Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 26, 1991                   TAG: 9102260028
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: BILL COCHRAN/
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LAWMAKERS TOOK MORE THAN THEY GAVE THIS YEAR

\ BONUS DEER: The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has been given the authority to sell extra deer kill tags for up to $12 apiece. While the details haven't been worked out, this means that the game department likely will issue a multi-tag big-game license that might have up to three deer tags on it with the option to buy an additional two tags. The concept also could apply to the bow and muzzle loading licenses.

The extra money would go to game programs, which are in dire need of funding.

\ LICENSE PLATES: Hunters will be able to buy a special vehicle license plate that says "Wildlife Conservationists." The cost is $51, which is $25 more than a regular vehicle license tag. After the first 1,000 plates are sold, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will receive $15 for each sold. The money goes for wildlife programs.

\ JET SKIS: Beginning July 1, operators of personal watercraft, often called Jet Skis, must be at least 14 years of age, must wear a personal floatation device and must stay off the water between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise. The law is more restrictive on Smith Mountain Lake, where the non-operating hours are sunset to sunrise.

The age limit was kicked around by legislators, changing from 12 to 14 to 16, and finally settling on 14. The concept was supported by the Blue Ridge Jet Ski Club, as well as many people in the Smith Mountain and Virginia Beach areas.

Still another law gives localities the right to establish how close to shore a personal watercraft may operate, with a 50-foot maximum on what localities can regulate.

\ BUDGET: The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries lost $1.2 million in boating funds to the General Fund and $7,500 - $1,500 less than requested - to the Smith Mountain Lake Policy Advisory Board for a water quality monitoring project. The lake board won't receive similar allocations from the game department's budget in the future.

\ BOAT ACCIDENTS: Boaters will have to report all accidents without delay. In the past, this has applied only to accidents where there was a loss of life or a missing person involved. For lesser accidents, the reporting time has been 10 days.

\ VIOLATIONS: "Improper boating" has been established as a Class II misdemeanor, which is a lesser charge than reckless boating. Wardens can use this in cases where they believe a boater merits a ticket for an infraction less serious than reckless boating.

The punishment for reckless handling of a firearm has been increased.

\ TROUT LICENSE: In 1992, nonresidents will be able to trout fish on a nonresident trout license and a five-day trip license. Currently, they must buy a resident fishing license and a trout license. That means they will be paying $36 rather than $60.

Game and fish officials see it as an effort of good will, and believe the system will sell more licenses and promote tourism.

\ POTOMAC RIVER: The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries was given the authority to enter into a reciprocal agreement with the District of Columbia, so Virginia anglers in the future can fish the D.C. section of the Potomac with a Virginia license, and vice versa.

Still another measure requests the department to re-establish a reciprocal agreement with Tennessee on South Holston Reservoir.

\ DOG FOLLOWING: By next season, hunters will be able to follow their dogs onto posted property with the idea of retrieving them, as long as guns aren't carried. Bear and deer hunters have been able to do this, now all dog hunters may.