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Gun season starts
Deer population varies across county
Published Saturday, November 21, 2009
Photo by Stephanie Nelson
Stokes Sporting Goods’ David Morris waits on Shannon Bush of Red Level as he stocks up on ammo for today’s beginning of gun season.
Today is the day deer hunters throughout the South have been waiting for – the start of gun season.
Justin Monk, wildlife biologist with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, said Friday he expects this year’s deer crop to vary throughout the county.
“Today is the official start of gun season, and it runs through Jan. 31,” Monk said. “From the looks of things and the results of last weekend’s youth hunt on the Blue Springs Management Area, it seems like it’s going to be a good year for deer.
“Deer population varies throughout the county,” he said. “It really depends on how good of a hunter that person is. Some say they think the population is disappearing; others say they’re seeing more deer than ever before. It has a lot to do with timber harvest in the area. Deer move around a lot, go to different areas seeking food and shelter.’
Monk said 16 youth participated in last weekend’s management area youth hunt and three bucks were killed.
“So, that was pretty good ratio for the day,” he said. “The first two, which were killed in the morning, were rack bucks. The third, which was spike, was killed that afternoon. They ranged in size from a 155-pound, 8-point to a 135-pound, 7-point.”
Monk, who also carries law enforcement authority, reminded hunters that conservation officers will be out in full force and that all hunters are required to be properly licensed.
Cost for an Alabama hunting license is $24. Bag limits are as follows:
• Antlered bucks: Statewide, one per day. White-tailed buck, three during all combined seasons, and one must have at least four points on one side.
• Unantlered deer, except fawns: Statewide, two per day.
“We want this year to be a safe and enjoyable hunting season,” Monk said. “Hunters should be properly outfitted with their hunter orange. Keep guns unloaded when in the vehicle and on the roads, and please don’t block roads. Stay off unmarked roads. Be a safe and cautious hunter.”
In addition to a state license, those wishing to hunt in the management area are required to purchase a $16 management license. Gates open at 5 a.m., Monk said.
For those in Covington County who prefer to hunt using dogs, Dec. 9-10 and Dec. 26-27 have been designated as dog hunting weekends.
Hunters aren’t the only ones excited to see the beginning of this year’s hunting season.
David Morris at Stokes Sporting Goods said he expects business to pick up quickly after today.
“Things have been a little slow compared to years past,” Morris said. “It’s great that the holidays are coming up, so things are going to pick up quick. Most people have already been out bow hunting and black powder hunting, but starting today...I bet it’s going to get really busy here and in the woods.”
Shannon Bush of Red Level is one of those hunters. He said he has already killed one buck this season with his bow and is excited about gun season.
“I have to work this weekend, but you can bet as soon as I can, I’m getting out there,” Bush said. “I’ve got the bullets I need and am looking for the time. Hopefully around Thanksgiving I can get out there.”
Comments
Posted by SouthernAttitude1 (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whoever said the deer population is diasappearing has not been in the woods or driven down our highways. I have seen more deer the past few years strolling in the woods than I have seen in prior years.
If they haven't seen them in the woods they may be making too much noise. Crunch, crunch.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A bunch of deer hunters are in camp when they realize that they are running low on provisions so they send Jack to get supplies.
Jack goes to the store and buys 10 bottles of whiskey, 12 cases of beer and 2 packages of hotdogs.
When he gets back to the camp the group looked in his truck and they asked, "Jack, what in the world are we gonna do with all them damn hotdogs?"
Posted by reddog (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 10:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
THATS A GOOD ONE!!!!
Posted by shilohgirl (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I am a hunter myself and love it as much as the next person. I live next to the national forest (which is my neighbor on three sides and there are thousands of acres on the national forest to hunt on and it seems everyone that comes out to hunt the forest gets within a 100 or so yards of my house. I am scared for the kids or pets to be out because we have had some that don't care what direction they shoot when the see a deer. Please respect peoples houses and don't hunt right under them. This has nothing to do with me hunting here because I don't I have other places I go. And I am scared to get out of the yard anyway. Sometimes scared to get in the yard for all the fling bullets. I am sure others would appreciate hunters not right on top of them. Everyone have a safe and enjoyable season.
Posted by lawsuit (anonymous) on November 21, 2009 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
shilohgirl , i think i know you we are friends i think yeah i know who you are refering , most of the ones are from florida who are road hunters,anyway im glad gun season came in today, i missed a big 8 pt thursady and a 10 pt friday by your house on the balckpowder hunt on blue springs ,all i have seen this year bow hunting and this week is big bucks more deer now than ever but like me and you we see them every day , and the reason being i don't want to step on any toes here but is because dog hunting is no longer allowed on the national forest,i have stalked hunted all my life since 10 years of age here and have studied and recorded for years every hunting season where i hunted ,when ,the weather,and what i seen that day and in the last 5 years haVE DOUBLED in numbers as bucks and doe ratio 4:10 right now bucks are still paired up 2 to 3 together , hunt acorns around live oaks are real good right now.the last time i seen this many bucks like i have this year was 3 years ago it comes around every so often, we will have a visable rut this year being bucks will be out during the day opposed to night .happy hunting and be safe .
Posted by Blondie (anonymous) on November 23, 2009 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Not all hunters are like this, but this goes out to the ones that dont respect land owners and cross over on someone elses land and hunt. I live on a dirt road, and there arent many houses on this road, so I guess that no one owns the land and they can just go where ever they want to and hunt. On many occasions we have had to go out and run people off of our land ( even though there are signs posted along our property line all around) Be respectful when you hunt!! Most of you only hunt so you can "brag" about that big one you got!
I see the remains thrown out on roads where you take only the back strap, and leave the rest of the meat, what a waste!! If you are going to hunt, and you only want he head, there is a man in Brantley that takes the deer meat you dont want, and uses it to feed some of the unfortunate ones around this area. So if you dont want the meat, take it to him, dont waste it!!
And another thing, if you park on a dirt road, park where we can get by your vehicle!!
Posted by shilohgirl (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 8:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lawsuit, you are so right they are alot of good bucks out this year. But it is so sad that "WE" cant get out and enjoy for the ones that go overboard and act crazy. The first year I moved where I live we had three deer shot in our front yard. One right across the dirt road in front of our house (not in the woods) on thanksgiving while we were all in the yard. Alot of it are the Florida hunters but there is some locals, because we know and see them year round. But I have a feeling it may change this season with this game warden we have now, he patrols this road quite often and he is strict to inforce the law. I am the last house on the road and two miles to the end of the dirt road through the national forest so there is plenty of room to hunt away from my yard.
Blondie, I agree with you if they are not gonna eat the meat don't kill the deer, and if they want just the head to "Brag" give the meat to someone. There are alot of people around here that would love to have it. I was taught if you not gonna eat it or it is not tryin to kill you don't kill it.
Posted by zoomzoom (anonymous) on November 24, 2009 at 12:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
lawsuit, I guess I need you to guide me on a deer hunt. I haven't killed a BIG BUCK in years. You sound like you really know what you are talking about.
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