The Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries’(VDGIF) Outdoors Program, in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, will present a Virginia Outdoors Day on May 5, 2001 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will be held at Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster County, Virginia and will be open to the public. This is a great way to get the whole family more involved in the outdoors. Some of the water activities will include: canoeing/kayaking, boat rides, boating safety and requirements, saltwater fly fishing, demonstrations on electrofishing and other fish sampling techniques and youth fishing. Other recreational activities will include bird watching, decoy carving, Dutch oven cooking, hiking and camping, horseback riding, muzzle loading, supervised shooting opportunities in archery and shotgun, woodworking for Wildlife, and photography. The Northern Neck Wild Turkey Association will present turkey hunting techniques and the VDGIF will run their DART system, which is an Interactive Video hunting simulator. For more information contact the DGIF Outdoors Program at 804-367-6351 or Belle Isle State Park at 804-462-5030.

     The Shenandoah Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the VDGIF will present a “Women in the Outdoors” event on April 21, 2001 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Izaak Walton League Park in Frederick County, Va. The cost is $50.00 and is for ages 14 and above. Activities will include turkey hunting, rifle, shotgun, archery, hiking/camping, rock climbing/kayaking, wildlife mapping, wilderness survival, forest/wildlife ecology, fly tying and fishing, basic fishing and map & compass. For registration information, contact Carissa R. Lee 540-631-0118 or email Sclee@rma.edu or Dodi Turney 703-916-9050 email bow-peep@webtv.net.

     Other VDGIF Outdoor Education Program activities for 2001 will include a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event June 8-10, 2001 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center, Appomattox (contact Hilary Welch 804-367-6351 or hwelch@dgif.state.va.us;) Virginia Outdoors Weekend, September 14-16 at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, Virginia (contact Hilary Welch); Women in the Outdoors, September 29 at Isaak Walton League Park in Centreville, Virginia (contact Linda Layser 703-425-6665 or email rglayser@msn.com); Virginia Outdoors Woman Mother - Daughter Event, October 5-7 at Holiday Lake 4-H Educational Center in Appomattox, VA (contact Hilary Welch). 

     On Saturday, April 7, the Northern Neck Wild Turkey Association (NNWTA) has planned an early Spring outing for their membership and invited guests. Cobbs Hall is the location provided for the event, courtesy of the Bland Lee family. Along with fellowship, fun, food and beverages, information on wildlife conservation and habitat will be part of the late afternoon-early evening event. The NNWTA also has an energetic tree planting program which they have expanded throughout their membership. Seedlings of Bald Cypress, Golden Chinkapin and Chinese Chestnut are planned for distribution to members for planting and care. 
The NNWTA has also purchased wild game bird seed mixtures for planting. Turkey shoots are being planned by the NNWTA and include an invitation to all who are interested, regardless of experience and expertise. Goals noted by the NNWTA include developing positive wild turkey interests local to the Northern Neck Counties. Annual dues are $15 for those 17 and older and $5 for members 16 and younger. For information on how to join, call Steve Proctor at 804-435-3335.

     The Southern Maryland Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) will have seed available for spring habitat plantings. Contact Susan or Bobby Boarman at 301-259-2830 or email: cboarman@erols.com after April 20th to be put on the list. Among their accomplishments early on in 2001, the Southern Maryland Chapter along with Maryland’s Department of Natural Resource’s Wildlife Management staff live trapped, relocated and released 13 wild turkeys in St. Mary’s County. Other wild turkey relocation and releases are planned for the region. The Southern Maryland Chapter has scheduled their annual Juniors Achieving Knowledge Ethics and Sportsmanship (JAKES) event for Saturday, June 30. This year, it will be partnered with the Izaak Walton League of America, Southern MD Chapter, on their property at 4200 Gardiner Road in Waldorf, Md. The point of contact to register youth for the event is Danny Estevez at 301-743-5161.

     Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled an Outdoors Woman Workshop for the weekend of May 4-6 at Cecil County’s Camp Sandy Hill. Women 18 years and older are invited to attend and develop outdoor skills and enjoy what the environment has to offer. There are more than 30 different workshops which participants can choose from during this first weekend in May. Included are such events as stream ecology, hiking, backpacking, bird watching, “the wonder of butterflies”, sailing, basic fishing, fly fishing. Archery and basic bow hunting, backyard wildlife, reading the woods and more. The cost to attend is $175 before April 20 or $200 after April 20 and includes instructions, program materials, use of demonstration equipment, meals , lodging, snacks and evening programs. For information about registration, contact Karina Blizzard at 301-334-9180 or visit Maryland's Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) website at www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/2001bow.html. 

     Catfish action continues on the Upper, tidal Rappahannock River. Port Royal Landing’s tournament on Saturday, April 7 has a lot to offer all who attend and includes prize categories for men, women and youth anglers. Plenty of parking for vehicles and boat trailers along with a wide paved ramp is complimented further by bait, tackle, food, beverages and restroom facilities. It is conveniently located along the Southbound side of the Route 301 Bridge in Port Royal. Tournament hours on April 7 are from 8 a.m to 4 p.m. Cost to enter the tournament is $50 per boat. Call 804-742-5820 for information on this event and other fishing news on the Upper Rappahannock. 

© 2001 Steve & Chelly Scala All rights reserved.