From The President

The past two years have flown by and in a couple of months I will have finished my two-year stint as VBA President. Halleluiah! (Just kidding…..).  It has been a pleasure to serve you and has not been as hard as I thought it would be because there was a great lineup of officers whose efforts and talents paved the way. I would like to thank them for their support and help:

Irene Stocksdale: for her dedication to the web page and effective efforts to publicize the VBA.

Bob Foster: for jumping in and taking control of the IBEP program. His efforts have paved the way to get the program back on track and provide a great service to all Virginia bowhunters. 

Ed Bickam: for his professional representation of the VBA to the VDGIF and for his work in putting together and running the annual VBA banquet.

Joyce Cameron: for her excellent work in preparing the minutes of each meeting and for providing a calm voice of reason when difficult issues are being discussed.

Marie Bell: for keeping me in line (that is a full-time job in itself) and doing a superb job of the day-to-day work that is required for the VBA to function and provide service to its members.

Clinton Western: for his lifetime of dedication to the VBA and for helping a new guy like me understands how to properly run a meeting.

Dave Burpee: last, but not least. If it wasn’t for his prodding and hounding I don’t think I could have made it through the two years. He sent out e-mails for me and helped me send out my first e-mail (that’s a super accomplishment right there!). Dave was my “go to” person. Anytime I needed help, he was there. If it wasn’t for him, you wouldn’t be reading this article for two reasons. First, he takes care of the best magazine the VBA has seen. Second, he has helped me compose and has edited my articles – a ghost writer if you will. If it wasn’t for him you would not be able to read or understand what I wrote! Thanks, Dave……

Last, hmmmmm, did I say Dave was last. No, I was wrong. I would also like to thank all the VBA Club Delegates for taking time out of their busy schedules to come to the quarterly VBA meetings. They represented the initiatives and desires of their members and were the only persons who voted on VBA issues because as you know the VBA officers have specific duties but they cannot vote on VBA issues. Truly, the Directors are responsible for any VBA accomplishments.

Most importantly, I would also like to thank all the VBA members. Without you there is no organization and without your support and volunteer efforts there would be no activity or life breathed into the VBA. You are the greatest.

My best wishes to the new slate of VBA leaders who will take office in June and write their first articles in the summer edition of FLIGHT.  Also, my thanks in advance for your dedication in serving the VBA and its members – the best archery organization in the state.

 

From The Executive Vice-President

Seventy years. That’s a long time, and it’s an even longer time if all the hours and days tick by without accomplishment or advancement. Fortunately, that is not the case with the VBA. This year is our 70th Anniversary and our history is replete with accomplishments in all aspects of the sport – hunting, competitive archery and conservation. Our successes have been discussed many times in FLIGHT and so they do not bear repeating now. However, I would like to encourage every Club to do as much as possible to celebrate and recognize our milestone. 

Recognition does not have to involve an elaborate ceremony or social event (although that would be nice!) but instead can be as easy as infusing the anniversary into regular Club activities. For example, you might make a sign and hang it in the clubhouse, mention the anniversary in club meetings and in newsletters, present a special anniversary award to your volunteers, include the anniversary when you advertise events, put a sign on one or more of your ranges or on an individual target, etc., etc., etc. As you can see, the ways to recognize the VBA’s successful longevity are limited only by your imagination.

The VBA is doing many things to mark the event, not the least of which is the production of a commemorative belt buckle. The buckle is 3.25” X 2.5”, is made in 3-D fashion from a solid block of metal, has all the VBA colors in ceramic (the main color – just like our logo – is red), will be consecutively numbered on the back and will also have words about the VBA on the back.

Representative samples were shown at the Indoor Championship and at press time we had orders for nearly 150 buckles at a cost of $30 per buckle. If you are interested, contact one of your Club officers. A limited number will be produced and once they are gone that is it (until the 75th anniversary when an innovative new design will be developed).

This is my last column as an officer for the VBA. I could not close my tenure serving you without saying THANK YOU for your support to the VBA and your assistance to me when I needed it. Sometimes we become focused on issues that threaten to overwhelm us on a day-to-day basis. That is true in life and it is true in the VBA. But, if in a calm moment, you can step back and look at the VBA you will quickly see its diversity, strength and promise for the future. We have it pretty good compared to others in our sport and we will only continue to build on that foundation.

I also want to say thank you to the many organizations and business entities throughout the state that support the VBA through donations that take many forms – time, advertising, raffle prizes, etc. Your contributions are recognized and appreciated. The list of organizations is long, but special recognition must go to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The VBA and VDGIF have had a special relationship for decades and that is not an accident. The VDGIF Board of Directors, senior leadership and staff have all been willing to work with us on key issues – and vice versa. Bob Duncan has been a special friend for more years than most of us can remember and to him a special nod.

Finally, I want to say a special “thank you” to all the VBA officers with whom I have served over the years. Bob Seltzer roped me into this adventure many years ago – he always extended a helping hand and for his leadership and friendship I will be eternally grateful. Clinton and Nancy Lee Western are gracious people and wonderful role models who have given their life’s energy to the VBA. Dave Proctor is rock solid as a friend and organizer who can get anything done. I can’t name everyone who deserves the recognition so let me just say that the current and past VBA Executive Boards with whom I have served have all demonstrated character, work ethic and love of the VBA that should earn for them the respect of every VBA member. I see what they do behind the scenes and it is considerable. Their dedication and accomplishments will continue to impact the sport for years to come.

I wish each of you happiness and health in the years ahead because without them nothing else matters.

From the Hunting Vice-President

As you may know, this is the year the VDGIF accepts and initiates proposals for changing hunting regulations. A regulation review happens every two years. The VDGIF wants your input!  Several items of interest are waiting on your input at the VDGIF website. The address is http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/ then click on the hyperlink for regulations. There are two with different dates!

I will summarize the main ones that I think it would be in your and other bowhunter interest to take the time to go to the above site and express your opinion. The period for you to post your remarks for this first group began March 4 and closes 5PM on April 15th.

Given the mail issues with FLIGHT, you might receive this too late but if you get it in time please respond.  In the meantime, please be aware that we informed your club leadership about this review and hopefully they called it to your attention.

The number one item in my mind is a proposal to add a Bear Hunting license on top of our big game license.  I feel this is mainly to raise funds and also restrict a bowhunter from taking a bear during the archery season. I would strongly be against this and urge your input to to the VDGIF. I would also appreciate a copy sent to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

The next item concerns expanding the urban archery season to a few cities that were excluded in 2002. I am for this as Suffolk, Chesapeake and Virginia Beach were the ones excluded. Another proposal is aimed to have a “model” ordinance to follow for all “Urban Archery seasons.” Many towns have asked for this and it is a good idea. 

Another item of interest is to expand the “Youth” hunting day to include Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties. This would make the youth day open statewide! 

The board is proposing to close the elk season in Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties and require any legally killed elk outside the restoration area be made available for collection of biological specimens for disease testing. This seems important to me to protect our great deer herd and get the elk herd established. 

The areas of Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties may remove the daily limit and make it unlimited. This is an attempt to bring the herd under control. Also, there is a proposal to require that only one antlered buck taken in Rockingham county per license year may have less than four antler points one inch or longer on one side. Quality deer management!

As I mentioned in an earlier article, the unauthorized feeding of deer, bear and other wildlife is also prohibited in three proposed amendments. One of these is to make it illegal except in the month of July for the purpose of photographing deer.

Two other proposals have only until March 14th to post your comments. They concern fees. Check them out…..

4VAC15-20-65. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In general. Hunting, trapping and fishing license andpermit fees.

4VAC15-20-66. Definitions and Miscellaneous: In General. Admittance, parking, or other use fee at certain department-owned facilities.

It is time for you, the bowhunter, to do your due diligence and spend an hour on the VDGIF site and post your opinion! It’s free and if enough of us do so it will make a difference! 

Enough for my soapbox… on to other news. The banquet was great! The Keezletown Ruritans did a great job and the food was superb. Mr. Mark Damian Duda gave a very interesting presentation. The awards were very nice and everyone had a good time.  Come see next year!

From the Publicity Director

Spring is Here! As the year gets underway, it is time to prepare for another 12 months of exciting archery activities. It is also time to celebrate a significant VBA milestone. As you know, the VBA has now enjoyed 70 years of success since our founding in 1941 and has effectively represented the interests of bowhunters to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF). 

As mentioned at the January meeting, clubs are urged to incorporate ideas on how to celebrate this historic event. Perhaps a review of some examples of VBA achievements will help trigger ideas for you to mention at meetings or discuss in newsletters. The VBA: has clubs throughout the state that offer a variety of ranges and programs open to all members; has worked with the VDGIF for decades to enhance archery hunting in the Commonwealth; is a partner with the VDGIF in the preparation and presentation of the International Bowhunter Education Program classes held throughout Virginia; is responsible for the After School Archery Program in the Commonwealth; provides instructor training and equipment; has a hunting awards program for members that includes plaques and pins; sponsors an annual Awards Banquet for hunters and tournament archers; produces a quality magazine four times a year that focuses on archery in Virginia; hosts five state tournaments each year as well as more than 100 sanctioned club shoots; sponsors a state-wide charity shoot each year (e.g. St.

Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Miracle Network) and numerous club shoots for charity (e.g. Hunters4Hungry, March of Dimes); offers an annual Conservation Scholarship for an eligible VBA member or immediate family member; conducts a quarterly meeting of all clubs and VBA officers to plan events and ensure smooth operation of the VBA; hosts an evolving and dynamic web site to inform all residents about archery activities in Virginia; represents the VBA at various sportsmen shows throughout the year and much, much more!

As for what the VBA has done for YOU: in 1949 – North River area (16 square miles) in Rockingham County was the first area opened to bowhunting in Virginia; in 1953 – “Big Levels” in Augusta County was opened to bowhunting; in 1956 – A statewide bowhunting season was enacted; in 1985 – A separate archery license for bowhunters was established, allowing two additional deer to be harvested; in 1994 – An additional week of bow season was added when the opening date of archery season moved from the second Saturday in October to the first Saturday in October; in 1994 – It was made legal to harvest turkey with a bow during the early archery season; in 2003 – It was made legal to harvest a black bear during the early archery season statewide; in 2005 – The VBA opposed the effort to legalize the use of crossbows in the regular archery season and in the process many valuable messages about hunting safety and ethics were reinforced with all involved; in 2007 – New “Urban Archery” regulations expanded the archery season by months in many locations and included harvest incentives such as “earn a buck”; in 2009 - Resumed responsibility to coordinate the After School Archery Program (ASAP) in Virginia and in 2010 – Supported a successful VDGIF plan to re-introduce elk to Virginia; Sponsored state-wide charity shoots to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Revitalized the International Bowhunter Education Program in Virginia in conjunction with the VDGIF & National Bowhunter Education Foundation.

The items discussed in the two paragraphs above will hopefully trigger some thoughts on how you can celebrate the history – and future – of an organization that has worked hard and successfully on behalf of bowhunters and archers in the Commonwealth to preserve and expand the sport. VBA Sixteenth Annual Awards Banquet. This year’s banquet was again fantastic with a very nice turn-out. Of particular note was recognition of our Triple Crown winners: Ethan Mullins, PWMTRAD; Logan Weller, CMFS/F; Cory Mullins, YFBHFS/R; Lucas Kenley, YMFS/R; Mary Wenzel, SFFS/R and Jerry Wenzel, SMFS/F. The Double Crown winners were: Ethan Mullins, PWMTRAD; Caitlin Willard, PWFBHFS/F; Carolyn Willard, PWFBB/BH; Nichole Willard, CFBB; Cory Mullins, YFBHFS/R; Hunter Carper, YMBHFS/R; Chris Willard, AMBB; Randy Patterson, AMFS/R; Paul Vogel, AMTRAD; Dallas Hoover, SMBHFS/F and Danny Alger, SMFS/R.

The ‘Big Game’ winners were: Double Slam (Wade Colton, bear & deer); Big Rack (John Peeler, 9 points, 165+ total VA score); Big Buck by Weight (Dennis Scott, 175 lbs field dressed); Big Doe by Weight (Terry Dorman, 113 lbs field dressed); Largest Turkey by Weight (Cay McManus, 16.5 lbs); Largest Bear by Weight (Wade Colton, 145 lbs).

Clubs that had the largest membership increase in 2010 were also recognized with plaques. Among the large clubs, the winner was Belvoir Bowhunters with a 20 percent increase. The small club winner was Singers Glen with a 162 percent increase.

Sportsman Expos. In conjunction with the VDGIF and VBA, working hand-and-hand, I volunteered to help our VDGIF folks at the Richmond Fishing Expo in January, the 7th Annual Orange County Sportsman Expo and the NASP State Archery Tournament in February, and the Round Oak Baptist Church Wild Game Dinner in March. 

VDGIF. Two of their regional coordinators, Bob Riggs and Phil Townley, retired on January 1st. Both will continue from time to time to be volunteer instructors. They are uncertain if and when these vacant positions will be filled. The Department has reorganized from five regions to four. The reduction (possibly temporary) in their staff will make it more difficult to finish the new curriculum and the on-line event manager system. The realignment of their Law Enforcement officers to four regions will be announced shortly.

Thanks to you all. Thanks to everyone for your continued dedication and efforts you put forth in making the VBA an organization we can be proud of!

From the NBEF/IBEP Director

Progress continues to be made with Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) picking up sponsorship of IBEP classes across Virginia as part of their Hunter Education Program. One example is the significant changes to the IBEP classes held at Fort Belvoir.  While Fort Belvoir has always been a strong supporter of the IBEP, because the classes were sponsored by Morale Welfare and Recreation, there has always been a charge to students to cover the cost of training materials. This year, as part of their continuing expansion of IBEP instruction, VDGIF has picked up sponsorship of our IBEP classes there. That means VDGIF is providing the student materials, so there will be no charge for the class (instructors are all volunteers). This change has also allowed us to eliminate the need for pre-registration; bowhunters can just show up before 8:00 AM on the day of the course (However, enrollment is limited to 40 students per course and filled on a first come/first served basis.) These kinds of changes make it cheaper and more convenient for those seeking to take the IBEP course, and should certainly be welcomed by all of us!

Online at: http://www3.dgif.virginia.gov/ClassSchedule/ClassSearch.aspx. All you have to do is enter your zip code and how many miles you are willing to drive, and it will show you the location, date and time of classes. This site lists both Hunter Education classes and IBEP classes, so you have to scroll through to find the IBEP offerings. If you have questions, a Point of Contact and contact information are provided. For those near Fairfax County, I have seven IBEP classes scheduled at Fort Belvoir this year. They are on the following dates: Saturday, March 26; Saturday, July 16; Saturday, August 6; Saturday, August 27; Sunday, September 11; Sunday, October 9; and Sunday, November 13.

Good Hunting!

From the Recording Secretary

My life in archery began with my husband Maxie, who was a member of Two Rivers Archery, NFAA and VBA. My thoughts were -- this is great! He goes to shoots on the weekends with his friends and I can catch up on housework and maybe get in some good reading. Maxie would come home talking about 20’s and dropping points, which was Greek to me. Then came THE DAY! He asked me to help at a Jamboree his club was holding. “All you have to do,” he said, “is help in the kitchen.” Oh, this will be fun I thought, not realizing this was the beginning of a new and exciting part of our lives.

The rest is history, including meeting such wonderful people as Dutch and Mertie Shultz and all the fellow archers they introduced to me. My Christmas present that year was, of course, a bow! Several recollections stand out: shooting at other clubs most every weekend, working at Two Rivers Club, (which I have always sincerely enjoyed), going to our first Mid-Atlantics, the excitement of participating in the VBA State shoots and of course one of the most memorable recollections was having the honor of becoming a member of the Order of the Golden Feather. Our lives were changed because of all of this and I am still enjoying archery and the wonderful people associated with it.

I have the great opportunity of being your VBA Recording Secretary and am trying to follow in the large footsteps of someone I have admired and respected for several years -- Mr. Clinton Western. Meeting and joining with all the experienced and respected VBA officers continues to be very rewarding and I look forward to a bright future for the Association.