EDITOR:
Gayle Morrow
PUBLISHER:
Brent-Wyatt West
8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
SALES OFFICES:
Chris Banks / Jim Downing
8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
(334) 213-6229
ON THE COVER
WINTER 2014
in this issue...
2014 2016 State Officers and Directors 3
Presidents Message 5
From the Trenches 7
Annual 2014 Scholarships 9
ACEOA 2014 Officer of the Year 13
Perryman Award 27
Balanced Deer Herd Is Healthier 37
Feather, Fins, Furs Host 2014 Outdoor Event 41
Kids Korner 45
Protecting Natural Resources:
Evolution Of The Conservation Enforcement Officer 47
Small Game Hunting Good Primer For New Hunters 55
Hunting Accidents 59
BADF and Iron Men Outdoor Ministries Banquet 65
Deer Hunting Lessons 67
Muzzleloading 73
A New Problem For Hunters 83
Quail Hunting 85
Limestone County Youth Dove Hunt 2014 97
Is Everybody Out Night Hunting? 103
Outdoor Recreational Opportunities in
Alabama for People with Special Needs 105
Hunting at the Ballot Box 107
A Conservation Hero 111
Wheres the Beef, or the Birds?
Its Not Just The Number That Counts 115
2014 Hunter Education Volunteer Instructor Dove Shoot 119
Hero Hunt 123
Run! Its A White Thing 129
Wildlife Control Permits 135
Rabies 139
Coosa County Landowners Meeting 145
Coosa County Landowner Tour 149
Outdoors With Friends 155
Squirrels and Squirrel Damage 167
Advertisers Index 190
Business Directory 198
ACEOA Magazine1
Heath Walls President Vance Wood Vice President Chris Lewis Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Jaworowski Past President
DISTRICT I
DISTRICT II
Scott Kellenberger Director Jerry Fincher Associate Director Joel Glover Associate Director
Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, DeK alb, Etowah, Jackson, Marshall, R andolph, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa
DISTRICT III
Grady Myers Director Cliff Robinson Associate Director Elliott Waters Associate Director
Autauga, Bibb, Chilton, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Jefferson, Lowndes, Perry, Pickens, Shelby, Sumter, Tuscaloosa
DISTRICT IV
Tim Ward Director Patrick Norris Associate Director Rick Smith Associate Director
Barbour, Bullock, Coffee, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Lee, Macon, Montgomery, Pike, Russell
DISTRICT V
Don Reaves Director Joe Little Associate Director Bo Willis Associate Director
Baldwin, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Marengo, Mobile, Monroe, Washington, Wilcox
ACE Magazine
Gayle Morrow Editor
ACEOA Magazine3
Presidents Message
By Heath Walls
Sgt. Keith Mann as the ACEOA Officer of the Year for 2014.
ACEOA Magazine5
ACEOA Magazine7
Lauren E. Goddard
ACEOA Magazine9
Melissa Willis
Precious Rowell
ACEOA Magazine11
ACEOA 2014
Officer of the Year
By Joel D. Glover
he 1220 Caf in Tallassee was filled to capacity to honor Sgt. Keith Mann the 2014 Alabama
Conservation Enforcement Officers Association
(ACEOA) Officer of the Year. Among the well-wishers were
a mix of current and former coworkers, family, friends
and a large contingent of area landowners. The occasion reflected on Keiths exemplary performance of his
many duties with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Division (WFF) as a first line supervisor with the enforcement section.
Keith Mann officially began his WFF career as
a Conservation Enforcement Officer (CEO) assigned
to Macon County in 1999; however his training began
much earlier. A lifelong outdoorsman, Keith had long been
interested in a game warden job however he had been
repeatedly told it was near impossible to get hired. As
fate would have it, while fishing Keith located a sunken
boat. He retrieved the boat and carried it to CEO Byron
Smith (Ret.). This chance association grew into a great
friendship which still exists. Getting to know Byron and
hearing of his many game warden adventures whetted
Keiths appetite. He soon found himself assisting with
details and falling in love with the job. Byron encouraged
him to apply and he was eventually hired.
Having already been schooled, Keith hit the ground
running and started making a difference in Macon
County. While Keith says he has and continues to learn
from several officers, he credits Smith, CEO Richard
Hartzog and Captain Ken Bryars (Ret.) with shaping
his ideology and heightening his desire to protect our
rich natural resources. Three years into the job he was
selected as Alabamas Officer of the Year and attended the
Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
Convention. Years later he is still performing at a high level.
ACEOA Magazine15
ACEOA Board
From:
ACEOA Magazine17
2014
Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association
ACEOA Magazine19
ACEOA Magazine21
ACEOA Magazine23
ACEOA Magazine25
Perryman Award
ACEOA Magazine27
Banquet Room.
Banquet food.
Tim Ward.
Rooms
More rooms.
ACEOA Magazine35
10ad12
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
Refra-Chem Linings,
Inc.
BALANCED DEER
IS Road
HEALTHIER continued
11280 A US Highway 31
18932HERD
Oakdale
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Athens, AL 35613
intense breeding period that lasts only a few weeks. After
From a hunters standpoint, other benefits of a balanced
256-998-9000
251-625-4885
the majority of does
have been bred, the bucks can rest,
sex ratio and more
intense rut are the types of hunting
feed and recuperate from the rigors of the rut. These
bucks have a shorter recovery time, so they can put more
resources toward body and antler growth earlier in the
spring and summer. Bucks that have to participate in
a prolonged rut (e.g., three or more months) do not have
the luxury of this recovery time. In many situations, bucks
are spending all of their time trying to breed unbred does
well into late winter.
bucks
must
3230These
County
Road
11put a large portion of their food intake
during
the late spring and early
Heflin,
AL 36264
summer into recovering
from the previous rut, instead of
256-253-2976
into developing bigger bodies and antlers.
One advantage of a balanced sex ratio that is not often
discussed is the timing of the rut. Not only does the rut
become shorter in balanced herds, but many times the
peak of the rut is actually moved earlier in the year by
as much as 4 to 6 weeks. This is important primarily
because of the timing of fawn births. If a fawn is born 4
60 Brian Knoll
or 6 weeks earlier, its chances of surviving and developOdenville, AL 35120
ing to its potential are much improved. This is especially
important in areas such as Alabama where most does are
bred in mid- to late-January and fawns are born in August
or September. By moving the rut earlier through intensive
herd management (i.e., shooting does, protecting bucks),
fawns can be born as early as late June or July. Food is
more plentiful at this time of year so their mothers are in
better shape and should be able to raise healthier fawns.
It also gives the fawn additional time to grow during their
first year, which gets them off to a better start in life.
205-640-8932
tactics that can be effectively used and the amount of rutting sign/activity typically seen. Tactics such as rattling,
calling with grunt tubes and scrape hunting are much
JOHNSON
& with
ASSOCIATES
more
productive in herds
balanced sex ratios due
GENERAL
CONTRACTOR
to the increased competition among bucks for breeding
privileges. Scraping, rubbing and chasing activity during the rut are much
P.O.more
Boxcommon
241894in balanced herds.
Instead of the occasional small scrape, pencil-sized rub,
Montgomery,
AL a36124
and a single yearling
buck trailing
doe in heat, scrapes
the size of car hoods,
rubs
as
large
334-221-2115 as a mans leg, and
several adult bucks chasing an estrous doe become fairly
common sights in well-balanced herds.
The solution for correcting an unbalanced sex ratio is
simple: kill more does and shoot fewer bucks. Removing
does help reduce yearling buck dispersal, and protecting
more antlered bucks allows more deer to reach the adult
age classes (3-years-old and older).
Hunters must remember that correcting something
76023 Tallassee Highway
that took years to create will not occur overnight. This
Wetumpka,
ALcontinual
36092 commitment
type of deer management
takes
334-514-4200
from everyone involved, but the results are well worth
the effort.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn
more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com. l
GENERALS ONE
HOUR AIR
ACEOA Magazine39
he 2014 Feathers, Fins, and Furs outdoor event at Foscue Park in Demopolis
brought the largest crowd in six years.
With the help of 40 volunteers, this years event
drew 114 children ages 8- to 17-years-old
and their parents from all over the state. The
Demopolis Fire Department brought their ladder truck to the park to hose down the kids
and supply water for the giant water slide.
Saturdays events included: kayaking, fishing,
turkey and duck calling contests, Lasershot,
obstacle course with slipping slide and many
door prizes. Returning to this years event
(L-R) Officer Joe Goddard, Officer Matt Moran, Sarah McVay,
were the raptor demonstrations from Auburn
Officer Curt Porter, and Officer Adam Fuller.
University Raptor Trek with live raptors and
reptiles. Big Daddy Lawler and his radio show were on
shooting trailer with .22s, skeet shooting, and archery.
site and brought the Fancher Gator (at the time state
The kids also enjoyed airboat rides and kayaking on the
record alligator) and told many stories about alligator
75 acre lake. The event is designed to get kids outdoors
hunting in Alabama. Also, an essay contest was held
and learn about wildlife, hunting, and many different
Saturday night with the grand prize of a lifetime hunting
wildlife techniques. Feathers, Fins, and Furs could not
be possible without the help of our local sponsors, the
and fishing license donated by ACEOA and USACE. The
winner of the license was Sarah McVay from Demopolis.
ACEOA, Ducks Unlimited, National Turkey Federation,
On Sunday, Mr. Tommy Atkins brought the departments
Corps of Engineers and many more.
l
ACEOA Magazine43
Kids Korner
By Grady Myers
Tell us about your special time in the outdoors. We prefer a short article telling about the hunt along
with a few digital high resolution photos. Send the information to gayle_morrow@yahoo.com.
Pearson Shaw harvested his first bow harvested deer this year.
ACEOA Magazine45
eginning in the early twentieth century, conservation of natural resources became a significant
political and philosophical social force. The
enforcement of the laws and regulations that accompanied the movement created an essential aspect of
conservations growth. The roots of conservation law
enforcement can be traced from feudal England to the
modern environmental movement. This article briefly
surveys the historical development of the modern conservation enforcement officer.
Refra-Chem Linings,
Inc.
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Brockman, C. Frank Recreational Use of Wild Lands. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1959
History of Conservation in Alabama. Published and distributed by the Alabama Department of Conservation. Date unknown.
Reisner, Marc Game Wars: The Undercover Pursuit of Wildlife Poachers. New York: Viking. 1991
GENERALS ONE
HOUR AIR
Shirley, Hardy L. Forestry and Its Career Opportunities. 3rd. ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1973
Stauffer, J.M. and Kyle, G. A History of State Forestry in Alabama. Vol. 1 Montgomery: Alabama Department of Conservation. 1960.
Revised and reprinted by Alabama Forestry Commission. 1993
60Keepers:
BrianOnKnoll
Tobias, Michael Natures
the Front Lines of the Fight to Save Wildlife in America. New York: John Wiley & Sons. 1998
Odenville, AL 35120
Young, Charles R. The Royal Forests of Medieval England. University of Pennsylvania Press. 1979
205-640-8932
ACEOA Magazine53
escape from the fast pace and stress of life. The openness
and quiet of being in the woods or on the water gives you
time to relax and think. These adventures can be great
opportunities to spend with your children and introduces
them to the joys of the great outdoors. Youth hunting,
especially when shared with family and friends, can be
a positive experience for all. These positive experiences
can create better bonds and life-long memories.
When introducing young people to hunting, the experience needs to be fun and enjoyable. Small game hunting
provides many opportunities for new hunters that whitetailed deer hunting often
does not. When small game
hunting, you do not have to
stress over wind direction or
remaining still, which can be
hard for a youngster. Small
game hunting also provides
a platform for more social
interaction between hunters
since you do not have to be
as quiet while hunting. This
presents the opportunity
to discuss hunting ethics,
hunter safety and your outdoor surroundings, as well
as other non-hunting related
topics. Small game hunting
also typically provides more
action than deer hunting
because there are usually more game and opportunities to shoot. If you do choose to go white-tailed deer
hunting, let the new hunter enjoy the experience without
pressure to harvest a deer. A bad experience their first
time out could discourage them from wanting to hunt in
continued on 57
ACEOA Magazine55
11280 A US Highway 31
Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Refra-Chem Linings,
Inc.
251-625-4885
ACEOA Magazine57
Hunting Accidents
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
Photos by David Rainer
Most treestand accidents can be prevented if hunters use a full-body safety harness and have it attached to the tree at all times after
leaving the ground. The failure to properly identify the target continues to be the main cause of firearms-related hunting accidents.
ACEOA Magazine59
Futral said the most common cause of treestand accidents is the failure to connect their harnesses to the tree
as they are climbing up and climbing down the tree or
transferring from the ladder to the treestand.
The good thing is the accidents are down from last
year, Futral said. The number of fatalities was about
the same, but the total number of incidents was down.
We want to emphasize that the main cause of accidents
again for firearms was the failure to identify the target.
For treestand incidents, the key is to be attached to the
tree the whole time.
Hopefully, these numbers will continue to go down.
Futral said there is no doubt hunter education is one
of the reasons the number of hunting-related accidents
has decreased.
Absolutely hunter education has made a significant impact on the number of accidents, she said.
Even if youre not required to take hunter education,
theres always something you can learn from taking it.
We have adults taking the class with their kids, and
they are surprised at what they learn in class.
Visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunter-educationalabama to learn more about the classes available in
person and online. A hunter safety course has been
mandatory since 1993. Anyone born on or after August
1, 1977, is required to complete the course before the
person can purchase a regular hunting license. For those
who are new to hunting or may want to try it before
they take a hunter education course, the mentor license
continued on 63
ACEOA Magazine61
10ad16
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
Gaddy Pumping
334-295-8232
ACEOA Magazine63
ACEOA Magazine65
ike Jones son, 12-year-old Chase, learned a valuable lesson about deer hunting recentlyyou
cant shoot em if youre lying in the bed.
The elder Jones said he decided to climb into a deer
stand on his father-in-law Jerry Hills land after his son
balked at rising early two days in a row. That decision paid
off with one of the largest bucks taken in Alabama lately.
Buckmasters scored the deer at 188 3/8, although the
traditional Boone & Crockett scoring system will deduct
for some irregular points, including a split brow tine.
I told my son, I promise youll never kill one if you
dont get up, Mike said. I would have let him shoot that
deer, but he just wouldnt go with me that morning.
Mike went to the 110 acres near Wilsonville and
climbed up into the stand that was only a few yards
from Hills driveway.
He just came walking right up the middle of the driveway about 10 minutes after daylight with his nose stuck
in the air, trailing a doe, he said. I popped him. He ran
about 50 yards and fell over. It was just that simple.
Mike said his father-in-law has the deers shed antler
continued on 69
Mike Jones was hunting on his father-in-laws land when this huge buck came walking up the driveway about
50 yards from his stand in Shelby County. According to Chris Cook, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
Deer Study Project Leader, weather and habitat conditions appear to favor hunters this season.
ACEOA Magazine67
ACEOA Magazine71
Muzzleloading
By Fletcher Scott
All of the supplies needed for a days shoot. Shown are a patch
knife, powder measure, patches, lead balls, percussion caps, cap
dispenser, starter ramrod, can of powder and a muzzleloader.
MUZZLELOADING continued
accomplished hunter, and skilled woodsman, was carrying out his fathers order to notify the neighbors that
a raiding party was nearby. Lewis came upon Frazer
Forrest who was out hunting and told Frazer about the
hostile Indians. Frazer immediately grabbed his horse
and bolted for home. When the two arrived, they found
Frazers house burning and his young wife, Rose, missing. Soon Lewis found the raiding partys tracks which
MUZZLELOADING continued
Suddenly the Indians stopped running, turned, and confor the flint to strike producing a shower of sparks which
fronted Lewis. They realized he had only one shot, and
ignites the powder in the pan. This explosion creates
knew one of them could take him. Lewis calmly raised
enough energy and heat to set off the main charge inside
his gun and fired, killing one of them. The other one
the barrel via a touch hole in the breech of the barrel.
charged and Lewis took off. At this time, Lewis Wetzal
The American version of the longrifle was really patperformed one of the most incredible feats in frontier
terned after the German Jaeger flintlock rifle. It was first
history. He reloaded his longrifle, while running full speed
made by German immigrants in and around Lancaster
through the woods! As the charging Indian was drawing
County Pennsylvania from about 1730 to 1750. These
near, Lewis turned and shot him. This feat, that Lewis
guns eventually took on names of states where they were
used many times in his frontier battles with Indians, soon
made and used. Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee
earned him the name Death Wind among local tribes.
rifles were all variations of the same gun. These were
To fully appreciate this task that Lewis could accomplish
not the first rifles brought into America. That distinction
so quickly, one must look at the steps required to load
continued on 79
and shoot a flintlock rifle, the most prolific
gun used on the frontier.
First, a measured amount of powder
must be poured down the muzzle. Then
a patch (piece of cloth) is placed over the
muzzle with a ball seated on the patch.
The patch and ball are usually pushed
into the barrel with a short ramrod or
starter. After this, the full length ramrod
is removed from beneath the rifle barrel
and used to ram the patch and ball all the
way down the tube until it is seated on top
of the powder charge. Another measured
amount of finer powder is then poured into
the flash pan located on the side of the rifle
near the breech (rear) of the barrel. The
powder is then covered with a lid which
is part of the frizzen. When closed, this
L shaped device provides a hard surface
Close-up of a percussion fired Damascus doubled barreled shotgun.
ACEOA Magazine77
MUZZLELOADING continued
belongs to the guns the first explorers of North America
brought in called Northwest trade guns. These guns were
frequently traded to the Indians by early explorers for
beaver pelts. These trade guns were smoothbores and
therefore lacked the accuracy of the American longrifles
which had spiral grooves cut down the bore. This caused
the projectile to spin, which gave it stability in flight.
Accuracy and distance were greatly improved. Wetzal
could hit anything he saw up to 200 yards!
The shooting of muzzleloading firearms is still alive
MUZZLELOADING continued
These Old World guns are used with black powder only,
said Hutcherson.
Modern muzzleloading weapons are a far cry from
their original design. They resemble modern smokeless powder rifles more than the flintlocks used in the
Revolutionary War. Recently, modern muzzleloading guns
have undergone a renaissance in design and manufacture.
They are referred to as in-line rifles. The touch hole is
located in the rear of the barrel and the charge is ignited
with a 209 shot shell primer rather than a percussion cap.
Barrels are often made of stainless steel and the stocks
can be a polymer or plastic. The guns use a sabot and
slug. The sabot is a plastic sleeve that holds the bullet.
This sleeve provides a very efficient seal against escaping
gases which makes the rifle more powerful and accurate.
When mounted with a scope, these guns perform like
a modern smokeless cartridge rifle than the ball and patch
weapons from which they evolved.
Hutcherson summed it up by saying, I own an in-line
rifle but I dont like to shoot them. I much prefer shooting
the traditional firearms. I love the workmanship, design
and history that surrounds all of my old black powder
guns. When I shoot them it takes me back to a time when
early Americans depended on their firearms to procure
food for the table or fight off Indians on the frontier. l
About the Author
Fletcher Scott is a retired Biology teacher and writes a monthly Outdoor
Life column for Lake Martin Living magazine. He is also an active
member of the Tallapoosa County Hunter Education instructors, and
Vice President of the Lake Martin Chapter of QDMA (Quality Deer
Management Association).
ACEOA Magazine81
A New Problem
For Hunters
By Jerry L. Fincher
ust when you think you have heard it all, a new problem rears its ugly head, a problem stemming from the
flood of camo patterns available these days. When
I was a kid, camo meant one thing, military. There were
no other options. Then, along came Mossy Oak, Realtree,
and Treebark. The success of these new products spurred
a never ending stream of patterns hoping to separate you
from your hard-earned money. There were pine patterns,
oak patterns, snow patterns, rock patterns, limb patterns,
gray patterns, green patterns, and, yes, even corn and
hay patterns. This is where the problem began.
While it is totally understandable, it has recently come
to our attention that many hunters, and even some officers, are experiencing difficulty in distinguishing between
real-live hunters and scarecrows, but, as always, ACEOA
is on top of things. Striving to make hunting better for
all, we at ACEOA are in the process of developing and
field testing a hunter/scarecrow identification kit. It will
be available soon online and, hopefully, in your local
big-box stores by Christmas. To aid in reducing the time
needed to become proficient with the kits components,
we are including a list of them and their accompanying
directions in this article. Please review them now. Good
hunting, be safe, and remember, ACEOA works for all its
members, even those that just hang around in the field.
Kit Contents
Mirror Instructions: Hold the mirror beneath the
subjects nose for at least one minute. If the subject is
a real hunter, condensation will form on the glass.
Bottle of Doe Urine Instructions: Pretend to drop
the bottle in front of the unidentified hunter and walk
away. No real hunter will be able to resist picking it up
and placing it in his pocket.
Clown Mask Instructions: Place mask over
face. Stand approximately three inches from the subject, raise both hands in the air, and shout, Boo!
*NOTE TO USER: Be Cautious. Twenty percent of the time
ACEOA Magazine83
Quail Hunting
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Bobwhite quail.
Bird dogs.
10ad17
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
S & S Whitetail
Galore
CGS Construction
218 South Madison Street
Athens, AL 35611
256-431-7917
Simmons Ambulance
Service, Inc.
4269 Drewry Road
Monroeville, Alabama 36460
251-362-4928
eagle
mark,
inc.
Fried Bobwhite
quail.
1887 Prim Drive
334-821-0216
Oaktree Rental
Properties
4529 Ingram Road
Deatsville, AL 36022
334-312-2040
ACEOA Magazine89
Lionfish
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Lionfish Nachos
Lionfish preparation:
1 pound boneless, skinless lionfish fillets
Sea salt
Granulated garlic
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Season lionfish to taste with salt and granulated garlic. With
a skillet on high sear, very lightly and very quickly saut the
lionfish fillets in oil. Set aside on a plate in a cooler or refrigerator. Make sure that the lionfish are ultra rare.
Wonton Nachos:
1 pack Asian wonton wraps
Hot frying oil set to 350 degrees
Cut into wonton wraps triangles and fry until crisp. Place on
paper towels to drain and set aside.
Wasabi Drizzle:
4 ounces wasabi powder
1 cup water
1 cup creole mustard
continued on 93
ACEOA Magazine91
LIONFISH continued
1 cup mayo
1/4 cup sugar
Mix wasabi powder into water until dissolved.
Mix rest of ingredients and set aside.
Spicy Mayo:
2 cups Sriracha hot sauce
1 cup mayo
Mix well and set aside.
Commercial hoisin sauce is available in most
grocery stores.
Garnish:
1 cup chopped roasted red peppers
1/2 cup chopped banana peppers
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup diced red onions
2 cups seaweed salad (Asian market)
Remove Lionfish from cooler, slice ultra thin and split into
four portions. Place a pile of wonton nachos. Place Lionfish
on top of nachos. Garnish with chopped peppers and onions.
Drizzle a small amount of each sauce onto the nachos. Top
with seaweed salad.
A tamale is constructed with four components, cornhusks, corn meal batter, meat filling and sauce.
Cornhusks:
You can find this wrapper at most Hispanic grocery
stores. The corn husk is dry and must be soaked in water
for about two hours so it will be pliable enough to wrap.
Tear the coarser shucks into thin strips to use as ties for
the tamales.
Corn Meal Batter:
2 cups Masa Harina corn meal
2/3 cup butter
2 cups chicken broth
With a mixer, cream the butter and Masa Harina together.
Then combine with the chicken broth. Mix until the mixture
starts to stiffen.
LIONFISH continued
Sauce:
Reserved cooking liquid
2 cups ketchup
1 cup cane syrup
cup commercial Cajun seasoning
cup apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh ground pepper
Limestone County
Youth Dove Hunt 2014
Sgt. Wendell Fulks, Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Law Enforcement Section
continued on 101
ACEOA Magazine99
ACEOA Magazine101
Is Everybody Out
Night Hunting?
By Joe Goddard
ACEOA Magazine103
Outdoor Recreational
Opportunities in Alabama for
People with Special Needs
archery parks each have at least one wheelchair accessible shooting lane.
An application process and preregistration is required
before using the hunting areas. No preregistration or
application is required to use the lakes, shooting ranges
or archery parks; however, all state laws and regulations
must be followed, along with any licensing or permit
requirements. Visit www. outdooralabama.com/physically-disabled-hunting-and-fishing-trail to learn site
locations, licensing requirements and instructions for the
application process to use the hunting areas.
Beyond these efforts, many private companies and
nonprofit agencies promote and sponsor outdoor recreation events throughout the state. One of the goals of
many of these programs is to re-introduce the beauty and
excitement of the outdoors to disabled people. Theodore
Roosevelt once said, It is an incalculable added pleasure
to any ones sum of happiness if he or she grows to know,
even slightly and imperfectly, how to read and enjoy the
wonder-book of nature. The chance to learn to shoot,
hunt, fish, and view or photograph wildlife in their natural
setting can be life-changing events for everyone, including
people with special needs.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.
com.
l
ACEOA Magazine105
ful, ethical hunting has not changed too much since 1996
when Alabama voters adopted a similar amendment by
an 81 percent margin. The 1996 Amendment simply read:
All persons shall have the right to hunt and fish in this state
in accordance with law and regulations.
According to information compiled by the Initiative and
Public Referendum Institute, Alabama was the first state to
adopt such a referendum, followed by Minnesota (1998),
North Dakota (2000), Virginia (2000), Wisconsin (2003),
Louisiana (2004), Montana (2004), Georgia (2006),
Oklahoma (2008), and others. The language varies, with
some referring to hunting as, a valued part of our state
heritage. Another reads, Hunting, trapping, fishing,
and the taking of game and fishwill be preserved for
the people and managed by law and regulation for the
public good.
Three states already included the right to hunt and fish
in their state constitution: Vermont (1777), Rhode Island
(1844), and California (1910, right to fish only). Having
watched the public policymaking process up-close and
personal for many years, I am always cautious about
ballot initiatives on hunting issues. Remember that only
7% of the people hunt. Fortunately, the vast majority of
Alabama voters support hunting, as long as fair chase is
preserved. When asked the question in a public opinion
continued on 109
ACEOA Magazine107
S & S Whitetail
Galore
740-569-4063
Considering the language in Amendment 5, of particular significance is that, in order to meet Constitutional
muster, new hunting and fishing regulations must
be rea10ad17
sonable, and promote wildlife conservation and management,
and preserve the future of hunting and fishing.
Furthermore, hunting is legally established as the
preferred wildlife management tool, as opposed to other
pie-in-the-sky, animal-rights extremist approaches
to deal with over-abundant populations of deer and
other animals.
P.O. Box 373
As the authors
of The Sportsmans
Voice: Hunting and
Cottondale,
AL 35453
Fishing in America note
in
regard
to
huntingand fishing205-556-7731
related referenda, As these trends indicate, the majority of recurring ballot issues concerned with sportsmen
and wildlife are sponsored and initiated by anti-hunting
interests. On the other hand, hunters and sportsmen
are, for their part, responsible for initiating just one of
the major recurring ballot issues: the proposal to insert
right-to hunt-and-fish language into state constitutions.
Considering the4269
frequency
of ballot
measures proposed
Drewry
Road
exclusively
to limit the rights
of sportsmen,
these right-toMonroeville,
Alabama
36460
hunt-and-fish constitutional amendments can be viewed
251-362-4928
largely as defensivein
some cases, preemptivestrategies by pro-hunting/pro-sportsmen interests.
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Simmons Ambulance
Service, Inc.
334-821-0216
ACEOA Magazine109
A Conservation Hero
By Jerry L. Fincher, Talladega County Conservation Enforcement Officer
ACEOA Magazine111
ACEOA Magazine113
Oaktree Rental
ACEOA Magazine115
WHERES THE BEEF, OR THE BIRDS?ITS NOT JUST THE NUMBER THAT COUNTS continued
line. The attempt, while well intended, only produced
one dove and a timber rattler, see accompanying photo.
Even though we only killed enough birds for one person
to have a meal, the kids caught fish and turtles, the adults
ate way too much, and good fellowship and laughter were
in abundance. Consequently, the day was a resounding
success. After all, dove wrapped in bacon does taste
good, but laughter feeds the soul.
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ACEOA Magazine117
Sponsors ~
Wesley Moore owner operator of Alligator Alley
Plants and prepares dove field, supplies his grounds,
staff and equipment to transport guests, supplies and
prepares lunch.
Nelson Wingo (Campbells Hardware in Robertsdale, AL)
Donates door prizes and much more for our events.
ACEOA Proud to be associated with ACEOA.
ACEOA always ready to support Hunter Education.
People began to arrive and socialize around noon.
- 100p.m. Wesley Moore said Grace and we all ate.
- Around 200p.m. Thad Holmes spoke to the gathering
and thanked all our sponsors, and related actual occur-
continued on 121
ACEOA Magazine119
ACEOA Magazine121
Hero Hunt
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,
Photos by David Rainer
Before starting the first hunt of the morning at Stick Lake Hunting Preserve, the
hunting team pose for a group photo. The hunting team are: (L-R) Charles Jones, Thad
Forester, Mike McClendon (dog handler with Rock) Johnnie Yellock and Ish Villegas.
10ad17
ACEOA Magazine127
Simmons Ambulance
10ad18
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
GOSSETT CORPORATION
205-429-5634
WESSON
ANIMAL CLINIC, PC
7705 Cottage Hill Road
Mobile, AL 36695
251-633-2509
into the darkness from some remote hilltop while beating a piece of wood against a tree knowing that nothing
would respond but listening just in case it did. Knowing
everything about our world makes it a dull place, a place
without mystery and wonder. So the next time someone
tells you they just saw a black panther, a sasquatch,
a UFO, or even a hyena in your county, just try to look
surprised and let them tell their story. Just keep your eyes
on their hands and have a plan of escape, just in case.
l
11660 Alabama Hwy. 96
SPRUILLS AUTO
PARTS
Millport, AL 35576
205-662-4554
ACEOA Magazine133
WESSON
ANIMAL CLINIC, PC
251-633-2509
ACEOA Magazine135
Rabies
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
RABIES continued
Some kit coons had been picked up out of someHudson said the rehabbers must comply with the
ones attic in Baldwin County and been given to people
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association guidelines
to raise, which is illegal in Alabama, Johnson said. One
that ensure the humane treatment and proper care for
of those kit coons made it to Walker County. It started
animals, which include minimum caging requirements
acting abnormally, and they sent it to be tested. It came
and standards, as well as general standards for care,
sanitation and euthanasia when required.
back positive, and 24 people had to get exposure shots
Any time you are interacting with a wild animal,
that cost between $1,600 and $2,500.
The problem, according to Johnson, is that rabies vecpeople need to realize these animals are not vaccinated
tor animals can carry the disease and
not develop symptoms.
Animals can carry the virus in their
bodies for years, he said. Once it
starts getting into their brain, the animals will show symptoms. Thats the
thing with people wanting pet raccoons.
They (health officials) are not going to
give you pre-exposure shots, but that
virus could be in that animals body.
Out of the middle of nowhere, the virus
migrates to the brain and the animal
starts shedding virus. Thats the issue
right there of having that animal. We
have trapped raccoons that looked perfectly normal that came back positive.
There is a period of time when that
animal is shedding virus but is acting
perfectly normal.
(USFWS) A coyote in Covington County is the latest
Thats why this issue was raised
wild animal to test positive for rabies.
about the rehabilitators.
Last year, WFF officials changed the guidelines for
against diseases, she said. Even if these wild animals
wildlife rehabilitators that restricted the permits to those
have been vaccinated (through the baiting program), it
who meet certain criteria. The number of rehabilitators
is not always effective on wild species.
permitted to handle the rabies vector species was limited
So any time there are wild animals around children,
to one per district (5) in the state.
the elderly or anybody with a debilitated immune system,
Marianne Hudson, Rehabilitator Coordinator for the
its never a good idea.
WFFs Wildlife Section, said the rehabilitator program
Possession of wildlife without a permit is a violation of
guidelines are in the best interest of the general public
Alabama law that makes it unlawful to possess wildlife
and the wildlife.
under provisions of regulation 220-2-.26(6).
We want our wildlife rehabilitators to be aware of
Kevin Dodd, WFFs Chief of Enforcement, said the
the needs of wildlife, but also the fact they can transregulation has been in effect for quite some time.
mit diseases to humans and domestic animals, Hudson
At one time, we were issuing permits for people to
said. A quality wildlife rehabilitator is well-versed in the
keep wildlife, but we were constantly having to deal with
behavior of a healthy animal. Therefore, they are able to
issues of wildlife getting out or people just getting tired of
the animals and releasing them, Dodd said. We realized
detect disease and any unusual behavior of any animal
continued on 143
under their care.
ACEOA Magazine141
RABIES continued
this was a liability to allow such activity, and we stopped
People should not have wildlife as pets, plain and simissuing permits in the early 2000s.
ple, Sykes said. We see it every year where somebody
Weve held the line and think its the right thing to do.
had a pet deer or a pet raccoon or a pet squirrel that they
We stand by that decision, and were going to maintain
obtained illegally and suddenly the thing goes berserk.
that approach. Its not a good idea to keep wildlife in
As for the stricter guidelines for wildlife rehabilitators,
captivity. It denies them their natural instincts. Its not
Sykes said there were too many people who were claiming
fair to the wildlife. And it can be dangerous to humans.
to be rehabbers but, in reality, just wanted to keep a deer,
One incident last year
squirrel or raccoon as a pet.
highlights the danger factor.
We had quite a few
J.R. Dunsmore of Marshall
people who were rehabbing
County was attacked by his
rabies vector species, which
illegally held pet buck.
we did not think was approDunsmore lost the sight in
priate, he said. For public
one eye and spend a signifisafety and proper care for
cant period of time recoverthe wildlife resources, we
ing from serious injuries.
wanted to make sure the
Dodd said he realizes
rehabbers were qualified
some people have good
to handle the rabies vector species. We wanted to
intentions when they pick
make sure they understood
up a baby squirrel that
the risk and understood the
has fallen out of a nest or
pick up a fawn that seems
proper ways to rehab.
to have been abandoned
A wildlife rehabilitator is
(which is seldom the case).
not a person who just wants
People will find a baby
to keep a wild animal as
squirrel or fawn on the side
a pet. A wildlife rehabber
of the road, and they think
(USFWS) Several animals in Jackson County have tested
is doing a job. They evalutheyre doing a good thing
positive for rabies, including bats and raccoons.
ate an animal. If it can be
by rescuing it, he said.
rehabbed, its released back
But most people dont understand that fawn deer are
into the wild very close to the location where it was taken.
often left alone, that mother squirrels will retrieve the
If it cant be rehabbed, its euthanized.
baby squirrels.
Rabies is spreading in wild animals every year. The
When WFF receives a complaint about wild animals
USDA is fighting it right now. This is a serious issue.
being illegally held in captivity, the Enforcement Officers
When it comes to confiscating wild animals after
are required to confiscate the animals. Dodd said most
receiving a complaint, Sykes said WFF is caught between
of the time the officers will issue a warning, but that is
the proverbial rock and hard place.
not always the case.
If we find someone in violation, we have to do our
jobs, he said. Were not the bad guys. Were not the
Those who are defiant or refuse to cooperate, unfortunately we have to ticket those folks, he said. First
ones breaking the law. Look at it this way, if we get
and foremost in these wildlife situations, public safety is
a report that someone has a pet raccoon and we dont do
anything about it and a kid gets bitten or a dog gets bitten,
going to be the No. 1 priority. Beyond that, were going
people want to know why we didnt do anything.
to protect the wildlife resource.
WFF Director Chuck Sykes said that although the
Its a no-win situation for us. We dont like having to
regulation regarding wildlife and pets predates his term
do it, but its our job.
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as director, he is in complete agreement.
ACEOA Magazine143
Coosa County
Landowners Meeting
By Joel D. Glover, Conservation Enforcement Officer-Supervisor-Wildlife Option
state. He stated the members of the AFC serve as the advisors and protectors of forest land owners. The foresters
of the AFC are available to give advice on proper land
management. While they do not arrange timber sales they
can advise landowners concerning timber management.
They often answer questions as to whether someone
should clear cut or thin or plant back with loblolly or
longleaf. While a consultation with an AFC forester is
free of charge, it can be extremely valuable for someone
not familiar with timber management.
The foresters and rangers of the AFC also act as
protectors for the landowners in that they extinguish
wild fires and notify landowners when dangers such as
southern pine beetles threaten timber. Furthermore the
AFC is normally closely involved with county forestry
planning committees that provide educational events for
both adults and youth.
continued on 147
ACEOA Magazine145
across the state whose duties include assisting landowners by enforcing the laws that protect our natural
resources. ACEOA realizes that private landowners own
the vast majority of the land in Alabama. Therefore helping these landowners manage their property to the best of
their ability helps not only the natural resources but also
everyone who enjoys those resources. The CCFPC extends
our sincere thanks to ACEOA for supporting worthwhile
events such as this.
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ACEOA Magazine147
GOSSETT CORPORATION
SPRUILLS AUTO
Coosa County
Landowner Tour
By Joel D. Glover, Chairman, Coosa County Forestry Planning Committee
continued on 153
ACEOA Magazine151
The weather was great this year with cool temperatures and dry weather enabling us to get hunters in
and out without hardships. Billie Little took the biggest
Buck winning the shoulder mount donated to us by Russ
Harris Taxidermy. The Local landowners came through
again this year, with providing locations and guides to
help facilitate this years Hunts. We served four meals
to everyone and provided lodging in our Sunday school
rooms for those who were unable to get rooms elsewhere.
ACEOA sponsorship makes this possible financially for us
to do this every year. Feeding and entertaining this many
hunters, guides and landowners is quite costly and we
thank ACEOA for coming alongside us to minister to the
disabled individuals spiritually as well as recreational.
We will strive to do this again next year because of you.
Thank You ACEOA!
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Squirrels and
Squirrel Damage