VA Hunters - I made it into the newspaper!

ButchA · 07-20-2006, 08:56 AM

Hey there... Check this out. I made it into the Roanoke Times.

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/74517

For those who don't know.... I wrote a letter to the VDGIF a while back and ended up getting invited to the main VDGIF building on Broad Street, for a one-on-one meeting with Col. Massengill himself! You know me... I was thinking, "Oh $&*@#, I'm in trouble now!!!"

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But it didn't turn out that way at all. See, I was concerned over the $5 increase in fees, lack of opportunities, no Sunday hunting, and, so.... I very succinctly and very professionally, submitted a letter to the VDGIF inquiring why. Therefore I was the one invited by Col. Massengill to meet with him personally.

Man, I did not know how bad things were for the VDGIF and how badly they got tarnished by the scandals and wasting of money. Col. Massengill is really a great guy who commands respect and when he took over VDGIF, he basically "cleaned house" big time!

I always read Bill Cochran's column in the Roanoke Times on the internet and read Lee Graves' column in the Times Dispatch. I sent both of them a summary document that I drafted up, regarding the meeting with Col. Massengill.

So I guess it is safe to admit, I had it all wrong for quite some time. Whining, b*tching, and complaining on an internet forum isn't going to solve anything, but make you look like a fool. I mean I have said and done the most stupidest things before and have badmouthed Virginia as well. I mean, I was ready to pack up my hunting gearand move it up to my sister and brother-in-law's place up in upstate NY and not bother with hunting in Virginia. But after meeting with Col. Massengill and seeing the whole "big picture" of everything, I had a change of heart. Now that I understand the VDGIF and "where they are coming from", I feel I have to lend a hand and keep hunting and fishing in Virginia. We all have to keep the tradition and sport of hunting and fishingalive for the generations to come![/align][/align]Butch A.[/align][/align][/align]

kevin1 · 07-20-2006, 09:54 AM

Way to go Butch ! [8D]
It took attending some of the meetings and public input sessions , and actually speaking with some of the great people at our Dept. of Natural Resources , before I got the big picture too . It was a real eye opener for me as well . It was like a civics class come to life , fascinating to say the least , and an experience that I would wholeheartedly reccomend for all who use their state's resources . If you make yourself heard you can quite literally make history .

02bhntn · 07-20-2006, 10:18 AM

Way to go Butch. I read the article this morning. It seems as though you have turned the corner. Please don't let the passion of your convictions be slighted by the meeting. Did Col. Massengill mention anything about why it is that the hunters and fishemenare taking the brunt of this funding issue. Why are the birders and such getting a freebie on us.

02b

ButchA · 07-20-2006, 10:37 AM

Thanks guys....

02b, that is due to change sometime soon. Col. Massengill did state that the VDGIF will recommend to the General Assembly to present fees for ATV's, horseback riders, birders, etc... to also help "chip in". Who knows when it will come about, but at least they are considering it and know first hand how vocal we hunters and fisherman are!!!

rick64 · 07-20-2006, 02:53 PM

Good job Butch, keep the pressure on them! Need to work on The VA Farm Bureau & VA Deerhunters Assoc. next. Adding the fees for non hunting use would help, but I don't think you can ride ATVs on state land.[/align][/align][/align]

timbercruiser · 07-20-2006, 03:38 PM

Write up a summary of the discussions or at least give a link to the column. Sounds interesting.

02bhntn · 07-21-2006, 06:53 AM

timber,

Here is the link to the article.

http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/billcochran/wb/74517

02bhntn · 07-21-2006, 06:55 AM

Hey Butch,

Did the topic of the hunters survey come up. I figured that with the liscense sales going to computer only there should be an easy way to get the information to send a survey to ALL that hunt in the commonwealth.

02b

ButchA · 07-21-2006, 06:57 AM

Col. Massengill did mention the survey and all he mentioned was the VDHA survey, regarding Sunday hunting... even though the numbers seemed skewed...

VAhuntr · 07-21-2006, 08:21 PM

Butch,

Good job on getting heard.

Note to all Virginia Hunters:

If anyone receives a survey, please come here and post it. Seems like the one I got a couple years ago came in August. It will be interesting to see how many get one and how long it will take.