THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 7, 1995 TAG: 9505070197
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB HUTCHINSON, OUTDOORS EDITOR
LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
A shorter quail season statewide, shorter turkey seasons in many areas and the use of scopes on muzzle-loading rifles were the major hunting changes approved Friday by the board of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
In the face of a long-term decline in bobwhite numbers, the quail season is cut two weeks, opening Nov. 27 and running through Jan. 31.
``There are other factors involved with the decline in quail numbers, but the commission said it hoped this shorter season would help,'' said Bob Ellis of the agency's wildlife division.
The fall turkey season was also reduced from eight and nine weeks in many areas to six weeks, while in other areas hunters will remain limited to a two-week season.
The use of scopes on muzzle-loader rifles was approved as another step in the advancement of the fast-growing sport of hunting with black-powder weapons.
``I think the board was convinced fewer animals will be wounded,'' Ellis said. ``The black-powder rifle of today is a much better, more efficient weapon than anything you could get just a few years ago.''
Otherwise, few changes were made in any seasons, although fall turkey hunting will be allowed for the first time in Southampton County this year. Only areas north of U.S. 58 will be open.
Deer seasons will remain basically unchanged. The general whitetail season will open Nov. 20 and run through Jan. 6 in most areas east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But it will only run though Dec. 2 in areas west of the Blue Ridge.
The season in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach and the eastern section of Suffolk will be Oct. 2-Nov. 30.
Muzzle-loader deer season is Nov. 6-18, with a late season Dec. 4-Jan. 6 west of the Blue Ridge.
Archery hunting for whitetails is Oct. 7 through Nov. 18, with an additional season of Dec. 4 through Jan. 6 west of the mountains.
All 1995 Virginia hunting regulations will be published in pamphlet form by the game department within the next few weeks and will be available at hunting-license outlets. by CNB