SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 FOUR DOLLARS

Inside: 2019 Trout Program Maps SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 Contents 5 How Sweet Sweet Sweet It Is! By Mike Roberts With support from the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation, volunteers, and business partners, a citizen science project aims to help a magnificent songbird in the Roanoke River basin.

10 Hunting: A Foundation For Life By Curtis J. Badger A childhood spent afield gives the author reason to reflect upon a simpler time, one that deeply shaped his values.

14 Women Afield: Finally By John Shtogren There are many reasons to cheer the trend of women’s interest in hunting and fishing, and the outdoors industry takes note.

20 What’s Up With Cobia? By Ken Perrotte Virginia is taking a lead in sound management of this gamefish through multi-state coordination, tagging efforts, and citation data.

24 For The Love Of Snakes By David Hart Snakes are given a bad rap, but a little knowledge and the right support group can help you overcome your fears.

28 The Evolution Of Cute By Jason Davis Nature has endowed young wildlife with a number of strategies for survival, cuteness being one of them.

32 2019 Trout Program Maps By Jay Kapalczynski Fisheries biologists share the latest trout stocking locations.

38 AFIELD AND AFLOAT 41 A Walk in the Woods • 42 Off the Leash 43 Photo Tips • 45 On the Water • 46 Dining In

Cover: A female prothonotary warbler brings caterpillars to her young. See page 5. ©Mike Roberts Left: A handsome white-tailed buck pauses while feeding along a fence line. ©Ryan Yoder Back Cover: Native brook trout ready for those fly rods. See page 32. ©Eric Engbretson Commonwealth of Virginia

Ralph S. Northam, Governor HUNTING & FISHING LICENSE FEES Sweet Subsidized this publication eptember is a most wonderful month, as the dog days Secretary of Natural Resources How Sweet It Is! of August turn into that special time when squirrels are Matthew J. Strickler Sweet Scutting hickory nuts and days begin to cool down. The dove Department of Game and fields beckon and the retrievers are eager to do the thing they Inland Fisheries were born to do! Yes, September is the start of everything fall: Bob Duncan Executive Director college football, getting in some great days on the water, and

spending time afield. No wonder September was the month Members of the Board picked to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day, along Douglas Dear, Chair, Great Falls with Virginia Public Lands Day. Both are recognized on Sep- Mamie A. Parker, Ph.D., Vice-Chair, Dulles tember 22 and offer you the opportunity to explore Virginia’s Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr., Appomattox bounty of game and fish species. While making plans, consider Leon Boyd, Vansant Ryan J. Brown, Fork Union BOB DUNCAN taking a youngster to a dove shoot or your favorite fishing hole. Nicole S. Butterworth, Vinton Executive Director We have a one-of-a-kind campaign running right now, Refer A H.S. Caudill, North Tazewell Friend, with incentives designed to motivate current anglers to Catherine H. Claiborne, Richmond Clayton L. Spruill, Virginia Beach refer new folks to buy a license and get out on the water! Through the Go Outdoors website Brian Vincent, Farmville (gooutdoorsvirginia.com), you will receive a personalized referral code to share with any potential angler. See page 44; it’s a great way to introduce a new person to the sport. Magazine Staff The articles in this issue remind me of the early fall season, in that there’s something Sally H. Mills, Editor for everyone. The work by Mike Roberts on prothonotary warblers intrigued me, as it re- Lee Walker, Contributing Editor Lynda Richardson, Art Director veals the presence of these magnificent songbirds in locations farther west than has been Carol Kushlak, Production Manager generally reported. Curtis Badger takes us back to a simpler time when school kids learned Staff Contributors: David Dodson, about the natural world firsthand by squeezing in hours afield at the end of the classroom Jay Kapalczynski, Jimmy Mootz day. And John Shtogren shines a light on the exciting trend of women afield—noting the industry’s attention to the need for firearms, clothing, and accessories that more suitably Printing by Progress Printing Plus, Lynchburg, VA match their proportions. Other features consider: the annual ritual of cobia moving out Copyright 2018 by the Virginia Department of Game and of the Chesapeake and multi-state efforts to manage that fishery; the joy that members Inland Fisheries. All rights reserved. of the Virginia Herpetological Society share for all things reptile and amphibian; and the Virginia Wildlife (ISSN 0042 6792) is published bimonthly importance of looks in young animals as a biological adaptation that enhances their odds by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. of survival and attentive parents. Trout stocking maps also have been updated inside (and Send all subscription orders and address changes to Virginia Wildlife, P. O. Box 830, Boone, Iowa 50036. Address all appear online at www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/trout/area-maps) for those of you seeking other communications concerning this publication to Vir­ Story and photos by Mike Roberts some mountain stream adventures. ginia Wildlife, P. O. Box 90778, Henrico, Virginia 23228- 0778. Subscription rates are $12.95 for one year, $23.95 for Across the commonwealth, as the ironweed and joe pye weed blooms give way to the two years; $4.00 per each back issue, subject to availability. early fall colors of sumac and sugar maple and other deciduous trees, and as nature once e Canadian rate is $24.95 for one year and $35.95 for two years, payable in U.S. funds. No refunds for amounts less here are sounds of nature tucked song caught my ear. Twisting around Evolution of a Project again provides us with a reminder of how beautiful Virginia is, please take time to appre- than $10.00. To subscribe, call toll-free (800) 710-9369. into the minds of all naturalists on the seat of the flat-bottomed boat, I In January 2017 it was my good fortune ciate the wonders of the season. As always, I hope to see you out there! is publication is intended for general informational pur- which, upon reoccurrence, caught a flash of yellow in the overhanging to accept employment through the Ward poses only and every effort has been made to ensure its ac- curacy. e information contained herein does not serve as Tunspool the memory of the moment sycamore and boxelder limbs. Then, as if Burton Wildlife Foundation. Because a legal representation of fish and wildlife laws or regulations. in time they were first heard. One such scripted by Aldo Leopold, the colorful bird of our lockstep interests in wildlife con- e Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries does not assume responsibility for any change in dates, regula- personal memory occurred for me on a flew down to a twisting, wild grapevine servation, Ward and I had developed a tions, or information that may occur after publication. warm April morning nearly 40 years ago. just overhead and began chirping a most meaningful friendship decades earlier. e Department of Game and Inland Fisheries shall afford Ernie Davis and I were anchored adjacent delightful ditty. This was my unforgettable Soon after meeting the successful to all persons an equal access to Department programs and MISSION STATEMENT facilities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, to a deep run in the scenic Staunton River introduction to the prothonotary warbler. NASCAR driver, it became obvious Conserve and manage wildlife populations and habitat for the benefit of present and future generations. Connect people national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, lobbing bucktails to fat-bellied striped There was no way to know it at the time his primary interest in life was natural to Virginia’s outdoors through boating, education, fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and other wildlife-related political affiliation, or veteran’s status. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or bass on their annual, 60-mile spawning but, many years later, the recollection of resource stewardship. Through sustain- activities. Protect people and property by promoting safe outdoor experiences and managing human-wildlife conflicts. facility, please write to: Virginia Department of Game and journey. Above the noise of rushing wa- that neotropical migrant would initiate able forestry practices, sound land-use Inland Fisheries, Attn: Executive Director’s Office, P. O. Box 90778, Henrico, VA 23228. ters, screaming reel drags, and occasional a new, exciting chapter of my personal decisions, and habitat enhancement, laughter, the cheerful notes of an avian’s environmental study. Burton’s organization dedicated itself www.dgif.virginia.gov CONSERVE. CONNECT. PROTECT. Once called the “golden swamp warbler,” this handsome neotropical migrant makes its annual flight from Central and South America to parts of Virginia in search of wetland breeding habitat.

VOLUME 79 NUMBER 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 5 and the little, yellow passerine emerged historical numbers are suspected to be from my memory bank. If prothonotary down in parts of its range by as much as warblers were using the Staunton River 40 percent. The likely cause for decline is as a migration corridor, no doubt a pair loss of wetland habitat and competition nested here. The muddy margins of those from other cavity nesters. In areas of the Jurassic-like wetlands produced the con- commonwealth where prothonotary pop- cept of “Project Prothonotary.” ulations have been monitored extensively, Researching ornithology in South- numbers are either stable or increasing. side Virginia, I soon discovered most As birds of perpetual motion, people were not familiar with the protho- prothonotary warblers search thick, notary warbler. Prothonotary studies have stream-side tree canopies for beetles, been ongoing for decades in the lower lacewings, crickets, caterpillars, small James River and Tidewater, but breeding moths, and spiders. They also forage near information in the Roanoke River basin the water’s surface and along floating was nonexistent. A handful of birders had logs for aquatic insects such as mayflies, recorded the species, but individual sight- stoneflies, caddisflies, damselflies, and the ings seemed to be the extent of activity. occasional terrestrial crustacean. With no time to waste, materials were As with most members of the wood purchased, a half-dozen cedar boxes were warbler family, the male prothonotary is constructed, and four sourwood tree cav- first to arrive at a potential breeding lo- Brandon Martin, natural resource manager for Fort Pickett, right, and volunteer Phil Davis, ities were collected from the forest. With cation. With tireless vigor, he performs a Clover Power Station employees Will Solomon, left, and Tim Hamlet erect a nesting box in strategize nesting box locations along tributaries of the Nottoway River in Brunswick and company-owned wetlands adjacent to the Staunton River near Clover, Virginia. Dinwiddie counties. assistance from several energetic young- repetitive chorus of “Sweet, sweet, sweet, sters—another vital component of the sweet, sweet, sweet”—both to establish project—sites were selected and potential territorial parameters and to attract a to the welfare of the diverse community nesting facilities installed. By the end of mate. During this period he seeks out song of a male prothonotary rang out loud of plants and animals dependent on his March and right on schedule, everything multiple nesting sites and garnishes each and clear from the willows at the first site. foundation properties at the Cove. was in place! cavity with tidbits of moss. Upon arrival, In a matter of moments, the handsome During an early meeting, Ward and after pairing and mating, the female songster flew to a dead limb within feet of instructed me to develop a project that Science of the Matter selects the preferred cavity to construct where I stood mired in knee-deep muck could raise public awareness of the foun- The prothonotary warbler (Protonotaria her nest of dried grasses, sedges, rootlets, to perform his sweet melody. No words dation’s objectives. My initial thought citrea) is a habitat-specific species pre- moss, and willow leaves. The typical can appropriately describe the jubilation was to establish an interesting non-game ferring flooded timber with stagnant or clutch of eggs is four to six, cream to pink- I felt at that moment. project. So on a cold February morning, I slow-moving water. It is Virginia’s only ish-colored, highlighted with splotches Three hundred yards farther up- set out to explore the Cove’s 2,500 contig- warbler that nests in tree cavities. The of purplish-brown and gray. Incubation stream, a second male was singing. Even uous acres bordering the Staunton River majority of these gorgeous birds spend lasts approximately two weeks and is con- more exciting, through binoculars from in rural Halifax County. winter in Central and South America. ducted solely by the female. Both adults 40 yards away I watched a female busily I knew we needed an extraordinarily Depending on where they overwinter, participate in feeding the young that transporting nesting material into the interesting subject to attract attention; some round-trip migratory routes take fledge 10 to 12 days after hatching. Nests cavity. Over the next two days it was my pulling on waders, I headed into the them nearly 5,000 miles. are occasionally parasitized by brown- pleasure to discover five of the cedar boxes swamps. Although the day was blus- The prothonotary’s North American headed cowbirds; odd, because seldom and two natural cavities in use. Even the tery, the wetlands were teeming with geographic range includes parts of Texas, do they target cavity nesters. Also unique vacant box had pieces of moss scattered wildlife. Flocks of woodies, mallards, Oklahoma, and Kansas, from Wisconsin to most warbler species, the prothonotary over the bottom. Seven pairs of prothono- and black ducks flushed from a beaver and Michigan south to the Gulf of often produces two broods annually. tary warblers in wetlands stretching less canal as I labored to push through the Mexico, east to the Atlantic seaboard than two miles: unbelievable! thick, underwater mats of smartweed. (excluding mountainous terrain), north Jubilation Day A red-shouldered hawk’s shrill call to New Jersey and south to the Florida With the approach of spring, prospects Spring Semester pierced the air, while a great blue heron peninsula. Population strongholds are the for the project’s success seemed somewhat During 2018, Project Prothonotary used PVC A Halifax County High School student sets up In a matter of a few short weeks, discovery in departing flight croaked disapproval nest boxes originally designed by Wisconsin a press prior to drilling drain holes in a PVC Mississippi River drainage and swamp- dubious, primarily because the under- transformed into a fantastic learning DNR. Readily accepted by the birds, boxes were nest bottom cap. Under teacher supervision, at my intrusion. From the impenetrable lands in the eastern section of South lying concept was based upon suspicion experience. It involved study of a range sponsored by individuals, organizations, and HCHS shop classes manufactured 50 of the tangles of leafless button bush, dried Carolina. The International Union for the rather than empirical proof. But upon of interesting plants and animals that de- companies as seen on the name plate here. project’s nesting boxes. stalks of swamp rose mallow, and black Conservation of Nature lists the species in my return to the wetlands in late April, pend upon wetland conditions; suffering willows, thoughts of that fishing trip the category of “least concern,” although all doubts were erased: The unmistakable through the misery of stifling humidity,

6 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 7 “The real jewel of my disease-ridden woodlot is the prothonotary warbler…The flash of gold-and-blue plumage amid the dank decay of the June woods is in itself proof that dead trees are transmuted into living animals, and vice versa.” –Aldo Leopold

blood-thirsty leeches, and mosquitos; nests were disrupted by snake or raccoon adopted from the Kentucky Department and yes, the inconvenience of spring predation. of Fish and Wildlife Resources, and 106 floods. But the project turned out to be an Although the project was established boxes were constructed and installed in exhilarating spring semester of outdoor to determine presence of a unique migra- portions of the Roanoke drainage (se- education! tory bird, it became a genuine lesson in lected wetlands along the scenic Staunton Time spent staring through a camera land stewardship. For decades the Cove’s River from Brookneal, downstream to lens and binoculars validated much of the bottomlands had been heavily grazed Kerr Reservoir, up the Banister River, birds’ known behaviors. Yet there were and the Dan River upstream of South several notable surprises, especially when Boston). In addition, 13 boxes were the adults were feeding their young. For placed in wetlands along the Nottoway one, females approached nest sites in River within and adjacent to Fort Pickett silence. Males, however, routinely flew in Dinwiddie and Brunswick counties. to nearby perches to announce their The objective was not a focus on propa- presence with song. At the first note, the gation or collecting scientific data, but hatchlings automatically opened their rather, expanding educational outreach bills! Also, it quickly became apparent in Southside Virginia about prothonotary that prothonotary warblers are effective warblers as ambassadors for a critical hunters. Seldom did either adult return component of the larger environment. to the nest with a single food item. More By the end of April a number of often they transported multiple catches, females had accepted the newly designed especially when there were mayfly boxes, although heavy rains flooded Protho hatches. I observed the warblers’ bills several in low-lying areas. Then, during ct no packed with an assortment of food mid-May, and just as the warblers were in je t Braving the chill of March and cold, inhospitable wetlands, a group of energetic youngsters a sources: spiders, mayflies, stoneflies, and Success! Five eggs found in one of the newly the middle of nest construction and egg o r installed nest boxes. surround conservationist Ward Burton while placing nest boxes for Project Prothonotary. r y caterpillars. Perhaps the biggest surprise laying, calamity struck. Over ten inches P of the entire project was the manner in of torrential rain fell in the upper portion which they tolerated my human presence. by cattle, which resulted in soil erosion of the Banister, Dan, and Staunton rivers.

Still, on several occasions when I was and habitat degradation. But with new Within hours, nearly 40 percent of the T h n caught standing outside the camouflaged ownership and a halt to agricultural prac- nesting boxes were several feet under e o i W t blind, approaching males—like master tices, nature reclaimed the area under the water—silting nests and eggs. Yet the war- tangible evidence that far more golden Clover Power Station, and other volun- a a d ventriloquists—exhibited an uncanny supervision of a keystone species—the blers showed resilience by adopting other swamp warblers spend their springs teers. Financial support was provided by rd n B ou ability to throw their songs, an adaptation North American beaver. Bulging pop- boxes and, no doubt, natural cavities. By and summers here than anyone ever concerned individuals and businesses do- ur F ton Wildlife to make them sound much farther away. ulations of the big rodent with superior June, and exceeding all expectations, over suspected! nating through the Ward Burton Wildlife

Not one of the installed nesting engineering skills resulted in natural 100 prothonotary warblers had been con- u u u Foundation’s Adopt-A-Box initiative and boxes was adopted by other cavity nesters reclamation that benefitted numerous firmed in close proximity to the selected corporative partners Dominion Energy, FOR MORE INFORMATION or flying squirrels. I attributed this to species of plants and animals, one of nest sites. State and local agency partners included Old Dominion Electric Cooperative, and ● Ward Burton Foundation and the fact that the facilities were purposely which was the prothonotary warbler. Though purposely avoided by most DGIF, DCR, and the Halifax Soil and Clover Power Station. 1 Project Prothonotary placed in late March after chickadees, people during warm weather, the inhos- Water Conservation District. Box con- www.twbwf.org/project-prothonotary nuthatches, and titmice had already Project Prothonotary 2018 pitable quagmires along the Roanoke struction and installation assistance Mike Roberts is a lifelong naturalist and wildlife photographer who utilizes his ● Birding selected nesting sites. To discourage use The Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation River are treasure troves of flora and included students from Averett Univer- knowledge of animal behavior and nature to www.dgif.virginia.gov/vbwt by tree swallows, the boxes were located made a decision to increase the project’s fauna. Thanks to the support of the Ward sity, Halifax Co. High School, Hargrave educate others about respect and appreciation www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/birds/ in flooded areas with tree canopies. No scope of activities in 2018. A design was Burton Wildlife Foundation, we now have Military Academy, employees of the for the great outdoors. virginia-breeding-bird-atlas

8 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 9 W When rangbell final the at 3:10,I would shellthe vest, and my brier-proof pants. were my father’s old Fox 20-gauge double, for day, the of car and the trunk inthe I had negotiated of use family the Ford sane and safely it meant benign, only that longa time ago world the when seemed erates shock day inthis and age, but in 10 Hunting: A Foundation for Life

♦ VIRGINIAWILDLIFE The thoughtThe thatof gen- agunto school.carried hen Iwas ateenager Ioften wild aromaswild of outdoors. the with sights the senses and sounds and the through thickets of greenbrier,the filling having spent day’s the alone end trudging legsand quiet the weary satisfaction of squirrel or, more frequently, nothing but bobwhite quail, or perhaps a rabbit or a fields untildark. hedgerows the walk and cutover soybean onbe my way to afriend’s farm and would On some days Iwould bring home a By CurtisJ.Badger unlike birdunlike hunting, implicitly which refers by lunchtime with apair of ducks. It is decoys before dawn and hoping to return means you’re going to blind the with the other field suchsports, as which ducking, and Going unfocused. gunning is unlike ning,” atermthat is nonspecific equally thought. My father it “going called gun- most of us didwithout giving it much Shore,Eastern and hunting is something

I grew up town inasmall on the

© Shutterstock dogs all yeardogs all for that aseason lasts only tofew willing house and a packfeed of by practiced sport, is aspecialty adevoted shotguns with gold inlays. Rabbit hunting dogs, horses, professional trainers, and height it projected an image of expensive meeting salt inthe marsh. withrites filled rituals,and a Masonic untosport its own, acomplex occupation catching anicemess of fish.Ducking a is has existed to put on food the table, like Virginia,of rural and for generations it of hunting the and gathering tradition to tides flush high during very clapper rail. meansthrough poling askiff the marsh And it is not like marsh henning, which or rabbit hunting, for calls which beagles. to bobwhite quail and pointers and setters, Bird hunting elitist. can be At its Going gunning is at generic the core uncomfortable, reality that inorder for tion to hunting, to stark, the and perhaps breeze. Iwas 13and was this my initia- a little wake kicked up by northeast the stern,the keeping bow the heading into it bay, inaseaside my father poling from from skiff cedar friend andlaunched a to wingshooting. We borrowed an old choice agood be to introduce a neophyte slow-flying bird in settingan open would my father, correctly who reasoned that a and ate.killed Iwent marsh henning with hen because it was firstthe birdever I normal. daily weather to produce well tides above lunar the when conspire tides with the stance, usually unplanned, available only henning is an accidental happen sport, - a few weeks out of fifty-two. the Marsh I have affinity aspecial thefor marsh act ofact muscle memory. shot, a wing beating water the in a final shattered and broken inaspray of lead was and pulled trigger the bird the lay out instant the gunwas the pointed and was made to alife, take and it was carried and conscious of act violence. Adecision and gathering. hunting participantwilling ritual in the of an anonymous process, inthe partner a on. The fish die,would but it seem would until that rattle and meant jerk afish was it into blackness the of water, and waited To catch fish, youbaited a droppedhook, in ways that were discrete and profound. table, but fishing differed from hunting had proudly brought home them for the had caught fish manybeforetimes and us to live, something hadelse to die. I To arail, however, kill was an overt SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 11

We learn as hunters that we are not above nature and separate from it, Hunting, and to a lesser extent though some may see the process as cruel. fishing, provided me with a foundation Nature is healthiest when there is a Youth but rather, a part of the delicate balance that is vital to the health of all that led to a broader appreciation for balance. Before game laws were passed, natural communities. nature and the outdoors. And this led to a shorebirds were hunted without limit and life of writing about nature, of advocating during spring migrations, and written ac- for the protection of wild places and wild counts from the period paint a picture of Apprentice Marsh henning began my life as a succession of pointers and setters of un- I developed an appreciation for the things, and it also led to a great interest greed and waste. As a result, many species Hunting hunter, and it was a seaside baptism of full certain bloodlines, dogs that were eager natural world, the joy of being out there, in wildlife photography. I find myself became endangered. A century ago, there immersion, a ritual which demonstrated hunters but also more than willing to and now I suspect that “going gunning” supporting organizations that share the was a market for the plumes and feathers Opportunities that man is not separate and above the serve as the family pet. Those were the last was not about hunting and gathering values I learned as a hunter. These would of birds to use as ornaments on ladies’ realm of nature, but part of it, an active of the good days of quail hunting, when so much, but simply the need to be out include Ducks Unlimited, which has hats. This led to a precipitous decline in participant in the daily ritual of life and there were sufficient hedgerows to sustain there in nature, to let it all soak in. And I protected vast areas of wetlands in North the population of birds such as snowy Youth and Apprentice Deer death, just as surely as the harrier nabs multiple coveys, when there were fewer still do this. The Nikon has replaced my America, and The Nature Conservancy, egrets. Hunting Weekend: the field mouse, or the peregrine takes “posted” signs, when farming was more father’s 20-gauge Fox, and I use a little which on the Eastern Shore established Having been a hunter, I think, made September 29-30 a preserve of barrier islands and tidal me aware of the importance of finding a the teal. The difference, I think, is that to likely a family business than an industry. digital recorder to pick up bird sounds or Youth and Apprentice Bear me the taking of life was not necessarily a Quail are rarely seen today. The to make notes to myself about something wetlands that represent some of the last balance, the necessity of getting out there Hunting Weekend: matter of survival, but an experience that annual Audubon Christmas Bird Counts I might want to write about later. coastal wilderness in the East. as often as I can, to watch and to learn and October 13-14 forces us to contemplate the violent and turned up 100 or more birds on a regular I learned early in hunting the im- We learn as hunters that we are to experience firsthand how nature really not above nature and separate from it, works. It all began with afternoon hunts Youth and Apprentice Fall Turkey ephemeral nature of living. basis until the mid-1980s, but in recent portance of habitat, and today I enjoy Hunting Weekend: I’m in my seventies now and no years quail rarely show up at all in the volunteering with organizations such but rather a part of the delicate balance after school, exploring farm fields and October 20-21 longer hunt. I didn’t make a decision not yearly tallies. Conversely, when I was as the Virginia Master Naturalists to es- that is vital to the health of all natural hedgerows, carrying my father’s old Fox to hunt, but rather, it happened over time, growing up it was very rare to see a deer, tablish natural area preserves. One such communities. I have birder friends who double. And it troubles me to realize that Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days: a progressive situation that might have and even as the population grew, I never preserve near my home was until recent detest hawks because the feeding station mine may be the last generation to do so. 1 October 20 and February 2, 2019 begun with surgery to repair a ruptured developed a desire to kill one. Today, years a commercial tomato growing they set up for chickadees and titmice quad tendon, and a resulting inability to where I live on the Eastern Shore, more operation, a part of the industrial ag- sometimes becomes a feeding station for trudge easily through greenbrier thickets. deer are killed on the highways than riculture infrastructure on the Shore. sharp-shinned and Coopers hawks as For more information, see the It also might have something to do with were killed by hunters years ago. Today, native plants have replaced the well. “Hawks have to eat too,” I tell them. Curtis Badger has written widely about the natural and human history of the coast. His current Hunting and Trapping in I don’t add that their feeding station how the natural world has changed in the Although I no longer take a shotgun long rows of tomatoes, and our reward most recent book is Letters Home, written with Virginia or Migratory Game Bird last half-century. afield, I find that hunting instilled in is to go down to the preserve in summer for songbirds is a great target for hawks his wife Lynn, is a collection of letters written Hunting in Virginia guides. I grew up hunting quail. We always me certain values and a mindset that to hear bobwhite quail calling back and cruising for a meal. In nature, hawks by family members during the post-Gold Rush had a bird dog around the house, a defines my life today. Through hunting forth. © Shutterstock and songbirds constitute a balance, even days in California to family back home in Va.

12 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 13 WOMEN AFIELD: FINALLY!

By John Shtogren

can picture them smiling, Diana During early workshops, Thomas muzzleloader shooting. “The first time and Artemis, the Greek and Roman learned a number of key factors that the women fire that gun, it’s like, ‘Oh my goddesses of the hunt and the wil- would shape later programs: 1) Women gosh, I have to have one of these.’” Iderness. They like what they see looking didn’t pursue outdoor activities simply Since its early days, the word about down from Olympus on our woods and because they didn’t know where to go BOW has spread far and wide. It is now waters. What they see has been a long to learn; 2) They learn best from other offered in 39 states, usually through its time coming. Finally, they see their sis- women in a supportive, non-competitive natural resources office, as well as in six ters, women of all ages, joining in the hunt environment; 3) They gain a strong sense Canadian Provinces. To date, 200,000 and going into the wild as never before. I of empowerment from attempting activi- women have attended BOW workshops wonder how a Greek chorus would sing, ties that had seemed off-limits. and 20,000 will attend 80 workshops this “You’ve come a long way, baby!”? Thomas’s findings became the basis year. for the phenomenally popular BOW pro- And Then Came BOW gram, Becoming an Outdoors Woman. Looking Good It’s hard to say exactly when the sea change The basic BOW weekend workshop has Back in the day, becoming an outdoors began, when women started going afield three components—hunting, fishing, and woman usually meant borrowing a in more than ones and twos. If I had to non-harvest subjects like canoeing or brother or son’s clothing and gear. As a pin a date on it, I’d say 1991. That was the campfire cooking. After-dinner sessions colleague recalls girlhood hunts with her year a young professor at the University may include anything from a guest biol- father, “I looked like a cross between the of Wisconsin, Christine Thomas, offered ogist talking about endangered species Pillsbury Dough Boy and the Michelin a hands-on workshop for women to learn to a fashion show featuring the latest in Man. I was lugging a 12-gauge pump with outdoor skills. The workshop was part outdoors women’s apparel. a 32-inch barrel that was about as tall as I of her research on why women did not BOW gives women a chance to was.” About the time this century turned, participate in outdoors-related activities. challenge themselves, to step out of their the sporting goods industry caught on to She hoped a dozen women would sign up comfort zones and to experience the the growing outdoors women’s market for the workshop. It turned out that more rush of empowerment. Kim Dunnigan, and began to tailor their products to meet than a hundred women wanted in. a volunteer BOW instructor, teaches their special wants and needs.

Right: Founder of GRITS, Liz Lanier and fellow shooters return from the fields after a successful pheasant hunt. Photo by ©Adam Ewing

14 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 15 Women Afield and Our Future Undoubtedly, the sporting goods industry is benefitting from the growing number of women afield, but their presence may Clothing retailers were the first to sight radius is hard to aim and a stock de- to outfit another one million women in hold a far greater benefit for all of us who smell money. They noticed women make signed for little men is downright painful the next two years. love the outdoors. Taylor hinted at it up more than half the consumers in the for a woman to shoot. Even a light weight In fly-fishing the single most im- when she described fly fishing and wom- $887 billion outdoor recreation industry. 20 gauge will smack a woman in the face portant piece of equipment isn’t the rod en’s “connection to natural rhythms” and As women began to pursue hunting and and punch her in places that hurt. In time you carry; it’s the waders you wear. You’ll a new-found understanding of being part fishing opportunities, retailers in the rag the women shooters’ message got through understand if you slip on a mossy rock in of something larger than themselves. Dale trade were quick to claim they could dress to the firearms designers—“It’s the FIT, waist-deep water and have an icy wave Hall, CEO of Ducks Unlimited, sharp- them in style. not the finish!” seep down to your socks as you struggle ened the importance of women afield Unfortunately, the first line of wom- Manufacturers like Ithaca, Fausti, to stand. At that moment, you lose in- when he explained why his organization en’s field clothing to hit the market was and Syren have introduced guns for terest in fishing. is actively recruiting women—and it’s not little more than “shrink it and pink it.” women based on anatomy, not fashion, Manufacturers have invested time to fill duck blinds. Small men’s or youth sizes were trimmed taking into account: and money to improve waders for women DU’s goal, as Hall said, is to “adopt in pink and presented as “just for women.” • Women have smaller hands and need in both form and function. Patagonia’s conservation as a significant family value No, a smallish male of a particular height narrower grips and more slender fishing director, Bart Bonime, explained in homes across the country.” He believes and weight does not have the same con- forearms. why they didn’t take the shrink-it-and- women afield are key to achieving that tours as a woman with the same overall • Women have longer necks and pink-it approach. “We didn’t want to take goal. “We need to embrace the fact the numbers. higher cheek bones and need higher a men’s wader and dumb it down and women in our lives drive our value system In time, customer-driven manu- combs. color it differently for women. Women more than men do.” When conservation facturers started with a clean sheet. For • Women have shorter arms and need don’t want something that’s designed is a bedrock family value, the future will example, Sitka offers high-end hunting shorter stocks to reach the trigger. for a man. They want something that’s be bright for all outdoors women and apparel designed by women for women. • Women are different up-front and designed for them.” men. When that day comes along, we’ll all They listened to what accomplished need those shorter stocks angled out In addition to sizing to various fe- be smiling with Diana and Artemis. 1 women hunters wanted which led to de- and up to put recoil on the shoulder male body types, Patagonia’s Spring River signs, for example, with different collars and away from sensitive areas. waders address a very practical issue— John Shtogren is a freelance outdoors writer since women don’t have beards, and more Liz Lanier is a Level III sporting how to relieve oneself without having to and editor living in Cumberland County. He is working on a new book on fair chase wild boar Shutterstock protection on the back and down the clays shooting instructor and founder of strip down. A drop-seat function helps a © hunting in the Southeast. backside of the thighs. As John Barklow, Virginia-based GRITS, Girls Really Into woman answer the call of nature. It’s still Sitka big game product manager noted, Shooting. In a Garden and Gun piece, awkward, but better. “Women want more comfort when sitting she stressed the importance of fit for Unlike firearms, fly rods and reels in a tree stand or leaning against a tree.” women shooters: “Shooting a shotgun are gender free. A six-weight is going to And nothing in the Sitka line is pink. that fits well is like wearing a great pair of fish the same for a man or woman. Rods Women Afield in the Old Dominion The Department’s Novice Deer Hunter Workshop and Hunt stilettos. If it feels good, looks good, gives in pink, lavender or sparkly teal may add More and more women are going afield in Virginia. “Twenty-five is open to any newcomer over 20, but can be an especially Shooting Straight you some confidence, and even makes a fashion flair but trout don’t care. What percent of our Hunter Ed students are girls and women,” reports meaningful experience for women. Amy Johnson, in her 30s, In the dozen years between 2001 and you feel a wee bit sassy, you are probably women need is a fly-shop pro who will Sgt. David Dodson, DGIF Hunter Education Program Manager. participated in the two-day workshop and three-day hunt at Ban- 2013 women were the fastest growing going to feel more comfortable and more help them find the right rod and reel for That is a good-sized number when you consider 14,000 new shee Reeks Nature Preserve to better understand her husband’s segment in the shooting sports—60 confident shooting it.” the water and species they’ll fish. hunters take the mandatory course each year, either online or hunting passion. “He grew up in a hunting family. My family didn’t percent increase in target shooting and Fly-fishing’s special appeal to women in the classroom. Instructors are trained to make it a positive, hunt—in fact, we were anti-hunting,” admits Johnson. 83 percent increase in hunting. Firearms Tight Lines may have something to do with its no- non-intimidating experience for everyone. During the hunt to control the deer population, she enjoyed manufacturers initial response was like Women’s growing numbers in fly fishing kill ethic or the zen of the long looping “We train our trainers to celebrate the overall experience,” spending time with a knowledgeable, patient mentor. Even though says Jimmy Mootz, Region 4 Recreational Safety Coordinator. she didn’t fire a shot while sitting in a blind for three days, Johnson the sporting apparel folks—“pink it and are even more impressive. Currently, wo­ line over sparkling waters. As Alaskan The Department is always looking for opportunities to con- says, “I felt comfortable going out on my own after that.” When shrink it.” Stubby youth model shotguns men make up 2 million, or 31 percent, of fly-fishing guide Kate Taylor describes, nect with women in its programs. For example, a Basic Hunter she took her first deer, there was none of the high-five celebration and rifles were prettied up in pink and the 6.5 million members of the fly-fishing “It deepens our connection to natural Education Live Fire Course catering to women is staffed with we often see among hunting buddies. “I was overwhelmed, it was labeled as ladies models. community. In a new industry initiative rhythms, and that brings humility and female instructors like CPO Amanda Nevel to create a more fe- a humbling experience.” She encourages women hunters to go “Shrink it and pink it” didn’t work led by Orvis, the goal is to make fly fishing the understanding that you are part of male-friendly experience. Also, as Mootz notes, “Many women afield with other women hunters. “It’s like being with a friend, any better for guns than it did for clothes. an equal 50-50 gender split by 2020. Orvis something that’s much larger than our hunt for food, not trophies,” so adding a cooking and tasting com- without any pressure.” Women afield connect with nature, but A short-barreled shotgun with a limited and other fly-fishing retailers are hoping own personal self.” ponent to a workshop on deer processing adds appeal for women. perhaps a bit differently than men.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 17 WHITE OAK MOUNTAIN EXPLORE, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA: Over 2,700 acres near the center of Pittsylvania County ENJOY ◆ Barrier-free Access Trails and Blinds ◆ Black Bear, Deer, Turkey ◆ Rabbit, Dove, Squirrel ◆ Four Ponds Full of Bass, Bluegill

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries maintains 42 management areas 18 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE totaling more than 210,000 acres for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. For SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 19 more information on how you can visit our wildlife management areas, go to: www.dgif.virginia.gov/wma. Photos by Lynda Richardson / DGIF WHAT’S UP WITH COBIA? Virginia works to be a leader in sound cobia management.

Story and photos by Ken Perrotte

he 2018 cobia fishing season in casting to big cobia swimming near the offshore—on June 20 of 2016. Because aboard. Only one of the kept fish could be allocations by state are based on calcu- the Finfish Advisory Committee and the Chesapeake Bay began with surface, seems to be the most produc- Virginia falls under the SAFMC, it’s ex- longer than 50 inches. lated previous landings. an avid recreational angler. He likes the the usual high hopes for recre- tive, especially on sunny days with little pected to be a good soldier and close the A key provision was that Virginia According to the ASMFC website, ASMFC getting enhanced responsibility Tational anglers. For many fishermen, the wind. You also avoid bait-stealing sharks season in state waters. would work out some sort of mandatory “When a species is added to the list for overall Atlantic cobia management. hard-fighting cobia remains king of the and bluefish, which can be prevalent the This would have wiped out almost all reporting requirement, designed to get of Commission-managed species, an At its March 27, 2018 meeting, the Chesapeake summer, quickening their closer you fish to the Bay Bridge-Tunnel. of Virginia’s cobia fishing since it usually a full, accurate picture as to how recre- Interstate Fishery Management Plan is VMRC adopted recreational and com- pulse and challenging their skills. Often thought of, primarily, as a isn’t until June that these fish typically ational cobia anglers were faring. developed, which establishes the man- mercial cobia regulations in response to Master angler Wes Blow of Newport lower Bay fish, anglers today also find start arriving here in good numbers. The Returning to 2018: Things are on agement of that species in state waters. the ASMFC’s plan. Virginia’s recreational News has caught, tagged, and released cobia in good numbers in the middle rub was that anglers from southern North a more even keel. An Atlantic States Once approved, it is the responsibility regulations set a 40-inch minimum hundreds of cobia in the name of re- Bay. Yes, it’s easy to get hooked on fishing Carolina to Florida would have felt no im- Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) of the involved states to implement the length with a one fish per person daily search. He also likes to dine on smoked for these olive-brown specimens. Recent pact, since their cobia seasons are earlier interstate management plan for migra- plan’s management measures in their possession limit or 3 fish daily vessel cobia salad. Ten days into the season he years, though, have seen considerable in the year. tory cobia went into effect in April and in jurisdictions.” limit, whichever is more restrictive. Only was “0-fer”—meaning he had boated 13 controversy about how to best manage Virginia pushed back. Many people June the SAFMC voted to transfer man- The ASMFC adopted baseline, inter- one fish per vessel per day may be greater fish, but not one reached legal-keeper size migratory Atlantic cobia. doubted the methodology used to cal- agement responsibility to the ASMFC. state regulations for cobia matching the than 50 inches long. Big cobia, larger than of 40 inches. That record changed with his Rewind to 2016: The South Atlantic culate harvest statistics. After months of This should help promote consistent current federal regulations for Atlantic 55 pounds, are mostly mature females. next trip out, but the point was the fish he Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) discussion, fact finding, and public input, regulations in state and federal waters and migratory group cobia (Georgia to New The adopted limit helps protect breeding was finding were relatively small. calculates “unusually high landings of the Virginia Marine Resources Com- improve management flexibility of cobia York). Each state’s regulations must match stock. Blow likes to set up several rods cobia in the 2015 fishing season,” with mission (VMRC) voted 5-4 to preserve from Georgia to New York. the base regulations or be more restric- For one, Blow favors protecting the baited with eels, spot, or croaker and recreational anglers allegedly overfishing a 2016 modified cobia fishing season in While some cobia are caught off- tive. (See Regulatory Roundup, p. 23, for biggest fish. He notes that the largest entice the cobia in with a whiff of chum in the level determined as sustainable. As state waters until Aug. 30. Virginia did shore, most are harvested in state waters, baseline regulations and state-by-state cobia caught during last year’s Virginia the water. In recent years “sight-fishing,” a result, the National Marine Fisheries increase the minimum size to 40 inches within 3 miles of shore. Virginia and regulations.) Saltwater Fishing Tournament was 82 where the angler stands higher in a small Service plans to close recreational cobia from 37 and limited each boat to two fish North Carolina anglers catch the most Yorktown dentist and VMRC Com- pounds, the smallest in well more than tower atop the boat looking for and fishing season in federal waters—3 miles daily, or one fish if only one angler was cobia, far surpassing other states. Catch missioner Ken Neill III is a member of a decade and indicative of a several year

20 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 21 trend of ever smaller fish. a work in progress. The 2017 report showed 6,588 permittees who Regulatory Roundup The dearth of bigger fish were responsible for reporting the 2,296 cobia kept and 7,345 cobia has him worried that released over the course of 4,969 trips. The charter fleet had 193 per- Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Baseline Regulations anglers may be getting too mittees who were responsible for reporting 591 cobia kept and 1,193 Recreational Bag Limit: 1 fish per person, 6 fish per proficient at targeting the cobia released over the course of 466 trips. Optionally reported bio- vessel per day; 36-inch fork length (FL) minimum size big females. logical data included 982 individual cobia lengths (averaging 38.21 or total length (TL) equivalent. “Small fish are good inches) and 124 individual weights (averaging 37.05 pounds). These Commercial: 2 fish per person, 6 fish per vessel; for the future, but for years reflected a mix of fish that were caught and released as well as kept. 33 inches FL minimum size or TL equivalent the biggest fish weighed According to the VMRC, the percentage of private recreational more than 100 pounds, permit holders who fulfilled their reporting obligations by Sept. 30, 2018 State Regulations with many more over 90 2017 was 53.96 percent. The charter fleet number was 38.34 per- VIRGINIA pounds,” Blow reports. cent. Any trip resulting in the catching of cobia, whether caught or Recreational Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; 3 fish per The 2018 season released, needed to be reported within seven days. Trips that didn’t vessel per day (only one fish per vessel per day may opened June 1 and closes result in any cobia needed to be reported by 15 days after the con- be greater than 50 inches long); minimum size 40 Sept. 30. Commercial cobia clusion of the recreational season. inches TL. Season from June 1 – September 30. anglers have a 37-inch Since it was the program’s first year, the VMRC continued to Commercial: Possession Limit of 2 fish per commer- minimum size limit with a accept reports after the deadline. Neill pointed out that anglers who cial fishermen registration licensee; 6 fish per vessel daily possession limit of 2 didn’t file a report are ineligible for a cobia permit this year. Permit per day; minimum size 37 inches TL; Season open all cobia per commercial fish- numbers are down for 2018. As of mid-June, the VMRC had issued year. Note: Virginia has a required permit and a mandatory erman registration licensee Wes Blow holds a cobia he tagged before release. Working with VIMS, he has tagged numerous cobia. 4,133 private recreational permits and 170 for-hire permits. reporting program for the recreational harvest of or a 6-fish-daily vessel For now, Neill is optimistic about the future, noting that Atlantic migratory group cobia. limit, whichever is more fast-growing, prolific cobia have a limited commercial fishery. He restrictive. Commercial anglers have a First, how far do these fish migrate, and ago. There was no release award; release believes the strict recreational regulations currently in place, along NORTH CAROLINA continuous open season. second, how well do they survive after citations were added in 1991. with careful monitoring, improves the outlook. 1 Recreational Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; “for-hire” Virginia cobia anglers, both recre- being caught and released? The years from 1995 to 2002 were vessel limit of 4 fish per day; private vessel limit of ational and commercial, must apply for The satellite tags collect information big years for cobia anglers, according Ken Perrotte is a King George County resident and the outdoors columnist 2 fish per vessel from May 1 - May 31 and 1 fish per a no-cost cobia permit and complete an transmitted when the tag pops off the to tournament data. Nearly 650 awards for Fredericksburg’s Free Lance-Star newspaper. Contact him at Kmunicate@ vessel from June 1 - December 31: 1 fish per vessel gmail.com. per day; minimum size of 36 inches FL. annual report. Individual reports include fish, usually within six months. “One fish were made in 1997. Since 2005, though, Commercial: trip dates, mode of fishing, number of an- [tagged while fishing with Blow] traveled the number of registered trophy fish Possession limit of 2 fish per person with vessel limit of 6 fish per day; minimum size 33-inches glers, number of cobia kept, and number as far south as waters near Daytona, has ping-ponged from about 150 to 400 FL. Season open all year. released. Anglers can report electronically Florida,” Jensen reports. “Another had its annually. using a computer, tablet, or smartphone, tag pop off some 40-45 miles off the coast “I think the citation data are good SOUTH CAROLINA or use a VMRC paper form. Permittees of South Carolina.” indicators of the quality of the trophy Recreational Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; 3 fish per can also report additional detailed in- While many people consider cobia a fishery,” Gillingham says. “And, given vessel per day in the Southern Cobia Management formation, such as fishing location and strictly inshore fish, the satellite tagging the qualifying minimums for a citation Zone – 6 fish per vessel per day in other areas; min- length and weight of any cobia caught. revealed some fish range deep, right to the over the past 14 years, it would indicate imum size 36 inches FL. Southern Cobia Management Neill said this year’s regulation-set- edge of the continental shelf. Jensen said a healthy number of large and older Zone season of June 1 - April 30; other areas, open all year (South Carolina tracks federal regulations and ting process went much more smoothly. he has heard of anglers south of Virginia individuals.” But, Gillingham cautions, will close if federal waters close). He added that he’s hearing Virginia sometimes jigging deep water for cobia. “It doesn’t measure abundance, effort or Commercial: Cobia is listed as a game fish in South anglers are pleased, overall, with the Most fish stayed within the expected account for improvement in fishing tech- Carolina. Commercial harvest in state waters is boundaries—the Chesapeake Bay to niques, such as sight casting from a boat regulations. prohibited. southern Georgia and northern Florida. on an elevated tower.” Learning is Ongoing Jensen said 24 of the 36 tags per- Virginia’s stringent reporting system GEORGIA Along with Virginia’s catch reporting, formed as desired. The good news is none should fill in some of these gaps. Neill Recreational Bag Limit: 1 fish per person; 6 fish per additional tools are providing insights of those tagged fish seem to have died said he believes Virginia’s mandatory vessel per day; minimum size 36 inches FL. Season: into cobia behavior and numbers. Var- after being caught and released. “Cobia reporting system could lead the way in March 1 – Oct. 31 ious tagging programs have been ongoing are a hardy fish,” he says. trying to collect complete, accurate infor- Commercial: Same as recreational, but season open for the past 15 years. Research student The Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tour- mation regarding cobia catches. all year. Douglas Jensen and Dr. John Graves from nament also yields anecdotal insights. “We still do not trust the Marine FLORIDA the Virginia Institute of Marine Science According to tournament director Lewis Recreational Information Program… Florida is not a part of ASMFC’s plan because the placed satellite tags on 36 cobia caught in Gillingham, the minimum weight for a the other jurisdictions are watching us range for Atlantic migratory group cobia is from Virginia waters in 2016 and 2017. Their cobia citation was 45 pounds when the closely,” he says. Georgia to New York. study is looking at a couple of things: tournament began more than 50 years The mandatory reporting system is Cobia are an exciting game fish known for speed, strength, and good eating.

22 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 23 the woods. They scan the forest floor for caught them, admired them, and then That’s important to all wildlife, but it is For The Love of signs of life, gently turning over logs and released them. That passion only became especially critical to a variety of amphib- peering into thickets. A few slosh through stronger as he grew older. ians and reptiles. Three of 28 frog and creeks and make their way along the edge “I’ve lived in seven states and I was toad species are listed as Tier I or Tier II of a swamp. The goal is simple: Find as always looking for them when I was out species in Virginia’s Wildlife Action Plan, many reptiles and amphibians as possible, hiking. When I moved to Virginia, I which means they are facing a high or identify them, and record them. Despite wanted to continue so I joined the VHS very high threat of extirpation. The plan the ticks and mosquitoes and sometimes in 2010. It has been a great way to keep ranks species based on their conservation SNAKES sweltering heat and humidity, “herping” doing what I enjoy and I get to do it with needs. Ten of Virginia’s 56 salamander (And Turtles. And Lizards. And Frogs.) is a mission that many of the group’s 260 a lot of great people,” says the 68-year-old species are Tier I or II and three of 34 members take seriously. retired Palmyra resident. snake species have similar classifications. “Our membership includes scientists The VHS organizes as many as seven “Habitat loss is likely the main threat and biologists, but most of us are ama- surveys each year, often on wildlife man- to reptiles and amphibians, especially teur herpetologists,” says VHS secretary agement areas. Others are held at state those dependent on wetlands,” says Dave Perry. “We just enjoy getting out parks or natural areas throughout Vir- Conley. and finding and identifying reptiles and ginia, often on lands that have not been amphibians.” surveyed before or that have sensitive Snakes Alive Like Conley, Perry’s fascination with habitat or threatened species. Habitat loss isn’t the only threat to snakes. herps started when he was a kid. He spent These days, places like Big Woods Persecution is likely taking a toll, as well. his days in the woods looking for snakes, WMA serve as a sanctuary of sorts, a Lots of people have an innate fear or even lizards, frogs, and other reptiles and am- place where wildlife is protected from hatred of snakes and kill every one they phibians. When he found them, he often development and other habitat threats. see at every opportunity.

Story and photos by David Hart

ive of us emerge from the woods Now 22, he works as a wildlife biologist Society (VHS) assemble in a parking area and gather around Dane Conley assistant for the Department, helping of Big Woods Wildlife Management Area, as if he just discovered a hidden with reptile and amphibian research and a 2,200-acre Department-owned prop- Fpot of gold. What he holds in the palms management throughout the state. erty in rural Sussex County. It is a mix of of his hands is even better. It is a black After everyone snaps a few photos, towering pines, mature hardwoods, creek racer, a snake named both for its color Conley sets the racer back on the ground bottoms, and tannin-stained wetlands. and its ability to evade predators with and sends it on its way unharmed. We In other words, it is an excellent place to what seems like blinding speed. This one, spread out again and continue searching find reptiles and amphibians, or “herps” however, wasn’t fast enough to get away for another treasure. as enthusiasts call them. from Conley. He’s been catching snakes An hour earlier, a dozen members After a brief meeting, the volunteers Left: VHS member Dr. Bryan Kim holds a black racer, a common snake found throughout Virginia. Above: Members and guests of the Virginia and other reptiles for most of his life. and guests of the Virginia Herpetological split into two groups and disappear into Herpetological Society check a vernal pool for tadpoles and salamander larvae on a survey at Big Woods Wildlife Management Area.

24 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 25 That’s too bad, says Conley. Of the are venomous, you will know which ones couple of species native to Virginia will surveys is vital to the science community. 34 snake species native to Virginia, only pose a potential threat. The VHS website actually eat other snakes like copperheads.” It helps keep tabs on population trends and three are dangerous. Copperheads, cot- is filled with great information on snake And a single rattlesnake may remove up to it can reveal previously unknown locations tonmouths and timber rattlesnakes can identification, including pages with 2,000-2,500 ticks through the rodents they of various species. inflict a serious, even deadly, bite, but photos showing venomous snakes next to consume. “It seems like just about every survey such bites are extremely rare. Only 15 non-venomous ones. With a little practice, finds a species that hasn’t been found on people in the past 30 years have died from you will learn which snakes to avoid and Citizen Scientists that site before or is a new county record,” a snakebite in Virginia. Copperheads which ones to admire up close or from a The VHS doesn’t exist entirely to educate says Conley. “That can help focus con- are the most common and widespread distance. the curious among us or to give members servation efforts for those species most at venomous snake in Virginia. Their range “Many snakes eat rodents, so they are an excuse to tromp through woods and r i s k .” extends throughout the state. Cotton- actually good to have around if you don’t swamps in search of reptiles and amphib- The VHS is also a great avenue to meet mouths are only found in southeastern want mice in your house,” says Perry. “A ians. The data collected during member like-minded people who just love to seek, Virginia, mostly in and around the find, and sometimes catch reptiles and Great Dismal Swamp region, and timber amphibians, admits Perry. Surveys allow rattlesnakes are found primarily in the new members to meet veterans and they mountainous western third of the state. serve as a classroom of sorts. Since many of A small, reclusive population of timber the attendees aren’t experts, they are often rattlesnakes, known as canebrakes, lives grouped with someone who is. People in southeastern Virginia, as well. like Conley and Perry are well-versed in Contrary to popular belief, none of Virginia’s herpetological species and help the three venomous snake species will identify species for those who may not chase a person. In fact, they won’t bite Even experts sometimes refer to an app to identify species such as this yellow-bellied slider. be. They also share their enthusiasm. For unless provoked or threatened. Don’t them, and for many other VHS members, believe it? Various researchers have tested catching a black racer, or any other reptile the aggressiveness of venomous snakes. or amphibian, isn’t much different than One study, conducted in Georgia by stumbling upon a pot of gold. 1 herpetologist Dr. Whit Gibbons, found “Habitat loss is likely the main threat to reptiles and that most cottonmouths will first try to amphibians, especially those dependent on wetlands.” David Hart is a full-time freelance writer retreat when provoked. They next resort –Dane Conley and photographer from Rice. He is a regular to defensive posturing and bite only contributor to numerous national hunting and when they have no other choice. Gibbons fishing magazines. Contact him at hartfish1@ gmail.com. used tongs fitted with a prosthetic hand Venomous, yes, but copperheads are shy and rarely bite unless provoked. If you see one, to pick up cottonmouths to determine please leave it alone and it will leave you alone! their reaction. Just a third of those picked up attempted to bite. A similar study in Florida found that just 8 percent of 336 pygmy rattlesnakes encountered struck when tapped on the nose with a gloved hand. In 1958, noted herpetologist Clifford Pope famously said, “Snakes are first cowards, then bluffers, then last of all WANT TO LEARN MORE? warriors.” “Statistically, people who tend to get Membership in the VHS is open to bit by a venomous snake are young men anyone interested in Virginia’s native reptiles and amphibians. Herp surveys who either are attempting to pick it up or are typically held in the spring and even kill it,” says Perry. “The best thing are scattered throughout the state. you can do if you don’t like snakes is to Members can bring a guest. The VHS walk the other way. They want to be left also holds an annual meeting in the alone, too, so if you don’t bother them, spring. Non-members are welcome to they won’t bother you.” attend. For more information visit: www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com. Even better than walking away? Be- Members of the Virginia Herpetological Society come from diverse backgrounds, but they come educated. By learning which snakes Dane Conley holds a five-lined skink so another VHS member can photograph it. have one thing in common: a love and respect for Virginia’s native reptiles and amphibians.

26 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 27 have a bet for you, but first I want musculoskeletal systems. This explains likely to be protective and nurturing, to you to do to something for me. Take why most babies have a “baby face”—a defend and care for offspring. a long look at the photographs on large forehead, a small jawline, and great Many species of animals, particularly The Evolution of Ithe next few pages—the bear cubs, the big eyes. Newborn humans have eyes that those that provide long-term care to bobcat kittens, the ducklings, the fawn. are almost 70 percent the size of adult their young, seem to be just as prone to Take your time and really look at them… eyes, stuck in a body that is roughly 5 respond to cuteness as we are. The same just be sure to tear yourself away and get percent of adult weight. A five year old features that make us think a baby, pup, back to reading at some point. has a brain that is all but fully grown, but kit, or gosling is cute seem to make their Done? Okay, here’s my prediction: a body that is roughly a third the weight parents think they’re cute too. A recent I’m willing to bet that at some point while of an adult. study showed that people find baby an- you were gazing at those imals from species that incredibly adorable baby practice intensive parenting Cute animal photos, you smiled to be far cuter than closely By Jason Davis or found yourself about to go related species that don’t “Awwww…” Maybe you even have a need for parental wondered if baby bobcats care. This suggests that could possibly be as snuggly animals that need parenting as they look. have actually evolved to Regardless of your age, emphasize their baby-ish gender, or background, characteristics, essentially pretty much everyone knows to look cuter than animals cute when they see it. And we that do not. love to see it! The question This kind of universal is: why? Why do we think cuteness may help to ex- certain features are cute? plain why some animals are And why do those features willing to foster kids that show up in babies of so many aren’t their own. Adoption different species? Why and of orphans has been re- how are our brains wired for ported in white-tailed deer, cuteness? black bears, geese, and right Most baby animals, at whales, just to name a few. It least baby vertebrates, kind of even happens across species look the same. They have big Young animals may even heads, small eyes, stubby little attempt to look cute longer limbs; all the things that we in order to maintain their find adorable. There’s actually parents’ attention. Recently a pretty good set of reasons fledged blue jays and gulls that infants across species ©Ann and Rob Simpson that are perfectly capable of look this way. finding their own food have A functioning nervous system allows Because these features are so been shown to change their body posture, animals to learn and respond to the en- universal, they provide an easy way to fluffing out their feathers and tucking in vironment and it’s an essential feature for identify infants. Nobel prize-winning their legs and necks; essentially trying survival in almost every species. Muscles, biologist Konrad Lorenz theorized that to look more baby-like to convince their bones, and strong jaws are important too, many adult animals have what he called parents to keep taking care of them. Even but not quite as essential or as energy- a “kindchenschema” or ‘kid category’ pelican ‘teenagers’ will act like great big and time-intensive to grow. Because of response—a built-in trigger that makes kids, bobbing their heads and squawking that difference in prioritization, infants them act parental around infants. This loudly and intensely just like they did are almost always born with nervous means that just seeing something that when they were nestlings in order to push systems that are more mature than their looks like a kid makes adult animals more their parents into feeding them.

Left: Big heads and small eyes make black bear cubs adorable to us. Just look at those faces! Photo by ©Bill Lea Above: Bobcat kittens couldn’t look any snugglier, could they?

28 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 29 Cuteness isn’t just for adorable animals, motivational posters, and forwarded emails. It’s a powerful biological adaptation, a built-in mechanism that helps parents of many species to recognize and respond to offspring. Rue Wildlife Rue Wildlife Photos Lynda Richardson Lynda © © Adorable wood ducklings stage at the entrance to their nest hole before leaping to the ground. Fawns always bring an“awww” from their audience. These charming, spindly-legged babies bring out the parenting instinct in us.

Of course there’s a dark side to process of domesticating animals often several different species, images of infants in parenting birds, alligators, and even might also play a role in responding to pictures. That’s right, you can get “high” this, too. Brown-headed cowbirds don’t gives them more juvenile or infant-like and cute pictures cause increased activity fish…none of which has any ability to cuteness. Several studies have shown on cuteness (at least a little bit). take care of their own offspring, instead features: large heads, shorter faces, and in specific areas of the brain. Increases make milk. that prolactin increases when adults Cuteness isn’t just for adorable laying their eggs in the nests of other thicker, less lanky bodies. Being more in activity were seen in the orbitofrontal So what is a milk-making hormone view pictures of babies. These increases animals, motivational posters, and for- species. These ‘host’ species are almost childlike may make animals more cu- cortex, an area associated with attraction doing in animals that don’t have the in prolactin, along with increases in es- warded emails. It’s a powerful biological always smaller than the cowbird, and the rious, calmer, and easier to handle, but and appraising of value and in the nu- ability to make milk? It turns out that trogen and progesterone (hormones also adaptation, a built-in mechanism that cowbird chick usually sticks out from its it may also make us find them cuter and cleus accumbens, an area associated with prolactin is generally responsible for involved in reproduction and parenting), helps parents of many species to recog- adopted siblings like a giant sore thumb. more appealing, encouraging us to want motivation and reward. Babies seem to triggering parental behavior in verte- also make adults more likely to recognize nize and respond to offspring. Cuteness Still, the host parents continue to feed and them around and to use their photos as automatically make adults feel that: a) this brates. Whatever form parenting takes, and respond to “cute” pictures and to has evolved to hijack our brains for the care for the nestling cowbird—often at a backgrounds on our phones and com- small thing is really great, and b) it would whether it be snuggling with your young engage in parenting behaviors. good of our kids. So don’t feel too guilty major cost to themselves and their own puters. It may even explain why so many feel really great to take care of it. to keep them warm (voles), feeding them This hormone-cuteness relationship the next time you find yourself staring at offspring. Why? At least in part it seems of our cartoons and comic characters are Hormones also play a key role in from your meals (pretty much all birds), is a two-way street. Exposure to cuteness an adorable photo of a baby fox or cute to be because the cowbird chicks act a lot drawn with huge eyes and even bigger cuteness. One of the most famous of these herding them into your mouth for safety also trains your brain to be an attentive chick—you just can’t help yourself. 1 like their own chicks, making begging heads. Bobble-headed designs are baby­ hormones is prolactin. Prolactin basically (alligators), fanning them to make sure parent. Looking at pictures of cute calls, showing the inside of their mouths like, which means they’re cute, which translates as “for milk,” and it encourages they have enough oxygen (sunfish), or things causes a release of oxytocin and and flapping their wings, and acting in means we like them more. milk production in all female mammals, simply protecting them from predators dopamine in the brain. Both of these Jason Davis is an assistant professor of biology all ways like a baby that needs to be fed. It makes sense that evolution would from deer to dolphins and everything in (lots of species), prolactin almost always neurotransmitters are associated with at Radford University. His research focuses on The unwitting parents are, in a sense, held select parents to recognize kids and to between. What is more surprising is that seems to be involved in making those feelings of happiness, contentment, and physiological processes in wild animals. captive by their cuteness. want to take care of them, but what’s prolactin can be found at high levels not behaviors happen. reward. Probably because of this effect, Cuteness may also explain some actually going on in the brain that makes only in the brains of lactating mothers, Given prolactin’s special connection adults of several species show a marked weird features of our own culture. The us so attracted to cuteness? In tests of but also in many mammalian fathers, to parenting, it only makes sense that it preference for cute pictures over non-cute

30 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 31 FREDERICK COUNTY PAGE COUNTY Maps by Jay Kapalczynski 1. Hogue Creek 26. Cub Run (NF) 2. Paddy Run (NF) 27. Hawksbill Creek Area 1 3. Clearbrook Lake 28. Jeremys Run (SNP) 4. Wilkins Lake 29. Naked Creek (SNP) 30. Passage Creek Upper (NF) 2019 SHENANDOAH COUNTY 5. Little Passage Creek RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY Trout Program Maps 6. Little Stony Creek (NF) 31. Hazel River (SNP) 7. Mill Creek 32. Piney River (SNP) 8. Passage Creek (NF) 33. N. Fork Thorton River (SNP) 9. Peters Mill Run (NF) 10. Stony Creek GREENE COUNTY 11. Tomahawk Pond (NF) 34. Devil’s Ditch 40. South River (Upper and Lower) ROCKINGHAM COUNTY 12. Big Run (SNP) MADISON COUNTY 13. Black Run 35. Hughes River (SNP) 14. Dry River 36. Rapidan River (SNP) 15. German River 37. Robinson River (SNP) 16. Hone Quarry Run (NF) 38. Rose River (SNP) 17. Madison Run (SNP) 39. Conway River 18. N. Fork Shenandoah River 19. Slate Lick Run (NF) WARREN COUNTY 20. South River (Grottoes) 42. Happy Creek 21. Briery Branch Lake (NF) ncluded here are updated maps of the western region of the state where the Department is actively man- 22. Hone Quarry Lake (NF) FAUQUIER COUNTY 23. Silver Lake 43. Lake Thompson aging for trout. As always, streams are delineated as: stocked trout waters, wild trout waters, and spe- 24. Skidmore Reservoir cial regulation waters. Special regulations include delayed harvest, fee-fishing, catch-and-release, special 25. Slate Lick Lake (NF) Icreel limits, size limits, and other restrictions. Remember, detailed information about special regulation wa- ters as well as the Department’s entire trout management program can be found online at www.dgif.virginia. gov/fishing/trout and inside the fishing digest, published in January.

TROUT STOCKING OVERVIEW Defined by Areas 1-5

Stocked Trout Lakes 1 Fee Fishing Put and Take Special Regulation Urban Fishing Program Youth Fishing Only

2 Stocked Trout Reaches Delayed Harvest Fee Fishing Put and Take Special Regulation 3 Wild Trout 4 Youth Fishing Only 5 DGIF WMAs National Park National Forest

32 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 33 BOTETOURT COUNTY 1. Jennings Creek (NF) Area 2 2. McFalls Creek (NF) Area 3 3. Middle Creek (NF) 4. North Creek (NF) 5. Roaring Run (NF)

BEDFORD COUNTY 7. Hunting Creek 8. Overstreet Creek 9. Reed Creek 11. Liberty Lake

ROANOKE COUNTY 12. Glade Creek 13. Roanoke River (City) 14. Roanoke River (Salem) 15. Tinker Creek

FRANKLIN COUNTY 16. Pigg River 17. Runnett Bag Creek 30. Franklin County Park Pond

HENRY COUNTY 19. Smith River

LYNCHBURG 10. Ivy Creek Park Lake 31. Ivy Creek (Peaks View Park)

PATRICK COUNTY 21. Ararat River 22. Clarks Creek 23. Dan River 24. Dan River (Below Powerhouse) 25. Poorhouse Creek 26. Rockcastle Creek 27. Round Meadow Creek 28. N. Fork South Mayo River 29. S. Fork South Mayo River

AUGUSTA COUNTY 21. S. Fork Moorman’s River 41. Pads Creek (NF) NELSON COUNTY 1. Back Creek (NF) 22. Mint Springs Lakes 42. Spring Run 61. Shoe Creek 2. Falls Hollow (NF) 23. Sugar Hollow Reservoir 43. Wilson Creek 62. South Rockfish River 3. Meadow Run (SNP) 75. Scottsville Lake 44. Douthat Lake Fee fishing 63. Tye River 4. Mills Creek (NF) 45. Lake Moomaw 64. N. Fork Tye River Stocked Trout Lakes 5. Mossy Creek ALLEGHANY COUNTY 65. S. Fork Tye River Fee Fishing 6. North River Upper (NF) 24. Jackson River Tailwater HIGHLAND COUNTY Put and Take 7. North River Gorge (NF) 26. Pounding Mill Creek (NF) 46. Benson Run ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY Special Regulation 8. North River (Natural Chimneys) 27. Shawvers Run 47. Bullpasture River 66. Big Marys Creek Urban Fishing Program 9. Paine Run (SNP) 28. Simpson Creek 48. Laurel Fork 67. Buffalo Creek Youth Fishing Only 10. Ramsey’s Draft (NF) 29. Smith Creek (NF) 49. South Branch Potomac River 68. Guys Run 11. Saint Mary’s River (NF) 30. Smith Creek (NF) 69. Irish Creek (NF) Stocked Trout Reaches 12. South River 31. Clifton Forge Reservoir (NF) AMHERST COUNTY 70. Maury River Delayed Harvest 13. South River (Grottoes) 50. N. Fork Buffalo Creek 71. Mill Creek (NF) Fee Fishing 14. Braley Pond (NF) BATH COUNTY 51. Davis Mill Creek (NF) 72. South Buffalo Creek Put and Take 15. Elkhorn Lake (NF) 32. Back Creek (NF) 52. Little Irish Creek (NF) 73. South River Special Regulation 17. Lower Sherando Lake (NF) 33. Back Creek 53. Little Piney River 78. Cave Mountain Lake Wild Trout 18. Upper Sherando Lake (NF) 34. Cascades Creek 54. Pedlar River Upper (NF) Youth Fishing Only 76. North River (Tail) (NF) 35. Cowpasture River (NF) 55. Pedlar River Lower (NF) STAUNTON CITY

77. South River (Basic Park) 36. Jackson River (NF) 56. Pedlar River Below Dam (NF) 74. Lake Tams DGIF WMAs 37. Jordan Run 57. Piney River (NF) National Park ALBEMARLE COUNTY 38. Little Back Creek 58. N. Fork Piney River National Forest 19. Doyles River (SNP) 39. Mare Run 59. S. Fork Piney River 20. N. Fork Moorman’s River (SNP) 40. Muddy Run 60. Rocky Row Run (NF)

34 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 35 Area 4 Area 5 Area Comers Creek (NF) Creek Comers (NF) Creek Cressy (NF) Creek Dickey (NF) Creek Hurricane Creek Laurel Little (Chilhowie) River Holston Middle Fork (Marion) River Holston Middle Fork (Upper) River Holston Middle Fork River Holston South Fork Creek Staley SMYTH COUNTY SMYTH 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. Big Tumbling Creek Big Tumbling Creek Brumley Creek Cove Green (NF) Branch Straight Laurel Tennessee Creek Valley (NF) Laurel Whitetop (NF) Lake Beartree Reservoir South Holston Creek Cove Fork Roaring Tumbling Creek Little Spring Creek Maiden (NF) Creek Laurel Witten Lake Lake Lincolnshire Park) (Dunford River Powell South Fork 21. 22. 23. 28. 29. COUNTY TAZEWELL 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 52.

CRAIG COUNTY FLOYD COUNTY 29. Snake Creek 42. Venrick Run 1. Barbours Creek (NF) 14. Burks Fork 30. Stewarts Creek 43. W. Fork Reed Creek (NF) 2. Meadow Creek 15. Goose Creek 58. Lovill’s Creek

3. Potts Creek (NF) 16. Howell Creek GRAYSON COUNTY Martins Creek River Powell Fork North Indian Creek Creek Big Stony (NF) Creek Stony Little Creek Stock (NF) Bark Camp Lake Creek Big Moccasin Big Cedar Creek Bed Creek Laurel Creek Big Brumley 17. Laurel Fork PULASKI COUNTY 44. Big Wilson Creek LEE COUNTY 11. 12. 50. COUNTY SCOTT 13. 14. 15. 17. 51. RUSSELL COUNTY 18. 19. COUNTY WASHINGTON 20. GILES COUNTY 18. Little Indian Creek 31. Peak Creek 45. Little Wilson Creek 4. Dismal Creek (NF) 19. Mira Fork Mill Creek 5. Johns Creek 20. Rush Fork BLAND COUNTY Quebec Branch 6. Little Stony Creek 21. W. Fork Little River 32. Laurel Creek (NF) Wilburn Branch 7. Mill Creek 57. Little River 34. Laurel Creek 46. Chestnut Creek 8. Big Stony Creek (NF) 35. Lick Creek 47. Elk Creek Lower 9. Wolf Creek CARROLL COUNTY 36. Wolf Creek 48. Elk Creek Upper 59. Glen Alton Pond 22. Big Reed Island Creek 49. Fox Creek (NF) 23. Chestnut Creek WYTHE COUNTY 50. Hales Lake (NF) MONTGOMERY COUNTY 24. E. Fork Crooked Creek 37. Cripple Creek 51. Helton Creek Delayed Harvest Delayed Fishing Fee Put and Take Special Regulation Wild Trout Fishing Only Youth DGIF WMAs National Park National Forest 10. Craig Creek (NF) 25. E. Fork Little Reed Island Creek 38. E. Fork Dry Run 53. Middle Fox Creek Fishing Fee Put and Take Special Regulation Urban Fishing Program Fishing Only Youth 11. Pandapas Pond (NF) 26. Elk Spur Branch 39. E. Fork Stoney Fork (NF) Cranesnest River Cranesnest Creek Frying Pan River Pound River Fork Russell Dismal River River Fork Russell (NF) Clear Creek River Powell Middle Fork River Powell South Fork Reservoir Norton Reservoir Bear Creek River Powell Pound River/N.F. Pound River Pound River/N.F. Pound Stocked Trout Trout Lakes Stocked Stocked Trout Trout Reaches Stocked 12. Poverty Creek (NF) 27. Little Snake Creek 40. Gullion Fork Ponds (NF) 9.

13. Toms Creek 28. NF & SF Stewarts Creek 41. Rural Retreat Pond DICKENSON COUNTY 1. 2. 3. 4. COUNTY BUCHANAN 5. 6. WISE COUNTY 7. 8. 10. 47 . 48. 49.

36 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 37 AFIELD & AFLOAT

basic questions new hunters may have check out his earlier volume from Rodale: 2019 Outdoor about plucking, skinning, and dividing Hunt, Gather, Cook: Finding the Forgotten Have a Change of Address? small game. Thanks to Shaw’s detailed Feast. Here you’ll learn how to use wild Photography Simply send it to us at least 8 weeks in advance of the move. Or call our instructions and Heyser’s color photo- greens and make wine and liqueur from Classics Showcase subscription service at800-710-9369 . graphs, hunters can dive into their game local berries and plants, and he’ll intro- by prep with confidence. Even old-timers duce you to new ways to prepare wild Deadline: When Does My Subscription Beth Hester might learn a few new tricks. Shaw’s boar, fish, crabs, venison, shellfish, and Monday, February 4 Expire? approach to cooking is globally inspired, much more. If you are uncertain when your incorporating the food traditions and fla- A portion of the proceeds from this subscription expires look for the expi- vors of various ethnic traditions. He also book are being donated to Pheasants NEW CATEGORY! ration date on your label in the circled Pheasant, Quail, Cottontail: respects and breathes new life into simple Forever and Quail Forever which will use Trail-Cam Images location on the sample shown. Upland Bird and Small Game and satisfying standards like Brunswick the funds to restore, improve, and expand from Field to Feast stew, smoked turkey breast, gumbo, and habitat for all upland birds. Submissions are now being #VIR0002235105/8#60 N/D19 barbecue. JOHN SMITH by Hank Shaw accepted online! P.O. BOX 90778 2018 H&H Books Shaw shows how to prepare and www.dgif.virginia.gov/virginia- HENRICO, VA 23228-0778 Huntgathercook.com showcase each type of small game to Don’t Forget Your Duck Stamps wildlife/photo-showcase-entry Hardcover, 336 pages best advantage, and his helpful use of and HIP Registration Color photographs by Holly A. Heyser game icons in each chapter illustrates the ENTER TODAY! various types of game that benefit from “In general, the culinary experience of the a particular recipe. He shares the secrets red-meat realm is relatively narrow com- and science behind how marinades work, pared to the world of small game. No other and he shows how to prepare even the area of hunting offers such a dazzling array most challenging cuts of meat. PICS FROM THE FIELD of flavors. Even pheasants, partridges, Here’s just a sampling of recipes that and quail—the most chickeny of our wild will entice you to cook your way through It looks like love is in the air, and it is, but according to birds—have their own unique flavors.” each chapter: our biologists these big guys are actually fighting, not –Hank Shaw • Chinese Orange Pheasant 2018 Virginia Migratory Waterfowl mating! Mid-July to early September is rattlesnake • Pheasant Paprikash Conservation Stamp artwork, ©Brian Murillo breeding season while other snakes mainly breed in Mouth-watering recipes, game prep • Turkey Carnitas the spring (April-May). This rarely seen behavior is performed to obtain breeding rights to females. Two techniques, food safety best practices, • Southern-style Quail with Grits All hunters (licensed or license-ex- empt) who plan to hunt doves, observant readers sent these in. game storage guidelines, sausage-making and Greens waterfowl, rails, woodcock, snipe, instructions, and giblet use: It’s all here in • Rabbit Ragu Left: Wrestling timber rattlesnakes surprised Martin coots, gallinules, or moorhens in this handsome, new volume from Hank • Rail Perloo Hanbury of Blacksburg behind his cabin on Bush Virginia must be registered with Mountain. Martin used a Canon PowerShot A2500 Shaw. A former journalist, Shaw is a chef, • Giblet Bolognese the Harvest Information Program digital camera, ISO 160, 1/160, f/6.9, to capture the All of the recipes are straightforward, angler, food blogger, storyteller, hunter/ (HIP). HIP is required each year and moment. Congratulations, Martin! Incredible! gatherer, and conservationist whose fresh and most ingredients are readily available. a new registration is needed for the approach is opening up the world of wild If an ingredient isn’t at hand, Shaw sug- Right: Lucile Smalley of Virginia Beach came upon upcoming season. two big male cottonmouth moccasins sizing each foods to people who are just now picking gests good alternatives. In addition, to hunt waterfowl other up in Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Using up a rod or gun, and who are wondering Shaw didn’t pick up a shotgun until in Virginia hunters (age 16 and a Nikon D3300 DSLR camera, Tamron 18-400mm what to do with their quarry once they get later in life, and it took a while for him older) must obtain a Federal Duck f/3.5-5.6 Di II lens, and settings of ISO 450, 1/250, it home. His food blog, “hunter angler gar- to find mentors, so he had to learn things f/6.3, Lucile recorded the amazing scene. WOW! Stamp and the Virginia Migratory Congratulations, Lucile! dener cook,” is helping to create a new wild the hard way. That’s what makes the food Waterfowl Conservation Stamp. foods community. Bookmark his blog for lore and stories in this book so inviting; Both stamps can be purchased from Isn’t nature the coolest thing EVER? constantly updated fish and game recipes, no matter your level of wild food expe- DGIF license agents or from the stories, and inspiration. rience, he speaks to you where you live Department’s website: You are invited to submit one to five of your best photographs to “Pics from the Field,” Virginia Wildlife Magazine, P.O. Box 90778, Henrico, VA 23228-0778. Send high-resolution jpeg, tiff, or raw files on a CD/DVD or flash drive and include a self-addressed, stamped envelope or other The problem with many game cook- and answers your questions like he was www.gooutdoorsvirginia.com shipping method for return. Also, please include any pertinent information regarding how and where you captured the image, what camera and books is that they don’t always answer the reading your mind. You might want to settings you used, and your phone number. We look forward to seeing and sharing your work with our readers!

38 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 39 NOW AVAILABLE!

ome of Virginia’s most interesting and Luna’s lime-green, camouflaged S natural history is seldom observed colors. Although the caterpillars blend in because it occurs after nightfall. A portion well with their environment, a percentage of the life cycle of North America’s largest, of them are victimized by ravenous spi- indigenous silk moth is a classic example ders, insects, and birds. of such obscure behavior. Then, in early autumn, Mother No doubt, Swedish botanist Carl Nature sends the cecropia caterpillars Linnaeus had a logical basis for the ap- another biological notice. As the length plication of Hyalophora cecropia in his of daylight hours recedes, it is time to scientific naming of the cecropia moth. prepare for that long, winter nap, which Why he compared the physiology or be- results in a flurry of proleg activity. Rather havior of this handsome lepidopteran to than spinning cocoons in the proximity of Cecrops—the first, mythical (half-human, their summertime food larders (evident half-snake) king of Athens—remains a to opportunistic predators), the larvae mystery. To folks who lump all insects hemolymph fluids through veins that disperse in wanderlust. This is why they into a single category, our giant silk moths eventually unfold nearly six inches of are often encountered on the ground, are merely big bugs that fly helter-skelter sturdy, colorful wings. crossing highways, and crawling across around dusk-to-dawn lights or flutter Come nightfall, the flight-capable porches during late September and early noisily against window panes at night; adult females release chemical messages October and their cocoons are discovered their confusion resulting from the effects to attract suitors that have synchronously attached to the stems of plants other than of bright light on the animals’ compound emerged throughout the forest. Using normal food sources, such as the thick eyes. Nevertheless, to those of us who hair-like scent receptors on large, feathery vine cover of blackberry and poison ivy. study and admire creatures with six legs, antennae, amorous males can detect the Adaptive behavior of this nature increases the cecropia moth ranks as royalty! pheromones for miles. Such behavior is survival rates. Keep in mind, the cecropia, or collo- extremely important because of the spe- Upon sealing itself inside the durable, quial “robin moth,” is present in forestland cies’ low population density. Upon mating, watertight cocoon, the caterpillar’s skin habitat in either of four distinct stages females fly to a wide range of food sources splits and the insect metamorphoses into a ONLY $12.95 (includes S/H) throughout the year. During winter, pupas palatable to their offspring, where they pupa that is a perfect, keratinous casting of not targeted by parasitic flies and wasps, lay upward of a dozen eggs on leaves in the adult’s body, eyes, antennae, and rudi- Grant or mice and squirrels, are reposed within several, distinct locations. The adult moths mentary wings. The pupa then produces a Program the confines of large, finely woven silk lack functional mouth parts for feeding glycerol solution (a liquid combination of (2014 - 2017) cocoons attached to tree limbs. During and perish a few days later. sugar and alcohol), which prevents it from Your purchase helps fund the Virginia Wildlife Grant spring, and after several consecutive In less than two weeks, a new freezing during the cold months ahead. * 128 projects funded nights of warm temperatures, the single generation of quarter-inch, hairy black Amazingly, cecropia moths spend over Program which helps connect youth to the outdoors generation of sleeping pupas is awakened caterpillars hatch and begin munching half of their lives in a state of suspended * $164,000 awarded by nature’s biological alarm clock. Soon on the leaves of red maple, river birch, animation! by introducing them to hunting, fishing, boating safety, afterward, ongoing metamorphosis causes black willow, button bush, and a host of Come a warm night in late May, this the aroused moths to release acidic fluids, other tree types. Throughout late spring remarkable process is repeated in all of its and shooting sports. * Over 39,240 youth which dissolve escape routes in the dou- and summer the caterpillars undergo five splendor to be savored by those who simply impacted ble-layered enclosures. For hours after individual molts, referred to as instars, take time to go for a walk in the woods! emergence, underdeveloped adults cling each resulting in increased size and hue * Several projects precariously from the vacant cocoons or alterations. At four and a half inches, the A lifelong naturalist and wildlife photographer, reached at-risk kids adjacent tree branches while they utilize full-grown cecropia larva’s bluish-green Mike Roberts enjoys sharing his knowledge and visually- an internal hydraulic system to pump color scheme is unique to the Polyphemus with others. Order online: www.shopDGIF.com impaired students

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 41 Casey while Ol’ Jones shot. There was no quit in that dog when it came to going after ducks, but that is not always a good thing. PHOTO TIPS What you need to remember is that every duck or goose that has been shot By Bill and Linda Lane may be more alive than dead when it hits the water. A crippled duck on the water does not plan on sticking around and beats a quick getaway as soon as it can, especially if there is some fiery-eyed Fall Photo Fun retriever steaming towards him. You’d better make sure that your retriever re- sponds to the stop whistle signal when in aterfalls, fall colors, and much improved. Of course, if you the water. W reflections are popular sub- are able to spot meter on something Ol’ Jones once winged a duck while jects and make for extraordinary else more solid within the scene Dear Luke, If you own a quail plantation in hunting near Claremont on the James. images. But, many photographers that is in the same amount of light, I have read with great interest about southern Georgia or a lodge on a trout The duck had a 60-yard head start and was struggle over proper exposures and you could use that reading instead. the Lonesome Dove Hunt Club and Lit- stream in Montana, I think the members in high gear, heading downstream by the techniques: waterfalls are blown There are many ways to reach the erary Society and wondered, how does will make you president. time Casey hit the water in hot pursuit. At out, colors are overexposed. Re- same results. one become a member? 150 yards, both dog and duck were going flections? Well, they simply don’t One of the most popular draws Rufus T., Heathsville Dear Luke, strong and the guide recommended Ol’ show up. Let’s start with waterfalls. for our North Carolina Workshop I have been training my retriever all Jones whistle the dog in. Jones blew and Never shoot waterfalls in the in October is going for those Dear Rufus, year. He knows three tweets on the blew, but Casey was not coming back bright sun unless for a picture colorful, abstract reflections. They The first qualification is that you have whistle means come, and he will sit and without the duck. At 200 yards, both of record. The best light is early are always gorgeous and different only a modicum of good sense, which stay. During the summer we trained on were almost out of sight when the guide morning or evening. Use a polar- if Mother Nature cooperates. It you use sparingly. The very fact that you water retrieves by throwing bumpers suggested he ought to go after Casey izer, turned counter-clockwise so requires a special lighting situation are inquiring about membership proves in and around decoys and he navigates before the dog tired and found himself it won’t unscrew. Its purpose is to and no polarizer. You must have you meet that qualification. Obviously, around them pretty well. Is there any- in trouble. The guide’s exact words were, reduce glare, which will enhance a cloudless blue sky; most of the you are a “come here,” for if you had spent thing else I should know before I take “I’ll take the jon boat and see if I can find detail and color. And don’t blow time, we photographers like a any time in the area, you would have been him duck hunting? him. You take your car, get on 64, and try out the very white water. A small diffused sky! You need bright, hard warned by the upstanding members of Walter J., St. Stephens Church to pick him up when he passes Hampton spike on the right side of your sun shining on trees with leaves our quiet community to steer clear of Roads.” histogram is acceptable but can be of a variety of colors on the north anyone associated with this organization. Dear Walter, Keep a leg up, reduced if you use the HDR (high side of the stream or river. And Although the rules are as “flexible” as Mr. Ol’ Jones wishes he had asked that ques- Luke dynamic range). We use Light you need to find a place where the Debit’s (the club accountant) tax advice, I tion when he got his first Lab, Casey, Room software for this, but there water is cascading, or flowing, in Luke spent many sunrises hunting up good will try to give you a helpful hint to swing which was short for Casey Jones, the are many others. Set your camera the shade with the colors reflected stories with Clarke C. Jones, and thankfully, the vote your way. railroad engineer. He should have named left us a cache of colorful tales. You can to take a desired number of shots. on it. After having experimented One, you can donate to any of the that dog Loco—short for locomotive—be- learn more about Clarke and Luke at We take five at one-stop intervals, with numerous shutter speeds, members’ charitable funds which, coin- cause sometimes Casey could be a train www.clarkecjones.com. in which case we’d program the we have found that 1/8 to 1/4 of a Never shoot waterfalls in bright light. A polarizer will help cidently, are named after each individual wreck in a blind. camera to shoot at -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 reduce glare and, thus, enhance detail and color. second works best. If the shutter member. It is best to do this close to when So first, make sure your retriever is in that order (helps us know where speed is too fast, the colors don’t you are under consideration for member- steady to shot in a duck blind. Casey was one set started and stopped). Then blur enough. If it is too slow, they ship—while your charitable donation is not. On their first duck hunt together, we put all five shots into the HDR pro- Trees in the fall do not average out to blur too much and wash out. still fresh in their minds. Ol’ Jones learned—to his chagrin—that gram and hit “run.” Simple, and yes, you be a medium tone on your meter read-out Again, look for the image within the Next, it is very important that you Casey was blasting out of the blind at the can use HDR on moving water. We also scale, which would be “0.” Instead, we’ve image. Happy Shooting! bring something to the club. For example, first shot, come heck or high water. It did use the highlight or white slider to reduce learned that using the matrix or evalu- Cous’n Walter, Reverend A.S. Wray, and not matter if he had to leap over the blind, overexposure of water. ative metering system on fall colors is Fumbles have the best bird dogs in the go through the blind, or go through Ol’ Remember that within an image excellent if you compensate, realizing that state. Arby Woolfolk owns a mile of the Jones to get out. Kind of embarrassing are found numerous others that can be those fall colors average out to be darker Nationally recognized photographers Bill and Linda Lane have shared their love of isolated, as within a waterfall. Zoom in than medium due to the shadows be- best trout water in Bath County. Swede and very dangerous! Jones either had to photography by teaching classes and workshops Anderson has land in Amelia, where you wrestle 93 pounds of muscular, whirling and isolate various sections of the water. tween trees and leaves. So we have found over the past 24 years. Check out their Nature’s are guaranteed to get a turkey anytime dervish to the ground while the guide Exposure remains the same until the light that if we call the whole scene a little on Image portfolio and workshop offerings at ”OK, Now let’s check your weight.” you hunt. shot the ducks, or the guide would wrestle changes. the dark side, let’s say a -2/3, the tones are www.lanephotoworkshops.com.

42 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 43 It’s a Canoe, It’s a Kayak: It’s a Boat — Oh My! Lee Walker / DGIF Walker Lee Canoe and kayak “Demo Days,” such as this one in Farmville, offer opportunities to try out different boats and equipment and learn about boating safety.

es, a canoe or kayak is considered a • Visual distress signals must be fee-based online safety course, at: www. Yboat for required safety equipment available when on coastal or federal boat-ed.com/paddlesports/. within the commonwealth, and the waters. Although paddle sports education operator must follow the same laws and • A horn, whistle, or bell. is not required, operators are responsible regulations and, most of all, safety rules • And, of course, navigation rules must for learning the laws and regulations as- required by this type of boat. be followed. sociated with it. Both of these courses are So what is required to be legally com- Yes, you are operating a boat when interesting and fun to take and will help pliant to “operate” a manually propelled you get into a canoe or kayak! you be safe on the water while enjoying vessel? Information on the required safety local waterways. • A lifejacket must be readily available. equipment can be found on the Depart- Keep paddling! • A vessel under oars may display ment’s website and in the Go Outdoors those lights prescribed for a sailing App. The DGIF website offers an excellent vessel, but if it does not, it shall have and free online paddling safety course by ready at hand an electric torch or BoaterEd. Take time to check it out, at: lighted lantern shining a white light www.boaterexam.com/paddling/. Mary Loose DeViney serves as the Boating which shall be exhibited in sufficient Additionally, the American Canoe Safety Education Coordinator in the time to prevent collision. Association in Fredericksburg offers a north-central region (Region IV).

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 ♦ 45 Dining In By Ken and Maria Perrotte

Mommie Ree’s Bird Pie 2018 Kids ’n Fishing Photo Contest Deadline: Sept. 8

For rules and requirements go to: www.dgif.virginia.gov/kidsnfishing

his recipe is designed for dove or quail. You could Preparation Tprobably try it, too, with “four and twenty blackbirds,” but Cook bacon in a large pan over medium heat until slightly we don’t encourage it. We first heard about the dish after a crispy and rendering grease. Remove bacon and add dove quail hunt in Louisiana. Christina Cooper, with the St. Tam- meat, lightly browning both sides. Remove dove meat and many Tourist and Convention Commission, shared that she add 1 tablespoon oil or enough when combined with the had an old family recipe passed down from her grandmother, bacon grease to leave 2 tablespoons fat in the pan. Add Mommie Ree Van Norman. Her dad saved it for her and sent 2 tablespoons flour and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring it with a note wryly remarking that her grandmother “wasn’t constantly to make a light to medium brown roux. This will much on seasoning.” take several minutes. Add vegetables and cook another few We gave Cooper’s recipe a try. Her dad was spot on. minutes until they start to soften. Add spices, if desired, and a It was bland but made a good starting point for creative little salt and pepper. Tread lightly; you can add more to taste doctoring. Here’s our adaptation. toward the end of cooking. Add back the doves and bacon and stir in the broth. Turn Ingredients up heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 8-10 dove breasts, deboned (cut into 16-20 pieces) 30-45 minutes until meat is tender and gravy is thick. If 4 slices bacon needed, remove the cover to let some liquid evaporate. You 1 tablespoon olive oil want to end up with a slightly thick gravy that doesn’t quite 2 tablespoons flour cover the meat. Finish seasoning to taste. ½ onion, chopped While doves are simmering, prepare biscuits according ⅓ cup chopped celery to directions on package and preheat oven to 450°. Heat the 2 big garlic cloves, chopped meat mixture to almost boiling and ladle into a casserole 5 or 6 mushrooms (white or baby Bellas) dish. Use enough gravy so the meat is not quite submerged. Salt and pepper, to taste Immediately place the unbaked biscuits on top. They should ½ teaspoon Creole seasonings (optional, but recommended) rest on the meat, not sink into the gravy. It’s important to ½ teaspoon herbs de Provence (optional) have the meat and gravy very hot when the biscuits are 1 ½ cups chicken or vegetable broth added. Bake for 10-12 minutes until biscuits are cooked and 1 dozen biscuits from your favorite biscuit mix, unbaked (we the tops, browned. Serve immediately. Makes enough for 2. used Southern Biscuit Mix) Warning: Canned biscuits won’t work in this recipe; they get gummy and don't bake properly.

46 ♦ VIRGINIA WILDLIFE Virginia Department of Game & Inland Fisheries P.O. Box 90778 Henrico, Virginia 23228

Magazine Subscription-related calls only 1-800-710-9369 ● All other calls to (804) 367-1000 • (804) 367-1278 TTY

Looking for a great deal? A subscription to Virginia Wildlife is ONLY $12.95 a year! That’s six issues of fascinating stories and gorgeous photography and includes the very popular photog- raphy showcase issue. To order, simply send us your full name and address. All orders must be prepaid by check to: Treasurer of Virginia. Mail to Virginia Wildlife Magazine, P.O. Box 37832, Boone, IA 50037-0832. Please allow 4 to 6 weeks for delivery.