The Board of Trustees of the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust will hold its first quarterly meeting on February 9, 2012 at the Alabama State Capitol Auditorium, Montgomery, Ala. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m.

At this meeting the Forever Wild program’s annual report will be presented. Forever Wild program activities and tract assessments will be updated as well. This meeting will also serve as a public hearing for anyone who would like to make comments concerning this program.

The public is invited to attend this meeting and is urged to submit comments and nominations of tracts of land for possible Forever Wild Program purchase. Written nominations may be made by letter addressed to the State Lands Division, Room 464, 64 N. Union St., Montgomery, AL 36130.

Quarterly meetings of the Forever Wild Board are held to maximize public input into the program. Only through active public participation can the best places in Alabama be identified and protected in order to remain forever wild.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Forever Wild Board Meets at the Alabama State Capitol Auditorium Feb. 9

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has designated February 11 and 12, 2012, as Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days. On those days, youth under age 16 may hunt when accompanied by a licensed adult hunter. Regular waterfowl season shooting hours, bag limits, legal arms and ammunitions apply to the special days.

“Hunting under the supervision of an experienced adult hunter is one of the best ways young people can acquire the necessary skills to become an accomplished, lifetime hunter,” said N. Gunter Guy, Jr., ADCNR Commissioner.

Youth are defined as individuals age 15 years and younger. Adults are defined as individuals age 25 years and older, or as the parent of the youth. The adult must have a state hunting license, state and federal waterfowl stamp, and a free harvest information program stamp.

To participate in the hunt, individuals must be accompanied by an adult supervisor. The adult supervisor, who may not hunt, must remain within arm’s length of the youth at all times. The adult supervisor may accompany up to two youth participants during the hunt.

Only one firearm will be allowed per youth, and only the youth hunters will be permitted to utilize the firearm for hunting. The adult is expected to review the rules of firearm safety and hunter ethics with each youth and ensure they are followed.

For more information on the Special Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days, contact David Hayden at (334) 242-3469 or visit the Outdoor Alabama website, www.outdooralabama.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Special Alabama Youth Waterfowl Hunting Days Will be Feb. 11-12

Alabama artists are invited to enter the 2012 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest, which opens January 1, 2012. The winning artwork will be used as the design of the 2013-2014 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp, which is required to be purchased when hunting migratory waterfowl. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 – Feb. 15, 2012. The competition is open to resident Alabama artists only.

All eligible entries will be on display February 24, 2012, at the Richard Beard Building, 1445 Federal Dr., Montgomery, Ala., 36107. Following the showing, three judges from the fields of art, ornithology and wildlife conservation will select the winning waterfowl art.

“Like the federal waterfowl stamp, revenues from the sale of Alabama stamps are used to procure, establish or improve migratory waterfowl habitat,” said N. Gunter Guy, Jr., Conservation Commissioner. “We encourage all Alabama artists to participate in this unique contest.”

Only original horizontal artworks depicting a species of North American migratory duck or goose will be eligible. The pintail, American wigeon, and the ringed-neck duck — depicted in the winning artwork of three previous year’s contests — are not eligible as the subject for the 2013-2014 stamp. A pair of ringed-neck ducks painted by Jim Denney of Alexander City, Ala., won the 2011 contest.

The judging criteria will emphasize uncluttered design suitable for printing as a stamp, anatomical accuracy of the illustrated species, and artistic rendering. Close attention must be given to tone and detail, since those aspects are prerequisites for printing artwork as a stamp. Wing and feather construction must be particularly well defined. Entries may be drawn or painted in any medium. Entries cannot exceed 9 by 12 inches (15 by 18 inches matted).

For contest information and entry forms visit the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, www.outdooralabama.com, or contact contest coordinator David Hayden, at 334-242-3469.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Alabama Artists Invited to Enter the 2012 Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest

For the first time in 80 years, Little River State Park in Atmore, Ala., is offering a three-day controlled archery hunt Jan. 26-28, 2012 for just $500 per hunter. Proceeds from the hunt benefit Ironmen Outdoor Ministries, which manages the state park. Ironmen Outdoor Ministries is a not for profit organization that commits itself to compassionately reach out and bless those who are in need; particularly those who are handicapped, children in need, the impoverished and the abandoned.

Click http://www.littleriverstatepark.com/Archery_Hunt_Registratio.html for a chance to take part in this hunt package, which includes food and lodging. Each hunter and one non-hunting guest will stay in a modern (2BR, CHA, full kitchen) handicap-accessible mobile home with a beautiful view of the lake and spillway.

A hot breakfast and dinner will be provided each day with a sandwich lunch. Southern cuisine will be featured including southern fried chicken, fried catfish, T-Bone steaks and baby back ribs along with all the trimmings.

The hunting terrain includes more than 900 acres of prime long-leaf pine plantation and hardwood bottoms surrounding a pristine 25-acre lake. Food plots are scattered throughout the property.

Hunters can arrive as early as noon, Jan. 25. Orientation to the park and staff will be scheduled at 2 p.m. the same day. Hunters will be made familiar with the property boundaries, food plot locations and non-hunting areas. Hunters will then be free to scout the property at 3 p.m. Hunting will not start until the morning of January 26 and will conclude at the end of legal hunting times on January 28. Hunters and guests will be required to check out by 10 a.m. on January 29.

Each hunter will need to bring his/her own climbing stand, ladder stand or ground blind (no stands or blinds will be furnished by LRSP). Four wheelers, side-by-side ATVs and golf carts are welcome for the hunt

LRSP personnel will be more than glad to assist the hunter in the processing of the harvested deer (bring coolers for meat). Hunters can donate any unwanted meat for distribution through local charities to those in need.

ALL hunters will be required to meet all regulations stipulated by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. These regulations can be found in the Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest 2011-2012.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Register Now for a Chance to Bow Hunt Little River State Park in Alabama

With the exception of a few arid regions in the Southwest, brain abscesses affect white-tailed deer throughout the remainder of their range. Brain abscesses occur more often in the southeastern and eastern United States, which is thought to be due to the humid environment. It is a seasonal condition that occurs roughly from September through April and is associated with antler velvet shedding, sparring, fighting, antler rubbing and antler casting.

Nearly 90 percent of all documented cases of brain abscesses have been from bucks, especially mature bucks greater than 3.5 years old. Some researchers have documented that brain abscesses can account for over half of all cases of natural mortality among 4.5 year old or older bucks. Because brain abscesses are usually fatal, this is a significant non-hunting mortality factor that should be considered in any quality deer management (QDM) program where mature bucks are desired.

Bucks often have injuries to the pedicle (antler base) and skin as a direct result of the antler growing cycle and rutting behavior. These injuries allow bacteria to migrate through the pedicle or skull sutures (cracks) and into the brain. Any number of bacteria can be responsible for this condition, but Arcanobacterium pyogenes is most commonly found in samples. Once the bacterium enters the brain, a pocket of puss forms and enlarges until the deer dies. Deer with this condition often walk in circles and appear to be completely unaware of their surroundings. They may even come toward humans when approached. Some go blind. Most will be emaciated. These signs become much more evident as the condition worsens, eventually leading to death for the deer.

If a deer exhibiting this type of behavior is observed during hunting season, it is probably best to dispatch the animal and call your local Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) office to have their personnel verify the behavior was caused by a brain abscess. If this occurs outside of hunting season, or in an area which prohibits hunting, please call WFF for assistance.

Hunters may not notice clinical signs prior to killing an infected animal, but an abscess often is found when the antlers are removed from the skull. This is when the hunter, deer processor, or taxidermist will notice the puss-filled pocket within the brain, which often oozes when opened and has a very pungent “rotting flesh” odor. A brain abscess should not be cause for alarm about the local deer herd’s health since abscesses are limited to individual deer and are not known to be transmissible from deer to deer. The meat from a deer with an abscess is safe to eat.

Brain abscesses in white-tailed deer are nothing new. They have been around throughout history. People only recently became more aware of this condition, as well as a host of other diseases and parasites that affect the wildlife in which they all enjoy.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Brain Abscesses in Alabama White-Tailed Deer No Cause for Alarm

The Alabama State Lands Division announces a series of “open-gate weekends” on four Forever Wild properties designed to increase access to hunting on public lands. During the weekends the internal woods-roads gates will be opened to allow for easier access to hunting on the properties.

The Forever Wild properties listed below are open-permit public lands. Unlike hunting on private land or Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), the hunter only needs a hunting license to hunt the properties. All other hunting rules and regulations apply and the tracts will be patrolled and monitored by conservation enforcement officers.

Open-gate properties and dates during the 2011-2012 Hunting Seasons:

• Lillian Swamp Tract in Baldwin Co. will be open December 8-10, 2011, and January 12-14, 2012.
• Splinter Hill Bog Tract in Baldwin Co. will be open December 8-10, 2011, and January 12-14, 2012.
• Red Hills Tract in Monroe Co. will be open December 1-3, 2011, and January 7-8, 2012.
• Old Cahaba Tract in Dallas Co. will be open December 9-11, 2011.

“The open-gate weekends are pilot projects designed to address requests for improved access to public lands,” said Greg Lein, Assistant Director, State Lands Division. “If successful, this could become an annual event.”

During the open-gate weekends the entire tract will be open to hunting, and hunters are encouraged to practice hunter safety. More information about hunting safely can be found in the hunter education section of www.outdooralabama.com.

All published rules and regulations for these specific tracts remain the same during the open-gate weekends. Visit www.alabamaforeverwild.com for more information about hunting provisions on Forever Wild properties. For other periods of the hunting season, the tracts remain open under the routine designated means of access by public roads and parking area points of entry.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Open-Gate Weekends Improve Hunting Access on Four Alabama Forever Wild Properties

Alabama’s gun deer season opened Saturday, November 19, 2011. Hunters are encouraged to participate in a research project being conducted by the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University. The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) is cooperating with Gabe Karns, a graduate student at Auburn University, to encourage hunters to harvest and provide antlers and skull plates from bucks with a spike on one side (SOOS) for inclusion in the study. SOOS bucks have one normally formed antler on one side, and a spike, or a forked prong, on the other side.

Harvesting an SOOS buck will count toward the three buck limit. For a complete list of hunting regulations visit http://www.eregulations.com/alabama/.

White-tailed deer antler growth is the product of genetic, physical, and environmental variables. Because a single genetic code determines antler structure for both sides, slight deviations from perfect symmetry are the result of non-genetic factors such as nutritional deficiencies, drought, parasites, or other stressors. More severe antler abnormalities are usually attributed to injuries to the deer’s limbs or pedicles (the base from which the antlers grow) and damage to developing antlers in velvet. Damage to developing antlers in velvet may also abruptly halt growth and result in under-developed antler structure characterized by “acorn” antler tips.

Examining bucks that exhibit SOOS antler traits should shed light on a very contentious issue among deer hunters, “What constitutes a genetic cull buck?” SOOS bucks are almost always lumped into the genetically “inferior” group. Limited data gathered during the 2010-2011 hunting season provided results suggesting this interpretation to be incorrect; however, more data is needed to better understand the SOOS phenomenon.

Skulls should be cleaned with no hide or significant amount of tissue remaining. European-style skulls and skull plates with at least one inch of bone surrounding both pedicles in all directions are acceptable samples. After examination, samples will be returned, if needed, to the hunter.

Alabama hunters are allowed to harvest three bucks a year, one of which must have at least four points 1 inch or longer on one antler. Hunters must record the date each buck is harvested and have that information available when in the field. A harvested SOOS buck will count toward the hunter’s three-buck limit.

The research project relies heavily on private landowners and hunting clubs to collect SOOS samples. This is an opportunity for Alabama deer hunters to take a proactive role in deer research and management efforts.  Please contact Gabe Karns at grk0002@auburn.edu for information on how you can participate in the SOOS collection process.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Spike on One Side (SOOS) Bucks Requested in Alabama

Predator removal is a hot topic among today’s hunters. For some, the real or perceived reduction in numbers of their favorite game species can without exception be attributed to predators. Often a variety of factors, none of which have much to do with predation, have contributed to conditions that are not conducive to sustaining a particular wildlife species in abundance. A textbook example would be nesting habitat for ground-nesting birds such as turkeys. Often, turkey enthusiasts quickly cite predators as the primary reason turkey populations don’t meet expectations on their property when the truth is that one or more key habitat features is not adequate to support desired turkey numbers.

Today, many properties have short rotation pine plantations from which prescribed fire has been excluded as their primary cover type. These forest stands characteristically have closed canopies resulting in very little vegetation at ground level to provide wildlife food and/or cover. When food supplies are not well distributed across a property, then game animals must travel farther to feed. While doing so, they are more likely to encounter and fall prey to predators. Moreover, food resources that are restricted to small and/or localized feeding areas allow predators to pattern game movements just as food plots allow hunters to do so. Lack of cover leaves game animals exposed and vulnerable to predation as they move from bedding or nesting areas to get food or water.

When used together, timber stand thinning and the application of prescribed fire greatly enhance the habitat structure present on many properties. The use of prescribed fire in pine stands stimulates the growth of native grasses, forbs and legumes. The enhanced understory vegetation produced goes a long way toward providing the well-distributed, high-quality food in conjunction with adequate cover that are so beneficial to game species.

When and if predation is a significant problem limiting wildlife populations, predator removal can be very effective if it is carried out in an intensive manner at the proper time of year. This has recently proven to be the case with white-tailed deer. Several studies have been performed that monitored fawn recruitment (the number of fawns that survive into the next year’s population) in white-tailed deer. These studies varied somewhat in their methods, but all were designed to determine recruitment of fawns into the fall population, and, if possible, to determine the factors which influence it. Results from these studies indicated that predation was the main limiting factor on fawn recruitment, and that coyotes were the predator responsible for most of the “damage.” Coyotes killed as many as 85 percent of the fawns birthed in control areas where no predator removal measures were taken. In areas where predators were removed just prior to the fawning period, fawn recruitment increased, sometimes dramatically. It is important to note these are site-specific cases and not necessarily indicative of similarly high predation rates across the entirety of Alabama or the Southeast.

Predators will never be eradicated from Southeastern habitats. They are far too adaptable. Some even increase their reproduction when their populations are reduced if existing habitat is suitable for survival. Predator removal can be effective, however, if game populations are below carrying capacity; if predators are determined to be the limiting factor; if predator populations are reduced by at least 70 percent; and if predator removal is accomplished immediately prior to the fawning or nesting period. Even so, predator removal should generally be viewed as a short-term solution until significant habitat deficiencies can be corrected. For more information on predator removal, contact the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Wildlife Section.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Is Predator Removal Necessary in Alabama?

With bow season underway and gun season just around the corner, now is the perfect time to talk about white-tail deer biology and management, which is the next topic on Outdoor Alabama Live, a live webcast series hosted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). The show will air Tuesday, November 8, at 6:30 p.m. CT. To watch this hour-long interactive presentation visit the show website, www.outdooralabama.com/Webcast/, at the time of the webcast.

During the November 8 webcast, WFF biologists Bill Gray and Chris Cook will provide information about the most popular game animal in the state including reproductive studies, harvest and data collection strategies, deer biology, where to hunt and food plot basics. Viewer questions will also be answered. Due to time constraints not all questions will be answered on-air.

To have your deer-related question answered on the show email it to ask.dcnr@dcnr.alabama.gov or text it to (205) 259-6941. You may also submit your question directly through the Outdoor Alabama Live website. Questions can be submitted anytime prior to and during the webcast. When submitting a question please include your name and where you live.

Can’t watch during the show? No problem, all episodes of Outdoor Alabama Live will be archived on the webcast page and the ADCNR YouTube channel within a few days of the initial airtime.

From prized game animal to rose-eating urban nuisance, white-tailed deer are some of the most recognized wildlife in Alabama. In the early 1900s, only about 2,000 deer existed in the state. After decades of restocking and management efforts, Alabama’s deer population grew to an estimated 1.75 million animals in 2000. These highly adaptable animals can thrive in various types of habitat. For this reason, they are found in virtually every part of the state.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Get a Jump on Deer Season with Outdoor Alabama Live

Prattville Leisure Services will host a fishing event for kids age 14 and younger on Saturday, October 29. A limited number of free tickets for the 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. fishing sessions will be available for pick up at the Doster Community Center, 424 South Northington St., Prattville, Ala., prior to the event. The fishing event will take place at Pratt Pond in Pratt Park.

Kids must have a free ticket in order to fish. Tickets may be limited in order to ensure an enjoyable fishing experience for the participants. Any remaining tickets will be available on the day of the event.

On the day of the event, the kids will be able to keep up to four catfish. Anglers should bring a hat and sunglasses to protect their eyes. Anglers must bring their own bait; worms and chicken livers are popular baits for catfish, as is commercially available catfish bait. A cooler for the fish is also suggested. Anglers should bring a rod and reel. However, some WFF loaner rods will also be available for the parents to borrow for their child.

The Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) will be providing channel catfish to the event. Channel catfish are a native fish that are easy to raise in ponds as well as being popular with anglers. WFF raises channel catfish to stock in its 23 state public fishing lakes. Any of the fish not caught by 3 p.m. on the day of the event will be available for local anglers of all ages to harvest. Fishing license requirements will apply: resident anglers age 16 through age 64 need a fishing license unless they are Autauga County residents fishing with a pole that does not have a reel.

“Fortunately we had some extra fish to donate to the event,” said Stan Cook, WFF Fisheries Section Chief. “We needed to make the best use of these fish, and this children’s fishing event is a great use for the catfish.”

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Prattville, Alabama to Hold Fishing Event for Youth on Saturday, Oct. 29