Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 13 · column 5 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
Continued from page ]
“We can’t solve the problem immediately, but we can start. We need to address it right away,” he said.
The game commissioners responded to Mr. Dyer’s testimony with a promise to take steps to address the “hoodlum hunter” problem this year.
Representatives of sportsmen’s groups told the commission that the abusive hunters hurt legitimate sportsmen as well as landowners.
“Once landowners are harassed by hunters, they’re much more likely to refuse permission to any hunter to use their land,” said Tom Bradley, president of the Eastern Virginia Coon Hunters Association. Mr. Bradley had attended the meeting to speak on another issue.
After the meeting, Wayne Campbell, president of the Virginia Deer Hunters, agreed with Mr. Bradley.
“Most deer hunters are sportsmen and gentlemen,” he said. “My organization is prepared to help with anything we can to stop the hoodlums who run up and down the road during deer season and give all hunters a bad name.” Mr. Campbell suggested that any deer hunter sharing his concern call his organization.
Mr. Bankston said that the Virginia Game Warden Association will support any effort that the members agree will curtail abuses associated with roa<3 hunting. “Right now, it’s hard to get a conviction on a road hunting violation. The warden virtually has to see the shooting himself,” he said.
Other sportsmen and citizens groups advocate a “cased gun” law that would require that firearms not only be unloaded but in a case until the hunter is in the woods.
Andy Guest, Seventh Congressional District delegate, said in an interview at his Richmond office that a cased gun law is not scheduled for introduction in this session. He said that trespassers and road hunters are a problem on his farm near Front Royal. “We police them ourselves when we can,” he said, “ using walkie-talkies and farm vehicles.”
Mr. Guest acknowledged that constant policing during hunting season is not a practical solution fi>r the average landowner. “I suggest that anyone worried about this problem take whatever legal action they can. Also, let your commissioner know that you want to put a stop to hunting abuses,” he said.
Mr. Guest said that he had agreed to help sponsor a bill requiring education for new hunters before issuing a license. “So, we’ll help on that front,” he added.
John Butcher, assistant attorney general and legal counsel to the game commission, said that any legal solution to the hoodlum hunting problem would have to come from the legislators. “Of course, the support of the game commission would carry a lot of weight,” he said.
Meanwhile, the citizens involved are optimistic about the commission’s response.
“I’m tickled to death,” said Mr. Dyer. He said that anyone interested in joining with the Culpeper mothers could reach the fledgling organization through him.
“My strong motivation, besides ending the fear and intimidation, is in making sure that future generations will be able to hunt in Virginia,” he said. He added that most hunters were becoming afraid of hunting on public lands as they become more saturated with hunters. “But this may be our only option if all private landowners post their land,” he said.
Robert Dennis, who was in Richmond to appear before the commis
88.9%