Comments on: Let’s hear fish and game regs changes ideas

By: Jim Forbes

Jim Forbes — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:26:11 +0000

I also agree with Nino on rifles during spring gobbler. It should be bow and shotgun only. Shooting a gobbler at 300 yards with a rifle is against the spirit of turkey hunting in the spring.

By: Jim Forbes

Jim Forbes — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 23:21:18 +0000

I propose removing western Roanoke County from EAB. It could be split by I81. The deer population is going down fast in areas I hunt. I am not saying that it’s all due to EAB. I believe predators are part of the cause, but this needs to be addressed.

By: Nino

Nino — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 12:33:17 +0000

Walt, just curious to why you are against getting rid of rifles in the spring turkey season? With everything greening up, I don’t think it is very safe when multiple hunters are chasing the same gobbler. I am pretty sure the majority of states do not allow hunting spring gobblers with rifles.

In muzzleloader season, I always wear orange while walking and then hang up my orange hat in my treestand. I would have no problem at all if it was mandatory. If I can’t get rid of rifles in spring turkey, how about a blaze orange requirement while moving? Lots of states already have that requirement where it is shotgun only.

By: walt

walt — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 19:32:00 +0000

I’m with ya, Chris.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:34:30 +0000

I do this already, but it wouldn’t hurt to make it a requirement. Some of you won’t like it, but I suggest adding a blaze orange requirement during the muzzleloader season. Seems silly to require it for rifle season, but not for muzzleloader, but maybe that’s just me.

By: walt

walt — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 16:32:40 +0000

Thanks for the PR Mark, I’ve sent my suggestions on seasons to VDGIF. As to shotgun-only turkey hunting, see my new column in Gun Digest the Magazine, which should be out soon (I’m against it). Turkey management in our state has been a dismal failure for the last two decades, if the kill figures are any indication, and holding a season late in January goes against every biological concept of protecting the core breeding population.
I think we’re pretty much over-regulated; many VDGIF regs are set to generate more money for the Department and are not based in biology or improving recreation opportunities. Loss of the cooperative agreement on National Forest land I believe is their biggest failure; I believe the Department has done a great disservice to Virginia’s sportsmen by not pushing this issue and by not making wildlife management a priority on NF lands.
Over to you.

By: JOHN WRIGHT

JOHN WRIGHT — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 03:42:18 +0000

I AM IN TOTAL AGREE WITH BOB H. ON THE ISSUE OF BAITING AS I SEE NO DIFFERENCE IN HAVING A FOOD PLOT WITH CORN FOR DEER AND THROWING OUT EARS OF CORN FOR DEER. SEEMS TO ME ITS ALL THE SAME. EITHER WAY, ITS BAITING DEER.

By: Mark Taylor

Mark Taylor — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:47:04 +0000

The safety issue is a good point, Nino. I’ll be honest; I hadn’t really thought about it from that aspect. I guess before I spout off too much about that I really should try to learn why the rule is there in the first place. I certainly can understand why one shouldn’t be able to have a centerfire rifle during muzzleloader season. But a shotgun, which you could further define by requiring size 4 or smaller shot, certainly wouldn’t provide any kind of deer hunting advantage. Maybe we can get a DGIF conservation police officer to chime in. Feel free, CPO, to be anonymous!

I hear you on the rifle issue during the spring season. It’s come up before. I can’t recall if it is a regulations issue or a state code issue.

By: Nino

Nino — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 22:41:06 +0000

Mark, Is it a safety concern to be carrying two long guns at one time? It seems like it might be to me. At least you would think you would be safer with only one than if you had two loaded guns. I am not saying you wouldn’t be safe. Can I carry two muzzleloaders right now? I hope not, but if I could it would make the 2nd shot a lot quicker.

Back to your original question, could we please make Spring Turkey season shotgun only. I have seen a few hunters with rifles in the national forest and it scares the heck out of me, heck I would be okay with shotguns only on public land or something like that.

By: Michael Hayter

Michael Hayter — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:42:42 +0000

National Forest Permit requirment for hunters and fisherman is the biggest cocnern right now. Additional the idea (VA Legisaltion currently pending) of creating seperate hunting licenses for turkey and deer.