structure on a lot to contain a maximum of four dwelling units, provided that such structure was in existence prior to September 12, 1978.
(h) Wineries.
(i) Nursing homes and adult-care centers.
(j) Airports, commercial and private.
(k) Flea markets.
(l) Mobile home or manufactured housing parks as provided in Article IX.
(m) Retail greenhouse and nursery operations over 10,000 square feet. Site plan approval is required as per Article XIV.
(n) Telecommunications towers as provided in Article XIX.
(o) (Reserved) [EN]10
(p) Museums.
(q) Conversion of existing single-family dwellings to bed-and-breakfasts, provided that the bed-and-breakfast is located at least 900 feet from all lots containing intensive poultry facilities, intensive hog facilities, and other confined feeding operations.
(r) Corporate training centers. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(s) Country inns. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(t) Rural resorts. [Added 11-25-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-7]
(u) Temporary electric service [Added 4-24-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-09]
C. Area regulations.
(1) The minimum lot area shall be 10 acres.
(2) There shall be a maximum of one single-family detached dwelling or manufactured house per 10 acres.
(3) There shall be a maximum of two dwellings or manufactured houses or combination thereof per lot.
D. Frontage regulations. The minimum frontage for each lot shall be 450 feet. (See § 165-27 for cul-de-sac.)
E. Yard regulations. [NOTE: See Article XI for residential setbacks from poultry facilities.]
(1) Front yard. Structures shall be located 100 feet or more from the front lot line. This shall be known as the "setback" line.
(2) Side yard. Each side yard for each main structure shall be a minimum of 80 feet. No accessory building shall be located closer than 30 feet to any side property boundary line.
(3) Rear yard. Each main structure shall have a rear yard of 150 feet or more. Accessory buildings may be built to within 10 feet of rear property line. When the lot was recorded prior to October 1, 1978, the rear yard may be reduced to 60 feet when it is determined by the Zoning Administrator that the required setback cannot be met because water and/or sanitation facilities are necessary to be located in front of the house as determined by the Health Director.
(4) Lots adjoining an industrial-zoned district. No residential structure shall be constructed closer than 100 feet to any adjacent property line if that property is an industrial-zoned district or contains an industrial use; however, this distance may be reduced to 50 feet for side or 60 feet for rear yards if a screen buffer consisting of total screening is provided.
F. Building coverage. The maximum building coverage on a lot shall be 20%.
G. Height regulations.
(1) Structures may be erected up to 35 feet in height.
(2) All accessory buildings shall be less than the main building in height. Church spires, belfries, cupolas, monuments, water towers, farm silos, barns and other farm related structures, chimneys, flues, flagpoles, parapet walls, television antennas, radio aerials, microwave towers and other public communication facilities are not governed by the height regulation of 35 feet set forth in the previous subsection.
Foresty Land use assessment
What is land use assessment?
In 1971, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law permitting localities to adopt a program of special assessments for agriculture, horticultural, forest and open space lands (Section 58.1-3299 through 58.1-3244 of the Code of Virginia). In 1979, The Board of Supervisors chose to adopt the ordinance based on State Law to conserve acreage that may otherwise be developed.
The purpose of the program is stated as: to encourage the proper use of such real estate in order to assure a readily available source of agricultural, horticultural and forest products and of open spaces; conserve natural resources to prevent erosion and protect adequate and safe water supplies; to preserve scenic natural beauty; to promote proper land-use planning and orderly development of real estate.
When your land qualifies for Land Use Taxation, the parcel receives a lower assessment than the fair market assessment. The difference in tax dollars is not a total abatement, but rather a deferment. Taxpayers owning real estate that meet the qualifications may enter the program under one or more of the following categories: Agricultural Use, Horticultural Use, Forestal Use or Open Space Use.
Qualifications: "Forestal Use Categories"
FORESTAL USE category requires twenty (20) contiguous acres unimproved or more exclusively devoted to forestal use with NO LIVESTOCK ACCESS. Forestal acreage with livestock access must be qualified under the AGRICULTURAL USE category. NO stripping or clear cutting is permitted unless working under the guidance of the Department of Forestry. Forestal participants are required to have a forestal commitment agreement. This can be obtained from the Land Use office, or you may consult an independent forester. Value of forestal acreage for land use purposes is obtained by county Land Use Coordinator from a scientifically derived table based on soils and stocking, NOT size, quality, or value of timber.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Land Use Assessment Coordinator at (540) 459-6179. Office hours are 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/revenue/landuse.php
In 1971, the Virginia General Assembly enacted a law permitting localities to adopt a program of special assessments for agriculture, horticultural, forest and open space lands (Section 58.1-3299 through 58.1-3244 of the Code of Virginia). In 1979, The Board of Supervisors chose to adopt the ordinance based on State Law to conserve acreage that may otherwise be developed.
The purpose of the program is stated as: to encourage the proper use of such real estate in order to assure a readily available source of agricultural, horticultural and forest products and of open spaces; conserve natural resources to prevent erosion and protect adequate and safe water supplies; to preserve scenic natural beauty; to promote proper land-use planning and orderly development of real estate.
When your land qualifies for Land Use Taxation, the parcel receives a lower assessment than the fair market assessment. The difference in tax dollars is not a total abatement, but rather a deferment. Taxpayers owning real estate that meet the qualifications may enter the program under one or more of the following categories: Agricultural Use, Horticultural Use, Forestal Use or Open Space Use.
Qualifications: "Forestal Use Categories"
FORESTAL USE category requires twenty (20) contiguous acres unimproved or more exclusively devoted to forestal use with NO LIVESTOCK ACCESS. Forestal acreage with livestock access must be qualified under the AGRICULTURAL USE category. NO stripping or clear cutting is permitted unless working under the guidance of the Department of Forestry. Forestal participants are required to have a forestal commitment agreement. This can be obtained from the Land Use office, or you may consult an independent forester. Value of forestal acreage for land use purposes is obtained by county Land Use Coordinator from a scientifically derived table based on soils and stocking, NOT size, quality, or value of timber.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Land Use Assessment Coordinator at (540) 459-6179. Office hours are 8:30AM - 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.
http://www.shenandoahcountyva.us/revenue/landuse.php
Monday, August 20, 2007
Deer hunting may put men's hearts at risk
Sat Aug 18, 6:56 PM ET
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Deer hunting could be a dangerous endeavor for men with heart disease or risk factors for it, research findings suggest.
In a study of 25 middle-aged male deer hunters, researchers found that the activities inherent to hunting -- like walking over rough terrain, shooting an animal and dragging its carcass -- sent the men's heart rates up significantly.
In some cases, this led to potentially dangerous heart-rhythm disturbances, or diminished oxygen supply to the heart.
Of the 25 hunters, 17 had established coronary heart disease, while the rest had risk factors such as being overweight, smoking or having high blood pressure or cholesterol.
The findings suggest that for men like these, hunting could boost the risk of heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Susan Haapaniemi and colleagues at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oaks, Michigan, report the findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.
For the study, the researchers outfitted each man with a portable monitor that continuously recorded his heart's electrical activity during a day of deer hunting. For comparison, the men also had their hearts monitored as they exercised on a treadmill on a separate day.
In general, the researchers found, deer hunting put the men's hearts under more strain than the treadmill did. Ten men exceeded the maximum heart rate they logged on the treadmill, and several showed potentially dangerous heart responses to hunting that they did not show during the treadmill test.
Three men had signs of impeded blood flow to the heart during hunting, but not on the treadmill. Similarly, three of the men with heart disease had heart-rhythm abnormalities while hunting that did not show up on the treadmill test.
The combination of physical exertion, adrenaline rush and the stress of rough terrain and cold weather may explain the "excessive cardiac demands" seen with hunting, according to Haapaniemi's team.
What's more, they point out, most of the men in the study were taking part in an exercise program to treat their heart disease, or were regularly physically active. Hunting could be an even greater strain on the heart in men who are usually sedentary, the researchers note.
SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, July 15, 2007.
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Deer hunting could be a dangerous endeavor for men with heart disease or risk factors for it, research findings suggest.
In a study of 25 middle-aged male deer hunters, researchers found that the activities inherent to hunting -- like walking over rough terrain, shooting an animal and dragging its carcass -- sent the men's heart rates up significantly.
In some cases, this led to potentially dangerous heart-rhythm disturbances, or diminished oxygen supply to the heart.
Of the 25 hunters, 17 had established coronary heart disease, while the rest had risk factors such as being overweight, smoking or having high blood pressure or cholesterol.
The findings suggest that for men like these, hunting could boost the risk of heart attack or cardiac arrest.
Susan Haapaniemi and colleagues at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oaks, Michigan, report the findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.
For the study, the researchers outfitted each man with a portable monitor that continuously recorded his heart's electrical activity during a day of deer hunting. For comparison, the men also had their hearts monitored as they exercised on a treadmill on a separate day.
In general, the researchers found, deer hunting put the men's hearts under more strain than the treadmill did. Ten men exceeded the maximum heart rate they logged on the treadmill, and several showed potentially dangerous heart responses to hunting that they did not show during the treadmill test.
Three men had signs of impeded blood flow to the heart during hunting, but not on the treadmill. Similarly, three of the men with heart disease had heart-rhythm abnormalities while hunting that did not show up on the treadmill test.
The combination of physical exertion, adrenaline rush and the stress of rough terrain and cold weather may explain the "excessive cardiac demands" seen with hunting, according to Haapaniemi's team.
What's more, they point out, most of the men in the study were taking part in an exercise program to treat their heart disease, or were regularly physically active. Hunting could be an even greater strain on the heart in men who are usually sedentary, the researchers note.
SOURCE: American Journal of Cardiology, July 15, 2007.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Annual Meeting, Work Party June 2nd, 3rd
VARC will be having a work party on June 2nd and our annual meeting June 3rd at the cabin.
We will be working on the cabin addition, putting up siding and possibly drywall.
In addition, the grass needs cutting, plus any other work that is required.
For our annual meeting on Sunday, we will be holding our annual elections, so think of any candidates you wish to nominate and come vote.
Other topics to come prepared to discuss are:
Hope to see everyone there. Please attend if possible.
We will be working on the cabin addition, putting up siding and possibly drywall.
In addition, the grass needs cutting, plus any other work that is required.
For our annual meeting on Sunday, we will be holding our annual elections, so think of any candidates you wish to nominate and come vote.
Other topics to come prepared to discuss are:
- Finances
- Treasurers report.
- Financial planning for the future.
- How to spend our gains from the timber sale to avoid taxes. We need ideas.
- Membership status and dues
- Club rules and proceedures
- Gary Younkin will be stopping by to discuss the road access issue to his property. We need to be prepared to discuss this with him.
- New and continuing work projects
- Honoring Doc Edward Michelitch
Hope to see everyone there. Please attend if possible.
Hunt squirrels in June? You bet!
By Bill Cochran
The woods should be thick with squirrels—and no doubt mosquitoes as well—during Virginia’s first-ever spring/summer squirrel hunting season June 2-23.
Hunt squirrels in June? You’ve got to be kidding!
Pat Cook admits he felt that way at first. Then the more he thought about it the better he liked the idea. Cook, who is the small game project leader for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, believe others will follow the same logic.
I asked Cook to respond to a number of questions designed to give newcomers to June hunting some background information on this new season and what they can expect from it:
Q. Why did DGIF decided to promote squirrel hunting in June?A. In order to offer additional hunting opportunity, especially at a time when few other species can be hunted.
Q. How many other states offer a similar season?A. Seven
Q. What areas will be open to June hunting?A. Only certain DGIF-owned Wildlife Manage Areas: Amelia, Big Survey, Briery Creek, Chickahominy, Dick Cross, Dismal Swamp, Fairystone, Goshen, Havens, Hog Island (Carlisle tract only), Horsepen, James River, Pettigrew, Phelps, Powhatan, Thompson, Turkeycock Mountain and White Oak Mountain.
Q. Do you anticipate additional hunting areas will be included in the future?A. I can’t speculate on that.
Q. Will squirrels be abundant in June?A. Squirrels will likely be very abundant this June on many of the areas. The results of a survey of the squirrel population in August 2006 were the highest ever recorded. Plus, there was a bumper acorn crop this past fall. Therefore, all those squirrels likely had great survival rates and entered the first peak of the breeding season in prime condition turning out a lot of new squirrels.
Q. How much interest in this season do you expect?A. Initially, I don’t expect there to be a great deal of interest. Over time, I think interest will grow as it has in other states that have adopted such a season.
Q. Have you received any opposition to the season?A. Very little.
Q. Will the June season be a hardship on pregnant squirrels and those caring for young?A. From a biological standpoint, the June squirrel season will actually occur at an opportune time. A study conducted in Virginia found that squirrels can produce young throughout the year. However, 81 percent of all litters were born February through March and July and August. Only 0.9 percent were born in May and 1.4 percent in June. Very few pregnant squirrels or ones caring for young will be harvested during the June season, much fewer than during parts of the regular season.
Q. Do you anticipate that the heat will be a challenge for hunters?A. Compared to September, the first month of the regular squirrel season, June really isn’t that much warmer. Averaged across the entire Commonwealth, the normal maximum temperature in September is 78 degrees. In June it is only 3 degrees warmer. Hunters will probably focus their efforts in the early and late parts of the day, but they do that in the regular season as well. That’s when gray squirrels are most active.
Q. Won’t squirrels likely to be carrying “wolves” or other parasites?A. Although it is possible that squirrels taken during the June season could be infested, it’s not very likely. Infestations are greatest in the late summer and early fall.
Q. Is the bag limit the same as it is in the fall/winter? Are fox squirrels legal game?A. The 6-per day bag limit is the same. Fox squirrels are legal in areas that lie in counties where fox squirrel hunting traditionally is permitted.
Q. Will the season be disruptive to other wildlife that may be carrying for young?A. That’s not an easy thing to answer. Any time someone leaves their home they could disrupt wildlife. However, the season will not cause the decline of any populations.
Q. How will June hunting techniques differ from those used during the fall/winter season?A. You won’t have much success searching for areas with an abundance of acorns or hickory nuts. Hunters will have to find where the squirrels are feeding and focus on those areas.
Q. What will be the likely food sources?A. Mostly the buds and flowers of trees, such as ash, elm, maple and sweet gum. They also will be feeding on some of the soft mast that matures during this time. In particular, they will key in on the fruit of the mulberry tree if available.
Q. Do you think the season offers opportunities to introduce youngsters to hunting?A. It will be a great time to take youngsters hunting. They will be out of school and there are very few other hunting opportunities available this time of the year.
The woods should be thick with squirrels—and no doubt mosquitoes as well—during Virginia’s first-ever spring/summer squirrel hunting season June 2-23.
Hunt squirrels in June? You’ve got to be kidding!
Pat Cook admits he felt that way at first. Then the more he thought about it the better he liked the idea. Cook, who is the small game project leader for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, believe others will follow the same logic.
I asked Cook to respond to a number of questions designed to give newcomers to June hunting some background information on this new season and what they can expect from it:
Q. Why did DGIF decided to promote squirrel hunting in June?A. In order to offer additional hunting opportunity, especially at a time when few other species can be hunted.
Q. How many other states offer a similar season?A. Seven
Q. What areas will be open to June hunting?A. Only certain DGIF-owned Wildlife Manage Areas: Amelia, Big Survey, Briery Creek, Chickahominy, Dick Cross, Dismal Swamp, Fairystone, Goshen, Havens, Hog Island (Carlisle tract only), Horsepen, James River, Pettigrew, Phelps, Powhatan, Thompson, Turkeycock Mountain and White Oak Mountain.
Q. Do you anticipate additional hunting areas will be included in the future?A. I can’t speculate on that.
Q. Will squirrels be abundant in June?A. Squirrels will likely be very abundant this June on many of the areas. The results of a survey of the squirrel population in August 2006 were the highest ever recorded. Plus, there was a bumper acorn crop this past fall. Therefore, all those squirrels likely had great survival rates and entered the first peak of the breeding season in prime condition turning out a lot of new squirrels.
Q. How much interest in this season do you expect?A. Initially, I don’t expect there to be a great deal of interest. Over time, I think interest will grow as it has in other states that have adopted such a season.
Q. Have you received any opposition to the season?A. Very little.
Q. Will the June season be a hardship on pregnant squirrels and those caring for young?A. From a biological standpoint, the June squirrel season will actually occur at an opportune time. A study conducted in Virginia found that squirrels can produce young throughout the year. However, 81 percent of all litters were born February through March and July and August. Only 0.9 percent were born in May and 1.4 percent in June. Very few pregnant squirrels or ones caring for young will be harvested during the June season, much fewer than during parts of the regular season.
Q. Do you anticipate that the heat will be a challenge for hunters?A. Compared to September, the first month of the regular squirrel season, June really isn’t that much warmer. Averaged across the entire Commonwealth, the normal maximum temperature in September is 78 degrees. In June it is only 3 degrees warmer. Hunters will probably focus their efforts in the early and late parts of the day, but they do that in the regular season as well. That’s when gray squirrels are most active.
Q. Won’t squirrels likely to be carrying “wolves” or other parasites?A. Although it is possible that squirrels taken during the June season could be infested, it’s not very likely. Infestations are greatest in the late summer and early fall.
Q. Is the bag limit the same as it is in the fall/winter? Are fox squirrels legal game?A. The 6-per day bag limit is the same. Fox squirrels are legal in areas that lie in counties where fox squirrel hunting traditionally is permitted.
Q. Will the season be disruptive to other wildlife that may be carrying for young?A. That’s not an easy thing to answer. Any time someone leaves their home they could disrupt wildlife. However, the season will not cause the decline of any populations.
Q. How will June hunting techniques differ from those used during the fall/winter season?A. You won’t have much success searching for areas with an abundance of acorns or hickory nuts. Hunters will have to find where the squirrels are feeding and focus on those areas.
Q. What will be the likely food sources?A. Mostly the buds and flowers of trees, such as ash, elm, maple and sweet gum. They also will be feeding on some of the soft mast that matures during this time. In particular, they will key in on the fruit of the mulberry tree if available.
Q. Do you think the season offers opportunities to introduce youngsters to hunting?A. It will be a great time to take youngsters hunting. They will be out of school and there are very few other hunting opportunities available this time of the year.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Rest In Peace Doc.
"Doc" Edward Michelitch 1925 - 2007 Doc was a veterinarian and a charter member of the DC Academy of Veterinary Medicine.
He founded the Great Falls Animal Hospital in 1963.
"Dr. Mike" as he was know there, was living at the Tall Oaks assisted living community in Reston for the last several years.
EDWARD MICHELITCH
On Thursday, April 26, 2007 in residence at Fairfax Nursing Center. Former owner and founder of Great Falls Animal Hospital and honored community veterinarian and friend. Beloved husband of the late Lee H. Survived by one son, Jem; one grandson, Jason; two granddaughters, Taryn and Tess; two sisters, Mary Petrick and Rebecca Nagel; five brothers, Herman, Joseph, Robert, Phillip and Harry; many other relatives and friends. Family will receive friends at ADAMS-GREEN FUNERAL HOME, 721 Elden St., Herndon, VA on Sunday April 29 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a Catholic Mass held Monday, April 30 at ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH, 750 Peachtree St., Herndon, VA at 10 a.m. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his name to the Richmond Animal League, 11401 International Drive, Richmond, VA 23236-3945.
Published in The Washington Post on 4/28/2007.
Viewing:
Sunday 4-29-2007
Location: Adams-Green Funeral Home
Location: Adams-Green Funeral Home
721 Elden Street, Herndon VA 20170
703-437-1764
Hours: 2:00 to 4:00 pm
Hours: 2:00 to 4:00 pm
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Mass and Services:
Date: Monday, 4-30-2007 at 10:00 am
Location: St. Joseph Catholic Church
750 Peachtree Street Herndon, VA
703-437-3737
In lieu of flowers:
Richmond Animal League
11401 International Drive Richmond, VA 23236-3945
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Lowes in Woodstock opened Tuesday, March 13th!
Lowes in Woodstock opened Tuesday!
Thursday is the grand opening. They are having some sales and specials.
LOWE'S OF WOODSTOCK, VA #2637
1220 HENRY FORD DRIVE
WOODSTOCK, VA 22664
Phone: (540) 459-1040
Fax: (540) 459-1043
M-SA 7-9, SU 8-7
Now we won't have to go far to get the supplies, especially the drywall.
Thursday is the grand opening. They are having some sales and specials.
LOWE'S OF WOODSTOCK, VA #2637
1220 HENRY FORD DRIVE
WOODSTOCK, VA 22664
Phone: (540) 459-1040
Fax: (540) 459-1043
M-SA 7-9, SU 8-7
Now we won't have to go far to get the supplies, especially the drywall.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Spring Gobbler Season starts April 14
Spring Gobbler Season
Bag Limit
One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.
Seasons: Statewide
April 14-May 5:
One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.
May 7-May 19:
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
April 7: Youth Spring Turkey Hunt
One-half hour before sunrise to 12 noon.
Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
Legal Methods and Restrictions
Modern firearms
Archery tackle
Muzzleloading firearms
Decoys and blinds may be used
Unlawful to use electronic calls
Unlawful to use dogs during spring gobbler season
Unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring gobbler season (See Legal Use of Firearms and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.)
Bag Limit
One per day, bearded turkeys only. Hunters may take one, two or three bearded turkeys depending on how many turkeys were taken in the fall season.
Seasons: Statewide
April 14-May 5:
One-half hour before sunrise until 12 noon each day.
May 7-May 19:
One-half hour before sunrise to sunset.
April 7: Youth Spring Turkey Hunt
One-half hour before sunrise to 12 noon.
Youth hunters (resident or nonresident) must be 15 years of age or younger to participate.
Youth hunters between the age of 12 and 15 must have appropriate valid hunting licenses. Hunters under the age of 12 are not required to have a license, but they must be accompanied by a licensed adult.
All youth must be accompanied and directly supervised and within sight of an adult. Adult hunters accompanying youth must possess a valid Virginia hunting license (or be exempt from purchasing a hunting license); may assist with calling; and shall not carry or discharge a firearm.
Legal Methods and Restrictions
Modern firearms
Archery tackle
Muzzleloading firearms
Decoys and blinds may be used
Unlawful to use electronic calls
Unlawful to use dogs during spring gobbler season
Unlawful to use or have in possession any shot larger than number 2 fine shot during spring gobbler season (See Legal Use of Firearms and Local Firearms Ordinances for details.)
Catchable Trout Stocking Program on Stony Creek
Catchable Trout Stocking Program
As in most states, put-and-take trout fishing draws the most interest and attention in Virginia, probably because of the availability of catchable-sized trout and ease of capture. Virginia's catchable program is supported by hatcheries located at Marion, Paint Bank and Wytheville. Three additional rearing facilities are located at Marion, Montebello and Williamsville.
Trout eggs are collected from large brood stock in early fall and placed incubator trays. This helps to maintain an even flow of well-oxygenated water through the eggs. Once the embryo is developed, trays must be constantly cleaned and dead eggs removed to control disease. After 25-30 days the trout begin to hatch. The small "fry," as they are called, remain attached to their egg sacs for about 14 days, and draw their food from it. The fry are kept indoors in small troughs until their sacs are absorbed and they begin taking small, pelleted food. When they reach a suitable fingerling stage (2-3 inches) they are transported to rearing facilities where they are placed in raceways.
The fish are fed several times daily for at least a year until they reach catchable size (9-11 inches). During this rearing period, it is necessary to clean raceways daily to control disease and occasionally grade fish to ensure that the larger trout will not eat smaller ones.
The program is covered primarily from the sale of trout licenses. In addition to a valid state freshwater fishing license, a trout license is required to legally fish in designated stocked trout waters. Annual output from the program is approximately 1,250,000 catchable trout, in addition to variable numbers of fingerling and sub-catchable trout used in other programs.
By January 1, most streams on the stocking list will have already received at least one stocking and will continue to be stocked through spring. Stockings will be discontinued by the end of May and will resume after October 1.
Streams and lakes will be stocked at various intervals, depending on their potential to hold trout during the late spring and early fall. Fishermen should find that most streams have good numbers of trout throughout the stocking season. Waters to be stocked are listed by county in the Trout Stocking Plan (PDF). The plan indicates the frequency of stocking and the specific stocking periods for each stream.
Call your local VDGIF office for more information. For daily trout stocking updates during stocking season, check the Trout Stocking Schedule or call (434) 525-FISH (3474).
Stocked trout streams are marked with appropriate signs, which identify the portion of stream stocked. Marked sections are open to public fishing, in accordance with agreements between the Department and private landowners. This is the only case where anglers are not required to have landowner permission before fishing on private water.
Stony Creek is stocked in each of the following periods:October (once),November or
December (once),January or February;(once),March (twice),April (twice),and May
(once).
As in most states, put-and-take trout fishing draws the most interest and attention in Virginia, probably because of the availability of catchable-sized trout and ease of capture. Virginia's catchable program is supported by hatcheries located at Marion, Paint Bank and Wytheville. Three additional rearing facilities are located at Marion, Montebello and Williamsville.
Trout eggs are collected from large brood stock in early fall and placed incubator trays. This helps to maintain an even flow of well-oxygenated water through the eggs. Once the embryo is developed, trays must be constantly cleaned and dead eggs removed to control disease. After 25-30 days the trout begin to hatch. The small "fry," as they are called, remain attached to their egg sacs for about 14 days, and draw their food from it. The fry are kept indoors in small troughs until their sacs are absorbed and they begin taking small, pelleted food. When they reach a suitable fingerling stage (2-3 inches) they are transported to rearing facilities where they are placed in raceways.
The fish are fed several times daily for at least a year until they reach catchable size (9-11 inches). During this rearing period, it is necessary to clean raceways daily to control disease and occasionally grade fish to ensure that the larger trout will not eat smaller ones.
The program is covered primarily from the sale of trout licenses. In addition to a valid state freshwater fishing license, a trout license is required to legally fish in designated stocked trout waters. Annual output from the program is approximately 1,250,000 catchable trout, in addition to variable numbers of fingerling and sub-catchable trout used in other programs.
By January 1, most streams on the stocking list will have already received at least one stocking and will continue to be stocked through spring. Stockings will be discontinued by the end of May and will resume after October 1.
Streams and lakes will be stocked at various intervals, depending on their potential to hold trout during the late spring and early fall. Fishermen should find that most streams have good numbers of trout throughout the stocking season. Waters to be stocked are listed by county in the Trout Stocking Plan (PDF). The plan indicates the frequency of stocking and the specific stocking periods for each stream.
Call your local VDGIF office for more information. For daily trout stocking updates during stocking season, check the Trout Stocking Schedule or call (434) 525-FISH (3474).
Stocked trout streams are marked with appropriate signs, which identify the portion of stream stocked. Marked sections are open to public fishing, in accordance with agreements between the Department and private landowners. This is the only case where anglers are not required to have landowner permission before fishing on private water.
Stony Creek is stocked in each of the following periods:October (once),November or
December (once),January or February;(once),March (twice),April (twice),and May
(once).
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