Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993 TAG: 9309290297
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
4 The hum of bow strings and the patter of arrows striking targets will be common sounds on the Sherwood Archers range near Hanging Rock the first couple of weekends of September.
The club will be hosting two major events back-to-back: The 1993 Virginia State Closed Championship on Sept. 4 and 5; the 1993 Virginia State Open 3-D Championship, Sept. 11 and 12.
The first will decide the Virginia state archery championship in a number of styles, divisions and classes. The second will determine Virginia's top 3-D champ. The 3-D competition - one of the fastest growing of the shooting sports - involves firing at life-size game targets in natural habitat at unknown distances.
Information on the tournaments is available from Steve Smith, 345-4945.
\ Outdoors on the air
4 With Virginia's deer herd at an all-time high, Matt Knox has become a high-profile person. He heads the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries's deer program.
Knox will be the guest Saturday on the new Outdoor Sportsman radio show aired on WFNR (710 AM Christiansburg). In its third week, the show covers a variety of topics, said Sandy Duke, a station spokeswoman. Upcoming programs will feature Hunters for the Hungry, taxidermy and game preserves.
Duke welcomes public comment, in the form of questions and suggestions. The purpose of the show is to make people aware of issues and programs thatimpact outdoorsmen, what ever their interest. The studio line is 703-382-1887.
\ Romping down the Gauley
10 The dry weather isn't expected to adversely affect the whitewater rafting season on West Virginia's Gauley River. Heavy water releases are scheduled to begin Sept. 10 and continue the following five weeks.
The river is rated as one of the top ten commercial rafting spots in the world. Last year, commercial outfitters guided more than 60,000 people on the Gauley.
``We expect to have adequate water at Summersville for an excellent whitewater season,'' said Steve Wright of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Information on water conditions, release dates and outfitters is available through a toll-free line: 1-800-CALL WVA.
\ Nows the time for a big head
11 If you killed a trophy deer, bear or turkey last season, now is the time to see if it is record book material. The annual big game judging for trophies taken west of the Blue Ridge Mountains is Sept 10-11 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds near Harrisonburg. The entry deadline is noon the 11th. If you just want to see the heads, the best time to go is the afternoon and early evening of the 11th.
Trophies that were taken east of the Blue Ridge will be judged Sept. 25-26 at James Blair Middle School in Williamsburg. The entry deadline is 10 p.m. on the 25th. Heads that win in the western competition will go up against eastern heads in the state finals. Winners will be announced 3 p.m. the 26th.
Information on the western show is available from Boyd Skelton, 703-828-3396. For facts on the eastern competition and state championship, contact Carol Hall, 804-220-3711.
\ Flag drops on B.A.S.S. race
15 The 1993-94 B.A.S.S. tournament season begins in Virginia at Kerr Lake with the Sept. 15-17 Virginia B.A.S.S. Invitational. The daily weigh-in will be at North Bend Park, where anglers will have the opportunity to view some of the top names in competitive fishing.
Certain to receive a close look is David Fritts from Lexington, N.C., winner of the recent BASS Masters Classic. Fritts considers Kerr a home lake; in fact, he won there two seasons ago. \
A Drive-home prize
25 Fishermen headed for the ninth annual Blue Ridge Marine-Oak Ridge Toyota-Blue Ridge Mitsubishi Tournament on Smith Mountain Lake may have the feeling they are casting for second place.
That's because Frank Custer and Ricky Hartis have driven home the first-place prize so often. The tournament will be headquartered at Waterwheel Marina. The entry fee is $200 per two-person team and the top prize will be a choice of a Skeeter boat, Toyota pickup or Mitsubishi pickup. Call 804-847-0950 for additional information.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***