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Outdoors

  • State approves license fee increases

    Hunters and anglers will be paying more to help the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries bridge the gap in a budget shortfall the agency expects to face in coming years.

    Outdoors enthusiasts who take advantage of some DGIF facilities and property will also pay more — even if they don't fish, hunt or have a registered boat.

    In a meeting Tuesday, the department's board voted to increase the cost of a number of fishing and hunting licenses and to implement a user fee at state wildlife management areas and department-owned lakes.

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  • A bolder kind of exercise

    MOUTH OF WILSON ― Park officials, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts gathered at Grayson Highlands State Park on Saturday to introduce the Split Rock Trail, a new 1.3-mile loop trail that offers both hiking and climbing opportunities to the public.

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  • Fries to host 'Catch the Fun' fishing tournament

    The Town of Fries will host the “Catch the Fun Festival” fishing tournament on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Fires Fire Department and the Fries Recreation Center.

    Pre-register at Fries Volunteer Fire Department, Fries Town Hall or the Fries Recreation Center

    Prizes will be awarded by length:

    • 1st — $100

    • 2nd — $50

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  • Study: trail plan won't infringe on property rights

    By SHAINA STOCKTON, Staff
    The Crooked Road, Virginia’s heritage music trail, has proposed that its coverage region of 19 counties and four cities in Southwest Virginia be designated as a National Heritage Area, “based on the region’s unique musical heritage and its significant role in the formation of American music,” according to a press release provided by the organization.

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  • New River Trail had 1 million visitors in 2012

    New River Trail State Park attracted more than one million visitors and had nearly 6 percent more attendance than in 2011.
    The trail that passes through Carroll and Grayson counties and Galax followed the trend that allowed Virginia State Parks to set a new attendance record in 2012.
    State parks attracted 8.366 million visitors, an increase of 7 percent. The new record is a 4 percent increase over the previous attendance record of 8.065 million visitors, set in 2010.

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  • Fries reeling in idea for fishing tournament

    FRIES — Fries resident Terry Akers and Fries Town Council have held lengthy discussions at each of the town’s last three meetings about the possibility of hosting a fishing tournament and festival in June.
    Akers originally introduced his idea during the town’s September 2012 meeting, and since that time he has been working with the town to put together all the pieces and build on the idea.

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  • Fries 50K is first course in Virginia to be USATF certified

    FRIES — On Saturday, the Town of Fries will welcome more than 150 visitors who are set to participate in the 5th Annual Fries 50K on a course recently certified by USA Track and Field.
    The New River Trail course is the first and only USATF-certified 50K course in Virginia.
    This year, for the first time, runners’ finish times will be recorded as official 50K finish times, and they will also receive a 26.2 marathon split time that can be used to qualify for larger races such as the Boston Marathon.

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  • Virginia free fishing days are June 1-3

    Gather the kids and grab your fishin’ poles: free fishing days are here again.
    This year, anyone in the Commonwealth can fish without a license June 1-3.
    The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), the agency that regulates freshwater fishing, encourages Virginians to take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to fish for free while spending some quality time with friends and family, according to a press release.

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  • Bills take aim at Sunday hunting ban

     

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  • State offers advice on dodging deer

    With winter’s shorter days, many motorists will be commuting in the dark, increasing the likelihood of their vehicle colliding with a deer.
    The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is encouraging drivers to be more cautious this season.

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