Board tackling outdoor issues

Ken Perrotte's outdoors column

Date published: 2/3/2005

THE FREDERICKSBURG region has thousands of people who could be characterized as avid outdoors enthusiasts. I run into them at banquets, in stores and occasionally in the woods or on the water.

Some offer viewpoints on an issue, or comment on an article, or share a friendly tip regarding something they've heard or witnessed. A couple of times a year, someone (usually a person who isn't a regular reader and lives out of the area) writes to explain what an idiot I am about a particular issue, or a hunting or fishing expedition, or something else that offends their notion of right and wrong.

For the past few years, I've entertained a notion of getting feedback and opinions in a more structured way. That's why we staged the first meeting of the Outdoors Editorial Advisory Board last Sunday at the Gander Mountain store in Spotsylvania.

This inaugural board includes 10 individuals from a variety of backgrounds and locations around the area. The members are people who love the outdoors. Here's a rundown:

Ben Fulton of Spotsylvania is a Virginia landowner and habitat biologist at Quantico Marine Corps Base, and a past board member of the Virginia Deer Hunters Association. He is actively passing along his outdoors traditions to his children.

J.V. Skinner of Spotsylvania is a lifelong resident who grew up hunting and fishing. A firefighter, he also makes custom fishing rods.

Chris Rollins of King George is a young, recently married man who represents the future of outdoors enthusiasts. As an avid angler, deer hunter and waterfowler, he is also actively involved trying to preserve outdoors traditions.

Stacia Orr of Caroline also reflects the youth movement and the steady increase of women in the outdoors. Just 22, she began hunting and fishing at age 4, mentored by her family.

Glenn Briggs of Spotsylvania is a well-known fishing guide, a master angler affiliated with Bass Pro Shops as a pro staffer. Briggs is very involved in the Lake Anna area, one of the region's most important fisheries.

John Odenkirk, district fisheries biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, brings a scientific perspective, as well as governmental voice, to the group.

Ron Hughes, district wildlife biologist with the VDGIF, is tapped into hunters' and wildlife managers' needs and issues.

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Date published: 2/3/2005