For Immediate Release
March 10, 2008
Contact: Julia Dixon
Telephone: 804-367-0991
A New Way to Get Involved in Hunting!
Virginia establishes a new apprentice hunting license that will let people "test drive" hunting
Richmond, VA - Virginians interested in learning how to hunt, and Virginia hunters eager to share their sport with friends and family, now have a program that will make it easier for people new to hunting to give the sport a "test drive." The General Assembly has passed and Governor Tim Kaine has signed into law the companion bills that establish an apprentice hunting license. This new license will benefit people, regardless of age, who have not hunted before, but are interested in learning about hunting.
The license would be issued in lieu of the current state resident or nonresident basic hunting license. Individuals who have previously held a hunting license will not be eligible to purchase the apprentice license. The fee for the license will be $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents; the one-time, nonrenewable license will be valid for two years from the date of purchase, thus affording the apprentice hunter two full years of opportunity to go afield with a mentor hunter to learn about the sport before having to complete the requirement for hunter education.
An important safety feature of the new license is that the apprentice hunter must be accompanied and directly supervised by a hunter possessing a valid Virginia hunting license who is an adult over age 18 (the mentor hunter). "Directly supervised" is defined in the new legislation as "when a person over 18 maintains a close visual and verbal contact with, provides adequate direction to, and can immediately assume control of the firearm from the apprentice hunter." This "direct supervision" requirement is in place because the apprentice hunter will not have had to meet the hunter education requirement as a condition of purchasing the apprentice license.
While the apprentice license can be purchased by a new hunter without having to successfully complete the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' hunter education course, apprentice hunters are reminded that they will still have to comply with the hunter education requirement before they can legally purchase a state resident or nonresident basic hunting license. Completion of that requirement can be done at any time so that once the apprentice hunter has finished their hunting "test drive" and decided that hunting is something they will continue to participate in, they will be able to provide the necessary proof of passing the course in order to purchase the basic resident or nonresident hunting license.
Since the apprentice license serves only in lieu of a basic hunting license, apprentice hunters will still need to purchase the special licenses to hunt deer, bear and turkeys or to use muzzleloader firearms, archery equipment and crossbows or to trap.
Senator Kenneth W. Stolle introduced the Senate version of the bill and Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter introduced the House version. The bills moved through the legislative process of the General Assembly with unanimous approval.
Said Bob Duncan, Director of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, "The apprentice hunting license will be a great tool in our efforts to recruit new hunters and we're really pleased that folks will have a chance to try the sport and become more involved in our hunting heritage. Hunting is a critical wildlife management tool and we need hunters to help us effectively manage our wildlife resources. And we must not forget that we have programs, such as Hunters for the Hungry, which rely on hunters to provide hundreds of thousands of pounds of meat to food banks, shelters, and other feeding programs for needy Virginians."
Game Department Board Chairman Jimmy Hazel commented, "You used to learn to hunt from your father or grandfather, but as Virginia has become more urban and suburban, the tradition has been slipping away. Many young people, men and women, have missed the opportunity to learn to hunt. This program will allow hunters to pass that heritage on, not only to their own children and grandchildren, but also to their adult friends, their neighbors, and others who want to experience hunting."
A number of national organizations, including the National Wild Turkey Federation, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, the National Rifle Association and the National Assembly of Sportsmen's Caucuses, expressed support for the apprentice hunting license as a positive step in the recruitment of new hunters.
The legislation establishing the apprentice hunting license has an effective date of July 1, 2008 and the Department will have the new license available for purchase as of that date. Virginia hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased online at www.dgif.virginia.gov; purchased by telephone Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. except holidays by calling toll free 1-866-721-6911; or purchased in person by visiting any of the more than 500 license agents located around the Commonwealth, typically anywhere that hunting and fishing equipment is sold.
It is the mission of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation; and to promote safety for persons and property in connection with these outdoor activities.
For Immediate Release
July 14, 2009
Contact: Captain Bobby Mawyer
Telephone:
Sgt. David Dodson Wins Prestigious Award
International Hunter Education Association Names Dodson Professional of the Year
Richmond, VA – Sergeant David Dodson, statewide Hunter Education coordinator with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), has been named Professional of the Year by the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA). The award is presented to the full-time employee of a state, province or jurisdiction who has performed an outstanding service to the agency, state, province or jurisdiction in Hunter Education or any facet of hunting.
Dodson was recognized for his contributions to Hunter Education over his 24-year career with VDGIF. He has been a Hunter Education instructor since he was a field officer and has continued to teach Hunter Education despite moving up the ranks to his current administrative position of statewide Hunter Education Coordinator. In 1998, he became a Master Instructor and has taught more than 1,800 students and worked more than 23,000 hours in his Hunter Education efforts.
Innovations he has overseen include implementation of the internet aspect of the Alternative Delivery course, an internet-based class with on-site, hands-on testing, which is now taught in every region of the state. He has worked on the development of a contemporary class manual to keep pace with today’s changing demographics and conservation-related activities. Sgt. Dodson has developed a specialized cadre of expert instructors to train Hunter Education instructors on treestand safety.
In addition, Sgt. Dodson promoted public hunting events such as youth rabbit and youth deer hunts. He is active in the Cedar Mountain shooting sports team in Culpeper, where he instructs young people in firearm safety, ethical hunting practices, and hunting laws.
When the Virginia Hunter Education Volunteer Instructors Association was founded in 2007, Sgt. Dodson was instrumental in working with the charter members advising them on legal issues, their mission statement, goals, and objectives.
In 2008, Dodson requested, coordinated and managed the on-site visit of a team of hunter education professionals from the federal, state and private sectors for the purpose of evaluating our program in Virginia. After this review, which included interviews with some of VDGIF’s almost 900 volunteer instructors, the agency was provided a very positive report. Under his direction, some of the recommendations of this team are currently being implemented.
Sgt. David Dodson is known to be an officer of unquestionable integrity. He is a police officer as well as an educator who had dedicated his professional life to hunter safety and hunter education. For that reason, the International Hunter Education Association has selected him to be their Professional of the Year.
For Immediate Release
August 18, 2009
Contact: Bobby Mawyer
Telephone: 804-367-9274
VDGIF DIRECTOR'S VOLUNTEER AWARD
Volunteers Recognized for their Tremendous Dedication
Richmond, VA - The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) relies heavily on a volunteer force to deliver its free Hunter Education course to roughly 14,000 people each year across the Commonwealth. These dedicated individuals give selflessly to a program that helps teach hunting safety, principles of conservation and sportsmanship.
In 2009, two volunteer Hunter Education instructors received the Director's Volunteer Award for contributing more than 5,000 hours each to the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Those individuals are Lester "Danny" Bartee of Dry Fork and Franklin L. "Frank" Taylor of Millboro. These men were honored for their work at the Department's Board meeting held today in Richmond.
Captain Bobby Mawyer, whose responsibilities include overseeing the Hunter Education program, commented on the award, "5,000 hours is roughly the equivalent of two and one-half years of full-time work. These Hunter Education instructors have altogether trained more than 25,000 students to be safe, responsible, and knowledgeable hunters. Each has given of their time and talent to assist the Department in its mandate to provide Hunter Education to the public."
Lester D. (Danny) Bartee became a Hunter Education instructor in 1995. Since that time, Danny has given 5,113 hours to the Hunter Education Program. In 2001, he received the William Dixon Morgan Memorial Award, for the instructor considered to have contributed the most to Hunter Education that year. In addition to teaching the basic Hunter Education course, Danny has used his knowledge and experience to teach advanced shotgun courses to other instructors.
Franklin L. (Frank) Taylor has been an instructor since 1980. He has contributed 5,009 hours to the Virginia Hunter Education Program. Frank has instructed over 20,000 students in the Augusta, Bath and Highland county school systems. He is also the 1989 recipient of the William Dixon Morgan Memorial Award, and was this award's fifth honoree.
As part of the presentation, the Virginia Hunter Education Association (VHEA) presented each of the recipients with a Henry Golden Boy .22 rifle to commemorate the award. The VHEA was formed two years ago as a non-profit group composed of volunteer instructors who wished to provide a greater level of assistance to the Department with its Hunter Education efforts. VHEA member Ken Carter made the presentation. "These instructors have been mentors to the rest of us," said Carter of the recipients of the award.
To learn more about Virginia's Hunter Education program visit the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at www.dgif.virginia.gov .
It is the mission of the VDGIF to maintain optimum populations of all species to serve the needs of the Commonwealth; to provide opportunity for all to enjoy wildlife, inland fish, boating and related outdoor recreation and to work diligently to safeguard the rights of the people to hunt, fish and harvest game as provided for in the Constitution of Virginia; to promote safety for persons and property in connection with boating, hunting and fishing; to provide educational outreach programs and materials that foster an awareness of and appreciation for Virginia's fish and wildlife resources, their habitats, and hunting, fishing, and boating opportunities.
Colonels earn their wings
The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday night presented the
Culpeper Colonel awards, recognizing six residents for their community service. About
60 people filled the board's meeting room for the annual ceremony.
"This board does not take these awards lightly," chairman Brad Rosenberger told the
group. "To receive one of these is quite an honor." The Star-Exponent plans to feature
the recipients in a future series of stories. In the meantime, here's a brief profile
of this year's honorees:
John W. Dodson: A hunter education instructor volunteer for 21 years, Dodson has
devoted his time to educating youth on safe and responsible hunting. A 10-year Air
Force veteran, Dodson is the president of Cedar Mountain Youths and shares his firearms
knowledge with members of the 4-H and the Boy Scouts.
Wounded Warrior Hunt 2010
I was invited to the Wounded Warrior Hunt 2010 by a close friend who continually
told me up until the day of the hunt how much fun and how great the people were,
but even he was a little bit wrong about how great the people really were...these
people are on an unspeakable level of amazing. Rob and Cindy Zepp are absolute angels
in their own right and deserve much more thanks than I could ever give. EVERY person
involved in this hunt seemingly put their entire souls into dedicating their lives
to making this a fun, laid back -yet-serious, learning experience to take with me
for the rest of my life. I went out with Patrick Popek and videographer Mike (last
name?) on the morning of the hunt at about 5am. We were set up on the Riddick farm
by about 6am. Patrick and Mike talked about strategy and plans right there in the
field and I feel like I learned that much more by their humble natures and willingness
to teach. After setting up, Patrick began his expert calling and pretty soon the
sun was rising. We heard some gobbling in the trees behind us for a bit and soon
after, Mike and I began hearing some rustling in the trees. As the sun crested, I
felt my eyes getting heavy and started dozing off a bit, so to wake up, I rolled
my eyes to clear my contacts and there were 4 gobblers walking towards our decoys!!!
The front gobbler was big and was strutting up towards the decoys and Mike whispered,
"They're all gobblers...take your pick...wait...shoot the back one....wait....the
front one..." The birds made their ways towards the decoys as I raised my shotgun
and got set to shoot. I had set my heart on the strutter and was hoping to get the
boss. Sure enough, he got to the decoys and came out of the strut and raised his
head and, "BOOM!" Head down, tail fan up. He was out...and our caller started scrambling
in the woods (apparently he had just sent another caller a text saying "nothing going
on here" about 30 seconds before the shot) and was saying, "Where's the bird!?" This
birds was 20.8 lbs with a 10 inch beard and 1 inch spurs...not too shabby for my
first turkey...EVER. I just can't thank the volunteers and wonderful people who put
this together and made this happen for me enough...This is one for the scrap books
for sure...Thank you so much for the learning, the fun, the camaraderie, the laughs
and most of all, the memories. See you next year!
Rob Scott