
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, October 25, 1993                   TAG: 9310270067
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

A DOZEN WAYS THIS SEASON IS DIFFERENT

1. Newly designed hunting licenses, with all the deer, bear and turkey tags on the big game license. If you kill a deer during the bow or muzzle-loading season, you use one of the tags from the big game license. There are only three deer tags for all seasons. If you wish to kill more, you can buy an unlimited supply of $12.50 bonus licenses, each containing two tags apiece valid on private land only.

2. A two-week early muzzle-loading season that opens Nov. 1. and continues through Nov. 13. In the past, it has been a one-week season that has started the second Monday in November. Sportsmen in most areas west of the Blue Ridge will get one day of either-sex hunting on Nov. 6. The entire season east of the Blue Ridge is an either-sex affair.

3. Sunday hunting is legal for the first time in Virginia, but only on licensed shooting perserves that release pen-raised birds.

4. Sabot rounds, designed for speed and accuracy, will be legal in black-powder guns.

5. A Saturday - Nov. 20 - of either sex hunting in Tazewell, Washington, Russell Wise, Scott and Lee counties, where there has been bucks-only sport in the past.

6. A doubling of doe days in a large bloc of Piedmont counties, including Amherst, Appomattox, Buckingham, Campbell, Halifax, Nelson and eastern Pittsylvania.

7. A new big-game tagging system that requires hunters to take their deer, bear or turkey to a checking station as soon as it is loaded into a vehicle or without delay at the conclusion of legal hunting hours. Last year, hunters had until 9 p.m. to arrive at the check station.

8. No loaded firearms in or on vehicles on national forest or game department land - anytime - even during the hunting seasons.

9. No permanent tree stands on national forest property. Forest officials say they aren't kidding, they will enforce this rule. You still can use portable tree stands.

10. Either-sex deer hunting the entire two-week firearms' season in Botetourt, Floyd, Franklin, Henry and Patrick counties.

11. A week earlier grouse season, with no penalty for the fast start in the form of an earlier ending. The season opens today and continues through Feb. 12.

12. A bag limit for quail that has been reduced from eight to six daily.

by CNB