Outdoors Notebook: Spring shaping up to be a good one for turkey

It's gobbler time.

Spring season opens Saturday in Virginia and North Carolina.

According to wildlife biologists in both states, this could be a great spring for big male birds.

Populations are good. After a few down years, conditions have improved for reproduction, which means that an increase in birds taken last fall might be a sign of things to come for a couple of years.

In both states, only bearded males can be taken during the spring season. One bird can be taken each day.

In Virginia, hunters can take up to three turkeys in a year, with the number of spring gobblers dependent on whether any turkeys were taken in the fall. In North Carolina, the seasonal take is two birds.

Virginia's season runs from Saturday to May 17. From Saturday to May 3, hunters can target turkey 30 minutes before sunrise until noon. From May 5-17, hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

In North Carolina, the season runs from Saturday to May 10, and hunters can target birds during daylight hours.

Turkey numbers once were at all-time lows in both states. Numbers have been increasing each year because of the efforts of state game departments and local chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Bassin' gal

Bass angler Barbara Gaskins of Suffolk returns to the tournament trail this week.

Gaskins finished second in the co-angler portion of the Women's Bassmaster Tour Championship two months ago in Greenville, S.C.

On Thursday, in the first of four tour stops, she opens her bid to re qualify for the championship. The opener runs through Saturday on Lewisville Lake in Texas.

"I'm excited," said Gaskins, who flew to Texas this morning for pre fishing. "The water there is muddy but high, and I think the fish are wanting to bed. So we could be in a pre spawn or spawn pattern, and that could mean lots of fish."

Gaskins said she is better prepared for the tour this year because of her experience in the championship.

"I learned a lot," she said. "It's a head game, and I can't get into any of that.

"I'm just going to go out and do what I know how to do."

Waterfront funding

North Carolina has approved nearly $7 million in funding for six waterfront access projects in the northeastern corner of the state.

The money will come from the Waterfront Access and Marine Industry Fund. Projects and the amount of funding were determined by an access study committee.

The projects and the amount approved are $620,000 for the purchase of two acres of land adjacent to Wildlife Resources Commission land at Fisherman's Wharf in Swan Quarter; $452,760 to build a rock jetty, bulkhead and 10 boat slips on Department of Transportation property at the foot of a bridge in Tyrell County; $1 million to develop an expansion of the Wanchese Seafood Industrial Park in Hyde County; $1.5 million to assist in construction costs to replace Jennette's Fishing Pier in Nags Head; $3 million to purchase a marina in Mann's Harbor; and $260,000 to purchase Cahoon Seafood in Swan Quarter.

Upcoming events

- The Great Bridge Fisherman's Association will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday at Great Bridge Baptist Church, 640 S. Battlefield Blvd., Chesapeake. Kevin Whitley will talk about fishing from kayaks.

Call Butch Pierce at (757) 287-0330 for more information.

- The 15th year of the Outer Banks Fishing School starts with an April 17-20 session at the Comfort Inn South in Nags Head. Included will be one day of classroom instruction and 1-1/2 days of fishing and beach instruction. Registration is limited to 25 participants, and the cost is $295. For more information, call Joe Malat at (252) 441-4767 or Mac Currin at (919) 881-0049.

- The Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation and the Tidewater Bicycle Racing Club will hold Tour de Beach at 9 a.m. April 19 at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex, 2181 Landstown Road. Races will be held in divisions for boys, girls, men and women. All racers must purchase a $10 one-day USCF racing license to compete. Racers can register online at www.bikereg.com until April 16. There will be a $5 late fee after that date. On-site registration begins at 8 a.m. The criterion course is seven-tenths of a mile, and is flat and smooth pavement. Helmets are required.

For more information, call Tony D'Amato before 9 p.m. at (757) 721-9824 or Michael Ashe before 9 p.m. at (757) 425-5307.

- The Virginia Beach Department of Parks and Recreation will hold a free family fishing clinic from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Munden Point Park. Registration starts April 15. Call (757) 385-4461.