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FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF

Official Publication of the ACEOA


ACEOA Magazine 1
ACE Magazine is the official publication of the
Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer
Association. Purchase of advertising space
does not entitle the advertisers to any privileges
or favors from members. ACE Magazine does
not assume responsibilit y for statements of
fact or opinion made by any cont ribut or.
This magazine is created and produced by
Brent-Wyatt West. Copyright 2014.
All rights reserved.
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
WWW.ACEOA.ORG SPRING 2014
ON THE COVER
ACEOAs Charles Kilgore was among the
11 physically challenged hunters that
participated in the Buckmasters American
Deer Foundation 2014 Life Hunt Classic.
in this issue...
2014 State Ofcers and Directors .................................................. 3
Presidents Column ....................................................................... 5
From the Trenches ........................................................................ 7
Brrr! Buckmasters Hunters Weather Cold For Life Classic .............. 9
Life Hunt Photos ......................................................................... 15
BADF Life Hunt 2014 ................................................................... 25
NWTF Conservation Ofcer Appreciation .................................... 27
Limestone County Hunter Education ........................................... 31
Habitat Diversity and Wildlife ..................................................... 37
A Tribute to Mike Pollard ............................................................. 39
That Special Turkey .................................................................... 45
How Gun and Ammunition Sales
Affect State Game and Fish Agencies ....................................... 47
Outdoors With Friends ................................................................ 51
Kids Korner ................................................................................ 57
Henry County Youth Dove Hunt .................................................. 59
The Game Check Program ........................................................... 61
CAB Considers February Deer Season, Doe Bag Limit .................. 65
2014 GEICO Bassmaster Classic .................................................. 71
The Oaks Youth Hunt A Huge Success ......................................... 77
Treestand Maintenance Could Save Your Life ............................... 91
Hope For Warriors ...................................................................... 95
Wild Animals in Captivity ........................................................... 97
Advertisers Index ...................................................................... 172
Business Directory .................................................................... 181
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ACEOA Magazine 3
2014 2016 ACEOA State Officers
Executive Director
Rusty Morrow (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Retired)
2014 ACEOA State Ofcers
Heath Walls President Vance Wood Vice President Chris Lewis Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Jaworowski Past President
DISTRICT I
Ernie Stephens Director Wendell Fulks Associate Director
BLOUNT, COLBERT, CULLMAN, FAYETTE, FRANKLIN, LAMAR, LAUDERDALE, LAWRENCE, LIMESTONE, MADISON, MARION, MORGAN, WALKER, WINSTON
DISTRICT II
Scott Kellenberger Director Jerry Fincher Associate Director Joel Glover Associate Director
CALHOUN, CHAMBERS, CHEROKEE, CLAY, CLEBURNE, COOSA, DEKALB, ETOWAH, JACKSON, MARSHALL, RANDOLPH, ST. CLAIR, TALLADEGA, TALLAPOOSA
DISTRICT III
Grady Myers Director Cliff Robinson 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
For questions about your District Director, ACEOA, or membership contact:
Rusty Morrow, P.O. Box 74, Lowndesboro, AL, 36752, (334) 3919113, rusty_morrow@yahoo.com
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ACEOA Magazine 5
Presidents Column
By Heath Walls
I
would like to personally thank everyone that has
supported our Alabama Conservation Enforcement
Ofcers. Whether you have supported our ofcers
by becoming a member, associate member, or by buying
ads in ACE Magazine your support is greatly appreciated.
Also, due to support from the public our Forever Wild
program will continue to be funded. There have already
be new acquisitions to add to the lands available to the
public. Our State Lands Ofcers and Wild Life Biologist
Ofcers were busy marking boundaries and preparing
roads and maps to these properties to make them acces-
sible to the public before this past deer season. I know the
new section of the Yates Lake West tract was a welcome
addition and well used by the public.
Our Marine Resources Division was busy in October
working the additional snapper season that was allowed
in the Gulf. They continue to work with the
National Marine Fisheries Service to allow us
as much time as possible to snapper sh off the
Alabama Coast. Due to the articial reef program
that Marine Resources regulates the portion of the
Gulf of Mexico South of Alabama has an abun-
dance of snapper.
Our Marine Police Ofcers are getting ready
for warmer weather and increased boating activ-
ity. They have been busy this winter assisting
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Ofcers with
work details throughout deer and duck season.
They have also recently received training to assist
the new Alabama Law Enforcement Agency so
they can insure public safety on and off the water.
State Parks will celebrate their 75th anniver-
sary this year. In eight of our 22 state parks there
will be a 75th Anniversary Diamond Treasure
Geocaching Challenge. You can check out the
details at www.outdooralabama.com. Also if you
havent been to Gulf State Park lately the new con-
ference center is now open and the park has added
zip lines in addition to the normal hiking, shing,
beach access, and other activities available.
Wild Life and Freshwater Fisheries Ofcers are current-
ly wrapping up investigations from deer season, working
small game hunting and squeezing in training sessions
before turkey season starts. Our ofcers also conduct
investigations on hunting accidents, and unfortunately the
number of accidents were up this year. We urge everyone
to keep safety in mind as their rst priority during any
hunting or outdoor activity. Our Hunter Safety Course is
now available completely online, but traditional classes
are still available for a more hands on experience.
The weather is still uctuating from warm to cold,
a typical Alabama Spring. But, the crappie are biting and
turkey season is almost here. Remember to record your
turkey on your harvest record and we encourage everyone
to use our voluntary Game Check system. I hope everyone
has a safe and enjoyable spring. l
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ACEOA Magazine 7
From the Trenches
By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
H
opefully by the time you get this Spring issue of
ACE Magazine the winter weather will be gone.
Ive had enough. Im ready for some good spring
weather. Im ready for Turkey Season.
We are excited to have Lt. Heath Walls as our new State
President. He has served as Vice-President for several
years and has been an asset to
this Association. He will succeed
Chris Jaworowski who controlled
the helm for four years. Chris
will remain on the board as past
president. Chris Lewis will remain
as Secretary/Treasurer. Chris
maintains our database and does
a great job.
Vance Wood will take over the
responsibilities of Vice-President.
Vance has served as a director in
District 5 and District 4. He will be
assisting the three new directors
(Tim Ward, Patrick Norris and
Rick Smith) in district 4. All other
District Directors stayed in ofce
after the elections. These Ofcers
will serve two year terms. Our
board is established and they are
ready to take on the challenges.
To put it lightly we have been
busy in the Legislature this ses-
sion. We did not accomplish our goal but we gave it our
best effort. We are a Pro-Active association and we will
continue to ght for Conservation Enforcement Ofcers.
It may not always be popular but it will always be what
the majority wants. We remain their voice.
Our 2014 Budget, has been approved and signed off on
by the board. We will continue to support national orga-
nizations like Buckmasters American Deer Foundation,
C.O.P S and Outdoor Women Unlimited. We have gotten
on board with Hope for Warriors and will sponsor the sh-
ing initiative program. This is a wounded warrior named
Gary Everett that takes other wounded warriors shing
on the tournament trail. This is a great program and we
are proud to be on board. His boat and truck will display
the ACEOA logo. If you are interested in being a part of
this program you can go to hopeforthewarriors.org and
click on outdoor adventures and specify shing initiatives.
We will continue sponsoring
local events in each district. We
now have 53 events in the budget
totaling over $26,000. This does
not mean we wont add more dur-
ing the year. We always do. We
stick to the policy that no one is
turned away if it meets our mis-
sion statement. ACEOA requires
very little for a grant, only that
we get to feature the event in the
magazine. You write an editorial
about the event and provide at
least ve digital pictures of the
event and its participants.
Our readers may wonder how
we can do all that. Well look at all
the ads in this magazine. Those
people do it. They are the ones
that allow us to do the things we
do. They are our life line. I can
only tell you again thank you.
Your support has been unwaver-
ing and I hope we make you proud.
Please enjoy this special Life Hunt Issue. This is one
of our most important events of the year. When nished,
pass it on to a friend. I hope you enjoy your spring. I know
I will. The turkeys are GOBBLING.
I will leave you with this quote.
Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you.
~ Maori Proverb
l
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ACEOA Magazine 9
Brrr! Buckmasters Hunters
Weather Cold For Life Classic
By David Rainer, photos by David Rainer
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
W
ith the coldest tem-
peratures in decades
forecast for the three-
day hunt, participants in the
Buckmasters Life Classic Hunt
never wavered. They had all
faced much tougher situations
than the 9-degree temperatures.
The 11 hunters that came to
Sedgeelds Plantation in west
central Alabama were dealing
with obstacles that ranged from
traumatic brain injury to lympho-
ma to IED (improvised explosive
device) injuries, so a little cold
weather wasnt going to hamper
this opportunity to hunt white-
tailed deer on some of the best
hunting land in the Southeast.
Four of those participants
were from Alabama and only
one did not bag a deer during the
outing, although he had a eet-
ing chance on the rst afternoon.
Charles Kilgore of Opelika,
who suffered a traumatic brain
injury when a dropped rearm
discharged and struck him, saw
a couple of shooters that rst
afternoon, but the deer didnt present a good shot and
so Kilgore passed.
Kilgore, who was sponsored for the hunt by the
Alabama Conservation Enforcement Ofcers Association,
lost most function in his left arm and some of the func-
tion in his left leg after a stroke occurred after the injury.
But that didnt stop his education or hunting. When suf-
ciently recovered, he went back
to Auburn University to nish his
doctorate in biology.
It took me two years to
get back into the woods,
Kilgore said. When Chris
Jaworowski (Wi l dl i fe and
Freshwater Fisheries wildlife
biologist) asked me if I wanted
to come to Buckmasters, I said,
Lets go. I use a Caldwell
Deadshot Fieldpod to hold the
rie, but I have to use my right
arm for everything, so its kind
of hard to make a quick shot.
On the rst hunt, we saw about
20 deer, mostly does and three
pretty nice bucks. We just
couldnt get a shot.
Ozark native Stephen Ayhens,
a disabled Marine who par-
ticipated in a fishing event
with A HERO Foundation near
Montgomery in 2011, managed
to get into a friendly contest with
fellow disabled soldier Bobby
Dove of Florida, who served in
the U.S. Army.
Its the Marines versus the
Army, Ayhens said. I think the Marines are winning.
I got a nine-point and Bobby got an eight-point, so I think
I win.
Ayhens has been able to hunt deer around Brundidge
and Quantico (Va.) and duck hunt in Maryland since an
IED took both his legs in Afghanistan.
continued on 11
Stephen Ayhens of Ozark, who was wounded in
Afghanistan, and Buckmasters founder Jackie
Bushman show off the nine-point buck Ayhens
took on the opening afternoon of the Buckmasters
Life Classic Hunt at Sedgefields Plantation.
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BRRR! BUCKMASTERS HUNTERS WEATHER COLD FOR LIFE CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 11
This is outstanding, Ayhens said of the Buckmasters
hunt. This is a great way to get outdoors again.
Ayhens showed up for the hunt with his new-to-him
tank chair, a wheelchair equipped with tracks that help
those who are wheelchair-bound or have other disabilities
to get through certain terrain and into the hunting woods.
Another Marine, Jeremiah Arbogast, had this and
couldnt use it because of his spinal injury, said Ayhens,
who has maintained a mischievous sense of humor
through his recovery. It would jar him around too much.
They found this one in pretty bad condition, so Hope for
the Warriors and a couple of other groups came together
to x it up and make it bigger. And its a lot more power-
ful. This is the rst time Ive been able to use it. Im still
getting used to it, but I like running over peoples toes.
On Ayhens hunt, it didnt take long for the action
to start that rst afternoon. No more than 10 minutes
after getting settled in the shooting house, deer started
showing up.
We had a doe, fawn and small buck come in right
away, he said. They ate around and then left. Then
the nine-point came in with a small party, two does and
a small buck. The nine-point came in the eld at about
300 meters. He came a little closer to 216 meters, and
thats where I shot him.
Ayhens didnt need any adaptive
equipment to shoot, other than his
prosthetic legs, shorter versions
called stubbies. He made the shot
with a Ruger .280.
I just stood up, rested the gun on
the shooting house ledge and red,
he said. I hit it a little far back, but
we got him anyway. I felt good when
I squeezed the trigger. He ran about
25 yards behind some foliage. Then
we saw him stagger and fall.
Ayhens wasnt the only Alabama
hunter to bag a deer. Rhett Bailey,
who was invited by Atlanta Braves
star reliever Craig Kimbrell, shot
an eight-point, while Taylor Lee
Robinson of Thorsby took a nine-
pointer during the event, which also
featured a return visit from New York
Yankees reliever David Robertson.
David Sullivan, Director of Life Hunts and Disabled
Services for Buckmasters American Deer Foundation,
said many of the hunters at the Life Hunts require sig-
nicant adaptive devices to be able to participate.
We were able to purchase two mechanicals rigs where
the hunters can totally control the rearm with a joystick
and a sip and puff tube, Sullivan said. Plus, those rigs
have video devices on the scopes, so they dont have
to get down and get the right eye relief on the scope.
Thats one of the things the American Deer Foundation
does is provide this equipment through our sponsors like
Wildgame Innovations. Travis Peercy (Island, Ky.) used
a tripod with a military-type mount that we get from
a guy in Texas. Travis is unsteady and used that to take
his 11-point on the rst afternoon. He was all smiles.
Weve had people who are paralyzed on respirators
that weve taken hunting. If they put their mind to it, we
can make it happen.
Sullivan said the largest hurdle for those with dis-
abilities and illnesses remains access to hunting property.
He even designed a trailer that will help with that access
problem. He named it the Quincey Assault Vehicle after
his late stepson, David Christopher Quincey, who was
continued on 13
David Sullivan of Buckmasters American Deer Foundation developed a new trailer, the
Quincey Assault Vehicle, to help transport those with disabilities to hunting locations.
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BRRR! BUCKMASTERS HUNTERS WEATHER COLD FOR LIFE CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 13
killed in a training accident in the U.S. Army as he was
preparing to be deployed to Pakistan.
I designed a trailer that took me a couple of years to
build, Sullivan said. I started out with one thing, but we
ended up tearing it apart and starting again. Its now got
ATV tires with torsion axles. Its a real smooth ride and
we can roll a wheelchair into it and tie it down. Weve
got toolboxes to hold the equipment. Theres room for
people to sit back there with them to keep them safe.
This really helps with access, especially in muddy areas.
We had another volunteer who built another one for us.
Sullivan said the Hinton family, which has hosted the
Life Hunt Classic for more than a decade, makes it a lot
easier to hold a hunt for those with disabilities.
Getting out and hunting is the main goal, period,
Sullivan said. Having a place like this to come is icing
on the cake. Its the experience, camaraderie and some
of the best hunting in Alabama and the Southeast. We
couldnt do it without the Hintons and all the volunteers.
Jackie Bushman, Buckmasters CEO and founder, said
the Buckmasters Classic has been in existence for 23
years in one form or another.
Its hard to believe its been that long, Bushman said.
To have so many different kids here and our soldiers
here and to watch their dreams come true, I never get
tired of this. This is my favorite three days of the year.
We couldnt do it without the Buckmasters members
nationwide. And were trying to take more. Thanks to
our sponsors, like big Bill Busbice, his wife and fam-
ily, Nationwide Insurance this year and the Alabama
Conservation Enforcement Ofcers Association, we can
put on another great event. Weve got a lot of nice folks
and great volunteers that make this happen, as well as
the Hinton family.
Fortunately, we got ahead of the game on the rst day
and got seven deer. That way we didnt have to try to get
seven deer on the last day, like we did last year. Its always
fun to be here and see the smiles on the hunters and
their families faces. Its just priceless. l
Ayhens also received his new-to-him tank chair
at Buckmasters. The all-terrain chair gives Ayhens
much more access to the hunting woods.
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ACEOA Magazine 15
Life Hunt Photos
ACEOA
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LIFE HUNT PHOTOS continued
ACEOA Magazine 17
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LIFE HUNT PHOTOS continued
ACEOA Magazine 19
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LIFE HUNT PHOTOS continued
ACEOA Magazine 21
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ACEOA Magazine 23
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ACEOA Magazine 25
BADF Life Hunt 2014
By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
I
think if you asked for
the coldest three days in
January to have the Life
Hunt Classic, you would have
gotten your wish. I was really
concerned that the kids and
adults would not be able to
stand these conditions. They
really fooled me.
The opening afternoon
they managed to harvest
seven exceptional bucks.
Weather was not a factor
for the next two days. David
Sullivan and all the BADF
volunteers were totally prepared. They had blind heat-
ers, hand and foot warmers and even sleeping bags for
all the hunters.
This is ACEOAs second year as being a corporate
sponsor of the BADF Life Hunt Classic. We consider this
our major event of the year. Having been involved with
the hunt for nearly ten years and Buckmasters since the
early 80s, I have a very deep respect for their programs
especially the ones developed to assist the physically
challenged and the wounded warriors.
Jackie Bushman has been an innovator in the industry
and provided opportunities for the special needs hunter
like no other.
You have heard me say in my past Life hunt editorials
that this is a very humbling event. It makes you realize
that your little 65-year-old issues are very small. This
group of about 10 or 12 hunters come to this hunt with
life threatening diseases and physical challenges and the
strength of Iron Men competitors. They just want to hunt.
Thats what this hunt provides for them.
The Hinton family of Dallas county opens their beau-
tiful Sedgeelds Plantation to these hunters and the
opportunity is unbelievable. It is denitely the hunt of
a lifetime. I would like to personally thank Jimmy Hinton,
all the Hinton family and the dedicated guides that show
up weeks ahead to make
preparations for these spe-
cial hunters. A special thank
you also goes out to all the
Buckmasters volunteers that
cook and provide all the
meals for the three day hunt.
David Sullivan does a great
job and certainly deserves
some praise.
ACEOA sponsored Charles
Kilgore of Opelika this year.
Charles was injured in an
accident when a handgun
accidently discharged. The
bullet struck him in the head, leaving him paralyzed on
his left side. He was not able to harvest a deer but he had
some opportunities. He was a real trooper and braved
the cold weather every morning and afternoon.
Stephen Ayhens (Marines) and Bobby Dove (Army)
were the wounded warriors that were invited to hunt
by Buckmasters. They both harvested nice bucks. They
are true heroes and it is humbling to just to be in their
presence. I certainly appreciate their sacrice.
David Robertson of the New York Yankees and Craig
Kimbrell of the Atlanta Braves returned to the hunt this
year. They brought Yankee and Braves memorabilia for all
the hunters. They take time out of their busy schedules
to come to this hunt and we appreciate them doing it.
They are really nice, down to earth guys that share the
passion of hunting.
Big Bill Busbice with Wildgame Innovations was not
able to make the hunt this year but remained the major
corporate sponsor. We really missed you Big Bill.
ACEOA being a part of The Life Hunt Classic is made
possible by our Corporate Sponsors. You are our life line
and we appreciate your continuous support. Please enjoy
this special issue and know your support has made our
involvement possible. We will be back in 2015 because
of you. l
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ACEOA Magazine 27
NWTF Conservation
Ofcer Appreciation
By Joel D. Glover, Conservation Enforcement Ofcer-Supervisor, Wildlife Section
F
or many years the National
Wild Turkey Federation
(NWTF) has sponsored a law
enforcement officer of the year
recognition program. Alabama has
been well represented with both
state and national winners. All
state NWTF ofcers of the year are
invited to an ofcers luncheon at
the NWTF convention. It has been
my privilege to attend this luncheon
for the past three years. This year
the program was sponsored in
part by the Alabama Conservation
Enforcement Officer Association
(ACEOA).
Bob Eriksen, Regional Wildlife
Biologist for the NWTF, opened the
meeting by thanking the ACEOA for
helping make the program possible.
The luncheon is a great oppor-
tunity for ofcers from across the
country to meet one another and to
hear presentations from members
of various departments. This year
Lt. Jim Kirkland, Alabama NWTF
Ofcer of the Year, Deborah Dixon,
Darin Clifton, last years National
NWTF Ofcer of the Year, ofcers
from 17 other states and I enjoyed
presentations from Ofcers from
Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas.
Georgia DNR Ranger 1st Class
David Webb delivered a compre-
hensive overview of a recent under-
cover operation entitled, Operation
Something Bruin. Officers from
Georgia, North Carolina, U.S Forest
Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and the National Park Service took
part in the two year-long operation
in Georgia and North Carolina. The
operation focused on the poaching
continued on 29
Officer Deborah Dixon, Alabama
NWTF Officer of the Year.
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NWTF CONSERVATION OFFICER APPRECIATION continued
ACEOA Magazine 29
of Black Bears and the commercialization of black bear
parts including paws, claws and gallbladders. The of-
cers were able to inltrate the poaching network which
had connections across the country. The investigation
was extensive with the ofcers making over 1,000 audio
recordings and 115 videos. 249 charges were brought
against 34 defendants. Violations included hunting in
closed season, unlawful baiting, over the limit and tagging
violations and violations of the Lacey Act.
Mike Stockdale, TWRA Forensics
Analyst, provided a review of his work
using DNA to prosecute wildlife viola-
tions. Stockdale has worked in wildlife
forensics for many years and explained
the procedures he has perfected which
have helped to secure convictions in
cases nationwide. Wildlife DNA evidence
is analyzed similarly to human DNA. He
did caution not to believe what you see
happen in minutes on CSI!
Lastly the Arkansas Game & Fish
Commission gave a presentation out-
lining the details of a rescue attempt
that claimed the life of Arkansas Game
Warden Joel Campora. Campora perished
attempting to save people from ood-
waters. End of Watch 5-31-13. The trib-
ute to Ofcer Campora contained a thought provoking
quote from J. R. Miller; What a man IS, survives him.
The only thing the mourners carry back from the tomb
and refuses to be buried is character. Following the
presentation, Camporas wife addressed the group and
reminded us to cherish each moment with family since
none of us know when the end will come.
I very much appreciate ACEOA helping to sponsor this
event. l
(L-R) Alabama Conservation Commissioner Gunter Guy, Officer Deborah
Dixon, Lt. Jim Kirkland, and Director Chuck Sykes of Alabama WFF.
10ad27
Three Brothers Arms,
LLC
P.O. Box
Stapleton, AL 36578
251-494-0095
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2932 Ross Clark Circle Suite 255
Dothan, Alabama 36303
334-699-3828
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506 South Main Street
Linden, AL 36748
334-295-1657
Davis
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2739 County Road 85
Fayette, AL 35555
205-932-5788
WRIGHTS ROOFING
4112 Old Wetumpka Hwy.
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334-657-4475
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ACEOA Magazine 31
Limestone County
Hunter Education
By Mickey Bauer
T
he Alabama Conservation Enforcement Ofcers
Association (ACEOA) recently provided funding to
the Limestone County Hunter Education Program.
On September 28, 2013, funds were used to provide
participants in the course with a meal prepared by four
continued on 33
Archery practice. Proper gun handling instruction.
Steve Pepper, conservation officer, with instructors and student from the course.
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LIMESTONE COUNTY HUNTER EDUCATION continued
ACEOA Magazine 33
star chef, Chris Ryberg. Ryberg is also one of several
volunteer instructors involved with this program.
The meal was prepared and served at the Elkmont
Rural Village Clubhouse as part of the nal day of the
course which included classroom instruction, eld train-
ing, and nal exam.
The Hunter Education Program is a statewide program
designed to instruct students in safe and proper hunt-
ing techniques. Participants must be at least 10-years-
old and must have completed the course by age 16 in
order to purchase an Alabama State Hunting License.
continued on 35
Steve Pepper, conservation officer, with some of the Limestone County Hunter Education instructors.
Practicing trail safety. Orienteering with Brad Wales.
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LIMESTONE COUNTY HUNTER EDUCATION continued
ACEOA Magazine 35
Anyone born before
1977 is exempt from
the required course.
However, many
other states have
earlier exemption
dates so hunters
who may be inter-
ested in out of state
hunting trips should
consider participat-
ing in the class.
A typical hunter education class consists of four nights
training by qualied instructors, followed by a compre-
hensive exam. On the nal day of this particular session,
students participated in hands on events including: Tree
stand safety, archery, orienteering, and a safety trail with
hypothetical situations that may arise during a hunt.
The Limestone County Hunter Education Program is
part of the Alabama Hunters Education Association, is
offered free of charge to participants, and taught by vol-
unteer instructors. l
Instructor, Stan Bates, guides one of the students
in the proper techniques of tree stand safety.
03ad8
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ACEOA Magazine 37
Habitat Diversity
and Wildlife
By James Altiere, Regional Hunter Education Coordinator,
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
A
ll wildlife species have the
basic habitat requirements
of food, water, cover and
space. The arrangement of these
requirements will directly affect
both the number of wildlife spe-
cies and the number of individuals
inhabiting an area.
Wildlife habitat is influenced
by location, climate and land use.
Managers cannot affect location
or climate, but they can manipu-
late the land in numerous ways.
Habitat diversity can be obtained by
a variety of methods depending on
the goals of the landowner or man-
ager. A landowner may consider the
protection of an old growth timber
ecosystem to benet species prefer-
ring this type of habitat. Protecting
old growth habitat is also bene-
cial in many instances because of
the length of time it takes to replenish itself once it is
removed. However, the diversity within this system can
be increased by creating openings. The openings should
be large enough to provide adequate edge, but not so
large that they adversely affect wildlife that depends upon
old growth forest. Edge is the area where two or more
habitat types meet.
The changes in wildlife habitat from bare ground to
mature forest are known as changes in succession. Many
species of wildlife prefer habitats that are in early suc-
cession, the rst few years of growth from bare ground.
This type of habitat is most often created by clearcuts or
timber thinning. Power line rights of way may also provide
this type habitat. These habitats can be maintained with
the use of prescribed re, mowing,
disking or herbicides. Utilizing those
tools, early succession can be main-
tained indenitely.
There are many tools a manger
can use in making land management
decisions. Perhaps the most import
tool is knowledge. A manager should
understand the consequences of
any actions before implementing
a practice. Many landowners have
suffered because they were not fully
aware of those consequences. Be
aware that anything you do on the
land causes change. Some changes
are minor without much impact and
others have dramatic effects.
The wildlife that is on any par-
ticular piece of property is directly
dependent on the habitat. To
increase the variety of wildlife spe-
cies, wildlife managers and land-
owners should manage for maximum habitat diversity.
Increasing habitat diversity will enhance the enjoyment
of both consumptive and non-consumptive uses of our
wildlife resources.
Additional information regarding management practic-
es to benet wildlife can be obtained at any Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries District Ofce. To locate the district
ofce closest to you, visit www.outdooralabama.com.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through ve
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.
l
Prescribed burning is one way to
manipulate habitat for wildlife.
P
H
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T
O

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O
U
R
T
E
S
Y

O
F

T
H
E

N
A
T
I
O
N
A
L

W
I
L
D

T
U
R
K
E
Y

F
E
D
E
R
A
T
I
O
N
.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 39
A Tribute to
Mike Pollard
By Corky Pugh,
Executive Director of the Hunting Heritage Foundation
I
f heaven has Game Wardens, they just got an incred-
ible Assistant Chief.
Mike Pollard passed away earlier this year at the
age of 51. The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
and his family and friends buried
him in the small cemetery beside
the Rocky Branch Baptist Church
in rural Randolph County, Alabama.
The funeral service, held in
Opelika, as well as the graveside
service, were conducted in their
totality by present and former
employees of the Division. Whether
this was by design or just hap-
pened that way, it was a powerful
manifestation of the strong, almost
familial bond among the employees
of the Division.
A very modest, low-key indi-
vidual, Mike would have blushed
at all the attention. He would have
wanted to leave the chapel to get
back into the outdoors he loved
so much.
The sermon by retired Captain
Don Herring offered comfort from
Gods word to the family in their bereavement. Each of the
classic bluegrass gospel selections performed by Fisheries
Biologist Graves Lovell and retired Fisheries Chief Barry
Smith captured the earthy, natural feel that Mike loved
so much.
Eulogies from Sgt. Keith Mann, Sgt. Carter Hendrix,
recently-retired Ofcer Jeff Brown, and retired Chief Allan
Andress were so real that even if you had never known
Mike, you came to know his exceptional character. An
a cappella rendition of Amazing Grace by Sgt. Michael
East drove home the extraordinary spirituality that char-
acterizes so many of the professionals who spend their
lives working outdoors in Gods creation.
Chief Andress served as Mikes supervisor through-
out his career, initially as Captain
in the district where Mike first
came to work, and then as Chief
Conservation Enforcement Ofcer.
He characterized Mike Pollard as
having, the heart of a lion and the
spirit of a warrior. This strong but
gentle persona bespoke the Mike
Pollard we all knew well: manly, but
mannerly; humble, but self-assured;
very principled, but reasonable.
Mike Pollard was a Game
Wardens Game Warden, slow
and patient when he needed to
be but fast as lightning when the
occasion arose, tactically aware
and skilled but calm and measured
in his approach, always display-
ing grace under pressure. Having
had the treasured opportunity to
interact with literally hundreds of
these dedicated law enforcement
ofcers, I can unequivocally state that there has never
been a better man to put on a Game Wardens uniform
than Mike. And there is not a person in the Division who
would disagree with me.
Mike grew up hunting with family and close friends.
As a young man, he worked in his fathers family-owned
hardware store. Like so many, his early life experiences
sparked a burning interest in conservation law enforce-
ment as a career.
continued on 41
Mike Pollard.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
A TRIBUTE TO MIKE POLLARD continued
ACEOA Magazine 41
When Mike was getting a degree in Criminal Justice at
Auburn, he did his internship with the Divisionagainst
the advice of his professors at the University who wanted
him to work with the police department.
The Game Warden in Lee County at the time was
Robert Siedler, who was not at all sure about the baby-
faced boy. The two of them were like the Odd Couple,
as different as night and dayexcept for the principled
part and the hard working part. The two became very
close partners.
Mike worked for a period as a Lee County Deputy
Sheriff, and when the opportunity became available,
came to work for the then-Game
& Fish Division, now Wildlife &
Freshwater Fisheries. His dream
job as a Game Warden became
a reality. And he pursued the job
with an unexcelled passion.
He possessed the perfect mix
of compassion and aggressive-
ness. The hard-core game law
violators worst nightmare, Mike
worked collaboratively with fellow
ofcers to arrest night hunters,
road hunters, baiters, and other
game hogs. Yet, he always exer-
cised good judgment, common
sense, and discretion in dealing
with hunters and shermen.
A rare mix of old-school Game
Warden and innovative, new-age
ofcer, Mike was on the cutting
edge of new natural resources law enforcement tactics.
Yet he always remained grounded in traditional conserva-
tion law enforcement.
Mike pioneered the use of GPS technology in the
Division. Today, GPS plays a major role in working seri-
ous violations like night hunting and hunting over bait.
Working hand-in-glove with the local District Attorney,
Mike researched and developed the use of checkpoints
as an enforcement tool on public roads in high hunting
activity areas.
This strategy, carefully following legal guidelines,
results in highly effective, focused law enforcement, while
minimizing inconvenience to the public.
If character were rated on a scale of one to ten, Mike
would have gotten a 12. He dedicated his time and effort
to two prioritieshis family and his work. As Don Herring
put it, Mike honored his father and mother.
As the youngest of his brothers, Mike was still living
at home when his father died. On his deathbed, his dad
asked Mike to take care of his mom. He spent many years
doing just that. In fact, he passed up a promotion or two
that would have required moving away from his mother.
Serving a stint as supervisor at the District level, Mike
relied not on rank, but on the earned respect of fellow
ofcers. Known for his rm but fair approach, he provided
a guiding hand for rookies and seasoned ofcers alike.
Promoted against his will to the Montgomery Ofce,
Mike moved up to the number two position in the Law
Enforcement Section. His calm temperament, impeccable
character, extensive eld experience, and natural leader-
ship ability helped shape and mold a model enforcement
program. A team player, Mike never put self-interest
ahead of the program.
The walls of Assistant Chief Mike Pollards ofce bore
no elaborate displays of his extensive personal accom-
plishments. The most prominent feature was a relatively
small framed print of a Frances Tipton Hunter painting
continued on 43
This print of Frances Tipton Hunters Trouble Brewing was the most
prominent feature in the office of Assistant Chief Mike Pollard.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
A TRIBUTE TO MIKE POLLARD continued
ACEOA Magazine 43
depicting a barefoot young boy catching a very small sh
with a pole and line. The boy is right beside a big sign
reading FISHING FORBIDDEN. There is a Game Warden
standing in the bushes up the bank behind the boy with
his forenger and thumb on his chin as if hes contemplat-
ing what to do with the young violator.
This little print captures the ever-present challenge
that Game Wardens facesorting out the wide variety of
people they encounter in a days work and using common
sense in how they respond. Mike Pollard was a master
at this difcult task. Doing it well is the mark of a real
Game Warden. l
The Hunting Heritage Foundation is an Alabama non-prot
organization established in 2011. To see what HHF stands for
go to the website at huntingheritagefoundation.com. You can
write to us at P.O. Box 242064, Montgomery, AL 36124, or
corkypugh@mindspring.com.
10ad27
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LLC
P.O. Box
Stapleton, AL 36578
251-494-0095
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2932 Ross Clark Circle Suite 255
Dothan, Alabama 36303
334-699-3828
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140 County Road 632
Cedar Bluff, AL 35959
256-523-8980
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4112 Old Wetumpka Hwy.
Montgomery, AL 36110
334-657-4475
DAPHNE PHAMACY
2101 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-509-0616
Vulcraft
Engineering
1539 Scott Road Hazel Green, AL 35750
256-828-9884
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 45
That Special Turkey
By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
T
hose of you that have been on board with ACEOA
for a while know I love to turkey hunt. Spring is
my season. You also learned from past articles
that I have never professed to be very good at it. Like
many other hunters I tend to get beat up by one turkey.
I know better but I still do it. Call it stupidity or call it
the challenge.
Last season was no dif-
ferent. This giant long beard
stayed deep in my swamp all
season. He made no effort
to go with the hens to the
edges. He would gobble a few
times in the tree and shut up.
Well, you would figure he
had hens; so he didnt need
to gobble on the ground. The
strange thing is he didnt have
any hens when I was able to
get a glimpse of him.
I never gave up and he
would always lure me in with
his thunder tree gobble. The
stupidity part is I would leave
other turkeys to go to him.
This cat and mouse game
went on till late in the season.
One morning I left the house
at my normal 4:30 A.M. and
it was raining like the dick-
ens. Since I have to travel 21
miles, I gured I could drive
out of it. When I got to where I park it was raining even
harder. I put my truck seat in recline and decided to just
sit there and wait it out.
After a while it started getting light and it wasnt any
better. I continued to nap. It was the lack of rain on my
windshield that woke me. I stepped out of the truck to
stretch my legs, check the skies and decide if it was
worth the effort to head into the swamp. The silence was
broken with the gobble of a turkey. I recognized it and
I knew it was him.
I grabbed my vest, shot gun and only a few neces-
sities and headed down the hill to the creek. That was
my only cover and it wasnt much. He was close. I went
less than 100 yards using every bit of cover I could mus-
ter. I looked across the eld
and saw a white head on the
edge. He must have seen me.
That wasnt bad enough; it
started pouring down raining
again. I mean monsoon rain.
I covered what calls I could in
my vest and relied entirely on
my mouth call. Could I call
him back? Probably not.
A hen started answering
me to my left and she was
really upset. The madder she
got the more I hammered
her. Eventually I located
her coming down the creek
looking for me. Behind her
was a jake, a two-year-old
and the big boy in full strut.
The rain never slacked up.
The big gobbler nally got in
range and I hammered him.
The hen sold him out, as they
often do. He was wet but
I knew he was abnormally
heavy. He had a rope 12-inch
beard and dagger one and three eights inch spurs. When
dried out he weighed 25-1/2 pounds.
Maybe he was just waiting for a rainy day to leave the
swamp. Maybe he knew I wouldnt harass him in the rain.
Maybe he took me for a fair weather hunter. It was none
of these. Its just turkey hunting. Its the reason I keep
getting up and going Days like that rainy day.
l
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 47
How Gun and Ammunition
Sales Affect State Game
and Fish Agencies
By Jeff L. Makemson, Certied Wildlife Biologist,
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
T
hroughout the United States, most state game and
sh agencies, including the Alabama Division of
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF), receive
no moneys from their states general fund budget. Funding
for these agencies is based on a user pay concept, with
the majority of funds used to support and enhance state
conservation and education efforts coming from the sale
of hunting and shing licenses.
States also receive a signicant amount of annual fund-
ing through an excise tax placed on certain merchandise
used in hunting and shing. Guns, ammunition, bows and
arrows are items on which the
excise tax is collected. In recent
years, gun and ammunition sales
have dramatically increased, as
more Americans are purchasing
rearms and ammunition. Gun
and ammunition manufacturers
throughout the country have
hired additional personnel,
added additional manufacturing
shifts, and are building addition-
al facilities, but still cant keep
up with the demand for some
rearms and ammunition. This
dramatic increase in demand
and sales has led to an increase
in annual funding allocated to
state game and sh agencies.
The Federal Aid in Wildlife
Restoration Act of 1937, usually
called the Pittman-Robertson Act
after its sponsors, Senator Key
Pittman of Nevada and Representative Absalom Willis
Robertson of Virginia, creates an 11 percent excise tax
placed on rearms, ammunition, and bows and arrows.
The tax already existed in 1937, but conservationists from
all over the U.S., faced with dwindling wildlife and sheries
populations, pressured Congress to earmark that money
for state game and sh agencies. Those funds opened the
door for the modern era of wildlife conservation.
Each year millions of dollars are dedicated to wildlife
and sh restoration and enhancement projects across
the country. Since the implementation of the act, more
than $13 billion have been col-
lected, distributed, and matched
with funds from state agencies.
Projects focus on wildlife and
sh management, species and
habitat restoration, land acquisi-
tion, habitat protection, scien-
tic research, wildlife population
monitoring, hunter and aquatic
education, public shooting
ranges, and access for hunting,
shing and boating.
The moneys collected from
the excise taxes go to the U.S.
Department of the Interior and
are distributed to states based
on a formula that takes into
account the number of hunting
license sold in the state and the
size of the state. State wildlife
agencies must apply for the
continued on 49
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
HOW GUN AND AMMUNITION SALES AFFECT STATE GAME AND FISH AGENCIES continued
ACEOA Magazine 49
money and provide 25 percent of their own matching
funds. The majority of these matching funds come from
hunting and shing license sales.
A 2011 national survey of Hunting Fishing and Wildlife
Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service documented a signicant resurgence in
the number of people embracing Americas great out-
doors. Hunting participation has increased by 9 percent,
while shing participation has increased by 11 percent.
Nearly 38 percent of Americans participated in wildlife
related recreation, an increase of 2.6 million participants
from the 2006 Survey.
Because of the Pittman-Robertson Act visionaries, the
booming economy in rearm and ammunition sales, and
the increase in participants, states currently have a tem-
porary increase in funding available to support wildlife
and sheries conservation efforts. As the belt tightens on
state general fund budgets, it is nice to be able to celebrate
the wisdom of those who recognized our responsibility
to conserve and restore our greatest natural resources
and devised a way to pay for it for future generations
to enjoy. For more information, visit the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service website (www.fws.gov) or the Alabama
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources site
(www.outdooralabama.com).
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through ve
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
l
10ad27
LANGLEYS SHELL
506 South Main Street
Linden, AL 36748
334-295-1657
Davis
Transportation, Inc.
2739 County Road 85
Fayette, AL 35555
205-932-5788
Jayson McElroy
Construction
140 County Road 632
Cedar Bluff, AL 35959
256-523-8980
ENTERPRISE HEATING
& COOLING
3195 County Road 610
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
334-347-1984
Vulcraft
Engineering
1539 Scott Road Hazel Green, AL 35750
256-828-9884
FEDERAL EQUIPMENT
DEALER
4800 Summer Avenue
Memphis, TN 38122
901-683-2700
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 51
T
he Southside Baptist Brotherhood Ministry held
its 2nd Annual Outdoors with Friends Hunting
Weekend on December 13th and 14th 2013 with
33 hunters. Participants from Tennessee, Florida and our
local area came to Hunt. There was a Friday afternoon
hunt as well as Saturday morning and Saturday after-
noon. Our mission is to share the message and love of
Christ to the Disabled, also to the Disadvantaged Child
who has no Christian inuence in their Lives. We do this
by annually sponsoring hunting and shing weekends.
This years hunt was a great success with 19 Doe, 1 Buck,
4 Hogs, and 2 Coyotes harvested. Sheldan Sanders of Troy
took the free shoulder mount for the biggest buck taken.
continued on 53
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
OUTDOORS WITH FRIENDS continued
ACEOA Magazine 53
It was heartwarming to see the relationships devel-
oping between the guides and the hunters. Our church
opened its Sunday school rooms for overnight lodging for
those who could not afford to get a room. The hunters
were given hunters orange hats and vest with inspi-
rational scriptures embroidered on them as well as our
Logo. Three meals were served; testimonials from some
of the participants on their time with us spoke, along
with an inspirational message Friday night.
Local landowners and Hunting clubs provide us with
locations to take hunters after that it is just a matter
of logistics preparing who will go with whom. Any
Landowner or Club within 30 minutes of Troy who would
like to volunteer their land for the event next year can
contact Greg Ricks (334) 465-5542 Southside Baptist
Church Brotherhood Director.
We want to thank the Alabama Conservation
Enforcement Ofcers Associtiation for their Donations
because if it was not for groups and men like you we
would not be able to do such life rewarding and meaning-
ful events in our community. l
photos continued on 55
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
OUTDOORS WITH FRIENDS continued
ACEOA Magazine 55
10ad28
JOSEPH RUSS
6733 Sonny Boy Yell Dell Road
Bastrop, LA 71220
318-614-9047
CHIPTECH, LLC
708 State Docks Road
Decatur, AL 35601
256-350-1797
4H FARM
294 County Road 20
Louisville, AL 36048
334-616-1462
CJF Construction, Inc.
276 Davis Lane
Florence, AL 35634
256-764-5693
JERRY STRICKLAND
2024 West County Road 70
Dothan, AL 36305
334-794-2574
STANLEY LAND
SURVEYING
473 SHARPS COVE ROAD
GURLEY, AL 35748
256-776-8801
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Jeff Steward Concrete
Construction
32875 Faircloth Road
Baldwin, AL 36549
850-393-6811
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 57
Kids Korner
By Gayle Morrow
Sasha Jaworowski harvested her rst turkey on March 9th during a statewide youth turkey hunt on private
land in Dallas County. Her dad, Chris, shared great photos from the special day. Congratulations, Sasha!
The Jaworowski girls ~
Jasmine and Sasha celebrating Sashas first turkey.
Chris Jaworowski and daughter Sasha with her first turkey.
Sasha Jaworowskis first turkey ~
9-1/2 beard and 1 spurs.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 59
Henry County
Youth Dove Hunt
By CEO Larry Doster
T
he Henry County youth dove hunt was held on
September 21, 2013 near Haleburg, Alabama. Even
though the weather forecast was possible rain and
thunderstorms, about 55 youth hunters along with their
adult sponsors attended the event that included skeet
shooting, rod and reel casting, baseball throwing, boiled
peanuts, hot dogs and snacks prior to the dove hunt.
Again this year, Mrs. Charlotte Doster hosted the hunt
on her property and Mr. Harnidge Elliott planted the eld
for the hunt. Skeet shooting was provided by J.D. Sadler
and Mr. Elbert Bristow was in charge of the other activities.
After a safety talk by CEO Larry Doster, all youth hunt-
ers received a door prize purchased with funds provided
by ACEOA. l
Travis Culbreth and Sayed Yusuf. Doyle and Sawyer McKenzie.
Justin Reynolds and his son Bradley,
with shotgun shells provided by ACEOA.
Cole Phillips and his dad, Craig Phillips. Rached and Rashad Yusef.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 61
The Game Check Program
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
N
ow that the 2013-2014 white-tailed deer sea-
son is a wrap, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries Division Director Chuck Sykes has some
impressions of the season, which featured a few changes
and plenty of cold weather.
Regarding the three main changes, Sykes gures it was
much ado about nothing.
I think people got worked up for no reason, Sykes
said. The February deer season were going to kill all
our mature deer that didnt happen. For the area deni-
tion change people are going to be getting tickets right
and left, and ofcers are going to have a monumental
task of enforcing it that didnt happen either. Game
Check we dont have service, and its going to be such
a hassle both untrue.
For the rst time, hunters in south-
west Alabama were granted a change
in deer season that swapped 10 days of
deer hunting in December for hunting
the rst 10 days of February.
The February deer season was
met with overwhelming positive feed-
back, Sykes said. People in south-
west Alabama were allowed to hunt
into February, when the majority of
the rut occurs. Do I think it made
a signicant impact on the number of
deer killed no. But it provided an
opportunity. Thats what the hunters
wanted. As a department, we took the
hunters requests and combined them
with scientically collected data and
made the right management decision,
which is the way it should be. Decisions
shouldnt just be based on wants. They
should be based on science. In this case,
the wants of the hunters matched up
with the science that we conducted, so
it was a no-brainer.
The Game Check program, which
was voluntary this past season, resulted in a little more
than 20,000 reports of deer harvested. As with any new
program, there were a couple of small bugs to work out.
For example, some people with older lifetime licenses
had trouble reporting their harvests. Sykes suggests that
anyone with a lifetime license that is more than 10-years-
old should send it in for a replacement card and updated
number free of charge.
According to the estimate from our mail surveys, and
again this is just an estimate, we got three- to four-per-
cent compliance. Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF)
is going to look at the data and see what information we
have. Were going to take this data and compare it to
what we get from the traditional mail survey to see if we
continued on 63
Mark Kennedy of Mobile, harvested this beautiful 10-point buck late
in January. Because Kennedy purchased his lifetime license more than
10-years ago, he had to go online at www.outdooralabama.com to
participate in the Game Check program. Those with lifetime licenses more
than 10-years-old are urged to get a replacement card free of charge.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE GAME CHECK PROGRAM continued
ACEOA Magazine 63
get any kind of trend or good comparison. We hope to
get more concrete information, especially on a county-
by-county basis. Every county reported deer harvests.
Sykes said it will take a little while to analyze the data
with WFF preparing recommendations for the 2014-2015
seasons and bag limits, which will be presented to the
Alabama Conservation Advisory Board at its rst 2014
meeting on March 1 in Montgomery. That meeting will
be held at the Alabama Department of Agriculture and
Industries Richard Beard Building Auditorium located at
1445 Federal Dr., Montgomery, Ala., 36107.
Being the rst year (of Game Check), weve got to
gure out what weve got, he said.
The new regulation states: as it applies to the hunt-
ing of deer and feral swine, there shall be a rebuttable
presumption that any bait or feed located beyond 100
yards from the hunter and not within the line of sight of
the hunter is not a lure, attraction or enticement to, on
or over the area which the hunter is attempting to kill or
take the deer or feral swine. This regulation does not
apply to public land. Out of line of sight means obscured
from view by natural vegetation or naturally occurring
terrain features
Some people thought it would be a major problem,
Sykes said of the area denition regulation. Honestly,
our conservation enforcement ofcers issued about the
same number of tickets as last year. We tried to make
it where landowners could take advantage of trapping
and continuing their supplemental feeding programs.
That worked like a champ. But outlaws are going to be
outlaws. So the tickets our ofcers were writing were for
people sitting anywhere from 30 to 50 yards from the
feed. And it was in plain sight.
Law-abiding hunters took full advantage and it was an
overwhelming success. And I talked to a bunch of hunters
who decided not to take advantage of it. This was just
another opportunity to assist in their land management.
WFF recently posted the results of its deer reproductive
study online (http://outdooralabama.com/images/file/All
Data Pooled by Site.pdf) for the public to view.
Everybody can now look at it online and give us
their opinion, Sykes said. Again, were basing the
Departments recommendation on facts. Facts are pretty
clear-cut that the February season is supported and
also can be expanded. For me as a biologist working in
Alabama my whole career, it conrmed everything we
anticipated. Scientically, we can justify that February
deer season. But thats not the lone issue. Weve got to
look at what landowners want. Weve got to consider
small-game hunters and lengths of seasons. There are
a lot of factors well have to look at before we can ulti-
mately make a decision. Were basing our recommenda-
tions on scientic fact, but weve got to consider a bunch
of other factors before we make our nal decisions.
We will make our recommendations to the
Commissioner (N. Gunter Guy Jr.) and advisory board
on March 1, and well see what they think about it.
Sykes said, and it was my experience as well, that
a good number of what most people consider trophy deer
were taken during the most recent season.
Overall, I think the three-buck limit has proven valu-
able, Sykes said. We did see quite a few nice deer killed.
We had really good deer killed on the WMAs (Wildlife
Management Areas). Its not just private land that is see-
ing the benets; its public land as well. The thing is, if
you want to kill a big deer, you cant kill him when hes
a yearling. People are learning to pass those younger
deer up and beginning to reap the benets.
One condition that may have contributed to the harvest
of those trophy deer was the cold weather, although the
wet weather may have affected the deer hunters.
In my opinion, deer are going to rut when theyre
going to rut, Sykes said. If its 80 degrees, theyre going
to do it at night. If its 40 degrees, youre going to see
more of the activity during the day.
It was the coldest winter I can remember. We had
a bunch of good days to hunt. But, on the other hand, it
rained just about every weekend, so people like me, who
have to hunt on the weekends, didnt have good weather
to hunt in. It was good that we had cold weather, but for
working guys it may not have worked out.
Sykes appreciates those who participated in Game
Check this past season and encourages everyone with
a Smartphone to download the Outdoor Alabama app.
I killed deer in ve counties and it took me less than
a minute per deer to register my deer through my phone,
Sykes said. In most instances, I did it in the tree or
in the stand before I ever got down. The biggest issue
I had was I had to remember my lifetime license number.
Thats what took the most time. l
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 65
CAB Considers February
Deer Season, Doe Bag Limit
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
T
he expansion of the February deer sea-
son to cover most of Alabama south of
Montgomery and a reduction in the daily
bag limit for antlerless deer statewide were
among the recommendations presented by
the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
(WFF) Division to the Alabama Conservation
Advisory Board (CAB) for the 2014-2015 hunt-
ing seasons.
In the rst meeting of 2014, CAB members
meeting in Montgomery heard a presentation
from WFF Director Chuck Sykes that included
the reasons the Division recommends that
north and south zones be created for deer
season in the state. The south zone (see maps)
deer season would include 10 days of hunting
in February, which is the same season that
portions of southwest Alabama had during the
2013-2014 season.
Sykes said the decision to expand the
February deer season shift, which swaps 10
days of hunting in December for 10 days in
February, was based on the deer reproductive
study that has been conducted since 1995.
We really stepped (the reproductive study)
up last year and approximately 500 does were
sampled in 2013, Sykes said. From all indica-
tions, the (February deer) season was a success
in southwest Alabama.
WFF staff concentrated their efforts for
the reproductive study in the areas south of
Montgomery to determine if a February season shift was
scientically justied.
Our challenge to the staff was to sample every county
south of Highway 80, two spots per county, Sykes said.
The summary of the data is convincing that south of
Highway 80, with about 1,000 samples since 1995, the
average conception date is January 28. North of Highway
80, with about 1,300 samples, the average conception date
is January 11. Once you get over to the Chattahoochee
(River) Valley, the sample is smaller at about 300 animals,
and the average conception date is December 30.
continued on 67
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
CAB CONSIDERS FEBRUARY DEER SEASON, DOE BAG LIMIT continued
ACEOA Magazine 67
Unlike any area in the country, we have quite a varia-
tion from county to county and region to region as to the
average rut time in the state, said Sykes, who said the
boundary for the proposed south zone for deer is the best
that could be drawn using large roads or river systems.
Keep in mind that were not going to
be able to do this with 100-percent accu-
racy, he said. Were looking for a clear-cut
boundary so our ofcers know where the
line is and hunters know where the line is.
Were not going to be able to make every-
body happy, but were trying to do the best
we can.
Dog deer hunters in attendance were
happy to hear that the 10 days of dog deer
hunting that were not in the 2013-2014 sea-
son have been restored in the recommenda-
tions for the 2014-2015 season.
The proposed deer seasons for the south
zone are: archery, Oct. 25 through Feb. 10;
antlered bucks by stalk or dog hunting, Nov.
22Nov. 30 and Dec. 11Jan. 25; antlered
bucks by stalk hunting only, Jan. 26Feb. 10;
unantlered deer on privately owned or leased
land, Nov. 22Nov. 30 and Dec. 11Feb. 10;
unantlered deer on open permitpublic land,
Dec. 15Jan. 1; and the special muzzloader
season, Nov. 1721.
The north zone deer seasons are: archery,
Oct. 15Jan. 31; antlered bucks by stalk
or dog hunting, Nov. 22Jan. 15; antlered
bucks by stalk hunting only, Jan. 16Jan. 31;
unantlered deer on privately owned or leased
land, Nov. 22Jan. 31. Unantlered deer on
open permitpublic land and special muzzle-
loader dates are the same as the south zone.
The reduction of the antlerless bag limit
from two does per day to one doe per day
statewide was in response to hunter requests and WFF
biologists who felt the concerns were valid.
Last year we did that in north Alabama, Sykes said.
We had no complaints from that. It went off without
a hitch. This is just an attempt to respond to the desires
of the hunting public thats been talking to our biologists
and staff. Ive been traveling throughout the state and had
the same thing brought to my attention. The hunters feel
like the doe numbers are not where they need to be, and
we need to start by reducing the antlerless bag limit.
Sykes said landowners who feel they need to harvest
more than one doe per day can sign up for the Deer
Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which will
survey the property and determine the number of antler-
less tags to issue. Under the DMAP program, landowners
can harvest up to three antlerless deer per day.
In other WFF recommendations, all of Morgan County
will be opened for turkey season; the number of deer
continued on 69
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
CAB CONSIDERS FEBRUARY DEER SEASON, DOE BAG LIMIT continued
ACEOA Magazine 69
allowed to be harvested on National Forest Lands will
be reduced to one per day; the prohibition on silenced
rearms will be removed to allow for federally permitted
silencers to be used; the bag limit for bobwhite quail will
be reduced from 12 to 8; and trapping for raccoons and
opossums by special permit will be allowed. The quail
limit will not apply to licensed preserves.
A special season permit will be available for landown-
ers to trap raccoons and possums for wildlife manage-
ment purposes, Sykes said. It will be issued in a manner
similar to the wild hog permits we have now.
Fall turkey hunters will again have 20 days to hunt in
the recommendations for the 2014-2015 season.
Sykes also talked about the turkey population in
Alabama, which has seen a decline in turkey recruitment
in the last few years. He said the estimate of 500,000
wild turkeys in Alabama was based on observational
data collected prior to 2006.
Hunters across the state, just like the deer hunters,
have been expressing concerns that turkey numbers are
lower than what they have been, he said. In an attempt
to look at that, our concerns were validated by the 2013
brood survey, which showed our recruitment rate was
the lowest weve had in the past 24 years.
With that being said, our Division has formed a tur-
key committee that is working with Auburn University
to explore methods to measure turkey productivity and
abundance in Alabama. We are also participating in
a multi-state research project because that decline is
not just in Alabama; it is throughout the Southeast.
Concerning wildlife rehabilitation permits, Sykes said
after meeting with wildlife rehabilitators in the state
a new policy was developed for rabies-vector species.
One wildlife rehabilitation facility will be licensed in each
of the ve WFF districts in the state.
We have a dedicated employee on staff who is a rehab
owner herself, Sykes said. She will be working with the
Division and rehab facilities throughout the state to set up
standard practices and procedures where it can be moni-
tored. The new policy will require the rehabilitators to
adhere to the National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association
caging and connement standards and also require pre-
exposure shots to handle rabies-vector species.
In other recommendations, Chris Blankenship, Director
of the Marine Resources Division, had two proposals. One
was that the vermilion snapper bag limit be set at 10 per
person per day to match federal regulations.
The other recommendation had to do with the harvest
of red snapper. The proposed regulation would require
the reporting of red snapper catches by the charter indus-
try and the recreational anglers in the state.
Blankenship said the angler survey done by the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the federal
agency, has been a point of contention for many years.
The way (the survey) is managed by the federal gov-
ernment is inaccurate, Blankenship said. That is the
largest topic of conversation of shermen in Alabama.
Were working diligently to improve the management of
red snapper and take over more of the management of
red snapper because we believe we can do a better job
here in the state.
Blankenship said the federal survey has produced
absurd swings in estimates of harvest from 400,000
pounds to last years four million pounds.
The landings each year dont uctuate that much,
he said. So it is imperative for us to know what is being
landed in Alabama. With that, it may help us take over
more of the management from the federal government.
l
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 71
2014 GEICO
Bassmaster Classic
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
A
fter the second day of the 2014 GEICO Bassmaster
Classic, Springvilles Randy Howell and I were in
the back of the media center in the Birmingham-
Jefferson Convention Complex, pondering the possibilities
of the third and nal day of the Classic.
One of the top bass-shing lakes in the nation, Lake
Guntersville had proven ornery during the three-day event
after a deluge in the Tennessee River valley dumped tons
of fresh, muddy water into the reservoir that traverses
some 75 miles in northeast Alabama.
Each day of the competition, the top 50-plus bass sher-
men in the world had to adjust to the changing conditions.
Howell didnt quite get the adjustment nailed on
the second day, but came in with a ve-sh limit at
18 pounds, 3 ounces. Howell said coming into the Super
Bowl of Bass Fishing that he would have to catch at least
20 pounds a day to be in the running.
That less-than-stellar bag put him in 11th place,
9 pounds behind leader Edwin Evers of Talala, Okla.
Howell trailed Guntersville expert Randall Tharp
by 8 pounds, 15 ounces. Tharp, who lived in nearby
Gardendale, Ala., for 18 years before moving to Port St.
Joe, Fla., last July, said, Day in and day out, Guntersville
is the best bass lake in the nation.
Ever the optimist, Howell said, I dont like to be in the
lead. Theres too much pressure and too many people
following you around. I like being back a little so people
wont pay attention to me. This is Guntersville. Anybody
can catch a big bag at any time.
Howell is a devout Christian who works as much as
possible with Kings Home, which has facilities in north
Alabama to care for youth, women and single mothers
who are at risk. Howell had made arrangements with
BASS before the Classic to have a special seating area
for the youth from Kings Home to Howl
for Howell.
Some of these kids have been so abused,
they cant even communicate, Howell said.
They cant even look you in the face.
Yet, they were able to cheer for their hero
on the Classic stage each day, even though
the tournament, to that point, hadnt been
his best.
Oh, but for one more chance.
As Howell headed out on the nal day of the
Classic last Sunday, he said a feeling of calm
came over him and directed him to change his
best-laid plans.
My buddy, Adam Rogers, was with me and
my wife, Robin, on the way out, Howell said.
We prayed before I went out, and they told
me not to second-guess my gut, to listen to
that still, small voice. I took off running and
continued on 73
Bassmaster emcee Dave Mercer interviews Springvilles Randy
Howell after Howell claimed the 2014 Bassmaster Classic
title on Lake Guntersville. Howells family, (left to right) wife
Robin and sons Oakley and Laker joined the celebration.
PHOTO BY BASS/GARY TRAMONTINA
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
2014 GEICO BASSMASTER CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 73
there were people going to meet me at the Mill Creek
Bridge. I was going to start there because Id caught a lot
of sh there. About a mile after take-off, I just had this
overwhelming feeling. This voice in my head says, Do
you want to be good, or do you want to be great? I turned
right and started going back to Spring Creek. When I did,
I had this rush of peace come over me. I just felt it was
going to happen.
Instead of concentrating solely on the bridge structure,
Howell focused on the rip-rap that lined the roadway
near the bridge.
Throwing a red Rapala crankbait, he started catching
sh on almost every cast. As the action continued, bass
shing fans started to line the roadway, cheering him
on. Before long, he had a limit weighing more than 20
pounds in the livewell. But he knew hed have to do better.
He changed to a deeper-diving Livingston crankbait and
managed to cull several sh. Knowing that anyone could
catch a big bag, like BASS Nation angler Paul Mueller
did (32-3) on Saturday, Howell continued his effort to
improve his catch.
I had a feeling and went to the back of the creek and
caught a 6-pounder and I only won by a pound, Howell
said. Thats probably what made the difference.
Normally, BASS brings in the anglers with large catches
late in the weigh-in. Not this time. Howell weighed in
early. When BASS Tournament Director Trip Weldon
announced 29 pounds, 2 ounces (67-8 total), the home-
town crowd went wild.
That was the best day of shing Ive ever had in
my life, Howell said. Thats the heaviest bag Ive ever
weighed in.
Now Howell had to sweat it out, ghting back tears
as the remainder of the top anglers weighed their sh.
First came Mueller, a shing guide from Connecticut
who had established a single-day Classic record with
his 32-3 catch on Saturday. Despite being one of the
bigger limits of the week, Muellers Sunday catch of 24-11
couldnt knock Howell out of the leaders chair.
When Tharp couldnt break 20 pounds, it was time for
Evers to weigh in. He needed 20-3 to overtake Howell.
When Weldon read out 18 pounds, 5 ounces, the crowd
erupted as Howell hoisted his hands to the sky.
Who would have ever thought that I would win in
front of the Kings Home crowd, Howell said later, direct-
ing his comments to his supporters. Who would have
ever thought yall would come to the Classic and I would
win. Now youve got to come to every Classic.
Howell also shared another source of inspiration for
the Classic. He said he and his family, Robin and sons
Laker and Oakley, were
coming home from church
last November when he
asked his sons what they
had learned. The younger
son, Oakley, had lled out
a prayer request card.
On it he had writ-
ten, My Dad to win the
Classic, the elder Howell
said. I taped that to my
bathroom mirror in our
house and looked at it
every day.
God is so awesome
that his timing was this
day. I cant believe I won
the Bassmaster Classic.
Another Alabama angler
continued on 75 Howell caught the majority of his fish on the final day along rip-rap at the Spring Creek bridge.
PHOTO BY BASS/GARY TRAMONTINA
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
2014 GEICO BASSMASTER CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 75
who put in an impressive performance was Jordan Lee,
who was representing Auburn through the Carhartt
Bassmaster College Series. After a struggle on the rst
day with a catch of 13-7, Lee
rebounded with catches of 24-0
and 24-10 to nish in sixth place,
the highest ever in the Classic for
a college angler.
The Vinemont resident fig-
ured out the sh had moved to
the primrose grass in the shal-
low water in Seibold Branch. He
started punching grass mats
with a creature bait, and his
fortunes quickly turned around.
When I caught the ve- and
four-pounders on back-to-back
ips, I knew that was the deal,
Lee said. I went back and did
the same thing (Sunday) and
caught another 24-pound bag.
I wish I had figured that out
the rst day. I might have won
this tournament.
But Im tickled to death to be
here. This is what Ive always
dreamed about being on that
stage. It was special for me.
I felt like I could win it. I just
didnt have a good rst day. To
bounce back like I did, Im the happiest kid in the world.
Although some had predicted the Classic total weight
record of 69-11, set by Kevin VanDam in New Orleans
in 2011, would be broken at Guntersville, BASSs Weldon
said nobody expected the anglers would have to deal with
the muddy water from the thunderstorms.
Some of them struggled,
Weldon said. But they made
the adjustments. With the warm-
up and the current, the perfect
storm came together for them to
catch the big bags. Guntersville
is an incredible lake. It amazes
me with the trafc and pressure
it gets to produce like it does.
Hats off to Alabama Wildlife and
Freshwater Fisheries for what
they do managing the lake and
the anglers for taking care of
this resource.
Damon Abernethy, Supervisor
of Fisheries Development with
Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries, said Guntersville is
indeed a special lake.
Guntersville has had real
steady grass coverage of 25 to
28 percent, which is right in the
ideal range, and the bass popu-
lation has ourished, Abernethy
said. Its a huge lake to begin
with at nearly 70,000 acres.
What makes Guntersville unique
is that about 80 percent of that is good sh habitat. You
can be a mile offshore and still be in 6 feet of water with
grass and great habitat. Most lakes are not like that. l
Auburns Jordan Lee became the
highest-finishing college angler in the
Classic with a sixth-place finish.
PHOTO BY BASS/GARY TRAMONTINA
10ad28
JOSEPH RUSS
6733 Sonny Boy Yell Dell Road
Bastrop, LA 71220
318-614-9047
CHIPTECH, LLC
708 State Docks Road
Decatur, AL 35601
256-350-1797
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
Walker Brothers
79 School House Road
Baileyton, AL 35019
256-796-2211
JERRY STRICKLAND
2024 West County Road 70
Dothan, AL 36305
334-794-2574
STANLEY LAND
SURVEYING
473 SHARPS COVE ROAD
GURLEY, AL 35748
256-776-8801
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Jeff Steward Concrete
Construction
32875 Faircloth Road
Baldwin, AL 36549
850-393-6811
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 77
The Oaks Youth Hunt
A Huge Success
T
he Oaks Hunting Club in Boligee enjoyed their ninth
annual Youth Hunt on the 16th. Seventeen young
hunters from The Big Oak Ranch were their guests
on a day of shooting sports, trapping seminars, and great
food. The Big Oak Ranch, formerly John Croyles Big Oak
Ranch, is a home for young boys and girls that otherwise
would not have guidance we all need as youngsters. We
can all be proud to have The Ranch in Alabama and we at
The Oaks are certainly proud to be associated with them.
Our local enforcement ofcers, Steve Naish and Frank
McMillan, worked with the kids, training them in shoot-
ing sports with .22 riles. Tommy Atkins, an enforcement
ofcer from Elmore County was in charge of the skeet
range. Watching Tommy work with them on how to
handle a 20-gauge shotgun while lining up on the clay
targets was a treat. He has innite patience and the skills
needed to get them to the point of connecting on most of
their shots. Mike Sievering, Wildlife Biologists Supervisor
for this area, had traps, pelts, and knowledge that all
the kids could take away. Most of them had never been
exposed to trapping or the tools needed, and maybe one
or two of em will take it up.
The youngsters were much younger this year than The
Ranch has brought in the past. The average prior age
was 13, and this year it is 10, so we had challenges the
hunting guides had to work with. However, The Ranch
does an outstanding job of training and showing the kids
what to expect on a trip to the woods.
After a very tasty lunch of BBQ, cooked by Jack McGee,
all the kids received their gifts of orange hats, t-shirts,
scent killer, and other items that they could use hunt-
ing and around school. Every one of them thanked us
profusely and exhibited smiles that went on for miles!
I sincerely hope all of you get an opportunity like this
some day!
As the afternoon went on, calls began to come in from
the hunting guides, telling me about their young hunters
shooting a deer. We awarded prizes for rst deer, rst
buck, and biggest deer! Winner of the rst two categories
was Michael, who killed a buck right off the bat! A really
nice buck killed by Isaiah, the same kid who had such
a great time last year, was the biggest buck. We had
continued on 79
Storm Troopers from Star Wars, make sure
the shooters can hit their target.
A young lady tells Santa exactly what
she wants for Christmas.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 79
seven deer killed overall and a few misses. One kid that
just saw a deer told his guide that he had the best time
hes ever had, and is convinced hell be a hunter for life.
Each year we attempt to do a little something different
to make the day even more memorable, and this time
was no exception. Two Storm Troopers from the Star
Wars Movies and Santa Claus made appearances for all
the kids to enjoy. Attached are pics of them and one of
the ladies that seemed to enjoy telling Santa what she
wanted for Christmas!
Putting on an event such as this requires a lot of work,
and money, as usual, is the necessary tool. Id like to list
the folks that made this possible:
Alabama Conservation Enforcement
Ofcers Association
Greene County Farmers Federation
Ann Payne
Edgars
Piggly Wiggly
Trumans BBQ, Eutaw
Greene County Independent
Simmons Sporting Goods
Academy Sports and Outdoors
New Beginnings Church in Adamsville
Walter Resources, Coke Division
In addition to those listed above, we had huge support
from several local residents. They either took one of the
youngsters to their property to hunt, cooked barbecue for
us, or donated money. If those folks are reading this, please
know that you are appreciated more than I could ever say!
Were already making plans for next year, and we
would love to see even more or our Eutaw and Greene
County friends come down and participate. Believe me,
the adults get more of a blessing out of this day than the
youngsters do! l
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 81
Isaiahs Story
By Chris Greer
F
or the seventh year in a row, Ive been blessed
by the opportunity to spend time in Gods woods
with a young boy from The Big Oak Ranch. There
is absolutely no way to
describe the feeling of joy
when one of these kids says
thank you for a great day!
Are you kidding? I say thank
you to them and their house
parents for allowing me to
spend time with them.
Again this year, I took
Isaiah who now weighs all
of 85 pounds, hunting at
The Oaks 9th Annual Youth
Hunt. The folks at The Oaks
are a dedicated group of men
and women who sincerely
feel there is more to a hunting club than climbing a tree
and waiting on a deer to walk by. They constantly work
to put back some of the blessings they receive from God
and nature.
When The Oaks manager, Wayne Harrell, asked Isaiah
if he wanted to hunt with the same guide as the 2012
hunt, he answered with a resounding YES! I was prob-
ably as excited as he was to have him back. After making
a lot of noise setting up, opening the windows on the
shooting house, and getting everything ready to hunt,
we both remembered all the
adversity we had last year.
We had coughed, sneezed,
and just generally felt bad
at that time. After saying
a prayer to ask God to help
us feel better, the coughing
stopped. Isaiah shot the rst
buck he had ever seen on last
years hunt.
Less than 20 minutes after
nally getting ready, a really
nice 7-point buck stepped
into the eld, and he waited
for a good shot. We found
his buck dead less than 20 yards from the edge of the
eld and Isaiah had another deer to his credit. One of the
prizes awarded to the hunters at the Youth Hunt is for the
biggest deer, and of course Isaiah won it, a $50.00 gift
card to Academy Sports and Outdoors. He gave me a huge
hug and thanked me constantly, even waving and smiling
as they drove away to return to The Big Oak Ranch! l
10ad28
JOSEPH RUSS
6733 Sonny Boy Yell Dell Road
Bastrop, LA 71220
318-614-9047
CHIPTECH, LLC
708 State Docks Road
Decatur, AL 35601
256-350-1797
4H FARM
294 County Road 20
Louisville, AL 36048
334-616-1462
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
CJF Construction, Inc.
276 Davis Lane
Florence, AL 35634
256-764-5693
Walker Brothers
79 School House Road
Baileyton, AL 35019
256-796-2211
JERRY STRICKLAND
2024 West County Road 70
Dothan, AL 36305
334-794-2574
STANLEY LAND
SURVEYING
473 SHARPS COVE ROAD
GURLEY, AL 35748
256-776-8801
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 83
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 85
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 87
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
THE OAKS YOUTH HUNT A HUGE SUCCESS continued
ACEOA Magazine 89
10ad28
JOSEPH RUSS
6733 Sonny Boy Yell Dell Road
Bastrop, LA 71220
318-614-9047
4H FARM
294 County Road 20
Louisville, AL 36048
334-616-1462
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
CJF Construction, Inc.
276 Davis Lane
Florence, AL 35634
256-764-5693
Walker Brothers
79 School House Road
Baileyton, AL 35019
256-796-2211
JERRY STRICKLAND
2024 West County Road 70
Dothan, AL 36305
334-794-2574
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Jeff Steward Concrete
Construction
32875 Faircloth Road
Baldwin, AL 36549
850-393-6811
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 91
Treestand Maintenance
Could Save Your Life
By Chris Nix, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
E
ach year, thousands of hunters climb trees in
excess of 20 feet and hunt from platforms that they
might not have inspected prior to the hunting sea-
son. These hunters are subject to injury or death due to
simple neglect of their equipment. Hunters should include
a thorough treestand maintenance program immediately
after the hunting season before storing the stand as well
as just before the next season. With such a variety of
stands on the market and many people using homemade
stands, the complexity of maintenance will vary greatly.
Ladder Stands
Most all ladder stands are left in the woods throughout
the off-season. The majority of these stands are con-
structed of wood and subject to rot. Another concern is
that they are attached to a growing tree, which causes
them to detach from the tree as it grows. All nails or
screws should be checked for rusting and security, and
signs of damage or rot to the wood should be closely
inspected. The platform base and supports should be
examined for rot, movement, insecure ttings and dete-
rioration. Some ladder stands are made of metal. Inspect
these for rust spots and cracks to the welds. If rust is
found, sand it off and repaint. Cracks in the welds are
sometimes difcult to see, so look for cracks or aking
of the paint in these areas. Inspect and tighten all nuts
and bolts as they can loosen over time. Also, inspect all
straps and cables for security.
Lock-on Stands
As with any other metal stand, closely inspect all welds.
At times, it can be hard to see small cracks, so inspect
the paint for cracks. Rust spots can also be an issue over
time, requiring sanding and repainting any visible areas.
Inspect and tighten all nuts and bolts as they can loosen
continued on 93
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
TREESTAND MAINTENANCE COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE continued
ACEOA Magazine 93
over time. Look closely at all pins, swivels, and hooks to
ensure that they are not rusted. Closely inspect all ropes,
straps and cables. Damage from weather and animals can
cause these to fray over time. Check to ensure that all
ratchets are working and locking properly before attach-
ing to the tree. Any material used for seating should be
inspected for weathering and replaced if needed.
Climbing Sticks and Steps
Climbing sticks and steps are generally used to access
lock-on stands. Climbing sticks should be checked
for stress cracks around the welds. These are usually
attached to the tree with ratchet straps. Check straps
for fraying and make sure all ratchets are working and
locking properly.
Steps are typically made to screw into the tree; how-
ever, some are designed with straps in places where
screws are prohibited. Screws on the steps should be
checked for buildup of sap and wear around the threads.
Over time, the depth of the threads can decrease to the
point the step does not function properly and becomes
dangerous to use. If the step pivots, check all pins at pivot
points. These pins can rust or bend over time. If bent,
consider discarding and replacing the step. For strap-on
steps, inspect all straps for fraying or dry rot.
Climbing Stands
As with any other metal stand, closely inspect the
stand as previously described. Inspect all frame areas for
bending or warping. Look closely at all pins, swivels, and
hooks to ensure that they are not rusted. Closely inspect
all ropes, straps and cables. Note: Any replacement
parts used should be factory replacements. Contact the
manufacturer for suggestions if parts are unavailable.
Deer hunters do very few things on a regular basis that
are more dangerous than hunting from a treestand. A rou-
tine maintenance program and the use of proper safety
equipment can ensure a safe hunting season. Remember,
An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.
For more information, contact Chris Nix, Wildlife
Biologist, 30571 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527.
You may call the District V Ofce at 251-626-5474 or
email at chris.nix@dcnr.alabama.gov.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through ve
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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10ad28
CHIPTECH, LLC
708 State Docks Road
Decatur, AL 35601
256-350-1797
4H FARM
294 County Road 20
Louisville, AL 36048
334-616-1462
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
CJF Construction, Inc.
276 Davis Lane
Florence, AL 35634
256-764-5693
Walker Brothers
79 School House Road
Baileyton, AL 35019
256-796-2211
STANLEY LAND
SURVEYING
473 SHARPS COVE ROAD
GURLEY, AL 35748
256-776-8801
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Jeff Steward Concrete
Construction
32875 Faircloth Road
Baldwin, AL 36549
850-393-6811
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 95
Hope For Warriors
By Gary Everett, Warrior Fishing
www.hopeforthewarriors.org
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February 19, 2014


Dear Friend of Hope For The Warriors:

Thank you for your interest in supporting the Hope For The Warriors Outdoor Adventures
Program. We are pleased by your consideration to donate to the Fishing Initiative. The
Fishing Initiative through Hope For The Warriors has been created by a wounded service
member with the goal to provide fishing opportunities to other veterans throughout the
country.

Gary Everett, an Combat Wounded Veteran, is a professional fisherman who competes
across the country. His therapeutic view of fishing has inspired him to invite wounded
service members to join him during his competitions to help them enjoy the therapeutic
benefits of fishing.

Donations are graciously accepted via check or online at
http://www.hopeforthewarriors.org/category/240163/donate-now. Please be sure to
specify that your donation will be going to the Fishing Initiative.

To learn more about how your support will improve the lives of military families, please visit
www.hopeforthewarriors.org. Through our website, you can also connect to our social
media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, read our blog, and subscribe to the newsletter.

We appreciate your dedication to the many Hope For The Warriors programs designed to
directly assist those who continuously sacrifice so much. Should you have any questions or
concerns, please feel free to contact me directly at cnunez@hopeforthewarriors.org.


Sincerely,




Cristian Nuez
Military & Veterans Program Manager
Hope For The Warriors
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
ACEOA Magazine 97
Wild Animals in Captivity
By David Rainer, photo by David Rainer,
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
A
cknowledging that the correct action is not
always the popular choice when wild animals
are involved, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries (WFF) ofcials say the division will always give
public safety immediate precedence.
The case in point is the recent incident that involved
pet deer located on Dauphin Island. WFF officers
removed the deer, both does, from the island. Many on
the island who considered the illegally transported deer
as pets were outraged.
Fact is, the ofcers had no other choice because the
behavior of wild animals is unpredictable and poses
a safety risk to humans.
First and foremost, and really the bottom line, is its
a wild animal. Period, said Chuck Sykes, WFF Director.
Its not a dog. Its not a cat. Its a wild animal. You hear
about it every day that somebody has had a dog that all
of a sudden bites somebody. Thats a domesticated animal
thats unpredictable.
Yeah, theyre cute, fuzzy and cuddly when theyre
little, but its a wild animal. You may think that specic
animal wouldnt hurt anybody, but you cant know that
for a fact.
Sykes said his work at the Auburn University white-
tailed deer research facility gave him specic insight into
the unpredictability of the white-tailed deer.
I worked at Auburns deer research facility for a year-
and-a-half when I was in school, he said. I was there
three or four or times a week with those deer. Every once
in a while, one would just go berserk. You never know
whats going to happen with a wild animal, and when
you get complacent around it, thats when somebody
can get hurt. Even if the animal doesnt intend to do you
bodily harm, something could startle it a horn going
off, a car door slamming, a dog barking. Its ight instinct
could hurt somebody unintentionally.
As J.R. Dunsmore of Marshall County found out recent-
ly, deer behavior can change drastically. The captive buck
he had held illegally in a pen went from
licking his arm to trying to kill him in
a three-week span. Dunsmore lost the
sight in his right eye and suffered seri-
ous injuries from the attack (go to www.
outdooralabama.com/Dunsmore13 to
see the entire Dunsmore story).
During breeding season, the bucks
get a shot of testosterone, and every-
thing becomes an enemy, Sykes said.
In summer and early fall, the bucks
are bachelored up and together. All the
boys are hanging out, and everybody
is friendly, and everybody is happy.
When the weather gets cold, that tes-
tosterone increases as breeding season
is coming in. Then nobody is a buddy.
Everybody ghts.
If theyre used to a human as their
continued on 99
Not only do captive or pet antlered bucks pose a threat to humans, does and
fawns can cause injuries with flailing hooves and impact in a flight situation.
FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF
WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY continued
ACEOA Magazine 99
buddy during the summer, they dont care that you were
their best friend then. Its all about me when rutting
season comes about. They defend their territory and
assert their dominance. Period.
Sykes said that in the blink of an eye that so-called
pet can revert to its innate nature, which also provides
the animal with the tools to survive.
They can turn on you and you never see it coming, he
said. And its not just bucks that do it. Im tired of hearing
that if it doesnt have antlers, it cant hurt you. One of
the worst beatings I ever took was from a 40-pound doe
fawn in the research facility. When youre handling wild
animals you can get hurt. Does will stand up on their
hind legs and ail at your with their front hooves. Not
only can they cut you, they pack a pretty good punch.
The two does in the recent incident were brought to
Dauphin Island by an island resident. The deer roamed
the island and became habituated to humans. When the
deer were reported to WFF ofcials in Montgomery, the
animals were conscated. Transporting live wild animals
in Alabama is against the law.
It is a public safety issue, Sykes said. As important
as that, its an illegal activity. This was a no-win situation
for Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Somebody created
a problem that we had to act on. You either remove the
animals and youre looked at as being cruel and heartless,
or you dont do anything and turn a blind eye to the law.
As soon as someone or somebodys pet had been injured,
they would have blamed us for not enforcing the law.
Legally, we did what was right.
Kevin Dodd, WFF Chief of the Enforcement Section,
said there is a consensus among conservation and animal
rights groups that wild animals should never become
pets. He said groups like ASPCA (American Society for
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Humane Society of the
U.S., PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) and the
National Wildlife Rehabilitators Association give a list of
reasons against making pets of wild animals.
All of these groups say the same thing, Dodd said.
Animals can transmit diseases. Its unfair the animal.
Its a risk to public safety and on and on. Were all on
the same page. If you can get all these diverse groups to
recommend against having wild animals as pets, it must
be the right thing to do.
The thing about the deer on Dauphin Island is they
had lost all ight tendencies. Thats where the public
safety issue comes in. Its the same with alligators when
you feed them. They dont avoid humans like they nor-
mally do. With deer, at some point, theyre likely to raise
up and paw somebody with their hooves. They can be
lethal with those hooves.
Dodd said an investigation into the deer on Dauphin
Island prompted the action taken by WFF ofcers.
Especially with Dauphin Island being a tourist des-
tination, when it was brought to our attention that the
deer were licking the faces of babies and toddlers were
feeding them, we were not willing to assume the liability
that tomorrow, six months or a year from now, that the
deer might hurt somebody, Dodd said. We felt removal
from the island was the best option. We will do that again
if this situation comes up in the future.
Its a public safety issue. It was brought to our atten-
tion by some concerned Dauphin Island residents. With
the evidence we had, we deemed it a public safety issue
and acted accordingly.
Good intentions aside, Dodd wants to emphasize that
when someone rescues a deer for whatever reason that
it usually is a death sentence for that animal.
If people would just call us if they nd a deer on the
side of the road or whatever, we will deal with it, Dodd
said. It may not be what they want to hear, but its the
right thing to do. People dont realize that we have very
few options when it comes to captive or so-called pet
deer. Most of the time our only option is the animal or
animals must be euthanized.
Sykes said only those entities that are licensed as zoos,
game breeders or wildlife rehabilitators can legally keep
wild animals in captivity. The wildlife rehabilitators also
must follow specic protocols when rehabilitated animals
are released back into the wild.
Sykes said that despite the backlash, WFF ofcials had
no choice but to remove the animals from Dauphin Island.
The biggest thing is that we did our job, no matter
how unpopular it was, Sykes said. Doing the right thing
is not always the popular thing to do. But taking a wild
animal and reducing it to a pet was the wrong thing to
do, and we had to do our job.
To quote (Russian writer Leo Tolstoy), Wrong does
not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.
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FINAL PDF BLUELINE PROOF

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