ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 23, 1996 TAG: 9608230071
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: IN THE REGION
SOURCE: FROM STAFF REPORTS
Waterfowl hunters will have an extra duck in their bag limit this season, the result of improved nesting conditions that have boosted the population of mallards and several other species.
The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries on Thursday set a 50-day duck season with a five-bird daily limit. The season will have three segments: Oct. 9-12; Nov. 26-30 and Dec. 9-Jan.18.
As was the case last year, there will be no season on migrant Canada geese, whose numbers have declined alarmingly; however, federal wildlife officials have granted Virginia a late resident Canada goose season. It will be open west of Interstate 95 from Jan.15-Feb.8 with a three-per-day limit.
Established in July was a statewide Sep.3-21 season with a five-daily limit on resident Canada geese, a species that wildlife biologists say is increasing so rapidly it is becoming a nuisance in many areas.
Also on the upswing are snow geese, for which game officials set a 107-day season with eight birds in the limit, up from five last season. The dates are Nov. 22-30; Dec. 2-7 and Dec. 9-March 10.
New this year is a waterfowl hunting day for shooters age 15 and younger, which was set for Oct.19.
The five-daily duck limit may include no more than one hen mallard, two wood ducks, two redheads, one canvasback, one pintail and one black duck. Black ducks may not be hunted Oct.9-12 and Dec.9-14.
COLLEGES UVa falls again in Europe
Former Patrick Henry High School standout Curtis Staples scored 24 points, including seven 3-pointers, but it was not enough as Virginia lost a men's basketball exhibition to Dijon 89-82 in Dijon, France.
Courtney Alexander added 21 points for the Cavaliers, and Norman Nolan had 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Former Wisconsin-Green Bay standout Jeff Noordgard led Dijon with 26 points.
The Cavaliers, now 2-3 on the six-game trip, conclude their exhibition Saturday against Maurienne.
* Virginia Tech is fourth in the preseason Atlantic 10 Conference men's soccer poll as voted by the league's head coaches.
Defending champion Rhode Island is No.1, followed by Massachusetts, Xavier and the Hokies. Tech is led by second-team All-Atlantic 10 midfielder Matt Whalen, who had seven goals and six assists last year as a freshman. The Hokies are followed in the poll by George Washington, La Salle, Fordham, St.Bonaventure, St.Joseph's, Dayton, Duquesne and Temple.
* Jamie Sharper and James Farrior of Virginia have been named candidates for the prestigious Butkus Award given to the nation's top college football linebacker.
The award, sponsored by The Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando and Joyner Sports Medicine Institute, Inc., will be presented Dec.14 in Orlando, Fla. Sharper and Farrior are two of 65 candidates for the award.
ETC. Final pairings
set in VSGA Senior golf
Stan Fischer of Richmond and Bob Moyers of New Market advanced to today's final of the 45th annual Virginia State Golf Association Seniors championship at The Homestead in Hot Springs.
Fischer, playing in his first state seniors championship, beat Sam Wallace of Williamsburg 1-up on Thursday morning and ousted 1995 champion Claude Williamson of Waynesboro 3 and 1 in the afternoon on the Cascades course.
Moyers, the tournament qualifying medalist, edged Jimmy Kite of Wolftown 1-up by halving the final three holes in the morning. He won his place in the final with a 2-up victory over 1989 champion Henry Kerfoot of McLean.
Steve Holpe of Roanoke reached the championship match of the Super Senior Division for players 70 and older.
Holpe, who beat Hubert Taylor of Richmond 7 and 5, will face Hal Gould of Alexandria in the Super Senior final. Gould eliminated Jack Barr of Suffolk 2 and 1.
* Martinsville Speedway will hold an open practice for the NASCAR Late Model Stock division Oct.2 in preparation for the Taco Bell 300 on Oct.13.
The track will open the grandstand for the test session and fans will be admitted free. Registration for teams begins at 7 a.m., and drivers will be allowed to test from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
More than 100 Late Model Stock cars are expected to enter the race, which pays $25,000 to the winner. Tickets for the Taco Bell 300 are $15 and may be purchased by calling (540 956-3151 or writing to: Martinsville Speedway, P.O. Box 3311, Martinsville, 24115.
LENGTH: Medium: 85 linesby CNB