ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 1, 1997 TAG: 9703030088
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: SPORTS MAILBAG
Concerning stocking elk in Virginia, if Bob Duncan doesn't know that Virginia does not have enough ``wilderness country'' for elk, then my opinion of him running our game department has greatly diminished. For the past 10 to 12 years, I have hunted mule deer out West and have enjoyed seeing elk from time to time. They require the massive amount of free roaming country and available food supply of our Western regions. The above scenario does not fit with what we have in Virginia. You could put a dozen elk in one of our minute ``wilderness'' areas today and they could be in D.C. tomorrow. Our Virginia ``wilderness'' has been eliminated by easy access and too many roads to the mountain ranges allowed by our forest service.
I would love to wake up on a frosty September morning and hear bull elk bugling on the mountain beyond my home. But I think it would be a selfish pleasure for me and not a good life for the elk that would be transplanted to Virginia from out West. ...
The elk is the most regal animal I have ever seen in the wild and I think it would be a crime to bring these big animals to Virginia when we do not have the room for them in our Virginia ``wilderness.''
PETE SARVER
Salem
Why restrict Jackson River?
I completely respect the [Jackson River] landowners, but why would someone want to restrict this beautiful river so others can not enjoy this great satisfaction we call fishing? This type of obstacle only discourages beginning young fishermen or women.
BILL SHIFFLETT
Roanoke
Fans were not booing Express
As a frequent attendant at the Roanoke Express hockey games, I was angered by the writeup of the Feb.25 game by Ralph Berrier Jr. (Flood of goals dooms Express). He was in error in his comment that Roanoke fans were booing the Express team. I think Mr. Berrier should pay more attention to the fans' reaction and to the game to see why the fans were reacting the way they were.
How can we expect to get more fans if our own newspaper won't give us a favorable review?
MELANIE M. POFF
Salem
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