VAWFA News

December 05, 2008

This Christmas season, our Field of Dreams Program Director, Al Dowdy has four families that need our support.  The VAWFA will be taking up collections of canned and boxed food items for these four needed families.  Anyone who would like to support this worthy cause may email Todd Cocker.   Collections will be taken until, December 17, 2008.

 

 

July 31, 2008

Waterfowlers, this is a reminder that the VDGIF will be holding it's public meeting on Monday, August 4 from 7-9 pm at their main office at 4010 West Broad St. in Richmond to discuss this year's waterfowl hunting regulations.  VDGIF will present the preliminary U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Federal Frameworks for this year, discuss potential staff recommendations, and take public comments.  The VDGIF Board will act on these regulations at their August 19th meeting, which will also be held at their main office on 4010 West Broad St. in Richmond, starting at 9 am.   The public is welcome to attend the Board meeting and provide comments if desired.

There will likely be some changes this year.

The bad news:
 - Canvasback breeding population numbers are down this year and the Canvasback Harvest Strategy calls for a closed season.
 - Scaup continue to be a concern and the USFWS has recommended further harvest restrictions this year.  
The good news:
 - We will likely have the opportunity to increase the bag limit on wood ducks from 2/day to 3/day on an experimental basis for the next three years.   

 - The Brant season framework will likely increase from the 50 days/2-bird limit we had last year, to 60 days with a 3-bird daily limit this year.

 - The framework for the regular Canada goose season West of I-95 will include an increase in bag limit from 2 to 3 geese per day for the November 15 - January 14 segment.  However, there will be no change in the framework for the Canada goose hunting season East of I-95 (still at 45 days with a 2 goose daily limit).
Waterfowlers, if you can't attend the public meetings you can provide comments by phone, letter or email.

 

July 13, 2008

Contests Callers - Do you want the BRAGGING RIGHTS or not?

ARE YOU THE BEST- ARE YOU "THE KING"

Well Put Up or Shut Up

The VAWFA and Bass Pro Shops of Hampton,VA presents the

2008 VAWFA PINKS Duck & Goose Calling Contests

"Lose in the contest - lose your call or Money"

Saturday, August 23, 2008, the PINKS Goose contest will be the last contest of the 2008 VAWFA Virginia Goose Calling Contests Event.

Sunday, August 24, 2008, the PINKS Duck contest will be the last contest of the 2008 VAWFA Virginia Duck Calling Contests Event.
(These are 90 seconds Meat Style calling contests)

All proceeds from the PINKS contests will go to the Wheelin' Sportsmen of Virginia  

Entry Fee $1

Your call is on the line with a minimum face value of $25

Before the contest starts, each contestant declares a face value of their call (minimum face value allowed will be $25), then each contestant signs a binding contract (entry form) that will transfer their call over to the VAWFA. However, the losing contestants of round number 1 and round number 2 have the option to buy back their calls at face value with the money going to the declared charity of the calling contest. Callers are welcome to donate their calls to the Wheelin' Sportsmen.

Before, round number 3, the final two contestants must negotiate if the losing contestant will buy back their call or forfeit their call.

Does the winner get to keep the call or takes the final losing contestant's money?

The VAWFA will award the winner what was agreed upon in the negotiations.

The winners of the duck & goose contests will receive a KING'S crown.

Attention Contestants: RSVP, please send your name and call info to Hailcall@yahoo.com

This is a challenge to all call makers and Pro-Staffers

Call makers if you are interested in a free booth space with table to display & showcase your products, email Sonja Horton with Bass Pro Shops by August 1, 2008.

July 10, 2008

Click here for information and an application to participate in the 2008 - 09 Managed Waterfowl Hunting at Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve.

July 9, 2008

Members of the Virginia Waterfowlers’ Association attended a presentation by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.  Below is an outline of topics covered at the presentation.

 OBJECTIVES:

1.      Provide information about waterfowl management and waterfowl hunting in the Dyke Marsh area.

2.      Describe the process of developing wildlife regulations.

3.      explain current laws and regulations governing waterfowl hunting.

4.      Presentations.

a.       Introductions and objectives by Jerry Sims DGIF Northern Region Manager.

b.      Waterfowl management by John Rohm DGIF Northern Virginia Wildlife Biologist.

c.       Waterfowl hunting by John Rohm.

d.      Dyke Marsh by Jerry Sims.

e.       DGIF regulations process by Jerry Sims.

f.        Constitution, Laws, and Regulations by Captain Joe Pajic.

g.       Blind Laws by Master Officer Randy Grauer.

h.       Safety by Joe Pajic.

5.      Break

6.      Questions and Answers by Jerry Sims.

The presentation was attended by local politicians and their staff members. 

 

 

 

June 26, 2008

New 2008-09 Virginia Waterfowl Conservation Stamp Available July 1
The VDGIF will begin selling its 2008 Virginia State Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp July 1, 2008. The stamp is mandatory for persons age 16 and older to hunt migratory waterfowl, unless license exempt. The stamp is valid July 1 through June 30, 2009.
The artwork for the stamp, painted by Spike Knuth, depicts a pair of gadwalls in flight over a marsh familiar to many waterfowlers as the VDGIF Hog Island Wildlife Management Area on the James River in Surry County. This is the fifth time since 1978 that Spike's paintings have been selected for state waterfowl conservation stamps. See the information below for more on Spike's outstanding career as a naturalists, artist and writer. The artwork was selected from seven other Virginia artists' entries by a panel of six judges that had representation from the major waterfowl conservation organizations and staff from VDGIF. The judges were: Richard Hudson, Chairman, Virginia Ducks Unlimited; Todd Cocker, President, Virginia Waterfowlers Association; Frank Wade, President, Virginia Waterfowl USA and VDGIF staff members, Gary Costanza, Emily Pels, and Bob Duncan.
Ducks Unlimited, under contract with the Department, retains the license for the artwork and provides the service in fulfillment of the hunter stamps and the collector stamps. Ducks Unlimited also handles the sale of the prints. Last year a total of 21,000 Virginia State Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamps were sold generating $210,000. The funds from sales of the stamp will be used to contract with appropriate nonprofit organizations for cooperative waterfowl habitat improvement projects; to protect, preserve, restore, enhance and develop waterfowl habitat in Virginia through the Department's waterfowl program; and to offset the administrative costs associated with production, issuance of, and accounting for the stamp. The annual Migratory Waterfowl Conservation Stamp can be purchased for a fee of $10.00 (resident or non-resident) at license agents or clerks that sell Virginia hunting licenses or from the Department's Web site. 

 

June 19, 2008

Dyke Marsh Area Waterfowl Hunting Meeting - July 9, 2008

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will conduct a briefing to describe waterfowl hunting in the Dyke Marsh Area of Fairfax County. The public is invited to attend this informational meeting from 7-9 PM on Wednesday July 9, 2008. The meeting will be held at the Belle View Elementary School, 6701 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria.

 

June 19, 2008

2007-2008 Riparian and Non-Riparian blind tag owners survey 

Recently, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) sent out a survey to riparian and non-riparian blind tag owners of 2007-2008. They requested help with a very important study that the DGIF is conducting. The purpose of this study is to gain information about the owner’s experiences hunting waterfowl and licensing blinds, owner’s satisfaction with previous stationary blind license purchases, and owner’s preferences for the license process.  DGIF will be holding a public input meeting on June 23, 2008, to discuss the webless and September seasons. They will also be taking comments about the survey and blind laws. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you may email your comments to Robert Ellis, Director of Wildlife.

The VAWFA encourages all waterfowlers to provide the DGIF with input at the public hearing meeting on June 23, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

 

 

June 9, 2008

Dear Virginia Waterfowlers,

Each year the Virginia DGIF bands roughly 2,000 resident Canada geese across Virginia. Geese are captured during their annual molt cycle when they are flightless in late June and early July. This annual banding program is important in the monitoring and management of this resource. Each year,  the DGIF tries to incorporate volunteers and educational activities into their banding activities. It is also an excellent opportunity for volunteers to participate in wildlife research, work with wildlife, meet the DGIF staff and other volunteers, and learn a little about resident Canada goose biology and management on the way.  If you would like to participate or know of any one interested in assisting on any of the dates below please email Tom Bidrowski or telephone at  804-829-6698.
 
2008 Goose Bandings Schedule
June 23 - Virginia Beach
June 24 - Southampton, Isle of Wight, Sussex
June 25 - Southwest Virginia (VDGIF Region III- Blacksburg to Marion)
June 26 - Southwest Virginia (VDGIF Region III- Blacksburg to Marion)
June 27 -Southwest Virginia (VDGIF Region III- Blacksburg to Marion)
July 1 - Albemarle, Louisa, Fluvanna
July 2 - Orange/Green

June 8, 2008

Dear Virginia Waterfowlers,

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) is seeking comments and suggestions for the late waterfowl seasons that will be set at the August 19th Board meeting. The DGIF is requesting waterfowl hunters to think ahead to these seasons as they also consider and provide the department with suggestions on the webless migratory bird seasons (dove, rail, woodcock) and early September waterfowl seasons that will be taken up at the July 15th board meeting. DGIF will be holding public input meetings on June 23 from 7:00 to 9:00 PM to discuss the webless and September seasons and on August 4 to discuss the late waterfowl seasons.
Dr.Gary Costanzo has outlined a few items for consideration for the webless and September seasons in his previous email. DGIF doesn't know what the late seasons have in store for us at this early juncture, but they are interested in getting feedback on the timing of the youth waterfowl day that usually occurs in October and the timing of the early 4 day duck season again occurring in early October. Also bag limits on Wood Ducks, Black Ducks,and  Mallards. Overall bag limits and season lengths are always topics for discussion.

Robert Ellis, Director of Wildlife has invited all members of the VA Waterfowlers Association to attend the DGIF meetings. Members, if you are unable to attend any of these meetings, please take the opportunity to email Bob Ellis or Dr.Gary Costanzo with your input.

Click name to email:   Robert Ellis 

                                 Dr. Gary Costanzo 

 
Members, please give Bob and Gary your feedback. Let them know what you would like to see or have this up-coming seasons. 
 

 

June 4, 2008

Virginia Waterfowlers,
The following information was provided by Dr. Gary Costanzo of VDGIF on 6/3/08.

 
The VDGIF is putting together the data and background information needed to prepare their proposals for the early season migratory bird regulations (Dove, Rail, Woodcock, Snipe, Resident Canada Geese and September Teal). These regulations will be set at the VDGIF board meeting that will be held at their Richmond office at 9 am on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. The annual "Public Input Meeting" on these regulations will be held on Monday, June 23, 7-9 pm at the Richmond office.  The late season public meeting, to cover the remainder of the waterfowl regulations, will be held on August 4, from 7-9 pm, and the board meeting to set the waterfowl hunting seasons will be held on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 9 am at our Richmond office.  This notice is to inform you of the meeting dates, to solicit any comments on these issues, and to invite you to attend the public meetings.
 
Some items of interest for this year -
Dove - The current federal framework allow two options for states that hunt dove in the Eastern Dove Management Unit (EMU): 1) a 60-day season with a 15-bird limit, or 2) a 70-day season with a 12-bird limit. Virginia usually selects the 70/12 option. There is a proposal from the "Technical Committee" of the EMU to standardize the federal framework at only one option - 70 days with a 15 birds limit. The USFWS "Service Regulations Committee" will make a decision on this proposal at their June 25-26, 2008 meeting. They may approve this proposal for this year or they may hold off and delay implementation of this change for another year - until the September 2009 hunting season. We will probably not know the outcome of this decision until after our public meeting on June 23..

Resident Canada Goose season - The USFWS approved the use of some special measures for last year's season (September 2007). These included extended shooting hours (to 1/2 hour after sunset), and the use of unplugged shotguns and electronic calls. These were available for hunting resident geese when no other migratory waterfowl seasons were open. In Virginia, we did allow the extended shooting hours last year from September 1-15, 2007, after which our Teal season came in and the extended shooting hours were not permissible. We could not offer the use of unplugged shotguns last year because "Virginia Code" limited shotguns to only 3 shells. "Virginia Code" was changed and a regulation was passed this past year to allow the use of unplugged shotguns. So the unplugged shotgun option would be available this year. In addition, we kept the daily bag limit at 5 last year, although the federal framework was increased to 15 geese per day last year. The USFWS is also considering allowing resident goose hunting during the last 2 weeks of August, although it is not clear yet if that option will be available this year.


Snipe and Rails - A new regulation was passed last October that now requires the use of non-toxic shot for hunting Snipe and Rails. Non-toxic shot is now required for hunting all waterfowl, Mergansers, Coots, Moorhens, Gallinules, Snipe and Rails.

 
Listed below is a quick list of what the seasons were last year (2007) for reference.
 
2007-2008
 
Webless Migratory Gamebirds, Falconry
September Canada Goose and September Teal Seasons
 

DOVE:
 
SEASON DATES:  September 1 - September 29  
                               October   5 - October 27           
                               December 26 - January 12     
 
BAG LIMIT:    12 daily and 24 in possession
 
SHOOTING HOURS:  Noon until sunset in first segment, ½ hour before sunrise until sunset in the second and third segments
 

RAILS: (Clapper, King, Sora and Virginia):
 
SEASON DATES:  September 10 – November 17
            
 
BAG LIMIT:    Clapper/King 15 - counted together daily, 30 in possession
                        Sora/Virginia  25 - counted together daily, 25 in possession
 
SHOOTING HOURS: ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
 

WOODCOCK:
 
SEASON DATES:  October 27 - November 10  
                                December 22 – January 5   
 
BAG LIMIT:    3 daily, 6 in possession
 
SHOOTING HOURS: ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
 

COMMON SNIPE:
 
SEASON DATES: October   4 - October 8  
                              October 22 - January 31  
 
BAG LIMIT:   8 daily, 16 in possession
 
SHOOTING HOURS: ½ hour before sunrise until sunset
 
 
 
CANADA GOOSE:
 
SEASON DATES: September 1 – September 25 
  
BAG LIMIT: 5 daily, 10 in possession
 
HUNT AREA:  Statewide
 
SHOOTING HOURS:    September 1 – 15: ½ hr before sunrise to ½ hr after sunset.
                                       September 17 – 25:  ½ hr before sunrise to sunset
 

SEPTEMBER TEAL SEASON:
 
SEASON DATES: September 17 – September 26
 
HUNT AREA East of I - 95
  
BAG LIMIT: 4 daily, 8 in possession (any combination of Blue-winged and Green-winged teal)
  
SHOOTING HOURS: ½ hour before sunrise to sunset
 

FALCONRY:
 
SEASON DATES:
 
Dove   September 1 - November 3  
            December 1 - January 12     
 
Rail    September 10 – December 25 
       
Woodcock October 20 – February 3  
 
Snipe   October   4 - October 8     
            October 22 - January 31  
 
Goose  September 1 - September 25    
 
Teal   September 17 - September 26   (east of I-95)
 
NOTE:  In states where Sunday hunting is prohibited, Federal rule closes Sundays to all take of waterfowl, including by falconry.


 May 24, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact information:

Greg Meredith (804) 387-8825 

EMAIL: vahailcall@yahoo.com

 

Virginia Waterfowlers’ Association (VAWFA) Announces:

2008 VAWFA Virginia State Duck and Goose Calling Contests August 23 & 24, 2008 -Bass Pro Shops, Hampton, VA. 

 The Virginia Waterfowlers' Association will hold the 2008 VAWFA Virginia State Duck and Goose Calling Contests at the Bass Pro Shops store in Hampton, VA on August 23 & 24, 2008. The event will be held inside the Bass Pro Shops store located at 1972 Power Plant Parkway, Hampton, VA  23666.

VAWFA will hold the Virginia State Goose Calling Contest on August 23, 2008. This is a qualifying contest for the World’s Championship Goose Calling Contest to be held in Easton, MD. The Virginia State Junior Goose, Virginia Open Goose and Virginia Open Two Man Goose calling contests will also held on August 23, 2008.

 On August 24, 2008, the VAWFA will hold the Virginia State Duck Calling Contest.  This is a sanctioned qualifying contest for the World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest held in Stuttgart, Arkansas.  The Virginia State Junior Duck, Virginia Open Duck and Virginia Open Two Man Duck calling contests will also held on August 24, 2008.  

 Contestants for the Virginia State Goose and Duck calling contests, must be a Virginia resident and must have attained the age of (17) seventeen years old. Contestants for the Virginia State Junior Goose and Duck calling contests, must also be a Virginia resident and must not have attained the age of (17) seventeen years old.  The Virginia Open and Open Two Man calling contests are open to all callers, non residents and Virginia residents of all ages. 

 Winners and second and third placing callers for all contests will be awarded trophies and prizes from sponsors and the VAWFA. Nationally ranked callers from Virginia, Kentucky, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey are expected to participate in the calling contests.

 VAWFA is an all volunteer 501(c)(3) association dedicated to preserving Virginia’s waterfowl hunting heritage. For more information, please visit the Virginia Waterfowlers’ Association website at www.vawfa.org

 

April 22, 2008

On April 22, 2008, the National Park Service held the Dyke Marsh restoration scoping meeting at the Belle View Elementary School in Alexandria, VA. One hundred and four people signed the register. Members and representatives from water fowling conservation organizations were present. Members of VAWFA, DU, Delta Waterfowl and Waterfowl USA stood in unity to support waterfowling opportunities, wildlife and the restoration of the Dyke Marsh. The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is not the primary partner in the Dyke Marsh restoration. The VDGIF representatives present, stated that the agency supports  waterfowling opportunities in the Dyke Marsh area. As for now, the hunting will remain in the area.
 People who opposed waterfowling opportunities remained low key, no one publicly spoke out in opposition of hunting. The waterfowlers presence made a positive presentation of today's modern waterfowlers.

 
The formal presentation of the meeting was conducted by John G. James, Deputy Superintendent of the GW Parkway, Brent Sturley, National Resource Manager for GW Parkway and Melissa Barant of the National Park Service (NPS). The NPS is looking for options to fulfill their legislative mandate for wetland restoration in Dyke Marsh. The NPS does not have any options in place, the scoping meeting was for public input on matters that may affect those options.
 
Any organization that wants to be involved in the restoration, will have to submit their comments to the NPS by May 21, 2008. In about a year, the NPS will make their options public. They will again solicit public comments on those options. They will consider the comments on their options and come up with a proposed final plan, and seek comments on this before making a final decision. A final decision should come in 2011.

What can waterfowlers can do?
A. Submit comments that succinctly make the point that any restoration effort should accommodate the interests of waterfowlers.
B. Include in comments that waterfowling organizations such as VAWFA, DU, DeltaWaterfowl and Waterfowl USA have an interest in being part of the process and can be a ready source of funding, materials and manpower.
C. If you have already submitted your comments to the NPS, do it again.
D. Please stay tuned to hear about the options, they will be coming up within a year and get ready to voice comments again.

Enclosed is a hyperlink  for waterfowlers to submit positive comments for support of water fowling, wildlife and restoration.
http://parkplanning.nps.gov/commentForm.cfm?parkID=186&projectID=20293&documentId=22704
 
Waterfowlers, please be a supporter of waterfowling opportunities, wildlife, habitats  and wetlands restoration. Be one of today's modern waterfowler in Virginia.
 
 
Todd Cocker
Virginia Waterfowlers' Association
President

 

April 7, 2008

Dear VAWFA Members,
 If some you are unaware, a local Northern Virginia newspaper has published an article that has upset many waterfowlers in Virginia. Enclosed is a hyper link to the newspaper article. According to the article, a local Northern Virginia group wishes to prohibit water fowl hunting in the Northern Virginia area. 
 
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=312117&paper=69&cat=104
 
The VAWFA is in the process of identifying issues of the concerns. We have been in touch with state and federal agencies to address the issues. At this time, we are still inquiring and will advise the membership in the future.
 

Todd Cocker
President
Virginia Waterfowlers’ Association