ACE Magazine Fall 2013

Official Publication of the ACEOA WWW.ACEOA.
ORG FALL 2013
EDITOR:
Gayle Morrow
in this issue...
3 From the Trenches ............................................................................................. 5 2013 Ofcer of The Year Sgt. Matthew Weathers ........................................... 7 Buckmasters Expo .......................................................................................... 13 The Buckmaster Expo 2013 ............................................................................. 19 Lance Horner Memorial ................................................................................... 21 Butler County Youth Fishing Day .................................................................... 33 ACEOA 2012 Scholarship Winners .................................................................. 37 Enjoying the World Unplugged ..................................................................... 41 Birding Trail .................................................................................................... 49 Coosa County TREASURE Forest Landowners Banquet .................................. 53 The Road to Alabamas New February Deer Season ........................................ 57 Learn Your Firearm Before You Go Hunting ..................................................... 61 What is Hunter Education? ............................................................................. 63 Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series ........................................................... 65 Outdoor Women Unlimited Southern ClassicSouthern Style ....................... 71 Limestone County Youth Dove Hunt ............................................................... 81 Feathers, Fins, and Furs Event ........................................................................ 85 Alabama Seafood Testing Commission ............................................................ 91 Lowndes County Youth Dove Hunts ............................................................... 97 Alabama Gator Hunting .................................................................................. 99 Wounded Warrior ........................................................................................ 103 19th Annual Kids Catsh Rodeo .................................................................... 105
2013 State Ofcers and Directors ....................................................................... ACEOA Supports Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Law Enforcement K-9 Initiative .................................................................
PUBLISHER:
Brent-Wyatt West 8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207 Montgomery, Alabama 36117
SALES OFFICES:
Chris Banks / Jim Downing 8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207 Montgomery, Alabama 36117 (334) 213-6229
ON THE COVER
Please join us as we congratulate Sergeant Matthew Weathers as our very deserving 2013 ACEOA Officer of the Year.
ACEMagazine 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. ACEMagazine does not assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by any contributor. This magazine is created and produced by Brent-Wyatt West. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved.
107 Pike County Kids Fishing Day ....................................................................... 111 Advertisers Index .......................................................................................... 170 Business Directory ....................................................................................... 181
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2013 State Officers and Directors

Rusty Morrow (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Retired) Chris Jaworowski President Heath Walls Vice President Chris Lewis Secretary/Treasurer Ernie Stephens Director Wendell Fulks Associate Director BLOUNT, COLbERT, CULLMAN, FAYETTE, FRANKLIN, L AMAR, L AUDERDALE, L AWRENcE, LIMESTONE, MADISON, MARION, MORGAN, WALKER, WINSTON Scott Kellenberger Director Jerry Fincher Associate Director Joel Glover Associate Director CALHOUN, CHAMbERS, CHEROKEE, CLAY, CLEbURNE, COOSA, DEK ALb, ETOWAH, JAcKSON, MARSHALL, R ANDOLPH, ST. CLAIR, TALLADEGA, TALLAPOOSA Grady Myers Director Cliff Robinson Associate Director Elliott Waters Associate Director AUTAUGA, BIbb, CHILTON, DALLAS, GREENE, HALE, JEffERSON, LOWNDES, PERRY, PIcKENS, SHELbY, SUMTER, TUScALOOSA Vance Woods Director Patrick Norris Associate Director Tim Ward Associate Director BARbOUR, BULLOcK, COffEE, COVINGTON, CRENSHAW, DALE, ELMORE, GENEVA, HENRY, HOUSTON, LEE, MAcON, MONTGOMERY, PIKE, RUSSELL Don Reaves Director Joe Little Associate Director Bo Willis Associate Director BALDWIN, BUTLER, CHOcTAW, CLARKE, CONEcUH, EScAMbIA, MARENGO, MObILE, MONROE, WASHINGTON, WILcOX
Executive Director
2013 ACEOA State Ofcers DISTRICT I
DISTRICT II
DISTRICT III
DISTRICT IV DISTRICT V
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) 391-9113, rusty_morrow@yahoo.com
ACEOA Magazine3
From the Trenches

By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
ust a few months ago you were storing your hunting gear and prepping your favorite shing gear and your ole trusty shing boat for summer fun. Now, by the time you get this Fall issue, you are right back in that favorite deer stand. Its amazing how our life sometimes revolves around the outdoors and the seasons. Football season is denitely big around my house. If I could just gure out how to watch football from my deer stand. Dont say smart phone! Theres no service where I hunt. This Fall issue of ACE Magazine features two very special ofcers. Our 2013 ACEOA Ofcer of the year is Sgt. Matt Weathers. He is a model ofcer and the only person to ever grace the cover of ACE magazine for a second time! Matt won Top Gun back in 2010 and followed that by volunteering with ACEOA at future Top Gun Events. Hes just that kind of guy; but, dont take my word for it. Read about him in this issue! ACEOA continues to support those Ofcers that go above and beyond. We also believe in recognizing our fallen heroes. It is our goal to make sure they are not forgotten. Fallen Ofcer Lance Horners life and heroism was honored on September 26, 2013 at Service Park in Coffeeville, Alabama. A special thanks goes out to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and especially Chip Dixon for making this special memorial possible. The Monument was placed at Service Park in Coffeeville Alabama. It was placed just a short distance from where Ofcer Lance Horner lost his life in 2003. It was a special day for Lances mother, Dad, and Jessica, Lances widow. ACEOA gave Jacob Horner, Lances son, a lifetime hunting, shing and salt water shing license during the ceremony. ACEOA made Jacob a life time member. ACEOA also provided a catered lunch for everyone after the ceremony. I would estimate the crowd was over one hundred people. Our Honor Guard was on hand and did an excellent job, as usual. In this issue you will also see the fall events we sponsor. The statewide youth dove hunts are getting more and more popular and the number of kids getting into the eld for the rst time is growing. These events remain tops
on our list. ACEOA believes in introducing youth to the outdoors. It has been proven it makes for a more rounded and adjusted youth. Please enjoy this issue of ACE magazine and pass it on to a friend when nished. Thanks to all our corporate sponsorship. Without you, none of our success would be possible. You are our life-line. I will leave you with this Quote: The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example. Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) American politician. l
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2013 ALABAMA CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ASSOCIATION ACEOA OFFIceR OF THe YeaR PReSeNteD To SERGEANT MATTHEW WEATHERS
CEO Jerry Fincher and Sgt. Matt Weathers.
FOR HIS TIRELESS DEDICATION TO THE TRAINING OF HIS FELLOW OFFICERS AND HIS RELENTLESS PURSUIT OF PERFECTION AND UNWAIVERING SUPPORT OF THE ALABAMA CONSERVATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICER ASSOCIATION.
HE IS THE EPITOME OF A TRUE LEADER.
Jerry Fincher, Scott Kellenberger, Matt Weathers, Grady Myers and Joel Glover.
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2013 OFFICER OF THE YEAR continued

AUGUST 09, 2013 MEMORANDUM To: The Board of the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Association From: Conservation Enforcement Officer Jerry L. Fincher Subject: Officer of the Year Nomination Since the recipient of the ACEOA Officer of the Year Award is determined by his or her fellow officers and based solely on merit, I feel strongly it is the most prestigious honor a conservation officer can receive. I am proud to be counted among the past recipients of this award and do not take the nomination of anyone for consideration lightly. It is with this mindset that I urge you to consider Sgt. Mathew Weathers as this years recipient. Sgt. Weathers is a fourteen-year veteran of the Department, an ACEOA member, a devoted husband, and the father of two. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice and is currently assigned to Calhoun County. Sgt. Weathers has always been the epitome of what an officer should be, conducting himself with a sense of professionalism and intelligence which makes him a role model for every officer, new and old alike. Though it has not been widely publicized and involved several officers, Sgt. Weathers was the lead officer in an undercover operation targeting the interstate transportation of fish from the areas below Neely Henry and Logan Martin Dams. This operation netted over 5000 pounds of illegally taken salt water and hybrid stripe and fines and restitution exceeding $40,000, a portion of which was used to purchase cameras and GPS units for our officers. These fish were being harvested from public waters and sold in Asian restaurants in the Birmingham and Atlanta markets. In addition, when Sgt. Weathers was assigned to Calhoun County, he inherited a night and road-hunting situation at Fort McClellan which was out of control, but, thanks to his making over 100 arrests, those conditions no longer exist. In January of 2013, while on patrol, Sgt. Weathers located an area obviously being hunted without permission. Someone had even installed a cable to aid them in crossing a stream and gaining access to the property. While patrolling this area, Sgt. Weathers encountered three subjects who attempted to elude arrest by running. A foot-pursuit ensued which ended with the arrest of the three subjects, the discovery of a clandestine meth lab, a felony arrest for manufacturing, and numerous other drug-related charges. But as impressive as his credentials and arrests are, where Sgt. Weathers truly shines, and the reason for this nomination, is his devotion to the training of division officers. Sgt. Weathers desire to keep our officers safe and the best trained anywhere has resulted in his repeatedly taking annual leave to attend advanced training. Although these schools are not funded by the department, the department and its officers benefit from them as Sgt. Weathers modifies the skills learned to meet the specific demands of our job and incorporates them into our training. Being an instructor requires an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter; being a good instructor requires having a passion for that subject matter as well as the ability to transfer that knowledge. Sgt. Weathers has a style of teaching that educates, motivates, and inspires confidence in his students. His classes are always novel, challenging, and designed to meet our specific demands. An abbreviated list of the courses he has attended on our behalf include PPCT, SSGT, and AERKO instructor certification schools, as well as Glock, Colt, Remington, and Beretta armorer schools. In addition, he has attended and taught numerous courses at Thunder Ranch and Shootrite Academy and is a regular fixture at the federal center for firearm instructor certification. In keeping with his pursuit of excellence in training, he is currently researching combat medical care. The resulting techniques for self-help, gunshot treatment are scheduled to be incorporated into our 2014 in-service training. I realize this award is based on the officers performance from the previous year, and Sgt. Weathers performance over that time was impressive. But his passion, dedication, and devotion to the training of his fellow officers is ongoing and does not fit within the confines of a calendar year. However, there is not a day in any year, last year included, that our officers do not benefit from his tireless devotion. I once heard someone say that we do not rise to the occasion; we default to the level of our training. If this is true, I am thankful that my training is in the capable hands of Sgt. Mathew Weathers, and I urge you to consider him for the ACEOA Enforcement Officer of the Year and grant him the recognition long overdue. Thank You, Jerry L. Fincher Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer
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2013 OFFICER OF THE YEAR continued
Matt with his fellow competitors in 2010.
Matt as instructor at Top Gun. Instructors and scorekeepers have the orange hats.
Matt with others.
Matt keeping time at Top Gun competition.
Matt Weathers was chosen Top Gun for 2010.
Matt checking time for Officer Stacey Lush.

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Buckmasters Expo
By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
s people started to fill the Montgomer y Convention Center for the Buckmasters Expo recently, Jackie Bushman sat upstairs and wondered why it took so long to put two and two together. That simple arithmetic concerned the alliance recently completed between Montgomery-based Buckmasters and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES). Heres something that has been sitting in our backyards, and we just didnt recognize it, said Bushman, Buckmasters CEO and founder. When we approached them (ACES), they said, Wow, what a great way to get our message out. From a biological standpoint and the other dimensions they bring, this couldnt be Buckmasters CEO and founder Jackie Bushman, right, greets a fan during the better for us. Were all how-to in the Buckmasters Expo last weekend at the Montgomery Convention Center. magazines and the things we teach, but the biological aspect brings the how-to part to at Auburn Universitys School of Forestry and Wildlife a whole new level. Sciences, agreed the ACES-Buckmasters connection And their 4-H outreach helps us get the message to makes perfect sense. the kids. The 4-H situation is awesome. With magazine, Buckmasters was seeking education information television, digital and email, theyre bringing a lot of edifor the magazines for what they do in the deer world, torial content that we cant provide. Thats just not our Smith said during the weekend expo. This was an ideal expertise. So theyre bringing that expertise so we can partnership for us and Buckmasters to get science-based share it. information to their members and followers, whether Bushman said ACES not only covers the biological through their TV shows or magazines. aspects of deer hunting through population and habitat By pairing up with us (ACES) with our science and management, the system provides a wealth of information expertise, Buckmasters will be able to add educational on all aspects of outdoors recreation. value to their entertainment. That was the intent of the Now were going to sit down and really go over all the partnership, to increase the science-based content of information that our readers can use, he said. Hopefully, Buckmasters. And for us, it helps get the word out that well be able to share a lot of knowledge with a lot of we do more than agriculture. We have a whole staff folks. The extension system is not just for farmers. in forestry and wildlife management. This is good for continued on 15 Mark Smith, Associate Professor/Extension Specialist
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BUCKMASTERS EXPO continued

us because we get the national exposure. Its good for Buckmasters because they get good science-based information for their membership. In the Young Bucks exhibit, 4-H had a variety of information and recreation for the families, an important outreach for Buckmasters. Weve got to keep the youth going, and the social networking seems to be where all the kids are, Bushman said. So were doing as much as we can on social netWith the help of our sponsors, we can let people in with a can of food, he said. As long as we get the support of our local cities, counties and state, we can do that. We dont want to have to charge. Thats what our formula is all about. As long as our local and national sponsors are involved, we can let people in for a can of food and feed a lot of needy people. And the people can take those dollars they would normally have to spend to get in and spend it with our vendors at the show. The 2012-2013 hunting season seemed to be a banner year for big bucks all over the nation, including Alabama. Plenty of mounts with huge racks were brought to the Convention Center to be scored by Buckmasters. Bushman is not surprised. Lets face it, 20 years ago nobody really knew much about this management stuff, he said. The knowledge that is available now about how to grow a big deer, when to let a buck walk and that type of information is unbelievable. Youve got trail cameras everywhere that let landowners know whats on their property. Everything is out there for the hunter to absorb, and were getting a lot smarter on A new alliance with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System gave families and catching up with that big buck. youngsters a chance to check out the pelts taken from fur-bearing animals in Alabama. Im sure the rain has something to do with it. When you have drought works, whether its Twitter or Facebook or the other situations, the antlers are going to be smaller. This year, Alabama bucks ought to be the biggest ever. We ought Internet stuff. That seems to where that age group is headed, so were trying to stay out there as much as to have a bumper crop of big deer due to all this rain. we can. We see that in other places we hunt, like Montana, Texas License sales have been up (nationally) for the last and New Mexico. The people in south Texas can tell you couple of years. That has a lot to do with more women what kind of racks theyre going to have by the amount getting involved. The more women who get involved, it of rain they get in the spring and summer. makes it easier to get the kids involved. I see it more as Of course, hunting big deer helps with the popularity working on it as a family unit as a whole; then everybody of the Buckmasters TV show, which just zoomed past is involved. a milestone in terms of longevity. Since the inception of the Buckmasters Expo, the We passed Curt Gowdy and the American Sportsman public has gained entrance by donating a can of food, as the longest-running outdoors TV show, Bushman which goes to a local food bank. Bushman hopes that said. I dont know if thats a compliment or just that Ive will remain constant amid rising prices for many other gotten old. But that means a lot to me. aspects of outdoors recreation. continued on 17
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Heflin, Alabama 36264 Buckmasters has more than 256-748-3276 200,000 members. Rack and Gun Hunter (magazines) are doing well. You just have to get through the hard times. Our job is to educate and entertain deer hunters, and thats what weve done over the years. Bushman said the Buckmasters team is trying to keep the brand fresh 92 Dove Drive with a new logo, 39 but Luker some things Road Dothan, AL 36301 are not following trends. Lacynational Springs, AL 35754 334-618-3045 Surprisingly, most Buckmasters 256-565-7181 members arent exactly ready for the digital age. We have a new logo and were changing the look for the younger hunters, Bushman said. Im doing Twitter now. And were prepared to More than 300 exhibitors attracted big crowds for the consumer portion of the expo. go digital, but 98.7 percent of our 13415 Highway 11 S. P.O. Box 83 members still want a paper magazine. Were ready to zly bear with a bow. The hardest thing about traveling Fosters, AL 35463 Wetumpka, AL 36092 change, but people still want to watch Buckmasters and so much was my kids. I always got back home for ball the Jackie Bushman Show on the Outdoor Channel and games and I coached some. I dont speak at a lot of the 205-826-3434 read that paper magazine. deer-hunting shows because I made a commitment to be home with my kids and coach baseball and basketball. The wear and tear of hunting big game across North America for that long might force some to cut back on Now my kids are grown and out of the house. So, travel, but Bushman is doing just the opposite. I really enjoy being on the road, doing what I do. I love to Believe it or not, Im probably doing more now than in hunt and I love to entertain. As long as people like what a long time, said Bushman, who recently bagged a grizwe do, Im going to continue to do it. l
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The Buckmaster Expo 2013

By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
xpo 2013, like all in the past, was a great success for ACEOA. We get to meet so many people over the three day event. Featuring Ace Magazine is our primary goal and, believe me, we give a lot of past issues away. We also sign up a lot of people as associate members of ACEOA. It is also a time for me to see old friends in the outdoor industry. Terry Rohm with Tinks is always around for me to catch up on his hunting adventures from the previous fall.
Jackie Bushman always stops by to say hello. Old friend Ray Scott came by and let us snap a few pictures. It is always good to see him. Jeff Cook, guitar player for Alabama, stopped by and took some pictures in the booth. What a great guy. Thanks to all the directors and state ofcers that volunteered their time to help me in the booth. Now we will start planning for 2014. Make plans to visit us there in August. l
Heath Walls, Jeff Cook, and Kenneth Jackson.
Heath Walls, Ray Scott, and Rusty Morrow.

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Lance Horner Memorial

By Lt. Mike McNeil
hat a difference a decade celebration was a culmination of several can makeJune 22, 2003 years of efforts to recognize Lance and was a bright, beautiful day pay homage to his ultimate sacrice by at Service Park Landing in Choctaw unveiling a marble monument. County. It was a perfect day for shPrior to unveiling the monument, ing with your family but it turned into proclamations were read by Clarke a day of tragedy in a moment. Clarke County Commissioner Tyrone Moye County CEO Lance Horner had planned and Coffeeville Mayor Robert Cox. to sh but didnt turn off his radio; as Comments from close friend and coa result, he never got to go shing that worker, retired biologist Johnny Reid, day. Instead, he answered a call for put forth the story of Horners dedihelp and died in a tragic boating accication and sense of honor about his dent while trying to rescue his partner. job. Lances father, Jim Horner, also The accident left pain and sorrow for told about the drive that Lance put Horners wife, Jessica, and later for his into becoming a Game Warden. Clarke young son, Jacob, as well as other famCounty Sheriff Ray Norris told about the ily members and co-workers. CEO James Lansford Horner, Jr. times that Lance helped their departJump forward ten years to September ment by hauling deputies off-road in his 26, 2013 and youll nd another beautiful day at Service truck and how his death pointed to the need for boats to allow the Sheriffs Ofce to assist with all types of emerPark Landing. This time CEO Horners son, widow, close family, co-workers, and friends, some one hundred in gencies. Norris stated that, because of Lances inuence all, were gathered to celebrate his heroism and life. This continued on 23
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LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued
and professional courtesy our department now has nine trucks and three boats. Following these tributes a lifetime hunting, freshwater and saltwater shing license was presented to Jacob Horner by Rusty Morrow on behalf of the ACEOA. The Conservation Departments Honor Guard was on hand for the presentation of the colors and other honors. Jacob and Jim Horner unveiled the monument followed by a 21-gun salute, and the playing of taps. In a subtle bit of irony, a family had chosen this morning to come out to sh at the landing. They sat quietly on the river bank while boats with ashing lights idled in the Tombigbee and dozens of ofcers stood at attention for the service.
Jessica Horner Crocker expressed her thanks to the members of the ACEOA. In reply to a statement of explanation about how long the monument took to be placed she said, The timing is really perfect, if it had been several years earlier Jacob might have been too young to understand. Jim Horner expressed sentiments that the monument and ceremony were very moving and he, hoped that it would allow for some closure for Lances former partner, Sgt. Steve James, and the other ofcers who worked with Lance. Initially efforts were made to rename the Coffeeville Dam; on another occasion there was a push to rename
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the landing. Both efforts were turned down by the Corps of Engineers. Finally, after much discussion, the Corps did agree to allow a monument to be placed at the site of the landing.
In an incredibly generous gesture of respect for Lance Horners career and sacrice, the monument and related engraving costs were donated by Ken Meeks of Angel Hearts Monuments in Thomasville. l
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Butler County Youth Fishing Day

By Don Reaves
he Butler County youth shing day was held on June 8th, 2013 at the American Legion pond in Greenville Alabama. Twenty-nine youth, ages 5 thru 12, participated in this years event. The pond had a section netted off thanks to the Fisheries Section from the Spanish Fort ofce. It was a long way to travel for those men but they were glad to assist and we are thankful for their assistance. The netted off area was stocked with approximately 800 pounds of catsh purchased from Suttons sh farm in Clio, Alabama. The kids were pre-registered through the Butler County Sheriffs Ofce. Following a brief safety talk they started catching some good ole catsh. The Greenville Jaycees provided volunteers to prepare grilled hot dogs and The winners of the lifetime fishing license are Edward Payne (left front) hamburgers for everyone while ofcers from and Madison Owens (right front). Both are from Greenville. the Alabama Department of Wildlife and we were able to give away six Zebco rod and reel combos, Freshwater Fisheries along with volunteers from the sheriffs department and the American Legion assisted and a grand prize of two lifetime shing license. the kids with their shing adventure. This years sponsors were The Alabama Conservation After about three hours of stink bait and scorching Enforcement Officers Association, The Greenville temperatures, everyone was ready for some cool air and Jaycees, The Butler County Sheriffs Department, good food. The American Legion building was just the Freds of Greenville, The American Legion and The right place to nd both. Every kid was given a rafe ticket Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. at the beginning of the event to hang on to for door prize Thanks to all. l drawings at lunch. Thanks to our sponsors generosity, continued on 35
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BUTLER COUNTY YOUTH FISHING DAY continued
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ACEOA 2012 Scholarship Winners

Allison C. Reid
ACEOA awarded a member scholarship to Allison Reid, daughter of Lt.Frank Reid and Sandra. Allisons mother is also in the education eld serving as Elementary Curriculum Supervisor for her county. Allison is attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Alabama this fall. She is a junior majoring in Elementary Education with a 4.0 GPA. Congratulations, Allison, and best wishes to you!
Anna Marie Little

ACEOA awarded a member scholarship to Anna Little, daughter of Marine Police Ofcer Joe Little and Lana. Anna is attending Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama this fall. She is specializing in Health Services. Congratulations, Anna, and best wishes to you!
Austin A. Robinson
ACEOA awarded a member scholarship to Austin A. Robinson, son of Conservation Enforcement Ofcer Cliff Robinson and Dorinda. Austin is attending Embry Riddle Aeronautical University this fall. He is a studying Mechanical Engineering. Austin is also a cadet in Air Force Reserve Ofcer Training Corps. Congratulations, Austin, and best wishes to you!
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ACEOA 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS continued
Sarah Kelsey Blankenship

ACEOA awarded a member scholarship to Kelsey Blankenship, daughter of Allyson and Chris Blankenship (Director of the Marine Resources of Alabama Department of Conservation.) Kelsey is attending Bishop State Community College in Mobile, Alabama this fall. She is a sophomore majoring in Criminal Justice. Congratulations, Kelsey, and best wishes to you!
William Stone Miller

ACEOA awarded a member scholarship to Stone Miller, son of Conservation Enforcement Ofcer Clay Miller and Kathy, who works for Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission. Stone is attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa this fall. He is a pursuing a degree in biology. Congratulations, Stone, and best wishes to you!
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ACEOA Magazine39
Enjoying the World Unplugged

By Paul Hudgins, Butler County Forester
pending over 72 hours in the deep woods of Butler County is not the typical way most sixth graders would want to start their summer vacation; however, for 27 students from across Butler County, that is exactly what they chose to do this past June. The Natural Resources Youth Camp is sponsored annually by the Butler County Forestry Planning Committee (FPC), with tremendous support from the forest commu-
to do from 7am to 11pm and even later if youre the last one to get a shower.
Lostand Found
The camp begins with students being given a compass and a crash course on how to use it, as well as instructions on determining an unknown distance by pacing. Campers are divided into teams with one adult leader, carried to a starting location, given a pair of snake leggings, and wished a fond farewell. They then compete in an orienteering eld exercise that stretches across wooded terrain. Completing this rugged course requires the students to not only work together as a team, but also individually. Each student is required to complete at least one leg of the course without any assistance from their team. At the end of camp, awards are given to the team(s) completing the course in the quickest time and locating the most correct points. Only twice have we had a team to get so completely turned around that they missed a portion of the course. On a side note, this year we were lucky to nally nd Fred, an unfortunate camper thats been missing since 2011!
nity, local businesses, ACEOA, and interested individuals. Because of such support, the FPC has offered this handson camp for area sixth grade students at no cost for the last 18 years. Once selected by their school to attend the camp, students spend three days and two nights at Mussel Creek Hunting Lodge, a rustic cabin located on private property in north Butler County. Campers leave behind their smart phones, iPhones, iPods, iPads, Kindles, NOOKs, televisions, radios, and text messaging to take part in this one-of-a-kind adventure. The camp offers kids the opportunity to learn about Alabamas forest environment, how it relates to the everyday economy, as well as the important role it plays in our daily lives. The camp also provides students something
Keeping it Safe
While some students are becoming skilled at orienteering, others are hearing about power line safety from Mr. Phillip Baker, System Engineer with Pioneer Electric Cooperative. Still others are learning about home re safety from the Greenville Fire Department and their smoke trailer demonstration. These three activities work in conjunction with each other to ensure the students experience a busy rst morning.
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ENJOYING THE WORLD UNPLUGGED continued

Bozeman, Marine Police Ofcer with the Department of Conservation. Finally, a discussion on Hunter Ethics and Preserving Our Hunting Heritage is delivered by Mr. James Altiere, Hunter Education Instructor with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the last scheduled topic of the day before we take a hay ride into the dark woods.
Wild Nightlife
Each evening, well after darkness falls, the students are loaded onto the FPCs tour trailer and driven through the deep forest of South Alabama. The purpose of these night-time excursions is to look for nocturnal wildlife, and again this year we were lucky enough to call up a pair of owls that perched on a limb just above the students heads.
Name that Tree

After a hearty lunch, Mr. Chris Erwin, Education Coordinator with the Alabama Forestry Association, takes the students on a walk around the property for two Project Learning Tree activities: Every Tree for Itself and Tree Identication. Using the differences in overall appearance, leaf characteristics, and tree bark, they learn to identify different tree species.
Making Tracks
Early on the second day, the kids nd out how to identify wildlife footprints. Using the Project Wild activity, Making Tracks, Mr. Mike Older, Forester with the
Dirt Pie, Anyone?

Following tree identication, students are treated to a soil education activity entitled Dig It. Mrs. Beth Chastain and Mr. Jimmy Massey, both with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, show students how different land covers can affect soil movement, and how this soil movement could eventually impact creek sedimentation and possibly even their drinking water. This exercise ends with the campers creating some edible soilwith Oreo cookies, gummy worms, sprinkles, pretzels, and a cup cake. I really dont remember dirt tasting this good when I was a kid!
The Great Outdoors

Next on the agenda, students study different types of wildlife habitat, and what it takes to improve this habitat, with Mr. Thagard Colvin, Wildlife Biologist, Retired, with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Following a super supper of fried sh, they hear about open water/boating safety from Mr. John
Alabama Forestry Commission, introduces students to the different types of tracks made by Alabama wildlife. Following this presentation, Mr. Mike Sievering, Wildlife Biologist with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Mr. Jerry Fiest, Wildlife Biologist with the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, teach the campers about fur bearer population management
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ENJOYING THE WORLD UNPLUGGED continued

and trapping techniques used in Alabama. They learned how and what it takes to control nuisance animals by trapping as a safe and effective way to limit damage.
Creature Features
Next, students are treated to an educational live ight demonstration from a few of Alabamas birds of prey. Mr. Dale Arrowood with the Winged Ambassadors raptor program provides the kids an up-close and personal look at these birds and what an important role they play in the environment. After spending time with the birds, campers are presented with A Cooperative Environment by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Stiles. Mr. Stiles is an Environmental Services Analyst with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative. The students are given a hands-on, close-up encounter with some of Alabamas local inhabitants. An alligator, a pine snake, a king snake, tree frogs, toads, and legless lizards are just a few of the creatures that the kids get to touch and even hold, if they dare.
Civilizations from the Past

After cooling off in one of Alabamas creeks, the campers are presented with some local Native American history by Mr. Charlie Clark, Executive Director, Farm Service Agency, and Ms. Elishia Ballentine, Publications Specialist with the Alabama Forestry Commission and Living History interpreter who portrays an 18th century Creek woman. They share artifacts, pottery, and animal hides with the students, as well as stories of Native Alabama cultures.
In the Creek
The next activity offers students a chance to explore and learn what really lives in a local creek with Mrs. Mona Scruggs Dominguez, Water Quality Education Specialist and 4H/Youth Development Leader with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Campers take creek samples using nets, then look through these samples to make an evaluation of the creeks overall condition. Once this condition is determined, the students have time to swim, play, and just explore Mussel Creek.
Going Hog Wild

New this year on the second evening, following a delicious dinner of barbeque ribs and all the xins of a Cajun low country boil, students were treated to a wild game tasting. This challenge was not only to sample the seven different Alabama wild game mystery meats, but also identify as many as possible. Several campers were brave enough to participate in the challenge, and before it was over, almost all of them had at least tasted the wildlife dishes which included wild hog, white-tailed deer, raccoon, rattlesnake, goose, duck, and alligator. This activity was such a success, it will no doubt be repeated next year featuring some new mystery meats from the wild woods of Alabama.
Firearms 101
While allowing their supper to settle and in preparation of the next days exciting activities, the students
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were introduced to rearms handling and safety by Mr. 256-383-3708 James Altiere.
Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674
2229 20th Avenue S. Birmingham, AL 35223 they are. Over the205-879-2997 past 18 years, the girl campers have
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Bird Walk
The third and nal day starts off with an early morning walk with Mr. Charlie Kennedy, President of the Alabama Ornithological Society. Mr. Charlie, as he is affectionately called, explores the woods with the students looking for P.O. Box 186 a variety of birds, both large and small.
given the boys a run for top shooter. As a general rule, girls listen better to the instructors and are easier to teach. However, this year proved the exception to that rule; we had no female top shots.
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Dothan, AL 36302
Going Comfort Home
Top Guns
After the bird walk this year, campers enjoyed an archery demonstration by champion archer, Mr. Justin Martin of Justin Martin Outdoors. The remainder of the nal day of camp is spent learning to shoot skeet, black powder, 22s, and archery. For some of these students, this is their rst time to ever shoot a rearm or even pull a bow. For others, its their opportunity to show everyone how good they really are, or how good they really think
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To close out the camp experience, students are given 1130 Quintard Ave. Suite 1 novel by several Audubon Field Guide books, the Longleaf Anniston, Alabama Roger Reid, and other nice prizes for36201 surviving camp. Special awards are presented for the best shooter in each 256-237-6685 of the rearm events, as well as top shot in archery. All of this natural resources experience is funded in part by tremendous community support as well as grants from the Alabama Forests Forever license plate and Rayonier Foundation. In a few years, when the campers look back at their timeBUILDERS, at Mussel Creek, we hope they BALLARD INC. remember us fondly and think of this camp as an experience of a lifetime! l
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ACEOA Magazine47
Birding Trail
By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Photos courtesy of Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association
he newest addition to the Northwest Loop of the North Alabama Birding Trail was unveiled recently, thanks to the generosity of Alabama State Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow and his wife, Dr. Martha Morrow. The Morrows property, Cypress Cove Farm, near Red Bay, Ala., becomes stop No. 51 on the North Alabama Birding Trail. Mark Sasser, Non-game Wildlife Program Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF), said the North Alabama Birding Trail (NABT) was developed by WFF through grants and funds from the counties in north Alabama. When we started the North Alabama Birding Trail in 2002, for whatever reason, Franklin County was not
Dr. Martha Morrow watches as her husband, Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, explains why Cypress Cove Farm is such a special place and why the couple wanted to share it with the public.
included, Sasser said. About a year-and-a-half ago, Johnny Mack Morrow, state representative, called me and said, We have a farm in Franklin County, and we would like to be added to the North Alabama Birding Trail. Because we needed sites in Franklin County, I went up and visited his farm and made some recommendations.
Rep. Morrow had already done a whole lot. He had ooded some ponds for waterfowl and he had hiking trails. We recommended that he thin some timber stands to make it more open for wildlife. Hes developed even more trails. We provided information for interpretive panels and they put up those panels along the trails. The Morrows still live on the property and maintain all the trails and wildlife habitat enhancements. This is a working farm that the Morrows are basically giving to the public, Sasser said. It has bleachers and a pavilion. School groups come out and use it. Its not a working farm in terms of agricultural crops. Its a working farm in terms of wildlife and making it accessible for people to come out and enjoy the property. We just put a little icing on the cake by making it ofcial. Rep. Morrow said an incident when he was about 12yearsold determined his path as a wildlife conservationist. He was helping his father on their farm near Phil Campbell when he was instructed to dust a 15-acre cotton eld for a boll weevil infestation. That night it came a huge, huge rain, Morrow said. I went down the next morning and in my favorite shing hole, it looked like thousands of dead sh. I knew who had killed the sh. It was me. Standing on that creek bank that day, it was a moment in my life where I started looking at nature differently. I told God, If youll give me the time and resources, Ill try to undo this. Morrow started with 46 acres and eventually ended up with the 250-acre Cypress Cove Farm. Its been a long, hard, expensive journey, he said. But this is a very special place with three beautiful creeks. Im just trying to enhance it so others can enjoy it. To be included in the North Alabama Birding Trail, sites have to meet certain criteria birdwatching characteristics (probability of seeing birds); ecological signicance with high-quality areas of signicant habitat types; site resiliency as to the ability to withstand continual
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BIRDING TRAIL continued

public use without damage to the Cypress Cove Farm parking environmentally sensitive areas; lot on the west side of the road. physical and legal access to the GPS coordinates for Cypress Cove general public on public and priFarm are N 34.4588, W 88.1031. vate lands; economic signicance, Because the owners live on the which includes support from the site, Reist urges visitors to praclocal Chamber of Commerce or tice the appropriate courtesy and Convention and Visitors Bureau; avoidance of private areas when maintenance support from the touring the site. Group visits landowner on private land sites; should be approved and coordiand parking availability for nated through the Red Bay Parks vehicular access without endanand Recreation Department at The farm has numerous hiking trails, bird-viewing 256-356-4473, extension 6. germent. Sasser said the economic areas and habitats with interpretive panels. The Morrows have converted existing farm structures into bird impact of the NABT is hard to determine. The estimate for the entire U.S. is that more blinds and education facilities. Visitors can also learn than 71 million people photographed, fed or observed about northwest Alabamas agricultural history in the wildlife in the most recent survey in 2011. Those people early 20th century: A working gristmill and antique tractors are on display. Blacksmithing demonstrations can be spent $40 billion while viewing wildlife. Theres no way to put numbers on it, he said of arranged for groups, and a replica of a circa-1900 saw Alabamas birding trails. Weve gotten great reviews mill is under construction. Future plans include an oldfrom people all over the country, but you cant put numfashioned general store, a buttery garden and a replica bers with it. We do have estimates that wildlife viewing of a whiskey still. in Alabama has an economic impact of $35 million-plus. Sasser said he hopes visitors will take advantage of The estimate is that the average person will spend $563, the interpretive panels that have been erected along the mostly on lodging, gas and merchandise, such as binCypress Cove Farm trails. oculars, books and merchandise authentic to the area The interpretive panels will tell you all about the birds visited. For every additional 1,000 visitors, that translates you might encounter at the farm, Sasser said. The panels to a little more than a half-million in expenditures. You also carry a conservation message about the benets of habitat protection and wildlife conservation. The reason can see what that means to some of these communities the interpretive panels are so important is that research that have been impacted by the economic downturn. Cypress Cove Farm features two wooded birding has shown that more than 75 percent of nature travelers observation areas with three ponds and 10 nature trails in the U.S. lack the basic knowledge of the natural world. We cant emphasize enough the educational aspect of that are a combined 8-miles long. Tami Reist, President/CEO of the Alabama Mountain visiting and utilizing the 100-plus interpretive panels Lakes Tourist Association, said the Morrows property that are spread along the North Alabama Birding Trail. ts perfectly with the objectives of the birding trail. Visit http://www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com Cypress Cove Farm shines as an example of a farm for more information on the trails in north Alabama. that has been converted to a site that is actively managed Alabama has six other birding trails. Visit www.outdoor for wildlife and natural resource education, Reist said. alabama.com/watchable-wildlife/birding-trails/ for inforThe farm, located at 1895 Highway 28, Red Bay, AL mation and links to the various birding trails. 35582, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with no admisThe Department of Conservation and Natural sion fee. In Red Bay, from the junction of State Highways Resources thanks the Morrows for opening up their farm 19 and 24, take Highway 24 East for 1.6 miles; turn left and their hearts by giving back to their community and on County Road 28/Mudd Creek Road. Go 1 mile to the state, Sasser said. l
ACEOA Magazine51
Coosa County TREASURE Forest Landowners Banquet
By Joel D. Glover, Conservation Enforcement Ofcer-Supervisor-Wildlife Option

hopefully develop friendships that will lead to mentoring opportunities. Although the members of the CCFPC work hard to inform and assist landowners, a lot of information is transferred from landowner to landowner. When someones neighbor says I tried this and it worked well for me, their neighbor is likely to give it a try. Through the mentoring of landowners and the efforts of the CCFPC members, Coosa County has certied more TREASURE Forests than any other county in the state. This year Dr. Stephen Enloe of Auburn University delivered a very informative message concerning invasive plants in Alabama. The program was in fact a quiz designed to test the knowledge of the landowners while at the same time educating them concerning the numerous problems associated with the invasive species that are
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he TREASURE Forest Program has long been embraced in Coosa County. The program provides recognition to landowners who are doing a good job of managing their resources for multiple uses. The predominately forested landscape of Coosa County lends itself to those who wish to manage timber, wildlife, recreation, aesthetics or education, the ve primary objectives of the TREASURE Program. Each year since 1995 the Coosa County Forestry Planning Committee (CCFPC) has hosted a banquet for all Coosa County TREASURE Forest landowners and other invited guests. The group has hosted speakers covering topics ranging from Indian artifacts to the FOREVER WILD Program to this years topic of invasive species. The banquet is an opportunity for landowners to meet their neighbors, receive an educational program and
Dr. Stephen Enloe speaks to crowd concerning invasive species.

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COOSA COUNTY TREASURE FOREST LANDOWNERS BANQUET continued
Mr. David Waldrop and grandson Brady receive their TREASURE Forest sign from CCFPC Chairman Joel Glover.
David Farnsworth receives a Stewardship Forest sign for his property from CCFPC Chairman Joel Glover and Forester Blake Kelley.
prevalent in Alabama. Dr. Enloe encouraged the crowd to be on the lookout for invasive species on their property. In an effort to hopefully avoid problems such as are plaguing south Alabama the CCFPC currently has a cogon grass treatment program in place where the committee will provide the chemical and the manpower to treat cogon grass in the county at no charge to the landowner. Hopefully the efforts of the CCFPC and vigilant landowners will allow us to keep this terrible invasive out of the county. The banquet was sponsored by the Alabama Con-
servation Enforcement Ofcer Association (ACEOA). The ACEOA is made up of enforcement ofcers from across the state whose duties include assisting landowners by enforcing the laws that protect our natural resources. ACEOA realizes that private landowners own the vast majority of the land in Alabama. Therefore helping these landowners manage their property to the best of their ability helps not only the natural resources but also everyone who enjoys those resources. The CCFPC extends our sincere thanks to ACEOA for supporting worthwhile events such as this. l
ACEOA Magazine55
The Road to Alabamas New February Deer Season

By Chris Cook, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
he Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) receives requests and proposals for various changes related to deer hunting each year from Alabamas deer hunters. Suggestions for changes to bag limits for bucks and does, legal methods for taking deer, and ways to collect data from harvested deer are submitted through emails, phone calls and written letters. One of the most common requests received in recent years has been to allow deer hunting into part or all of the month of February, primarily due to neighboring portions of Mississippi and Florida being open for deer hunting during that time. For the 2013-14 hunting season, hunters in Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile and Washington counties, as well as hunters in portions of Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe and Wilcox counties, will hunt deer hunt until February 10. These hunters will not have more total days to deer hunt than hunters in the other parts of Alabama since the deer season is closed from December 2-11 in that area. These 10 days of deer season were shifted to early February in response to the desires of many hunters in the area, as well as data collected over the years by WFF wildlife biologists. Hunters in several areas of Alabama have expressed displeasure with the traditional January 31 closing date of Alabamas deer season for several years. Their complaints centered on their inability to hunt the rut in the area they hunted. Many felt most, if not all, deer breeding occurred after January 31 based on their inability to see and kill mature bucks during the season, lack of visible rut sign (i.e., scrapes, rubs, chasing behavior) during hunting season, and the increased deer activity they observed two to three weeks after the close of deer season. While much of their evidence for a late rut was anecdotal, some strong evidence existed that supported their concerns. Since 1995, WFF staff members have collected data on
the reproductive health of deer in many parts of Alabama. The majority of sites sampled showed the majority of deer breeding occurred during the traditional hunting season framework (i.e., October 15-January 31), but some sites did show average conception dates at the very end of January and early February. Even after collecting 15 years of data, many areas of the state remained poorly sampled as late as 2009. Increased data collection efforts by WFF staff beginning in spring 2010 did a very good job of lling in many of the conception date data gaps in Alabama. The increased data made it very clear most sites in some portions of the state had rut dates that went beyond January 31. The one area where the late dates were most consistent from site to site was southwestern Alabama. Data collected since 1995 show the average conception date in the new February hunting season zone is January 31, with 49 percent of the deer in the sample having conception dates after January 31. For comparison, deer collected in the remainder of the state had an average conception date of January 15, with 24 percent of the deer breeding after January 31. WFFs Wildlife Section staff will continue to increase its reproductive health data collection efforts throughout the state in an effort to more clearly dene areas with signicantly early or late conception dates, but issues in certain regions dictated signicantly increased sampling efforts beginning in 2013. One of these areas is the area adjacent to the current February season zone. The number of sites sampled in that area was greatly increased beginning in the spring and summer of 2013. As a starting point, a minimum of two sites in each county located south of U.S. Highway 80 were targeted for sampling. The increased effort will ultimately help determine the extent of the February season zone and may identify other areas that warrant further investigation. Another area of the state where biologists intensied
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THE ROAD TO ALABAMAS NEW FEBRUARY DEER SEASON continued

their data collection efforts is along the Chattahoochee River valley region from Lee County to Houston County. Most of this area lies within the south of Highway 80 zone where sampling was increased, but what makes this area unique is its distinctly earlier rut. Deer along the Chattahoochee River tend to breed in early to midDecember, rather than mid-January to early February. Shifting hunting days in this area from early in the season to February would not be justied based on conception date data, nor would it be well received by hunters in the region. The increased sampling will determine where the early breeding (early to mid-December) ends and the later breeding (mid-January to early February) begins. As areas with distinctly different rutting periods are identied, additional management zones, such as the February season zone, may be recommended. Several criteria ultimately will determine whether these areas warrant a different season structure, including the size of the area (i.e., is it large enough to be considered a separate zone) and factors effecting conception dates (e.g., deer stocking source, management activities, etc.). These items, in addition to deer harvest data, public input and various other deer-related data, will ultimately determine the boundaries of any additional deer management zones. 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, 10ad25 State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com. l
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ACEOA Magazine59
Learn Your Firearm Before You Go Hunting
By Daniel G. Toole, Area Wildlife Biologist, Lauderdale and Seven-Mile-Island Wildlife Management Area
shot types, ammunition brands, and choke tubes to create the desired shot patterns at a variety of shooting distances. Good hunters will test the different types of ammunition and determine which pattern is best in their particular rearm for their own hunting situation. One of the best ways to learn and become familiar with your rearm is through practice. Many hunters fail to utilize the offseason to practice shooting under different scenarios and conditions. It is helpful to use a shooting bench to reduce human error when sighting in a rearm. However, practicing from different hunting positions will allow the hunter to see how he and his rearm perform under different conditions. And nally, before completing any nal sight-in adjustments, it is important to check the screws on scope rings, bases, iron sights and the stock for proper tightness. The condition of the sling and sling mounts should also be checked to prevent a potential drop. The best way to get familiar with your rearm is to go to the range and shoot it. And not just once before hunting season, but as often as you can throughout the year. Every rearm is unique and it is important for the user to become familiar with it before he or she takes it to the eld. Knowing your rearm and ammunition will help give you the condence you need to make a good clean shot and have a successful hunt. 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 l about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
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ach year many hunters prepare for the hunting season by checking their favorite hunting stores and surng the web for new hunting gear and the latest gadgets. They may also start preparing wildlife openings and elds to be planted, hanging treestands, repairing/building shooting houses, practicing with their calls, and focusing their minds and energies on participating in the upcoming hunting season. These preparations are important for a successful hunt, but a hunter must also know and understand their rearm to be a good marksman, and therefore a good hunter. This is true for all types of rearms whether using a rie, muzzleloader, pistol or shotgun. Knowing your rearm involves more than just caliber. It is also important to know the specics such as grain, type/ design of bullet, and most consistent brand of ammunition for your particular rearm. Hunters should take the time to learn what bullet types are available and which will suit their specic hunting needs. For example, ballistic tip and other thin-jacketed bullets may be extremely accurate and fast at long ranges, but they have a tendency to disintegrate at close ranges, which can reduce penetration. As most deer hunters know, deer often run after being shot, even when the shot is perfectly placed. Without an exit wound, there is often no blood trail to lead the hunter to his harvested animal. Understanding the performance of your ammunition will increase your condence when making a shot. The importance of knowing the type of ammunition that is best for a particular rearm and hunting situation is not limited to deer hunters. Most successful turkey and duck hunters routinely pattern their shotguns with different shot sizes,
What is Hunter Education?

By Michael Bloxom, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
he science and art of hunting is a continuous learning process. Experts say the best method of learning is actual experience. No class can replicate the knowledge a new hunter gains from spending time aeld, experiencing the thrill of the chase, the challenge of learning the habits of his quarry and mastering the effective use of his tools. The primary mission of the Alabama Hunter Education Program is not necessarily to teach someone how to hunt, but rather to provide leadership and training to aid hunters to be safe, knowledgeable, responsible and involved stewards of Alabamas wildlife resources. The number one goal of the Alabama Hunter Education Program is to eliminate as many hunting related incidents as possible. Most hunter education instructors believe all accidents are preventable. In fact, the majority of hunting related accidents can be prevented by following two basic safety rules: (1) keep the muzzle of all rearms pointed in a safe direction, and (2) when using an elevated stand, always wear and attach a safety harness to the tree from the moment you leave the ground until you return to the ground. Another goal of the Alabama Hunter Education Program is to increase hunters and the publics awareness and knowledge of Alabamas wildlife resources and their management. Wildlife such as deer, turkeys and migratory birds, which were once on the decline, has become abundant. Hunters are the reason that these and other species have made such a rebound. Hunters pay for wildlife conservation and provide opportunities to people who enjoy the outdoors simply buy purchasing a hunting license. Federal excise taxes on hunting related equipment, guns and ammunition are an important source of funding for state wildlife agencies that manage and protect our natural resources. Hunting is also an important wildlife management tool to keep populations healthy and within the carrying capacity of the habitat. Finally, the Alabama Hunter Education Program attempts to create an awareness and sense of responsibility among hunters and other outdoor persons of their
legal and ethical responsibilities. Good, ethical hunters do the right thing even if no one is watching. The hunter education program recruits and trains volunteers who share these ideals. The goal is to lay the foundation for good ethics and create hunters who follow and share these principles with other hunters and non-hunters alike. The basics of responsible hunting and rearms handling are covered in the hunter education course. The true objectives of hunter education are to improve the publics knowledge of modern wildlife management and laws and to make hunting in Alabama a safer and more enjoyable recreational experience. Students who successfully complete this course will have a better understanding of their obligations to the landowner, resources, other hunters and themselves. Youve heard the expression, One bad apple spoils the barrel. This saying is true when it comes to hunting. Every time there is a hunting accident, or a poacher hunts on someone elses land or a person engages in some questionable activity and calls it hunting, it has a negative impact. The hunter education program helps participants understand that doing the right thing produces positive results for all hunters. For details on completing a hunter education course in Alabama, visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/ education. 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.outdoor alabama.com.l
ACEOA Magazine63
Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series
By David Rainer, photos David Rainer, Billy Pope Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
he Alabama Bass Trail made a splash last year when it became the states rst destination trail for bass shing. With the announcement this past week on the steps of the State Capitol, the Alabama Bass Trail (ABT) adds the designation as Alabamas premier amateur tournament series trail.
Gov. Bentley said. Yall remember that 12-pound bass I caught. Actually, I did catch it. I pulled it right out of that livewell. Im excited to announce the rst amateur tournament series on the Alabama Bass Trail. Alabama is a great state for shing. We have a number of professional tournaments in Alabama. The goal of this amateur tournament series is simple: We want to encourage more people to sh. In fact, the goal of the entire Alabama Bass Trail is to share our lakes and rivers with not only the people of Alabama, but people outside of Alabama. To illustrate the importance of bass shing to Alabamians, several weeks ago Gov. Bentley was in Walker County, where the residents didnt want to talk about the usual subjects of infrastructure and the economy. They really wanted to talk about the (professional) bass tournament at Smith Lake, he said. They talked about how we During the unveiling of the Alabama Bass Trail last year at Lake Guntersville, Gov. Robert changed the slot limit on the lake Bentley showed off this huge, 12-pound bass with the help of fishing guide Mike Carter. so that three times a year we can waive that and have these types With Gov. Robert Bentley and a host of other dignitarof tournaments. It was a $2-million impact to the area ies in attendance, Kay Donaldson, ABT Program Director, from just that one tournament. When most people want announced a 10-tournament trail that will compete in two to talk about roads and jobs, they wanted to talk about divisions. The 11th event will be for the championship on shing tournaments, which is a good thing. Lewis Smith Lake. The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association, Last year we stood on the shores of Lake Guntersville which oversees the Alabama Bass Trail, said that bass and announced the creation of the Alabama Bass Trail, continued on 67
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ALABAMA BASS TRAIL TOURNAMENT SERIES continued

We are also extremely pleased to work alongside them with high school anglers to distribute sh attractors in various lakes and to introduce young people to shing and outdoor conservation. I was with Gov. Bentley at Columbiana for the high school shing championship and got to see the kids faces and their enthusiasm. What a great event that is to engage young people in shing across this state. We feel the Alabama Bass Trail will be one more way to attract anglers to Alabama. We look forward to an exciting 2014, and I hope Gov. Bentley gets to catch him another big sh. The Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series will have competition in Northern and Southern divisions with a guaranteed top prize of $10,000 at each event. Donaldson said the ABT expects to pay out $420,000 in cash and prizes during its inaugural year. The Northern Division tournaments are February 1, 2014, at Lake Guntersville; March 22 at Pickwick Lake; April 5 at Neely Henry Lake; May 31 at Wheeler Lake; and June 21 at Logan Martin Lake. The Southern Division schedule is March 1 at MobileTensaw Delta; March 15 at Lake Eufaula; April 19 at Lake Jordan; May 10 on the Alabama River at Millers Ferry; and June 7 at Lay Lake. The championship will be held October 10-11, 2014, on Lewis Smith Lake. The winning team will receive a fully rigged Phoenix bass boat with a 150-horsepower Mercury outboard. Donaldson said if all the above is not enough incentive to sh the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series, there is even more at stake. In 2014, BASS ( Bass Anglers Sportsmans Society ) will sanction the Bassmasters Team Championship, Donaldson said. Im happy to say that the Alabama Bass Trail Tournament Series is the charter sanctioned trail for the series for the championship. We can send up to eight teams to the championship, one boat for every 50 boats in the tournament trail. The Bassmasters Team Championship will be held in the fall of 2014. The top three boats will compete for a chance to go to the 2015 Bassmasters Classic. That is an awesome chance. For tournament anglers like Brent Crow, who regularly shes the Alabama lakes on the Tennessee River chain, the ABT Tournament Series is going to be something special.
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Gov. Bentley helped take the Alabama Bass Trail to a new level with the announcement of the Tournament Series for 2014.
shing accounts for $16 million in lodging taxes and license fees annually, while 15,000 jobs are supported in Alabama by the shing industry. Thats just our economy. This is also about quality of life, Gov. Bentley said. This is really something special that were starting here in Alabama. Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr., who accompanied Gov. Bentley to the Alabama Student Anglers Bass Fishing Association championship on Lay Lake earlier this year, said each aspect of the Alabama Bass Trail is a benet to the state. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is extremely pleased to work alongside the Alabama Bass Trail to promote Alabama as a great shing destination, Commissioner Guy said. We worked with them to promote resident and non-resident shing license sales and our new freshwater shing license tag.
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I think its great, Crow said. Theres never been anything like this in Alabama. For the most part, you sh for $1,000. Theres never been an opportunity like this. Everybody Ive talked to is excited. I think its going to be the best thing going for tournament shermen in Alabama. I think were going to ll it up with 200 boats. Ive got friends in Texas and Louisiana and theyre always shing for $10,000. Everybody here has been jealous, but they dont have to be any more. The communities around the tournament series sites 15183 Marina Drive Northport, AL 35475 are just as excited. Hunter Hines, Wilcox Area Chamber of Commerce 205-333-1397 President, said adding Millers Ferry (Dannelly Reservoir) to the Alabama Bass Trail is a big deal for the entire county. It gives us an opportunity to showcase what we have, Hines said. I think its a diamond in the rough. I think if they ever sh it one time, I think theyll be back multiple
P.O. Box 309 ALABAMA BASS TRAIL TOURNAMENT SERIES continued Cowarts, AL 36321
South Alabama Livestock, Inc.
P.O. Box 794 Brundage, AL 36081 times. Weve got a lot going for us and thats Southern 334-735-2364 hospitality and great shing.
Baldwin County Commissioner Tucker Dorsey said the tournament series announcement is great news as the county continues to develop the recently acquired Live Oak Landing on the Tensaw River. Dorsey said $950,000 of improvements are being made to the boat ramp, docks and parking area to accommodate tournaments of this size. 1601 1/2 Avenue This is a terric deal for21st Baldwin County, Dorsey said. Phenix City, AL 36867 This is the type of tournament and draw we anticipated when we took on 334-297-9103 Live Oak. This just shows that our longterm goals for Live Oak are coming to fruition a little faster than we anticipated. Were certainly excited to share the Mobile-Tensaw Delta with our friends and neighbors across Alabama and the bass-shing community. Visit www.alabamabasstrail.org for information on the trail or registration for the tournament series. l
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ACEOA Magazine69
Outdoor Women Unlimited Southern ClassicSouthern Style
By Rebecca Wood
the excitement of outdoor experiences through teaching outdoor life skills, sharing the knowledge of our natural resources, building self-esteem, strengthening character and promoting self-reliance in a safe and professional environment. The Southern Classic gives women the opportunity to experience and explore the vast array of outdoor activities provided throughout the weekend. 2013 was NO EXCEPTION! This year at the Southern Classic, members were introduced to a new structure of outdoor classroom hands on instruction. Our professional team of volunteer instructors collaborated with OWU board and executive committee members to develop a strategic based program that provided members detail knowledge with a competitive edge to Accept NO Limits. Secondly, all members rotation included participation in ALL Classes! Classes included Long Rie, (SAT-C John Martin, Chip
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One day an elephant saw a hummingbird lying on his back with its tiny feet up in the air. What are you doing? asked the elephant. The hummingbird replied, I heard that the sky might fall today, so, I am ready to help hold it up, should it fall. The elephant laughed cruelly, Do you think, he said, that those tiny feet could help hold up the sky? The hummingbird kept his feet up in the air, intent on his purpose, as he replied, NOT alone. But each must do what he can and this is what I can do. As Executive Director and Founder of Outdoor Women Unlimited (OWU), I am extremely excited to share another successful year of Accept No Limits for members, sponsors and volunteers! Our 8th Annual OWU Southern Classic, June 8-10, 2013, was hosted at Southern Sportsman Lodge in Benton, Alabama. The mission of Outdoor Women Unlimited (OWU) is dedicated to providing women and families with the education and
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OUTDOOR WOMEN UNLIMITED SOUTHERN CLASSICSOUTHERN STYLE continued
McEwen, Rob Pinkston) Pistol, (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division) Archery (Bill Wilson), Shotgun (LWSSC Bobby Thomase, Bill Porter, Dwyte Spivey and Tommy Atkins(ADCNR), Canoe/Kayak (Coosa River Adventures and Howard Williams), Self Defense, hatchet toss, etc. (Bill Paige, Martial Arts Center), Sticks to Staff (Gene Houston, Dan and Connie Bussey), Fishing/Tackle (Craig Chalker, Scott Thomas), Turkey Callin/Total Hunt (Ernie Calandrelli (Quaker Boy), Outdoor Survival/First Aid (Pam Jackson) and BSA/SAT-C Tread Lightly, (Rob Pinkston). This years list of outstanding outdoor enthusiasts included two outdoor industry guests. Ernie Calandrelli, public relation director for Quaker Boy and owner/Captain of Ernie Cs Charter Fishing, Great Lakes, New York and
Loring Grove, Global Marketing Director, Streamlight. OWU supports events throughout the year and currently has membership represented in 38 states! Many thanks to our loyal sponsors, including, but not limited to, International Paper, Streamlight, Quaker Boy and Ernie Cs Charter Fishing, Pittman Game Calls, MoJo Outdoors, Natures Images, SAT-C, ACEOA, ADCNR, Buckmasters, Do All Trap, Lower Wetumpka Shotgun and Sports Club, Elkcreek Outtting, Weatherby, Winchester, Longleaf Camo, Leupold, WCI, Brian McCombie (Outdoor Field Editor, NRA The American Hunter), Everday Tactical, BSA, Gamo, Traditions Performance, Summit Treestands, and The Martial Arts Center. As the voice of women in the outdoor industry, OWU
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will continue to press forward to bring awareness to all outdoor enthusiasts of the impact in womens interest to learn skills, support and protect our 2nd Amendment, and secure economic growth in the outdoor industry. On behalf of Outdoor Women Unlimited, I would like the express a sincere heartfelt appreciation to our volunteers, sponsors and supporters. ACEOA continues to strengthen our program and provide a professional team of instructors for our members. As we move forward into 2014, I am reminded of the story of the elephant and the hummingbird, NOT alone. Each must do what he canThis is what OWU can do! Thank you for another great and successful Southern Classic!! l
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ACEOA Magazine79
Limestone County Youth Dove Hunt

By CEO Wendell Fulks
n September 14, 2013, we again were able to provide our youth with the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in Limestone County. Mr. Brent Shaw, again, generously provided the property for this years hunt. Thanks so much, Mr. Shaw, for your continued support of this worthwhile event. We had about 85 hunters that participated in this years hunt, with the majority of those being kids. We started the day off with lunch provided by our generous sponsors. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm and participation by introducing our youth to a positive outdoor experience. We followed up lunch with those awesome door prizes. It never gets old seeing a kids face light up when their name gets called out in anticipation of receiving a parting-to-the-eld gift. ACEOA completely funds these prizes for the youth year after year. Thank
you, ACEOA ofcers, for your continued support. We had a special guest at this years youth hunt, Mr. Danny Johnsonaka, Roadrunnerwho writes for the Valley Star and also works for ZTV. Danny made some kids feel like superstars by interviewing several of our youth hunters. Thanks, Danny, for your involvement in this very important event for our youth. We hope to see you again at next years event. After a safety brieng from Capt. Johnson, it was time to take to the eld and enjoy the rest of the day by doing what all came to do, and that was shoot some birds. I would like to take this time to thank all of our dedicated sponsors, whom we rely on to make this event what it is. In my opinion, we have one of the best youth dove hunts in the state, and it wouldnt be possible without
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Limestone County youth dove hunt participants.

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LIMESTONE COUNTY YOUTH DOVE HUNT continued

your continued support. Thank you, Kym Champion, for all that you do to make sure this event is a memorable experience for the kids. Thanks to all of our ofcers for your hard work and participation that left a lasting impression on a childs life. l
Sgt. Wendell Fulks awarding door prizes to happy kids.
Barclay Butler is very happy with his door prize.
(L-R) Officer Ernie Stephens, Sgt. Travis Gray, Capt. Johnny Johnson, Officer Chris Champion, Officer Steve Pepper, and Sgt. Wendell Fulks.
Waiting for the birds to fly!
Im sure this will bring them in!

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Feathers, Fins, and Furs Event

By CEO Joe Gothard
n July 27 & 28, 2013, the Alabama Conser vation Enforcement Officers Association helped sponsor the fifth annual Feathers, Fins, and Furs event at Foscue Park in Demopolis hosted by the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Alabama division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Ducks Unlimited, and National Turkey Federation. This years event drew about 85 kids ages 8- to 17-years-old and their parents from all over the state. The event is designed to get kids outdoors with their families and learn about different wildlife techniques, participate in many different wildlife demonstrations, and enjoy being outdoors. Group picture with Wildlife Biologist Justin Brock, CEO Curt Saturdays events included Bob Porter, CEO Clint Tyus, and CEO Joe Goddard. Walkers bird calling from Turkey Thugs, turkey hunting stories, a live raptor presentation with kayaking, live duck banding, a cannon net demonstration eagles and hawks from Auburn Universitys Raptor Trek, for trapping birds, a shing rodeo, rock climbing, dog retrieving by Blackbelt retrievers, live reptile presentation, and much more. That evening there was a duck and turkey calling contest for all that wanted to test their skills in front of the judges. On Sunday morning, a church service was held at Foscue Park for the participants and volunteers. After the service, the group traveled a few miles down the road to engage in shooting sports. Mr. Tommy Atkins provided the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shooting sports trailer with the help of local Conservation Enforcement Ofcers Clint Tyus, Curt Porter, Joe Goddard, Wildlife Biologist Justin Brock, and many volunteers. The children were able to participate
Curt Porter, CEO helping with kayaking at Foscue Park.
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FEATHERS, FINS, AND FURS EVENT continued

with skeet shooting, archery, and .22 cal. rie shooting. Kayaking and air boat rides on a 75 acre lake were also a part of the events that afternoon. Everyone that participated in the event received a t-shirt, meals, duck calls, and their name put in a drawing for the numerous door prizes. The event could not be possible without the help of our local sponsors, the ACEOA, Ducks Unlimited, National Turkey Federation, and Corps of Engineers and many more. l
Raptor Trek Presentation.
Some of the participants with Raptor Trek.
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FEATHERS, FINS, AND FURS EVENT continued

Corn Snake Raptor Demo Fishing Rodeo Kayaking Dog Demo
Rock Wall Archery Natural Bridge Skeet Shooting .22s
Alligator Owl Hooting Contest
Water Slide
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Alabama Seafood Testing Commission

s I peeled another of Agriculture and Industries boiled shrimp, a huntand the Alabama Department ing buddy at the end of Conservation and Natural of the table was not doing Resources Marine Resources Division. Every month dozens the same. Whats the matter? I asked. He responded, of seafood samples go through Im allergic. I can eat two a screening process and a chemical analysis to ensure and thats it. Any more and my throat starts closing up. that the seafood is clean, pure and safe to eat. Thats got to be the biggest bummer of a food allergy With that hurdle out of on the planet. I cant imagthe way, the ASMC, which kicked off the Eat Alabama ine not being able to enjoy Seafood campaign in May of the delectable seafood that Alabama produces. 2012, combined the expertise In Alabama, we are fortuof sheries managers, the seanate to have access to shrimp, food industry, public relations oysters, sh and blue crabs personnel and the food service that can be transformed into industry to expand the outany number of mouth-waterreach about Alabama seafood. I think weve been very ing delicacies. While Alabamas seafood successful in getting that production is massive, until brand out there, said Chris recent years the marketing Blankenship, Director of the effort hadnt been on par with Alabama Marine Resources other Gulf states. Division and ASMC Chairman. When the D e epwater Shrimper Doug Plash shows off the large white More people are asking at shrimp that come from Alabamas coast. the restaurants and seafood Horizon oil spill cast a pall over the seafood that comes retailers about where the seafrom the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley food comes from. I think weve done an excellent job formed the Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission of increasing the awareness of people, getting people (ASMC) to overcome the stigma of the oil spill and spread to ask where the seafood comes from. Because people the word about the quality of Alabama seafood. are concerned about it, the retailers and restaurants are Gov. Bentley also established the Alabama Seafood working with the processors and shermen in Alabama Testing Commission comprised of the Alabama to get more of their products in the stores and restauDepartment of Public Health, the Alabama Department continued on 93
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By David Rainer, photos by David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
ALABAMA SEAFOOD TESTING COMMISSION continued

I think the commission and marketing effort have done a great job of getting people over the oil spill. Thats the very most important thing they have done for the restaurant industry. Its been at least 18 months since any of our restaurants has had anyone ask about the safety of seafood. Secondly, for the future, the direction of the marketing of the seafood is outside Alabama. We have people who travel the I-65 corridor, all the way from the Great Lakes through Kentucky and Tennessee, and vacation at our beaches. Now we have a way to market our seafood in those areas Oystermen tong for the bivalve delicacies on oyster reefs in the states fertile coastal and that will be the key to boostwaters. The Alabama Seafood Marketing Commission is spreading the word about ing the seafood production for Alabama great seafood, which also includes blue crab and a variety of fish species. our state. Its not like we need to market our seafood to Mississippi rants. So weve had some good success with people or Texas or any of the Gulf states; were marketing to like Baumhowers, Wintzells and the Original Oyster those people who come to Alabama to spend their tourHouse and other smaller restaurants that are using more ism dollars. Alabama products. Wintzells, for the rst time, was invited to the Big The commission hired Guy Lott, a chef and food Apple Barbecue in Madison Square Park in New York. industry insider, to open avenues for wider distribution We took our truck and crew and served Alabama of Alabama seafood. seafood to the people in New York, Donlon said. It was We have a sales person on board who is meeting very well received and generated a lot of interest in our with the restaurants, grocery chains and distributors, like franchise. Weve opened one restaurant in Pittsburgh Sysco and U.S. Foods, to get them to carry more Alabama and plan to open two more in the Pittsburgh area. Weve products, Blankenship said. It all works together. You already received interest from the Cleveland (Ohio) area. have restaurants asking for Alabama seafood, but they Blankenship said one effort of the commission has get most of their food through distributors. So the prodbeen to promote the use of underutilized sh species to ucts have to be in the distribution chain to get it to the give consumers more options in restaurants and searestaurants. Guy is working to get the processors and food markets. distributors together to make sure the packaging is the We are really working to get retailers and restauway the distributor wants it to get it to the restaurants. rants to offer some of the sh like Spanish mackerel and sheepshead, something readily available and delicious Wintzells, the oyster house of legend that originated but you dont see on menus often, Blankenship said. in downtown Mobile, greatly welcomes the exposure as Weve done events at Wind Creek Casino and one in it tries to expand its reach outside the Gulf Coast. Theres never been a group like this in Alabama, New Orleans using Spanish mackerel, and the chefs and said Buffy Donlon of Wintzells, who is on the ASMC. public were very happy with the product. The one in Louisiana has been around at least 25 years. continued on 95
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ALABAMA SEAFOOD TESTING COMMISSION continued

Were going to continue to try to expand those markets. We have sponsored events that help us spread the word, like the Hangout Music Festival, Bayfest, SEC Beachfest, Taste of Charleston, and Big Apple BBQ. Were trying to diversify and work with a lot of different groups. Were working with Piggly Wiggly and Whole Foods to branch out in a lot of different areas. Chris Nelson of Bon Secour Fisheries said the ASMC allows Alabama to coordinate with other Gulf seafood marketing groups and expand promotion efforts. It also gives processors an opportunity to expand their range of products sold. For Bon Secour Fisheries, if were already going to a market with oysters, we want to look for opportunities to put shrimp with the order and ship it on the same truck, Nelson said. For instance, weve sold Bon Secour oysters and Point aux Pines oysters to Whole Foods. If we sell them shrimp, that helps the Alabama seafood industry in general. P.O. Box 309 While the Organized Seafood Association of Alabama had some success with its Wild Alabama Shrimp and Cowarts, AL 36321 Wild Alabama Seafood marketing, Nelson said the organization didnt have the funds to expand its efforts. Organized Seafood has done some good work with the limited funds over the last eight years, but we felt we needed a group that had funding to do more, Nelson said. I believe we have created a brand with Eat Alabama Seafood. I think our challenges are now on the supply side by getting production up as much as we can. Overall, oyster production is at all-time low, especially on the public reefs. Certain sizes of shrimp are in short supply. The cost of crab meat has gone very high. It hasnt been a good production year. It seems to be a conuence of natural 10ad26 cycles that are coming together at a bad time. People dont realize that the domestic production accounts for only between 10 and 15 percent of the shrimp supply. The remaining supply comes from overseas. Right now there is a shortage of shrimp overseas. Thats good from a price standpoint, but we need to take this opportunity to boost our production. l
J&S HAMMER
Construction
334-899-7062
South Alabama Livestock, Inc.

P.O. Box 794 Brundage, AL 36081 334-735-2364
VILLAGE OAKS
APEL STEEL
ACEOA Magazine95
Lowndes County Youth Dove Hunts

By Chris Jaworowski, ACEOA President
wo youth dove hunts were held on the rst and second Saturdays of the season. The Robert F. Henry Dam site was the location for both hunts. Approximately 50 youth along with their adult sponsors came to enjoy the hunts. The youth enjoyed skeet shooting in addition to the dove hunts.
Sponsors for both events were Alabama Department of Wildlife and Fresh Water Fisheries, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and Alabama Conservation Enforcement Ofcer Association. During each of the two hunts, ACEOA gave away a lifetime hunting license to a very lucky youth. The lucky winners were Crystal Wheat and Sadie Graham. l
Crystal Wheat from Hope Hull won the lifetime hunting license. She is pictured with Chris Jaworowski.
Pictured with her dad, Sadie Graham from Wetumpka won a lifetime hunting license. Rusty Morrow presented the award.
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Alabama Gator Hunting

By David Rainer, photos by James Big Daddy Lawler Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
eamwork was the key for Josh McAteer and his crew the creek when we nally got him. He had been under during the 2013 Alabama alligator season. Had it for about an hour, so it was time for him to come up. not been for some help from another boat, McAteer McAteer threw the big treble hook again and this time isnt sure they would have won the battle with the 14-foot it stuck. He hauled the big gator to the surface, where alligator that was the longest gator of the season. a noose was waiting. With the noose in place, the gator McAteer and his crew of Kaylon Cole, Blake Smith, was quickly dispatched. Jim Kilpatrick, and his dad, Sammy McAteer, were in the Alabama River about 10 miles from their hometown of Selma. The area was very familiar to the crew because of their crappie shing success in the past. They also knew that a big gator liked to hang out in the area. We saw a big gator there when we were crappie shing in April and May, McAteer said. But that was the last time we saw him. We scouted for about three weeks before the season started and never put eyes on him. We knew the big gator was there. We just threw at some bubbles. We never saw his eyes. We ended up hooking into him. It was pretty much luck. The Selma crew cast weighted treble The longest alligator taken during the 2013 Alabama alligator season was hooks with rods and reels to get the this 14-footer taken by (L-R) Josh McAteer, Kaylon Cole, Blake Smith, Ware gator hooked. Thats when the teamCox, Zach Hughey, John Cox, Jim Kilpatrick and Sammy McAteer. The work kicked in. gator, which came from the Alabama River, weighed in at 725.5 pounds. A buddy of mine had a tag, too, McAteer said of Ware Cox and his crew of Zach Hughey We had this gator in the boat by 9:30, so it wasnt long at all, he said. The gator last year took us four or ve and John Cox. So we had two boats. When we hooked into him, we had two hooks in him. We were at the mouth hours to get in the boat. The one last year was 12-foot-9, of the creek where it was only 7 or 8 feet deep. So I threw but he was in the middle of the river. It was a lot more the big treble hook at him with a rope on it. That treble of a ght because he was in the deeper water. They go hook came out, but it made him mad, and he ran back under and stay under. Its not like you can move them up in the creek. around when theyre that big. With the other boat, we got them to hold the reels Its a lot easier to ght them in that shallow water. while we followed the line into the slough. Then we were But the key was I had a good buddy with another boat able to get more rods in him. He was in the middle of continued on 101
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ALABAMA GATOR HUNTING continued

other gators topped 12 feet Kevin Hayes of Jemison with a 12-10 at 606 pounds; Will Worcester of New Market with a 12-8 at 597.5 pounds; Jake Case of Northport with a 12-8 at 463 pounds; and Gary West of Saraland with a 12-7 at 550 pounds. The heaviest gator caught this year in Alabama came from southeast Alabama around Eufaula. That gator weighed a whopping 802 pounds and measured 13-1. Biologist Richard Tharp with Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) said the tag holder asked that his name not be released. Tharp said 20 of the 75 tags had been lled, although hunters in that zone still have a few days remaining to report any gators taken. I think were running a little behind this year compared to the numbers weve averaged the last few years, Tharp said. I think it will be because of the weather and the water is up, which could have moved the gators way back into the sloughs where theyre hard to reach. Keith Gauldin, WFFs Large Carnivore Coordinator in Spanish Fort, had a similar report for the southwest Alabama zone that includes the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The nal tally was 76 tags lled out of 150 issued. There were 57 males and 19 females taken with 29 males 10 feet or longer. Eight of those were 12 feet or longer. Luke Ezell of Foley had the longest gator at 13 feet 1 inch, but the animal weighed only 504 pounds. Thats a long, skinny gator, Gauldin said. The other top gators from southwest Alabama were a 13-even, 592-pounder caught by John King of Spanish Fort and a 12-1, 600-pounder landed by Richard Wood of Opelika. This was a really unusual year in the amount of precipitation we had all summer, which led to high water, especially in the areas to the north, Gauldin said. That allowed the alligators to get into the trees and werent accessible by boat. Plus, there was a lot more current in the rivers, which reduced the number of gators that were seen. It was a hard year for the hunter. I went out and did some patrol work on each hunt, and there was a lot of boat trafc in the larger rivers like Blakeley. I think a lack of knowledge of the area and the lack of scouting had something to do with the reduced harvest. The high-water situation was really unusual. We havent had that before in the eight years of the hunt. The good thing is there were no reported injuries, so it was a safe hunting record.l
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Tag holder, Meg Sheffield, helped subdue this 13-1 gator that hit the scales at 663.5 pounds. Megs team of Mark Sheffield, Charley Sheffield, Matt Tucker and Hunter Cross subdued the gator in Buzzards Roost on Millers Ferry.
that made it 10 times easier. We may have not been able to get him if it hadnt been for them. We had to follow the line out into the middle of the creek. We used a gaff to nd the line. McAteer said they had seen other smaller gators in the area before, so he wasnt quite sure what was on the end of the line. When I got that big treble hook in him, I knew, he said. I knew it was him then. Before that, it was a guessing game. This gator had been seen in two different sloughs, but I think they get smart when they get that big. Its just like deer. You dont see the big ones very much. McAteer said it was a good thing the shing hole produced a huge gator because it sure wasnt good for crappie. The crappie shing was a little slow, he said. We had too much rain. The water was up so much, they were hard to nd. We have a crappie tournament every year, but we cancelled it this year because the water was so high. McAteer said he is having the gators head mounted and the hide will be sent off to get tanned. A friend is also making cup holders out of the gators feet. The gator season in west central Alabama ended with 30 of the 50 tags lled. McAteers 14-footer, which weighed 725.5 pounds, topped the list, although Meg Shefeld of Grove Hill got close with her 13-1, 663.5-pounder. Four
Wounded Warrior
ear ACEOA, Just a quick note to let you know how fast I put the ACEOA funds to work. The logos are on the truck and the boat, and the rst Wounded Warrior from Huntsville AL just had a day on the water a Lake Wheeler with the NITRO Warrior on Thursday during my pre-shing day. His name is Retired SGT Derek Taylor and he was hit by an IED while on patrol just a couple of years ago. He was an Army MP and just a great Soldier and a great American. We presented SGT Taylor with a new rod and reel, enough tackle to last a couple of lifetimes, an ACEOA hat, a Big Bobber Cooler, and a Nitro shirt and hat. Im sure he had a great time on the rough and fast moving waters of Wheeler, and Im also sure he enjoyed the extreme 70 plus mph speed of the Mercury Pro XS 250 that was pushing the Nitro Z9 all day. I attached a picture of SGT Taylor with the ACEOA hat next to the truck logo, as well as a picture of him and all his prizes for being selected by the Command Sergeants Major at Redstone Arsenal as our nominee for this trip. It was another great trip thanks to big heart of spon-
sors like the ACEOA, Thank You from me as a Wounded Warrior, and a special Thank You from all the Wounded Warriors who will benet from this program in the weeks to come. Respectfully, Gary C. Everett NITRO WARRIOR
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19th Annual Kids Catfish Rodeo
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ACEOA Supports Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Law Enforcement K-9 Initiative
By CEO Vance Wood

the 2012 2013 season included 26 total cases for the following charges: 5 Hunting Without Permission; 9 Hunting By Aid of Bait; 3 Hunting Without License; 5 Hunters Orange Required; 3 Hunting Within a Feed Area; and 1 Buck Harvest Record Required. Two of the most notable cases were when CEO Gavins, Captain Lewis and CEO Jason Sutherland investigated a Hunting Without Permission Complaint in Coffee County. Using Holyeld, they were able to track step for step, a subject who was hunting without permission on private property and had discharged a hunting rifle in a field. Holyfield located the cartridge casing and continued the track, leading ofcers through places a rabbit wouldnt go, until nally locating the rearms that the subject abandoned near a roadway. Ofcers sat up on the rearms and later arrested the subject. The other case was in Montgomery County. CEO Kirk Smith and CEO Vance Wood had been investigating a Hunting Without Permission case, where numerous subjects were hunting University of Alabama land that joined their hunting club. CEO Smith and Wood located
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ildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District-IV Conservation Enforcement Ofcer Brad Gavins approached Captain Chris Lewis this past year with an idea. CEO Gavins wanted to begin a K-9 Program, citing the need for a K-9 for tracking and enforcement purposes. He had been in contact with the Alabama Department of Corrections, who had several well trained beagles that they were willing to donate. DOC, prefers a dog that barks a lot for their purposes, so when they train one that is not very vocal it is of little use to them, but would t WFFLE needs perfectly. Captain Lewis presented the plan to WFFLE Chief Kevin Dodd who granted his approval. The only catch was funding was very limited. The ACEOA stepped in to ll the funding gap. $1,500 was issued to CEO Gavins to purchase the needed equipment such as a GPS tracking collar, kennel, truck dog box, custom tted orange vest, etc. DOC contributed K-9 Handler training and K-9 Holyeld to CEO Gavins and WFFLE free of charge. With training complete, CEO Gavins and Holyeld hit the woods for the rst time during the 2012 2013 deer hunting season. Holyeld, tracks people and it paid off! His record for
ACEOA SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT K-9 INITIATIVE continued

numerous hunting stands and bait on the Universitys property. Realizing that with the size of the area and numerous stands / violators, it would be hard for the two of them to catch everybody, the officers contacted CEO Gavins and K-9 Holyfield for assistance. The ofcers entered the property and were able to arrest three subjects rather quickly with Holyelds help. One of the subjects stated, I was wondering who the heck was dog deer hunting back here, but when I saw the dog with that orange vest and Game Warden patches, come straight to my tree, I knew I was caught. I just hung my head. CEO Gavins and Holyeld continue working and training for the next season. In the meantime, CEO Patrick Norris has stepped in to be an Assistant Handler. He has been working with CEO Gavins, helping to keep Holyeld sharp and to respond with Holyeld if needed, in the case of Gavins being off duty. Holyeld, has also been called upon numerous times by other law enforcement agencies to track eeing felons and lost or disoriented persons, proving his value beyond just hunting related complaints and bringing credit to his agency and handler. Much thanks and credit is awarded to the ACEOA, Alabama Department of Corrections and CEO Gavins for making this a successful venture for all parties involved. Meanwhile, Holyeld sits ready, waiting on his next track and bite of potted meat sandwich. Good boy Holyeld, good boy! l
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Pike County Kids Fishing Day

By Captain Chris Lewis
ohn and Carol Dorrill of Clay Hill Farms generously made their pond available for Kids Fishing Day on Saturday June 15, 2013. All children up to 13-yearsof-age were invited to enjoy a day of free fishing fun. This event is made possible through the dedicated work of Conservation Enforcement Ofcer Jerry Jinright, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Ofcers Association, John and Carol Dorrill, and the Troy Wal-Mart. On a Saturday in June, 68 kids came out to enjoy the great fishing provided and caught a total of 170 fish weighing 223 pounds. Participants were divided into three age groups and prizes were
Three winners from each age group.
awarded for the highest total weight of sh caught in each age division. This years winners were: Autumn Adamson won the 5-7 age group with ten sh weighing a total of 16 lbs. 13 oz. Briana Adkinson won the 8-10 age group with nine sh weighing a total of 12 lbs. 11 oz. Halley Middlebrook won the 11-13 age group with ten sh weighing a total of 12 lbs. 8 oz. In addition to providing lunch, WalMart of Troy also provided two $50 gift certicates for bikes that were drawn randomly. The winners of the
Johntavious Hooten bike winner.
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PIKE COUNTY KIDS FISHING DAY continued

bikes were Johntavious Hooten, age 7 and Samuel Brantley, age 11. All kids had a great day of shing and thanks to the generous donation from the ACEOA all kids were able to leave with a door prize. The following ofcers from Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries helped with the event: Sgt. Mike Heath, Sgt. Aurora Thomas, CEO Joey Richardson, Capt. Chris Lewis, and CEO Jerry Jinright. Thank you again to all the sponsors that help make the annual event a success each year. l
Samuel Brantley bike winner.
CEO Joey Richardson with a young ladies first fish.
CEO Jerry Jinright assisting an angler to land a catfish.
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BOBS CAMPGROUND
ACEOA Magazine113

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Official Publication of the ACEOA WWW.ACEOA.

ORG FALL 2013

2013 State Officers and Directors

2013 ACEOA State Ofcers DISTRICT I

From the Trenches

CEO Jerry Fincher and Sgt. Matt Weathers.

HE IS THE EPITOME OF A TRUE LEADER.

2013 OFFICER OF THE YEAR continued

2013 OFFICER OF THE YEAR continued

Matt with his fellow competitors in 2010.

Matt with others.

Matt keeping time at Top Gun competition.

Matt Weathers was chosen Top Gun for 2010.

Matt checking time for Officer Stacey Lush.

BUCKMASTERS EXPO continued

REJUVINATION RESTORATION, LLC

Morrow Railroad Builders

Baileys Dozer & Excavating Service

mccutheon tractor & farm

E & E ACOUSTICAL DRYWALL, INC.

The Buckmaster Expo 2013

Heath Walls, Jeff Cook, and Kenneth Jackson.

Heath Walls, Ray Scott, and Rusty Morrow.

Lance Horner Memorial

LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued

LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued

LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued

LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued

REJUVINATION RESTORATION, LLC

Morrow Railroad Builders

Baileys Dozer & Excavating Service

LANCE HORNER MEMORIAL continued

Butler County Youth Fishing Day

BUTLER COUNTY YOUTH FISHING DAY continued

REJUVINATION RESTORATION, LLC

Morrow Railroad Builders

ACEOA 2012 Scholarship Winners

Anna Marie Little

ACEOA 2012 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS continued

Sarah Kelsey Blankenship

William Stone Miller

Baileys Dozer &

Enjoying the World Unplugged

ENJOYING THE WORLD UNPLUGGED continued

Name that Tree

Dirt Pie, Anyone?

The Great Outdoors

ENJOYING THE WORLD UNPLUGGED continued

Civilizations from the Past

Going Hog Wild

Bobbys Tile & Ceramic

Gulf State Cold Storage

Going Comfort Home

759 Downtowner Loop West Mobile, AL 36609

2980 US Highway 43 Suite 1 Winfield, AL 35594

BIRDING TRAIL continued

Coosa County TREASURE Forest Landowners Banquet

By Joel D. Glover, Conservation Enforcement Ofcer-Supervisor-Wildlife Option

Dr. Stephen Enloe speaks to crowd concerning invasive species.

COOSA COUNTY TREASURE FOREST LANDOWNERS BANQUET continued

The Road to Alabamas New February Deer Season

THE ROAD TO ALABAMAS NEW FEBRUARY DEER SEASON continued

Bobbys Tile & Ceramic

2229 20th Avenue S. Birmingham, AL 35223 205-879-2997