taking or capturing,” according to state regulations — was

taking or capturing,” according to state regulations — was restricted to daytime hours when it was instituted last fall. Nighttime chases were allowed by special permit only. There’s popular support for lengthening the session to include nighttime hours.

On the other side, some concerns have been expressed that bear chase season may have led to a increase in bears being hit by cars. At least 15 bears were struck by cars, but game officials say a lower-than-usual acorn crop forced the state’s bears to forage outside their usual territory.

The authorization for bear chasing season doesn’t expire until after the 1993 season.

Also discussed: possible restrictions of deer hunting in George Washington National Forest, where the population appears to be in decline; a possible relaxing of restrictions on hunting private land and changes in squirrel and archery seasons to avoid current conflicts.

Game department officials have been taking time to tell their audiences of the need for generating future revenues to support state wildlife efforts.

Of particular interest: a bill that has been introduced in the General Assembly that would give the agency an estimated $2.3 million annually from the 2 percent boat title tax. At present, all of that money goes into the state’s general fund.

The game department has conducted a series of other meetings across the state, including one last Thursday in Richmond, attended by less than 100 people. It was the fourth such meeting in four days, including a meeting last Wednesday in Fisherville which attracted almost 400 people.

The Vienna meeting will be the last public hearing before game department officials draft recommended changes in hunting laws and submit them to their board for consideration.

Formal public hearings are slated for April 1-2 and June 16.