HuntingNet.com Forums - VA License Increase/Sunday Hunting Update

Hey guys....

I know I've been pretty silent lately, as I wasn't sure if it was okay (yet) to start bringing it to the public.
{Huh? Butch, what the heck are you talking about?} ;)

You see, I was busy writing letters, doing research, and finally got in touch with the VDGIF for their opinion. I wrote a very nice, respectful, letter and ended up getting invited to a meeting with Col. Massengill (one on one in his office!) {can you say scared s***-less?!?!?!} [&:]

I was thinking that with me being one of the loudest complainers and rabble rousers, that I was in some serious doo doo. But it did not turn out that way.

So I took a day off work on Fri July 7th and met with Col. Massengill at 9:00am that day. Afterwards, I sat down at the PC and did some thinking and recalled all the sequences of events of the meeting. I started writing everything down, and all the details to the meeting, and ended up writing a 4 page "book"! :D

Now, this document has been reviewed, edited, tweaked, and finally grantedauthorization for release by the VDGIF. It will appearin Bill Cochran's column in the Roanoke Times and also Lee Graves' column in the Richmond Times Dispatch. Cool, huh?

Anyway, the meeting with Col. Massengill went incredibly well. He is a heck of a nice guy who cares deeply for the VDGIF and the sport of hunting and fishing. I went into that meeting very nervous, not knowing what to expect. But when I came out of there, I had a whole new outlook towards the VDGIF and hunting and fishing in Virginia.

Let's see if I can touch on the hot topics (and not rewrite a 4 page "book").....

License fee increase: The VDGIF needs funding, plain and simple. They are operating on such a limited budget, they need every dime they can scrape up. The number of hunters is rapidly declining and license sales are way down. Kids today are too involved with Play Station and X-Box to want to go out into the woods. Also, the other states have nonresident license fees of $100 - $125 bucks and Col. Massengill stated that the other states actually laugh at VA because our nonresident base license is only $85 bucks! The VDGIF just had to increase the cost of licenses because they need the additional revenue. Like all of us,they have to "pay the bills" so to say...

Sunday hunting: This was a big one and a very delicate issue. Col. Massengill stated that he doesn't have a problem with Sunday hunting and neither do any of the top wildlife biologists. The VDGIF itself is in a neutral position regarding Sunday hunting. Col. Massengill said that Senator Stolle is the one who always presents Bills to the committee to allow Sunday hunting. They never make it out of committee and go nowhere fast. The most seriously opposed people are the private land owners, farmers, and the VA Farm Bureau. Without their support, we don't stand a chance. However, Col. Massengill did state that slowly, surely, one of these years, Virginia will follow suit with the other states and little by little, allow Sunday hunting, only on private land, in limited instances, like MD and NC and WV. Eventually, not next year, not 3 years from now, but one of these years in the future, we will all see Sunday hunting in full.

I had a great time in the meeting and went in there unsure of what to expect. But by the time I was done, I had a whole new outlook and clear understanding of the troubles the VDGIF is in financially. I know I have said some dumb things and went off half-cocked, but now I just can't turn my back on them.... They need my support, they need your support, they need everyones support.

They need all hunters to band together and lend a hand by recruiting others to get interested in hunting and fishing. Col. Massengill did say that he is wanting to approach the state dept of education and see about getting an outdoor education course in the public schools, so the kids will get more interested in the outdoors instead of computers, and video games.

I saw the financial breakdown from Col. Massengill and how the top game wardens are now driving 4 door sedans instead of SUV's to help save money. Nobody goes on trips and nobody does anything that will cause an audit. They have really tightened their belts and are just trying to do their best with what limited funding they have.

I saw the deep concern on the face of Col. Massengill and how the VDGIF is still reeling from the negative press and the after affects of the safari.

Anyway, there is still way too much to write, so I guess it is safe to say, watch for the articles in the newspapers! I had a great meeting with Col. Massengilleven though we don't have Sunday hunting, and now have a $5 license fee increase. I know it's a pain you can't hunt on Sunday, but imagine not being able to hunt at all, due to lack of funds, lack of land, and a total shutdown of the VDGIF!

I know this sounds like I took a complete 180 degree turn, but, I guess you just have to see it for yourself, see the facts in person, and see just how badly hurt and financially strapped the VDGIF is. Col. Massengill said that he has an open door policy, so if you want to take a trip to Broad St. in Richmond, call up the VDGIF and talk to Col. Massengill yourself. He's really is a great guy to meet in person.

Butch A.