SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (11/22/2013)
Members of the Georgia Bobwhite Technical Team, representing 15 conservation and/or land management organizations, recently turned out in support of a Memorandum of Agreement at the Go Fish Education Center in Perry, GA as a continued commitment to the recovery of bobwhite quail and other early successional habitat dependent species, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: November 2013
NWTF: 11 Tips for a Safe Fall Turkey Hunt
With fall turkey hunting seasons starting in many parts of the nation, anticipation and adrenaline are running high.
Readying your hunting gear, scouting your hunting spots and practicing your calling are all part of the excitement of hunting. But as you prepare for opening day, and any day you plan to hunt, don’t forget the most important part of your hunting plan: safety.
Safety is a key element when you’re in the woods calling in a wild turkey. A safe turkey hunter is much like a safe driver: you must be defensive minded. Also, a safe hunter is an effective hunter. Continue reading
State DNR Office Links
Mississippi White-tailed Deer Gun Season Opens November 23
Mississippi’s white-tailed deer hunting season with guns opens November 23 and runs through December 1. Hunting with dogs is allowed during this season. Legal deer include antlerless deer and legal bucks on private lands and legal bucks on open public lands. Continue reading
Mast survey provides insights for deer, turkey hunters
Biologists call it “mast.” Deer call it food. To hunters, it is one key to understanding game animals’ behavior.
What is this stuff? Acorns, mostly. Wildlife biologists refer to fruits produced in forests, woodlands, and other habitat as “mast.” It can be “soft mast,” which includes berries and other highly perishable fruits, or “hard mast,” which is mostly nuts. In Missouri, those nuts are mostly from oaks – acorns. Continue reading
Alabama State Parks Celebrate 75 Years of Service in 2014
From the beaches of the Gulf Coast to the Appalachian foothills, Alabama State Parks reflect every facet of the state’s rich natural landscape and in 2014 the state’s park system will celebrate a milestone — its 75th anniversary. Throughout the year, Alabama’s 22 state parks will host a variety of hikes, nature walks and programs, dining and camping specials and various other events highlighting 75 years of service to the people of Alabama. Continue reading
Marshall County Man Attacked by Deer
Julius Dunsmore, a resident of Marshall County, has been charged with illegally possessing seven deer, one of which attacked and severely injured him last week. When Dunsmore entered the holding pen, a large buck attacked him. In addition to numerous puncture wounds and extensive bruises, Dunsmore suffered a loss of vision in one eye.
When enforcement officers from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) learned of the incident, Dunsmore was charged with illegal possession of the deer, which were removed from his property and euthanized. Results of laboratory tests for pathogens or diseases are pending.
ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) prohibits the keeping of most wildlife in captivity for several reasons, public safety being foremost. Even small wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks and foxes can carry a wide variety of parasites and pathogens that can prove fatal to domestic animals and humans.
According to WFF Enforcement Chief Kevin Dodd, domesticated deer pose serious threats to the public, especially when bucks become combative during breeding season. “At certain times of the year, it’s natural for bucks to fight among themselves. When you put them in captivity, they do the same thing with humans. Does can also inflict serious injuries by kicking.” Dodd says reintroducing domesticated deer into the wild is not an option as they normally return to inhabited areas where human conflicts occur. Illegally held captive deer in Alabama have caused numerous serious injuries and one fatality in recent years.
Dodd says evidence indicates that some of Dunsmore’s deer came from Tennessee and at least one came from Guntersville State Park. Illegally importing deer from other states puts native deer populations at risk by potentially bringing in pathogens and diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). “No Alabama deer has tested positive for CWD and we want to keep it that way,” Dodd said. “Preventing the importation of deer from other states is one way to do that.”
WFF law enforcement officers urge the public’s cooperation in preventing potential harm to others by identifying persons who are illegally holding deer or other wildlife in captivity. If you have information regarding illegal captive deer, please call 1-800-272-GAME (4263).
Georgia Duck Season is Almost Here
Duck call-check; shotgun-check; decoys-check. Got it all ready for duck season? If not, don’t worry, there is still plenty of time to get everything together and get ready to pursue some birds. Given the amount of rainfall this spring and summer, there should be lots of water and plenty of places to go duck hunting this fall, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. Continue reading
Georgia: Four Online Hunter Ed Courses Now Available
Still in need of a hunter education course before deer season is over? The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division offers ways to make that happen: an 8-hour online or CD course followed by a 2-hour review or the 10-hour traditional classroom course. Continue reading
Time Running Out to Comment on Georgia Deer Management Plan
How many white-tailed deer should we have in Georgia? The answer to this question varies depending on whom you ask. Management of Georgia’s white-tailed deer herd can be a challenging and, at times, controversial topic.
If you are interested in providing input to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division upcoming Deer Management Plan, don’t wait! The state has hosted open house style meetings this month, with the last few to take place in the next week. The comment period ends Nov. 22.
WRD’s successful management efforts are informed through biological data, public input and management objectives identified in the agency’s statewide deer management plan, developed through an intensive public participation process. WRD is seeking to continue integrating public involvement by developing the next iteration of Georgia’s 10-year Deer Management Plan.
Toward that goal, WRD set up 10 statewide, open house-style public meetings, scheduled throughout early November. There are four remaining meetings left on the schedule. These meetings are one opportunity to allow members of the public to provide input regarding management of white-tailed deer. During these meetings, citizens will be able to provide thoughtful insight on specific key issues. Some of these issues include: deer population densities; deer-vehicle collisions; urban deer management; seasons and bag limits; hunting methods; hunter access; and education and outreach. Biologists and others will be available to answer questions about the key issues and provide background information if needed.
The public should feel free to come at any time during the remaining open house meetings:
11/18/13
3-8 p.m.
Gainesville
Gainesville Civic Center
11/19/13
3-8 p.m.
Albany
Flint Riverquarium
11/19/13
3-8 p.m.
Statesboro
Georgia Southern University
11/20/13
3-8 p.m.
McDonough
Henry Co. SPLOST Building
For those unable to attend a public meeting, comments will be accepted until Nov. 22, 2013.
Comments may be submitted electronically at http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com/Hunting/Meetings. Written comments may be sent to: WRD Game Management, Attn: Charlie Killmaster, 2065 U.S. Hwy. 278 SE, Social Circle, GA 30025.
For more information on the Georgia Deer Management Plan or to view key issues, visit http://www.gohuntgeorgia.com/Hunting/Meetings or call 770-918-6416.
Citizen Sportsman 