Local expert to take questions on air

By Preston Knight -- Daily Staff Writer

WOODSTOCK — Whenever someone has a question about hunting, Eugene Del Gallo is around to give an answer.

Beginning Sunday, he will be as accessible as ever.

Del Gallo, owner of G&S Wild Country Outfitters, at 23987 Senedo Road, will be debuting a radio show dedicated to answering people's hunting and shooting questions on WSIG 96.9FM. The show will run from 8 to 8:30 a.m. Sundays for at least the next three months.

"Then we'll look and see if we can afford to keep doing it," Del Gallo said.

He said that the show will cover all aspects of hunting, from ever-changing game laws to techniques to gun inquiries. Another issue that may get some coverage is chronic wasting disease, for which the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will be conducting mandatory and voluntary deer head collections in Frederick and Shenandoah counties in search of potential cases.

"I just felt like there was a need for [a radio show] in the area," Del Gallo said. "Other areas have them. Hunting is still a popular sport here in the valley. There are a lot of people involved in it."

Each show will also feature a guest. The first one will be Matt Knox, the deer project coordinator for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

"He's Virginia's head man when it comes to white-tail deer," Del Gallo said. "If I can keep him two days, I'll keep him two days."

Scheduled the following week is Kris Dougherty, the region's hunting education coordinator for the game department.

Del Gallo said WSIG is developing a Web site for listeners to e-mail their questions in to the show. He said Sunday morning should be a good time slot to reach listeners, with hunters fresh off a day in the woods Saturday and people preparing themselves for church.

"We're hoping to keep it interesting and informative," Del Gallo said.

Hunting season kicks off with bow season beginning Saturday.

* Contact Preston Knight at pknight@nvdaily.com