Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 16, 1995 TAG: 9502160071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Malfourd "Bo" Trumbo, R-Fincastle, and Del. Creigh Deeds, D-Warm Springs, also would expand regulation of existing fenced preserves, including the Boar Walla Lodge in Covington. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would have regulatory control.
"I think it is reasonable to have a regulation to make sure these activities are being carried on in a sportsmanlike way," Deeds said. "Real hunters don't want to shoot a fish in a barrel."
Hunting preserves use captive wildlife, such as boars, rams and goats, to attract trophy hunters who pay to kill the animals.
Under the new regulations, Boar Walla and other existing preserves would have to pay an application fee and an annual license renewal fee. The state could recover from the businesses the cost of inspecting the preserves.
Hunting preserves also are located in Patrick and Cumberland counties.
The Senate passed the bill Feb. 7 on a 40-0 vote. A debate in the House could come as early as Friday. The House Conservation and Natural Resources Committee approved it Wednesday on a 22-0 vote.
Critics of Boar Walla have been pushing for tighter state regulations since the preserve opened in fall 1993. Critics allege that the 170-acre preserve is stocked with animals that are unaccustomed to living in the wild and are being inhumanely slaughtered for profit.
Ken Martin, one of the partners in Boar Walla, said the new legislation would not hurt the preserve and that the controversy is being stoked by animal rights extremists.
Animals on the preserve are bred for hunting purposes and do not come from zoos or petting farms, as critics allege, Martin said.
Since opening, Boar Walla has undergone at least four state inspections. Existing regulations require the preserve to install fencing to keep the animals from roaming and to take precautions to keep diseased animals from entering the state, Martin said.
He would not comment on the number of animals at the preserve or the number of hunters who have visited it.
"I'm a business," he said. "If you went to Wal-Mart, they wouldn't tell you how many customers they've had. I will say we exceeded all our goals last year."
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995
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