Georgia game and fish [Vol. 2, no. 10 (Oct. 1967)]

I GEORGIA

VOL. 2, NO. 10 I OCTOBER, 1967

~GEORGIA
~GAME&FISH

October 1967

Volume II

Number 10

Contents

Fur 'n Feathers Forecast

. . .Dean Wohlgemuth 1

Tailored Duck Hunting

. . .. ... Jim Tyler 4

How to Have "Horns" . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Art Rilling 6

Big Deer Contest

8

Brewing Pond Magic

. . .Jim Tyler 10

Men in Green .

. .. .Jim Morrison 13

Sportsmen Speak . . . .

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Sportsman's Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

16

Lester G. Maddox Governor
George T. Bagby Director, State Game & Fish Commission

COMMISSIONERS

Judge Harley Langdale, Chairman
Valdosta-8th District William Z. Camp, Sec.
Newnan-6th District James Darby
Vidalia-1st District Richard Tift
Albany-2nd District William E. Smith Americus-3rd District

Rankin M . Smith,
Vice Chairman Atlanta-5th District Charles L. Davidson, Jr. Avondale Estates-4th District
Leonard Bassford Augusta-lOth District
J. B. Langford Calhoun-7th District
Clyde Dixon Cleveland-9th District

Jimmie Williamson Darien-Coastal District

TECHNICAL SERVICES DIVISION
Jack A. Crockford, Assistant Director Leon Kirkland, Fisheries Chief
Hubert Handy, Game Management Chief Charles M. Frisbe, Supervisor, Marine Fisheries
RobertS. Baker, Special Services Coordinator

LAW ENFORCEMENT DIVISION
Bill Cline Deputy State Chief, Atlanta
David Gould Deputy State Chief, Brunswick

GEORGIA GAME & FISH

STAFF

Jim Morrison, Editor Dean Wohlgemuth,
Staff Writer

Jim Tyler, Staff Writer J. Hall, Staff Writer Ted Borg, Photographer

PHOTO CREDITS: Ronnie Abney 13; Ted Borg I, 11, 12; D an
Keever 2, 3, 15; Jim Morrison 10, 14; H. Terry Smith , Georgia Power
Company t.5; Jim Tyler 4, c. & b. 5; Rachel Wh.itmire 6, 7.

G~orgia Gam~ and Fish is th~ of/ictal mo11thly maga:Jn~ of th~ G~or gia Gam~ and Fish CommiS>ion , published at th~ Commission's offices, .WI Stat~ Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. No adv~rtlsing accept~d. Subscriptions are $I for one year or $2.50 for thru y~ars.
Printed by Stein Printing Company, Atlanta, Ga. Notification of addr~ss chang~ must include both old and new addreS> and ZIP cod~. with 30 days notice. No subscription r~qu~sts will b~ acc~pt~d without ZIP cod~. Articl~s and photographs may b~ r~printed. Prop~r cr"it should be given . Contributions ar~ welcom~. but the editors assum~ no r~sponsibillty or liability for loss or damage of artlcl~s. photographs, or Illustrations. S~cond-class postag~ paid at Atlanta, G~~a.

Better pay for rangers

At the heart of any wildlife agency is effective Jaw enforcement. Without a trained, dedicated, conscientious, and adequately-paid force of wildlife rangers in Georgia, efforts to preserve or improve Georgia's hunting and fishing are doomed
to failure. Achievement of th at goal isn't being helped by the ridiculously low salaries now being paid Georgia's overworked and under-paid wildlife rangers and other Commission personnel.
Believe it or not, the starting salary for a wildlife ranger is still only $395 per month, or $4,208 per year, lower than the national average of $4,855 a year in 1965. This is the case even though the physical and mental requirements for being a ranger are almost identical to those of the State Patrol, which begins patrolmen at the rate of $452 per month. Similarly, the Atlanta Police Department begins officers at $457 per
month, and State Revenue Agents begin at $437 per month. Under the present low salaries for wildlife rangers, it is
growing increasingly more difficult each year to hold quali-
fied, trained rangers in their jobs with the Commission, especially when higher paying jobs with less strenuous duties are easily available to them with other governmental agencies or in private industry. Many of the best rangers have already been forced to resign from the Department because of the need to improve their personal financial situation, and others will reach the same conclusion in the near future, unless something is done to ease their problem.
By the same token, recruitment of new ra ngers is becoming more difficult, especially in attracting young, aggressive, alert, and well-educated men who are qu alified to meet the unusual demands th at are placed on wildlife rangers in a field that is growing more sophisticated and complex every day, especially in the light of recent court rulings which tend to tie the hands of enforcement officers. With working conditions that include being on call twenty-four hours a day and working at least a six-day week, rangers should be more adequately paid. Since new rangers may not begin working for the Commission in their home county or an adjacent county, new men must sell their homes and pay the expenses of moving.
Each time th at an experienced ranger leaves the payroll of the Commission, a considerable investment of time and money that was spent on his training and learning experience goes down the drain, never to be replaced . A new ranger may take many months to reach the peak of effectiveness that his predecessor reached through years of long, hard experience- the best teacher.
A similar situation exists with many other Commission employees, who are now readily able to find better paying jobs with industry, other states, or the federal government, because of the training and experience they have obtai ned with Georgia
at much lower salary rates. In at least a beginning to do something about the salary
discrepancy and the drain of qualified personnel , Game a nd Fish Commission Director George T. Bagby has announced that he will ask the General Assembly next year to authorize raising ranger starting salaries from $359 per month to $396, still $56 below the $452 figure of the State Patrol. In addition, an across-the-board increase of 10 per cent would be given all existing rangers who are judged worthy of an increase. T he top pay for rangers with six and one-half years seniority would also be increased from $482 to $531 per month.
Georgia's wildlife rangers have done an excellent job in the past, and they deserve to be compensated more fully for the important services that they are rendering to the State of Georgia and its sportsmen. -J. M .

ON THE COVER: This October, more th an 120,000 hunters begin to turn to thoughts of deer, especially bucks with rockingchair racks. Some archers are already guarding their stands with

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bow and arrow in hand. South Georgia hunters in the coastal

section hit the woods with their guns on October 14, a nd almost

all of the red-coat army of hunters will be in the .woods in

full force by November 4, opening date of the deer season in

middle and north Georgia. G ame biologists of the Commission

estimate that more than 30,000 deer may be taken this year in

Georgia by hunters.

ON THE BACK COVER: It's a happy birthday for Georgia Gam e and Fish Magazine, marking its first anniversary with
this issue. After one whole year, just about everybody is reading Gam e and Fish, or at least the hunters in the know are, even if all of the deer haven't got the message. If you have a hunting or fishing friend who hasn't gotten the message about Gam e and Fish, now's the time to tell him, or to give him a gift subscription for Christmas. By ..the way, now that you've tried Game and Fish out for a whole year, why
not go ahead now and subscribe for three more years ? You'll save 50 cents - only $2.50 for three years, and you won't have to worry about missi ng a si ngle issue when your current subscription expires after the first of the year. Photos by D an Keever.

The word straight from the crystal ball is that things are looking better and better for just about all types of Georgia's hunting.

Fur'n Feathers Forecast
By Dean Woh lgemuth

Making predictions about the weather is a living to some people. Making guesses about what a hunting season is going to be like is really going out on a limb!
There are so many factors that can get in your way. Even when armed with comments from men in the field who know their business, you can still make mistakes. And if you are wrong, there'll be plenty of unhappy sports-

men to point out the error of your ways.
You start assembling information for such a prediction well before season.. In the meantime, there may come a flood , fire, famine or other such misfortune or malfunction.
Basing your findings upon results of previous seasons, along with reports of game biologists and wildlife rangers who watch for game and signs and

other factors, you assemble all of them to come up with a group of generalities.
But supposing the game is there, the weather is right, and food is plentiful, there's still another matter to consider when telling a hunter he'll have a good year. And that, of course, is the hunter himself. It's up to him, now, to find game and to hit it.
Actually, there is not a great deal of

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change in the forecast this year over last yea r. Things looked better last year, and should generally be even better this season.
Deer hunting, in particular, has a very bright outlook for Georgia hunters. Deer herds continue to increase in North and Middle Georgia, thanks to good management and good food supplies. And the increase in deer is in spite of increased problems in controlling wild and free running dogs. If dogs could be controlled more effectively, there would most likely be a big jump in deer population just about everywhere in the state.
The area with the biggest problem is the southern portion of the state. Herds are remaining about the same there, with hunting getting no better, while other sections are enjoying better and better hunting.
In fact , populations are looking so good this year that many new counties will be open for the first time this season. The season will be shorter than in "older" counties, however, to prevent too great a harvest. Seasons are actually in three lengths in North and Middle Georgia. A full five sets of seasons were necessary throughout the state for gun hunters.
The archery deer season is Sept. 30 through Oct. 28 for any county or portion of a county that has a regular gun season.
The first gun season to open will be Oct. 14 through Jan. 2 in southeast Georgia. Southwest counties will be open Nov. 4 through Jan. 2. North and middle Georgia counties open Nov. 4, but the final day varies from Nov. 11, to Nov. 18 through Nov. 27. Check dates for the various counties in "Sportsman's Calendar," inside the back cover.
Small game hunters are not to be forgotten this year by any means. Hubert Hand y, coordinator of game management for the Game and Fish Commi ssion , says squirrels, in particular, are in abundance throughout the state this year. Best hunting will be in the northern part of the state, but good crops of mast this yea r have made hunting good everywhere. Areas with plenty of hardwoods will provide the best squirrel hunting.
Joe Kight, game biologist for the Southern Region , echoed Handy's forecast, adding that a good spring breeding season plus good food supplies will bring good hunting for just about all small game.
Quail hunting. while showing a gradual decline over recent years hecause of a change in land use, is still holdin? its own fairly well this \'ear. The state still proud/v clings to its title of the "Quail Capitol of the World."

Kight said quail hunting should be about as good as last year. Rabbits are more th an plentiful in southern Georgia. R abbits and bobwhites in north Georgia are considerably more scarce, however, H andy pointed out. Grouse populations look to be about like those of last year.
Along the coast; game biologist Oscar Dewberry said the duck picture is somewhat uncertain . The offici al outlook is for a season similar to last yea r. A poor crop of new ducks is reported. However, be said, Ducks Unlimited has indicated good flocks can be expected. Of course prognostications of duck hunting must be made on a flyway-to-flyway basis, and the Atlantic Coast fl yway probably will not be among the most blessed.
Dick Whittington, game biologist for middl e Georgia , aid hunters in that area can expect good hunting for just about everything. Middle Georgia bas some of the state's best deer hunting country. Squirrel and quail populations are good there, too, and rabbits are generall y fairly good.
Wood duck populations are very good around the state, with a good hatch reported this year.
The first half of the dove season is just about history as thi s issue gets off the press, so a forecast is out-of-date as far as the first half goes. And probably, the results you've found so far are as good an indication as you can get.
But to get out on the limb as far as possible - since this was written before season - indications before the first shots were fired were for a very good yea r. Biologists saw plenty of doves around before sea on when coocounts and trappings (for banding) were made. If food supplies remain good and weather favorable, the second half of the season should be very good , particularly in South Georgia.>-=

Game hwloRtSH 1av that rahhit~ are in .1/wrt v ,(ly 1 tl. s ' ar, e PiHII and north Georgia. The Game and Fish CommissiOn i1 financing a research proJ<tf "' the Uniwnil) of Georgia that is hard at work trying to find out why, and what can be done about it.

1967-1968
Deer Season

Season A: Oct. 14-Jan. 2

Season 8: Nov. 4-Jan. 2

Season C: Nov. 4-Nov. 27

Season D: Nov. 4-Nov. 18

Season E: Nov. 4-Nov. 11

Closed Counties

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LEGEND

The thump thump of a two cylinder 25 two-man duck blinds have been con-

John Deere tractor drowned out the structed. Each blind is at least 300

noise coming from two smaller trac- ya rds from the next one. Every blind

tors plowing the field. It was a hot day is built so a small boat fits snugly

for plowing, and would have been im- inside. The boat is used by hunters to

possibly hot except for a steady breeze cross a six foot-deep , 15 foot-wide canal

coming inland from the open ocean on the inside of each dike. In the wee

eight miles away. Billowy white clouds hours of early morning, duck hunters

skated through a blue blue sky. The find boats complete with paddles and

John Deere passed us, uprooting a thick seat cushion life preservers moored in

growth of summer vegetation. It was the canals. All they do is scamper down

August, and August on Butler Island the six foot-high dike, get in a boat, pad-

means time to plant for ducks.

dle across the canal, wade the flooded

Come November, these fields of mil- field, and get ready for daylight. An-

let and other duck favorites will stand other item waiting in each boat is a

tall and wave a beckoning finger to gun ny sack full of decoys. The only

migrating ducks winging their way thing not provided is the ducks, and

southward. And by then the planted that's out of the direct control of the

fields will be flooded by use of a dike G ame and Fish Commission. Wildlife is

system that was partially built many still wild, and ducks are no exception yea rs ago. Could a traveling duck ask to the rule.

ror more?

On designated hunt days, duck hunt-

Hunt ers on Butler Island find their blinds already built for th em. A small boat provided by the Commission fi ts inside each blind.
tailored duck
lwnLing
By Jim Tyler

Let's put it this way. Could a duck hunter ask for more? "Yes," you say, "about a million ducks pouring down out of the sky to feast on this table set for them. And me, a duck hunter sitting comfortable in one of the fields. "
Well, on Butler Island, the State Game and Fish Commission can promise everything to a duck hunter, everything but a million ducks rushing in to tie on a feeding napkin.
Here's the set up.
The Commission purchased Butler and several surrounding islands in 1954. Together, the islands are known as the Altamaha W a t e r f o w I Management Area. This wilJ be the third yea r managed duck hunts have been available on Butler Island.
Way back in the later part of the 18th century, Butler Island was converted to a rice plantation. A dike was built around the entire periphery of the fl at island and gates were constructed in the dikes so the island could be flooded by high tides from the adjacent Altamaha River. Although affected by tide, the water is not very salty. There are only 3 parts of salt to a 1000 parts of water ( in the open ocean the sa linity runs abo ut 35 parts per thousand ).

ers meet at 5 :30 a.m. in the checking station , a white building located on U .S. Highway 17 less than one mile south of Darien, Ga. They are then carried, via a tractor pulled wagon, the mile or so to the hunt area. Bouncing along the dike, the tractor stops every time it reaches a moored boat. Two hunters get off and are told where their blind is located. The 25 blinds are assigned without partiality by drawing from a hat. The tractor continues on until all the hunters are unloaded. It then chugs back to the checking station.
Hunters tr y their luck until noon. The hunt ends at noon and the tractor wagon makes the rounds again, this time picking up the hunters.
Each Tuesday and Saturday during duck season, 50 hunters can take advantage of such a hunt. Surprisingly, the full daily quota of hunters has never been reached. It costs only $5 a, day for the whole show. The permit fees help cover expenses. Hunters write a letter of application before duck season and request dates the y wish to hunt, enclosing their $5 daily permit fee. Applications are accepted from October 1 through November 1. Write to the State Game and Fish Commission, P . 0. Box 1097, Brunswick, Ga. If by chance

Commission employees have added to more than 50 bunters apply for any

the old dike system and now I 000 acres one day, a drawing will be held at the

of the island's 1600 acres are separated Brunswick office of the Commission on

into four diked-compartments. About November 7. Losers will have their fee

100 or so acres are tilled and planted money refunded.

with duck delights each year, but the entire 1000 acres can be flooded during hunting season. Flooded compartments have only about one foot of water cov-

The last day of the 1966-67 season was the best day the managed hunts on Butler Island have ever seen. Fortyseven hunters took home 141 ducks.

ering them. This water depth makes it Most of the ducks taken that day were I

easy for "puddle" ducks to reach the scaup, but some mallard, greenwinged

bottom . Puddlers do not dive for food , teal , bl ack, and wood ducks were also

but instead they stay on the surface, taken. Oscar Dewbe rry, the biologist

bob down, and hold a tail skyward ma nage r of the Area, believes there

position while they gather food.

were two reasons for the outstanding

Scattered throughout the hunt area, success that day. "First," he says,

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there were more hunters. And, more birds came into the Area during the latter part of duck season. If the seasan ra n through the last of January we would have more birds. Remember, cool fall weather comes somewhat slower in south Georgia compared to north Georgia. " All the other bunts last year were not as productive, yet each hunt daY somebody brought in his limit.
Butler Island hunts are ideal for anybOdy; and the special accommodations are great for ladies, young boys, and incapacitated hunters. Your modern-

convenience-clinging wife who likes to hunt under ideal conditions shouldn't find too much at fault here.
If Butler Island doesn't sound like your duck pie, consider one of the other Area islands. Neighboring Rhetts, Rock Dedundy, Champney, B rough ton, Wright, Camber, and several other small islands are open every day during duck season. These islands are not managed like Butler Island . No boats or blind are provided. You are on yo ur own. Osca r says last year's hunting was quite productive for conventional and

jump hunting on and about the islands. You as a license holder have some 18,000 acres to amble arou nd on the Altamaha Area in sea rch of a duck dinner.
There will be a variety of duck hunting avai lable on the Altamaha Waterfowl Management Area this year. The beauty of it is there is no crowd. The managed hunts have always had vacancies, and there are some 16,000 acres in addition to Butler Isla nd.
It's yours to use and enjoy. And with a little luck and a bunch of skill, you will get your fair share of ducks.-..

Left: Happy is the hunter with game in his hand. A variety of ducks were taken on Butler Island last year, including some fine mallards.
Center: On their way to the blind. There are 25 two-man blinds available. The fields are flooded during duck season to entice ducks into the area.
Below: Several ducks were taken last year by hunters walking the dikes and paddling around the canals in the late morning hours.

Area Location
Georgia
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1. Young "button" bucks get their name from the knots on their heads when they are six months old. Th ese sma ll knobs IISual/y grow into allllers when the buck is a year and a half old, following the same pallern as older bucks.

2. After shedding their antlers, sometimes called "horns," old bucks have wounds on their heads in February where th e antlers were allached. The pictures in this sequence show how the antlers grow and de<velop before again dropping off th e following

3. This is the same buck shown in the ond picture, but now with his new set antlers about half grown, with the fork ginning to form. The soft skin covering antler bone is known as "velvet" This ture was made in June.

4. In September, this buck is ready to begin scraping the velvet from his fully formed antlers. The points already are protruding through the velvet at several places. His neck is not yet swollen like the buck shown in the next picture.
5. This two and a half year old buck has begun scrapping the velvet off his antlers, using "rubbing trees" or "hooking bushes," two common signs of buck activity that deer hunters look for. Notice how this buck's neck is swollen during the rutting season.
6

1 There is 1,10 shortage of deer stories
801ong hunters . An amazing amount of them are completely false.
probably the most common error concerns deer " horns," the number of points, and how they are acquired.
To begin with, a deer has antlers, not horns. The difference is that antlers are a growth that are shed periodically, while horns (as in cattle) , continue to grow throughout the animal's lifetime.
Antler growth in a deer begins in earl y April and continues until about Labor Day, when growth stops as the food supply to them is cut off and the buck appears for the mating fights. It is difficult to realize that the deer can add this growth which may weigh two to three pounds in such a short time ; but hard to believe or not, it is true.
The pictures show a buck that bas just shed his antlers. Notice bow there are two open wounds on his head. Nature wisely causes this to happen in the dead of winter so that the risk of flies and insect infections will be at a minimum. During this period, either because he feels bad or is embarrassed by the loss of his crowning glory, the buck is shy and stays to himself.
Shortly after this wound heals, the area beneath begins to swell and form the new antlers. Growth is rapid. A fork will begin to be noted in about a mo nth to six weeks . The growth continues, and tines form during this growing period. The antler is covered by a "velvety" feeling skin which furnishes the nutrients for the antler.
The size of the antler is determined by the health of the animal, the quality of food that he receives and not by his age. HE DOES NOT ADD A POINT EACH YEAR as is generally supposed. As a matter of fact, he may not develop any antlers at all if be is injured or on poor range; and as be get older, the size of the antlers usually diminish. A buck often has his largest antler growth in his third to fifth year. If the velvet is damaged during the period of growth , a point will form at that weakened pl ace in the skin.
In late summer, the skin (velvet), particularly at the tips of the antler, begins to take on a shiny stretched look. About the middle of September the point begins to protrude through the skin covering, much as the springs in a worn sofa. This means that the buck is about ready to scrape off the velvet.
Usually a cool nights sets him off, probably because it causes his body to cut off the blood supply, or perhaps just makes him frisky. The buck begins to run the antlers against trees and brush . His neck will begin to swell and he will work to remove every bit of the velvet in the shortest time possible - usuall y a matter of hours. He is

now in all his majesty and ready to fight any and all challengers.
The buck has stayed with the rest of the herd while the antlers were forming, but now be remains to himself. The "rubs" that we see are the trees that he selects to rub his antlers on. This removes. the bark from a portion of the tree and serves to establish his territory. The mating season is now in full swing and he frequently "forgets" his usual caution (even to eat) in his search for a mate. Fights with other bucks are common, but usually uneven, with the larger buck chasing off the smaller one fairly easily. Whe,n two well-matched bucks fight, the antlers sometimes become locked, due to the force of the blows; and the animals are unable to separate themselves, often with tragic results for both.
By late winter the antlers have served their purpose and separate from the skull, to be eaten by squirrels and other rodents, and a new cycle begins.
Still want to argue about a point a year being added? Note the picture of three bucks shown and guess their age. Both are two years old - still not convinced? Texas has a mounted deer head with seventy-eight points - want to bet that he was seventy-eight years old?,_

Both of these bucks have their second set of antlers. Both were only spike bucks last year, but now one has nine points, the other six. The fawn was born in May, and has no sign of antler growth at this early age.

How to have Horns
By Art Rilling, Manager, Stone Mountain Game Ranch

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Big Deer Conte

Sponsored by the Georgia Sportsmen's Federation and Georgia Game & Fish Magazine.

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This year for t~e first ~ime, the Georgia Sportsme~ 's Federation a~d Georgia Game and Fish Magazine are co-sponsonng a b1g deer contest, complete w1th a pnze of a h1gh powered rifle each to the hunters who take the heaviest deer and the deer with the largest rack during the 1967-1968 deer season.
In add ition, master h~nter's award certificates wi II be presented to hunters who bag a buck weighing more than 200 pounds f1eld dressed, or who bag a buck that scores more than 150 points on the Boone and Cro_ckett Cl~b syste~ of measurement: Certificates will be awarded to ~ny hunter who has made an authenticated b1g buck k1ll dunng any prev1ous hunt1ng season, but only an1mals bagged during the current hunting season are el igible for the contest prizes.

RULES: The fo ll owing rules apply to both the weight and the antler divisi on contests.

1. Any hunter is el_igible regardless of whethe~ or not he is a member of an affi liated club of the Georgia Sportsmen 's Federa-
tron or a subscrrber to Georg ra Game and Frsh Magazrne. Hunters need not be res idents of the State of Georgia to enter but
only deer taken in the State of Georgia by legal means and in conformity with all state and federal game laws and regulatrons may be entered.

2. Only deer killed during the current season will be conside-red for the contest prizes, but hunters may submit kills from any previous season for a master hunter's certificate by complet ing the application form or a facsimile.

3. Deer killed with a bow and arrow are also eligib le, provided they meet min imum requirements. Indicate on the affidavit that archery equ ipment was used, rather than a rifle or shotgun.

4. PHOTOGRAPH : A clear photograph is desirable if it's one that can be kept by Georgia Game and Fish Magazine. Pl ease do
NOT send a photograph that you want returned . All photographs and entry forms become the property of Georgia Game and Fish Magazine. Please identify all pictures submitted with your name written on the back.

5. The Georgia _Sportsmen 's Federation _ an~ Georgia Game and Fish Magazine reser:ve the right to re-measure any trophy rack
entered, to rntervrew wrtness of werghrngs, to examrne scales used for werghrng deer, and to refuse any quest ionable application.

6. Before the affidavit ca n be accepted, the truth of the statements must be attested before a qualified officer su ch as a
notary public, justice of the peace, sheriff, municipal clerk, postmaster, member of a state or local law enforcement agency, wildlife ranger, etc.

7. There is no entry fee for the contest.

8. Address all correspondence regarding these awards to : Big Deer Contest, Georgia Game and Fish Magazine 401 State Capi-

tol, Atlanta , Georgia, 30334.

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RULES FOR WEIGHING DEER: 1. All weights entered will be for field dressed deer. For purpose of ~his contest, field dressed deer will be defined as animals
which have had all of the organs in their chest and in testinal cavities removed , including heart, lungs, liver, stoma ch, and intestines. The head and legs of the an imal should still be j oined to the body. If the body is further d ismembered, only the weight of the remaining attached portions will be considered.
2. Two competent witnesses to all weighings must sign the affidavit in the presence of the certifying officer listed in rule number five above.
3. Deer must be weighed on either a hanging balancing scale or a platform scale, rather than a spring-type scale. If no scales are locally available, take your deer to the nearest mea! market, processing plant, Game and Fish Commission offi ce, or official Big Deer Contest Weighing Station.
4. Deer entered in the weight division need not have their antlers measured under the Boone and Crockett Club system.

RULES FOR MEASURING DEER RACKS: 1. Split or repaired skulls will not be accepted.
2. Antlers may not show removed or repaired points. Bucks entered as trophy racks need not be weighed .
3. Instructions for measuring racks are as follows under the internationally recognized Boone & Crockett Club system : All measurements must be made with a flexible steel tape tot he nearest one-eighth of an inch. Wherever it is necessary to change direction of measurement, mark a control poi nt and swing tape at this point. To simplify addition, please enter fractional figures in eighths. Official mea surements cannot be taken for at least sixty days after the animal was killed. Please submit photographs.
Supplementary Data measurements indicate conformation of the trophy, and none of the figures in Lines A, Band Care to be included in the score. Evaluation of conformation is a matter of personal preference. Excellent, but nontypical Whitetail Deer heads with many points shall be placed and judged in a separate class.
A. Number of Points on each Antler. To be counted a point, a projection must be at least one inch long AND its length must exceed the length of its base. All points are measured from tip of point to nearest edge of beam as illustrated. Beam tip is counted as a point but not measured as a point.
B. Tip to Tip Spread measured between tips of Main Beams.
C. Greatest Spread measured between perpendiculars at right angles to the center line of the skull at widest part whether across main beams or points.
D. Inside Spread of Main Beams measured at right angles to the center line of the skull at widest point between main beams. Enter this measurement again in "Spread Credit" column if it is less than or equal to the length of longer antler.
E. Total of Lengths of all Abnormal Points. Abnormal points are generally considered to be those nontypical in shape or location.
F. Length of Main Beam measured from lowest outside edge of burr over outer curve to the most distant point of what is, of appears to be, the main beam. The point of beginning is that p ::~int on the burr where the center line along the outer curve o the beam intersects the burr.
G-1-2-3-4-5-6-7. Length of Normal Points. Normal points project from main beam. They are measured from nearest edge of main beam over outer curve to tip. To determine nearest edge (top edge) of beam, lay the tape along the outer curve of the beam so that the top edge of the tape coinc ides with the top edge of the beam on both sides of the point. Draw line along top edge of tape. This line will be base line from which point is measured.
H-1-2-3-4. CircumferenceS-If first point is missing, Take H-1 and H-2 at smallest place between burr and second point.

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H-' I 1~



DETAIL OF POINT MEASUREMENT

A. Number of Points on Each Antler

Supplemen-

Itary Data

R.

L.

Column 1
Spread Credit

B. Tip to Tip Spread

C. Greatest Spread

D. Inside Spread of MAIN BEAMS

Spread credit may equal but not exceed length of longer antler

If Inside Spread of Main Beams exceeds longer antler length, enter difference

E. Total of Lengths of all Abnormal Points

F. Length of Main Beam

G-1. Length of First Point, if present G-2. Length of Second Point

G-3. Length of Third Point

G-4. Length of Fourth Point, if present G-5. Length of Fifth Point, if present

G-6. Length of Si xth Point, if present

G-7. Length of Seventh Point, if present

Circumference at Smallest Place H-1. Between Burr and First Point

Circumference at Smallest Place H-2. Between First and Second Points

Circumference at Smallest Place H-3. Between Scond and Third Points
Circumference at Smallest Place between Third and Fourth Points or half way between Third Point and H-4. Beam Tip if Fourth Point is missing

TOTALS

Column 1

Remarks: (Mention any abnormalities)

ADD

Column 2

Column 3 Total

SUBTRACT Column 4

Column 2
Right Antler

Column 3
Left Antler

Column 4 Difference

FINAL SCORE

PRINT OR TYPE ALL INFORMATION

Please enter my deer in the (Check one or both)
0 Weight Division 0 Antler Division

When Killed

What County in Ga ._ __ _ __

Month Day Year

If killed on a public hunting area, give name_ _ __ _ __

Number of Points over one inch long,_ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ Total number of points if measured under Boone and Crockett instructions above_ _ _ __ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

Field Dressed Wt. (See rules)_ __Live Wt., if known_ __ If not weighted, give estimated field dressed weight (Antler Division Only)_____ _

Type of Scales_ _ ______Location_ _ _ _ _ _

Rifle or Shotgun Used (Make)

Ca li ber or Gauge_ _

Number of Shots_ _ _ _ _ __ Range_ _ _ __ __

Make, wt., and type of bulie.___ _ __ Sights_ _ _ __

Reaction of animal_ _ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

Bullet performance_ _____________ _ _

Hunter's Name_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __

Home Address - - - - - - - - - - - - - - : : - : - : : : - : - -(Street Town State ZIP)

Telephone No

Hunting License No._ _ __ _

" I hereby swear that the fol lowi ng statements are true; that in taking t his deer I complied with the con test rule s, hunting re gulations, and the witnesses hereto saw th is deer weighed and/ or measured. I consent to th e use of my name in con-
nect io n with t he Georg ia Stat e Bi g Deer Contest ."

Signature of Hunter_ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ __ __ We, the undersigned , witnessed the weighipg and/or measuring of the deer described above and verified the weight and/or measurements given.
1. Signature - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Address - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - --
2. Signature - - - - - - - -- - - -- - - - - -
Address - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Sworn to and ascribed before me this_ _ day of_ _ _ __ 19_ ,

(Signature of a qualified officer-See Rule 5, Notaries please Seal) Mail all entries and photographs to Big Deer Contest, 401 State Capitol , Atlanta, Ga. 30334.
9

Brewin
By JIM TYLER

Enthusiastically the y o u n g lad plopped his worm into a summer-beautiful little pond that in his young mind must surely be full of big fish . Later, as the youngster disheartedly hoists his stringer with a morning catch of three tiny fish upon his shoulder and shuffles down the path to the road leading home, the owner of the pond notices the boy. The man watches the boy for a minute then slowly moves his bead in a "too bad" fashion and says to the nearest tree, "the big ones just aren't biting." This had happened before. Usually the pond owner would soon forget about the poor fishing. Or if he did give it a second thought; all he could see were tall dollar signs and trouble for him along the road to improving fishing in the pond.
But this time the little boy's bad luck spurred John Badpond into action. He asked around and picked up the nearest farm pond "cookbook" he could lay his hands on. After thumbing through a few pages, he picked out a page that shimmered with "just what his pond needed." And be began a one man assault against Nature.
The book says add 40 pounds of 20-20-5 (Non acid forming) fertilizer to each surface acre of your pond. Well , he does. Of course be didn't notice the book said to add the fertilizer to the pond in the spring of the year, and to repeat the application at intervals throughout the year. And if the book said add 40 pounds, by golly, 80 pounds will make for twice as many fish. Page 10 of the farm pond book says adding lime to a pond can be important. The rule of thumb is to lime the pond if the soil around the pond needs lime. In fact, the book says, liming can cut the ferti lizer bill as much as one half. "I'll try that next year," Badpond makes a mental note.
Caught on fire with making his pond a fishing pond, he reads on and finds on page 13 , paragraph 3, that you stock a fertilized pond with 1,000 bream and 100 bass per acre. Without reading the paragraph before or after, he buys the correct number of fish and stocks his pond. Badpond is set now. His pond is going to be the "fishingest" pond in the county.
But the book says, in the appropriate chapter, it is important that no fishing be allowed until the stocked bass have successfully spawned; this is approximately one year after the addition of bass to a pond. That's a long wait for a man with his fishing fire stoked. A bell clangs knowingly in Badpond's head. Sure . . . he remembers that Charlie Brown, down the road, didn't pay any attention to the government man tell ing him to wait a year before he started fishing his recently

stocked pond. And old Charlie sure had fun fishing the next spring before the weather warmed up. He bad been meaning to ask Charlie how fishing was this year.
And then Badpond thought of Walt Dogood who lives a little farther down the road. Dogood keeps a perfect score of the number of fish caught from his pond. This reminded Badpond of a pool hall shark knocking
It's surprising how many pond secrets can be decoded by a biologists just looking at a seine catch fresh from a pond.
over a score bead on the string overhead every time he scored a point. AU that trouble just isn't worth it, Badpond concluded. Yet he jumped every time he had a chance to fish Dogood's pond. Fishing was good there, for some reason.
A year later the same small boy shuffled down the same path away from Badpond's pond with the same small stringer of fish. Badpond just couldn't understand. His wife couldn't understand where their savings had disappeared.
Fisheries biologists would chant out in unison, " Mr. Badpond you can't just dump a bunch of ingredients into a pond and expect it to silently grumble awhile with satisfaction and then crank up the assembly line and roll out a continuous series of three pound bass." Each pond is a world of its own, be it a trash y little pond or a beauteous grass-rimmed pond. And whenever something is added to one pond and improves fishing there, this is no guarantee it will work in another pond. Of course, in managing a pond for fishing, there are cure-all methods. Everybody says add fertilizer for fishing, just like everybody prescribes an aspirin for humans with headaches. But, to illustrate the point, one person requires only one aspirin to drown a headache, another individual will require three tablets.
"Mr. Badpond," I said as he told me the sad story of the sad little boy, "let me tell you something about life in your pond." We were standing on the edge of his pond. He looked at the pond. Being a mind reader, I could see his eyes slip below the surface of the water. He saw schools of bream peacefully resting along the bottom in neat symmetrical patterns. A lazy fat bass finned by.
"It's a mean world down there!" I

said, "Everything eats something, things die every second!" There wasn't a ripple on the pond . The reflection of an oak tree on the far side was etched like a three dimensional mural across the middle of the pond.

And as there is now more of this food , there are more phytoplankton. More ph ytoplankton equals more zooplankton equals more large fi sh, and this is what the pond owner wants. Lost you again, Mr. Badpond. Let me draw you another picture." I scratched the first picture

C0#/1NV'IAI6' t'IR~LEOr LIFE WATE~

from the muddy bank and drew him

another picture (see drawing number

2 accompanying this article).

"That's a very simple picture of the

complicated life in a pond," I said. "But

here is the catcher. If you want to have

good continued fishing in a pond or

even a lake, this cycle has to be kept

in balance. For example, you know

that bass eat bream. Well, you don 't

want too many bream in your pond.

Here, let me draw you another pic-

ture." (See drawing number 3.) "See, it

is important to keep the number and

size of the bream in balance with the

number and size of bass in the pond .

Other species present can affect this

balance-such as shiners, suckers, and

minnows. "I could go on and on about life in
a farm pond and how biologists can

WI/AT FEfflt/~ J;Y)S' TO A RJNP.

manipulate it, but I hope you get at

least a vague picture. Just remember,

below the surface of your pond is a

complicated, fascinating world , and

each pond is a different world.

"Wonder of wonders," Badpond

mumbled, thumbing through the pages

Simple chemical tests tell biologists about the water of a pond. For example, is there enough oxygen?

of his farm pond booklet.
"That's a good book," I said. "With it you can understand what a fish biologist tells you about your pond.

Taking a deep breath I said, "did "You've spent a good sum of money

you know that that green color of the on your pond and fishing is lousy,

water is caused by millions of small right?" He looked up, miserably. "Well ,

floating plants called algae or phyto- why not contact your local wildlife

plankton? And tiny animals, small yet ranger and he in turn wiU have a fish-

larger than the phytoplankton, eat the eries biologist come out and take a

tiny plants for food . These are called look at your pond . He'll tell you what

zooplankton . Then, tiny fish and in- is best. I'm sure he'll tell you it will

sect larvae (immature forms of some take money to straighten out your

A

insects live in water) eat the zooplankton. Then, bigger fish like bass eat the tiny fish . In due time the big fish and

pond and make it fish right, and it will take money to keep it in good fi shing condition. And he will tell you

HIIATMAK&.f' G()()Pr/J'NING
INAt.AK.?

the small organisms not eaten die, the money is well worth it if you en-

sink, decompose, and provide food for joy fine fishing in your backyard. You

the phytoplankton. It's the circle of might also want to contact Henry

life in a body of water."

Yawn at P. 0. Box 505, Tifton , Geor-

"I've lost you, Mr. Badpond. Let gia. Henry is a commercial fish con-

me draw you a picture." With artistic sultant and knows his business. He spe-

finesse I drew the picture for him cializes in pond work."

(drawing number 1 accompanying this "And, Mr. Badpond, the State Game

article). "Remember," I pointed out, and Fish Commission has four Fisher-

"the sun has to bless this whole circle ies Management Bulletins you can have

of life. Without "Old Sol" the little free of charge by writing to one of the

plants could not make their food.

Commission offices. It wouldn't hurt

"Now, Mr. Badpond, with this in for you to get them, they are helpful."

mind, let's see what fertilizer does. Fer- The sun slid behind a cloud and the

tilizer adds basic nutrients: phosphor- tree picture on the pond dimmed,

ous, potassium, and nitrogen to the changed colors. I picked up a stick, pond. Phytoplankton, the tiny floating tossed it into the middle of the picture.

tVOT GH YU'Y &t:.

plants, take up these basic ingredients. "Wish that was a bass jumping," Bad-

Let's call them phytoplankton food. pond said. ,..-

12

The State Game and Fish Commission Has A Big Job To Do

It was Monday morning in one of the original old rooms of the State Capitol. Far below the ancient high ceiling, a pretty young secretary was opening the morning mail. From deep within a jumbled pile of newspapers, bills, newsletters, envelopes of assorted sizes, shapes, and colors, she selected the first letter of the day: a small personal stationery-sized envelope addressed in the painful scrawl of a young boy or girl. Inside, she found and unfolder a sheet of ruled notepaper.
"Dear Sirs," it began. "Would you send me all of the information that you have about the State Fish and Game Department? I am 11 years old. I like animals. Please send it right away, as I need it for my English class theme."
I feel sure that the eager youngster who penned that urgent note had no idea of the mental crisis that his sim-
ple request would create when it reached the tray on my desk, sandwiched among magazine a~ticles to be read and edited, photographs to be selected, proofs to be corrected, requests for speeches to be filled, bills to be paid, sick leave slips to be signed, and dozens of similar requests for information from all over the United States and a few foreign countries!
How can anyone possibly expect to be sent "all the information that you have about the State Fish and Game Department" I wondered, especially by return mail! Sifting through the mental files that I had made in four years of writing and talking about the diverse activities of the State Game and Fish Commission, my mind shuttered at the magnitude of such a task, just at the request of a small school boy. My first impulse was to gather up a copy of the current hunting and fishing regulations and a few sheets of information on animals and fish, jam them into an envelope, and mail them back to my young inquisitor.
That's probably what I would have done, except for the fact that my usually jangling telephone lay silent for a few magic moments, and there was no knock from an unexpected visitor at the office door. In the rare quiet interlude before the inevitable interruption, the sudden courageous thought flashed over my mind, "Why not try to answer this letter anyway?"
Quickly locking the door behind a "Do not disturb" sign and taking the telephone receiver off the hook, I sat down at my typewriter, inserted a sheet of paper, and began writing.
"Dear Johnny," I said. "Thank you for your interest in the State Game and Fish Commission. In your letter you called us the "State Fish and Game Department," but your confusion about the name of our organization isn't un-

usual. I've frequently been introduced as working for the State Fish and Game Commission, Wildlife and Fish Department, Game and Fish Service, Conservation Department, Wildlife and Parks Commission, Fish and Forestry Service, etc. But as Shakespeare said, "What's in a name?"
As a matter of fact, the present
N ew fishing opportumtzes for G eorgians are created through th e work o f th e G eorgia Game and Fish Commission. Experim ental stocking of coldwater m ountain trout in Lakes Burton, Clark Hill, Lanier, and Rabun paid off, with fis h up to seven pounds in size now being landed by fis herm en.
Men
I n
Green
By Jim Morrison, Editor Georgia Game & Fish Magazine
State wildlife conservation agency known as the State Game and Fish Commission has gone under many such names in the past. Way back in 1874, the State Commissioner of Agriculture was authorized to appoint a "Superintendent of Fisheries." By 1910 the General Assembly created a State Game and Fish Board who selected a Commissioner of Game and Fish to run the Game and Fish Department. In 1924, it changed this arrangement to a Department of Game and Fish with a Commission appointed by the Governor. In 1931 the Board was abolished and the Commissioner retained, again appointed by the Governor. By 1937, the General Assembly created a

Department of Natural Resources, which included a Division of Wildlife, and separate divisions for forestry, mining, and parks. The bead of the Department and the four division heads were all appointed by the Governor.
Six years later, in 1943, the General Assembly created the present Game and Fish Commission, which has lasted longer than any previous organizational pattern. Under this title, a Commission was created with one member to be appointed by the Governor for a seven year term from each of the congressional districts, plus one member from one of the six coastal counties. Commissioners must be confirmed by the Senate, and serve with no compensation, except for $20 a day for Commission meetings and committee meetings, and expenses to meetings.
Although the Commission itself and the composition of its membership and method of appointment are provisions of the State Constitution, all of the powers and duties of the Commission are delegated to the State General Assembly, which determines what services the Commission may perform through the passage of laws, including appropriation of funds to operate the Department under the Commission.
Under the present State law, the Commission is authorized to select a Director of the Department and its em-, ployees, to buy land and water for wildlife and fish restoration and propagation, to put limits on the numbers of fish and game that may be taken by sportsmen and to set the seasons in which they may hunt or fish. Such rulings of the Commission are called regulations, and have the same effect as laws passed by the General Assembly, which may pass statutory laws dealing with wildlife if it chooses.
Customarily, the General Assembly has delegated the responsibility of setting seasons, bag limits, and methods of taking wildlife to the Commission. This is because wildlife populations are widely variable, and require more flexible and detailed laws than can be llassed by the General Assembly, which meets only once a year and must deal with a great variety of problems, while the Commission can meet as often as necessary during the year, devoting its time exclusively to wildlife matters, and the recommendations of the public and its own trained and experienced wildlife specialists. Since one Commissioner is appointed by the Governor from each of the present 10 congressional districts in Georgia and from the six coastal counties, every Georgian has a personal representative serving on the Commission in his behalf, in addition to the control that he exerts over the Commission by electing

the Governor and the members of the General Assembly, as well as other elected local, state, and federal offici als whose official duties partially control activities of the Commission.
What does the Department under the Commission do? That question has many answers. A thumbnail description would have to include law enforcement, game management, fish management, and public information. Each activity would make a series of articles as long as this one, and yet scarcely scratch the surface of what is going on.
From the standpoint of money spent and numbers of persons employed, the largest single activity of the State Game and Fish Commission is the enforcement of conservation laws and regulations passed by the General Assembly and by the Commission which are designed to insure a fair harvest of wildlife by all sportsmen. In addition, boating safety laws and regulations are enforced on Georgia's waters.
This important activity is carried out by a force of more than 150 law enforcement officers known as wildlife rangers, frequently called "game wardens," a title once officially used in Georgia and still utilized in many states, some of which call their men conservation agents, game agents, fish wardens, wildlife protectors, etc. (Forrest rangers usually are connected with the state or federal agency charged with protecting timber from forest fires, etc. These men usually have no direct official connection with wildlife.)
Each wildlife ranger realizes that if wild animals, birds, and fish are to survive year after year, restrictions must be placed on the number of animals or fish that are taken each year by hunters and fishermen. Since wildlife is a crop that can be harvested each year, year after year, wildlife conservation laws and regulations are designed to see that an adequate population of wildlife is left each year after the hunting or fishing season to serve as brood stock for a new crop of wildlife, one that will be as numerous as the previous year. By this method, the highest sustained annual yield of wildlife and hunting and fishing opportunity can be given to the sportsman.
As an example, let's take Georgia's white tailed deer, one of the most popular game animals in the State. Game biologists say that under normal conditions, a deer herd will increase by approximately one-third its own number each year, unless too many animals are killed by men or dogs. If deer hunting was allowed during the entire year, using any method such as night hunting, dogs, etc. and no limit was placed on the number or sex of animals that any hunter could kill, soon there would be

few or no deer. This actually happened once in Georgia, when deer were almost entirely wiped out of the state by overhunting, poaching, and dogs, as well as destruction of their forest habitat. In order to restore the animals, game management programs were coupled with law enforcement. After deer are restocked in a depleted area with suitably habitat, the Commission passes a regulation closing the county for deer hunting of any type. After the population reaches a huntable number, the county may be opened by Commission regulation for hunting, usual-
I I' ;, an important rc ulr of ( v'"'l" 11,, ,.,,u nzana~enrent pro rum~ Tlzi~ trophy l>u<k wa har:,::ed b} t fllflter on fJIIC of the Commi~ on'! 2 1111hlic lumtlllf: an a1 in a ~cction wlu n leer uere 'xtmct a fe l ~lznrt 'ean a~:o
ly for a short number of days, called a season. Hunters may be restricted to taking only one or two deer a year in the area, usually only male or buck deer. They are not allowed to hunt at night, from an automobile or power boat, from a road, in a river or lake, etc. Later, if the deer population increases, the Commission may allow the taking of doe deer as well as bucks, if game biologists recommend. If, on the other hand, the deer decrease in number, the season may be shortened or closed entirely, the bag limit decreased, or the method of hunting altered.
In any case, the job of seeing that hunters and fishermen adhere to these regulations is given to the wildlife ranger. If he observes a violation of the laws and regul ations, he must arrest the violator and either issue a citation or carry him to the nearest officer of the court in which wildlife cases are tried in the county where the violation occurred. This usually means a trip to the county courthouse or jail, where the violator is turned over to the county sheriff, who may either jai l the suspect until trial , or with the authorization of a judge, accept money, known as "bond," from the

violator to ensure his return to the courthouse when his trial is held. Since wildlife violations are regarded as minor law violations known as misdemeanors, the bond in such cases usually is set so low that the violator will forfeit his bond money, rather than take the time and trouble to come back to court for trial. If he decides to fight the case, usually the solicitor of the superior court in tha~ judicial circuit is called upon by the sheriff to go before the county grand jury to show that there is enough evidence against the suspect to warrant issuing a "true bill" indictment, which requires the suspect to stand trial at the next session of court. Once in court, rulings are usually made by judges without benefit of a jury, after the presentation of evidence by the solicitor and the defendant and his attorney, if any, and the possible hearing of testimony by the wildlife ranger and any other witnesses. If the defendant is found guilty, the judge generally may assess any penalty be wishes, depending on the circumstances of the cases, provided it does not exceed a fine of $1,000 or more than 12 months in jail. Usually, only a small fine is levied, with the proceeds going first to pay the court costs. If anything is left, it goes into the county school fund, not back to the State Game and Fish Commission or to the arresting wildlife ranger.
Of course, the process doesn't always follow this pattern. The ranger may not have enough evidence to make a case. Perhaps he may only warn the violator not to commit the suspected violation. The sheriff, the solicitor, the grand jury, or the judge may not feel that there is sufficient evidence that the defendant committed a law violation, and the case may end there, giving more than adequate insurance that an injustice is not done to the defendant. More often, the guilty person may go free before he is punished because of the difficult y of prosecuting him.
In the performance of their duties, wildlife rangers may enter private property outside of buildings without a search warrant looking for evidence of wildlife law violations. They may confiscate automobiles and boats used for illegally hunting deer at night, items of illegal hunting or fishing equipment, or illegall y taken game to be used as evidence in court. Rangers use all modern law enforcement methods, including two-way radios in their vehicles and boats, walkie-talkies, and airplanes. They wear easily recognized green uniforms with shoulder patches in the shape of the State of Georgia, along with their badges and revolvers.
Naturally, wildlife rangers do much more than enforce laws and make ar-

14

rests. Frequently, they are called on On the Georgia coast, the Commis- to enlist public cooperation and sup-

to help search and locate lost or in- sion 's mari ne fisheries biologists carry port of the law enforcement and sci-

jured hunters, fishermen, or boaters. on act ive studies of commercial fishing entific activities of the Department, as

They recover the bodies of drowning in saltwater, to find ways to improve the well as to help increase public enjoy-

victims, help landowners manage their harvest that commercial fishermen make ment of good hunting and fishing op-

fish ponds and farm game by calling of shrimp , crabs, oysters, clams, and portunities created or discovered by De-

in trained Commission biologists, and other important seafoods.

partment activities. This is done through

pass information on to sportsmen about In game management, the Commis- Department produced newspaper sto-

good places to hunt or fish. Frequent- sion owns or leases more than 23 pub- ries, news photographs, Georgia Game

ly, they assist Commission biologists in lic hunting and game management and Fish Magazine, daily radio hunting

their programs of research and devel- areas in all sections of Georgia. Many and fishing reports, a weekly radio pro-

opment through fish population studies, of these areas served as refuges on gram, television films, feature length

dove coo call counts, deer track counts, which deer and wild turkeys were re- movies and slide shows for showing to

hunter census interviews, deer kill re- stocked, eventually repopulating thou- civic groups, speeches, pamphlets, fold-

ports, and investigation of wildlife crop sands of acres of surrounding land out- ers, booklets, and maps.

damage reports. Many rangers conduct side the management areas themselves. Most of the public information

dozens of programs or show films each Now, most of these areas are open to programs of the Department are in-

year before civic and sportsmen 's clubs, the public for hunting, providing a good cluded in the Administrative Division,

schools , and church groups.

place to hunt for thousands of Geor- which also includes necessary house-

In fisheries, the Commission oper- gians who own no hunting land of their keeping functions of the Department

ates eight fish hatcheries for stocking own or who have no contacts with such as accounting, bookkeeping, per-

public streams, lakes, and private ponds. landowners who do. Some of these sonnel services, and collection of the

Some of the species currently raised areas are open for hunting any spr.cies license fees paid by sportsmen which at Commission hatcheries include rain- in season in the counties where they pay for the activi ties of the Commission

bow, brook, and brown trout, large- are located, while others are open only to a considerable extent, along with

mouth bass, bluegill bream, shellcrack- on selected da ys for a small fee. Some money from federal aid funds and direct

er, channel catfish, walleye, striped of the species hunted on them include State appropriations. Through this sys-

bass, and smallmouth bass. Before fish deer, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, tem , the hunter, fisherman , and the

are stocked from State hatcheries, Com- doves, quail , grouse, raccoon, fox, opos- boater pay for most of the activities of

mission biologists make scientific stud- sum, and ducks.

the Depa rtment from which they benefit.



ies to determine if the waters in ques- On these areas, scientific game man- Yes Johnny, I realize that I still tion are suitable for the species in age ment techniques are employed as reall y haven't sent you all of the in-

mind, and if the addition of that spe- needed , including restocking, habitat formation that we have about the State

cies would result in improved fishing. improvement, predator control , etc.

Game and Fish Commission. Maybe I

As a rule, fish such as trout, walleye,

Commission game biologists are con- gave you more than you bargained for,

or striped bass are not suitable for tinu ally at work on research programs but that's all that we have the room

small private lakes, and are not avail- to determine new and more effective and time for now. If you're really in-

able for stocking in them. By the same ways to manage wildlife to increase terested in finding out more, maybe

token , bass, bream, and channel cat- hunter success. Species which have you'll talk your parents into subscrib-

fish are not recommended for addition been studied or that are now under ing to the Commission's monthly mag-

as a rule to ponds, lakes, or streams study include deer, quail , rabbits, squir- azine, where you c. read about it on

where they are already present, since rel , ducks, turkeys, and doves. Research the installment plan. But in any case,

natural reproduction is usually much projects include such diverse factors as may be now you know why your mom

greater than possible from man-made the effect of hunting regula-tions, hunt- or dad buys that hunting or fishing li-

stocking, except in a new or renovated er pressure, habitat manipulation by fire cense every year, and how those few

pond or a lake or stream where all or chopping, food patches, effect of dollars are going to help make sure

or most of the native fish population dogs and other predators, etc. In ad- that you and your children will be able

has been destroyed.

dition, Commission biologists are on to enjoy the same good hunting and

College-trained Commission fish bi- call to landowners who want technical fishing that you're having with your par-

ologists conduct continuous research advice on improving game populations ents now. And maybe, thanks to the

studies into the problems of maintain- on their own lands, especially for quail. efforts of your State Game and Fish

ing high game fish populations in both In the field of public information , Commission, you 'll have even better

large reservoirs, small ponds, and the Commission utilizes all of the luck and more fun in the field than

public streams, attempting to find conventional public information media they did! Here's hoping. )oQ.

ways to manage these bodies of water

for maximum fish production through

chemical or physical means, or by re-

stricting the harvest, stocking new spe-

cies, etc. An active extension program

to help farm pond owners maintain

good fishing is an important activity of

Commission biologists.

A growing activity of the Commis-

sion is the purchase, construction, and

operation of public fishing lakes and streams in areas where little or no public fishing water is available now. Another new program is the construction

Enforcement of wildlife conservation and hooting safety laws and regulations is weatest single task of the State Game and Fish Commission. More than one half of the Commission's budget and two-thirds of its personnel are required for year-round patrol work. Arresting a negligent boat operator who endan!(ered the li~es of his four

of public boat access ramps on good young passengers by failing to take life preuners in the boat is a disagreeable, but

fishing streams and lakes.

necessary las/.. for wildlife rangers.

15

Sportsmenl \ Speak... ~

Sportsman's Calendar
SEASONS CLOSING THIS MONTH

1968. Exception : Coweta County opens Sept. 30, 1967 through Jan. 20, 1968. No Bag Limit.
RACCOON N. Ga . Season-Oct. 14, 1967 through Feb. 29, 1968, in Floyd, Bartow, Cherokee, Forsyth, Hall, Banks, Franklin, and

TROUT

Hart counties and all counties north of these

Mountain Trout

counties.

WILD DOGS
The officers and directors of the Floyd County Wildlife Association, speaking for the Club and for ourselves, wish to go on record as willing to help in anyway that we possibly can in controlling wild dogs. This

Open Stream Season-April 1, 1967 through October 15, 1967. Creel Limit-Eight trout of all species per person per day. Possession limit 8. Fishing Hours-30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

N . Ga. Bag Limit-One ( 1) per night per person. S. Ga. Season-No closed season. S. Ga.-No Bag Limit.
SQUIRREL Season-Oct. 14, 1967 through Feb. 29,

is a problem in our area and it looks like

SEASONS NOW OPEN

1968 .

the only way it can be controlled is

DOVES

Bag Limit-10 Daily.

through legislative power. If we can be of assistance in any way,
please advise. Bud Higgins,
President, Floyd County

Season-Sept. 9 through Oct. 7, 1967 and Dec. 6 through Jan. 15, 1968. Bag Limit-12 Daily, possession limit 24. Sh ooting H ours-Noon Eastern Standard

STATE MANAGEMENT AREA HUNTS OPENING THIS MONTH
(For a copy of the complete hunt schedule and detailed regulations, write the

Wildlife Association

Time ( 1 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time) to State Game & Fish Commission, 401 State

Rome

Sunset. See federal regulations available at Capitol, Atlanta, Ga. 30334. )

All wildlife conservationists and hunters Post Offices for details.

Raccoon-Oct. 13, 14, 20 and 21 on Lake

who believe Georgia needs more effective dog control laws are urged to contact their representative or senator in the
General Assembly to express their views. It is estimated that thousands of deer and livestock animals are killed every year by dogs.-Ed.

MARSH HENS (Gallinules & Rails) Season-Sept. 2 through Nov. 10, 1967. Bag Limit-15 Daily, possession limit 30. ARCHERY DEER SEASON Archery Pre-Season Deer Hunt-Sept. 30,

Russell ; Oct. 20, 21, 27, and 28 on Chestatee. $1.00 permit per night required. Squirrel and Grouse-Oct. 14, 20, 21 , 27 and 28 o n Coleman River and Swallow Creek. No permit required. Squirrel and Grouse-Oct. 20, 21 Blue

..
..

OUT-OF-STATE SUBSCRIBERS

1967 through Oct. 28, 1967 in any county Ridge, Chestatee, Lake Burton. $1.00 daily

I enjoyed more than ever last month's or portion of a county which has an open permit required.

issue of Game and Fish. The article on gun season for deer hunting in the !967- Squirrel and Grouse-Oct 27, 28-Blue

Clyde Dixon was well done. (Game & Fish, August, 1967)

68 season.

Ridge, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Lake

Bag Limit-As established by counties un- Burton. $1.00 daily permit required.

..

A friend of mine, who is an avid sportsman and whose brother is past chairman of the Louisiana Game and Fish Commission, read over several issues while he was in Gainesville recently and was very impressed with the magazine. He and his

der the gun season regulations, except that archers may take deer of either sex during this special season. STATE MANAGEMENT AREA HUNTS
NOW OPEN

Deer-Primiti ve W eapons only-Oct. 1621-Warwoman; Oct. 23-28-Piedmont Experiment station. $5 permit required for hunt. Deer-Arch ery only-Oct. 23-28-Clark

brother are in the sea food business and A II small gam e in season-Aitamaha Hill; Oct. 30-Nov. 4-John's Mountain,

enjoyed the past articles on shrimp fishing (Except Butler Island, which is open only Lake Russell. $5.00 permit required for

and the sea food industry in Georgia. If out of state subscriptions to Game and
Fish are taken, please add the name of ... Robert Buquet, 401 Palm Avenue, Houma, Louisiana, zip code 70360 .. . to your mail-

for waterfowl on Tuesdays and Saturdays during regular duck season), Lake Seminole, Whitesburg, Allatoona. No permits required for small game hunting.

the hunt.
FEDERAL REFUGE HUNTS OPENING THIS MONTH D eer-Arch ery Only-Oct. 25-28, 1967-

... :.

ing list. Also if any copies of the booklet on Bucks only in season-Altamaha, Semi- Blackbeard National Refuge. Deer of eith-

Georgia's hunting and fishing regulations nole, and Brunswick Pulp and Paper.

er sex. No limit on number of permits.

are available, he would appreciate a copy.

FEDERAL REFUGE HUNTS

Applications for free permits must be re-

Enclosed is a check for a one year sub-

NOW OPEN

ceived by Oct. 20, 1967 at the Refuge

scription . If there is any additional out-ofstate mailing charge, please let we know and I will forward you the amount re,. quested.
Mike Banks

Deer-Archery Only-Sept. 30-0ct. 11 , 1967. Piedmont N ational Refuge. Deer of either sex. No permit required.
SEASONS OPENING THIS MONTH

Manager's Office, Savannah Nationa l Wildlife Refuge, Rt. 1, Hardeeville, S. C . 29927.
SEASONS OPENING NEXT MONTH

,,

Associate News Director Radio Station WGGA Gainesville There is no extra subscription cost for out of state subscribers.-Ed.
SALTWATER LICENSE
I would like to t.ake advantage of the " Sportsmen Speak" column and comment on your article in the July Issue of Game

GUN DEER SEASON Season A: Southeast Georgia Season-Oct. 14, 1967 through Jan 2, !968, in the following counties :
Brantley, Bryan, Bullock, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch County north of the Atlantic Coastline Railroad and east of the run of Suwanoo-

BEAR Season-Nov. 4, 1967 through Jan. 2, 1968 in the counties of Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, Echols and Ware. The rem ainder of the State is closed. Bag limit-( 1) one per person per season.
DEER

and Fish, "Does Georgia Need A Saltwater chee Creek, Echols County east of U. S. Season B: Southwest Ga. Season-Nov. 4,

Fishing License?" It was well written and 129 and south of Ga. 187, Effingham, 1967 through Jan. 2, 1968 in the follow-

indicates that you are obviously in favor of Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Glynn, Jef- ing counties:

licensing saltwater fishermen along Geor- ferson, Jenkins, Liberty, Long, Mcintosh,

Baker, Calhoun, Chattahoochee, De-

gia's coast.
I disagree with your statement, "It is up to the people of the Georgia coast, and of the rest of the State, to decide if the Geor-

Pierce County south of U. S. 82 and east of Ga. 121, Screven, Tattnall, Washington, and Wayne counties.

catur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Lee County west of U. S. 19, Marion, Mitchell, Muscogee, Seminole, Stewart, Terrell,

,.

~ia coast should have something for noth- Bag Limit-Two (2) Bucks. Hunting with Thomas, Webster, and Worth County

mg, rather than paying for what it gets."

dogs is allowed in all of the above coun- south of U. S. 82.

I find that most Georgia sportsmen are of a caliber that do not expect something fornothing, and we do pay for what we get! I w1sh to congratulate you and the Commission on "Georgia Game and Fish ." It is a fine magazine.
Victor L. Gardner Macon, Ga.

ties. GROUSE, RUFFED
Season-Oct. 14, 1967, through Feb. 29, 1968. Bag Limit-3 D aily, possession limit 6.
OPOSSUM Season-Oct. 14, 1967 through Feb. 29,

Bag Limit-Two (2) Bucks, except in that portion of Worth County south of U. S. 82 where the bag limit is one ( 1) buck. On the last day of the regular season, Jan. 2, 1968, Chattahoochee and Marion counties will be open for either-sex deer hunting.

16

Hunting with dogs is allowed, except in hooded merganser. In Chatham, Bryan, Deer- Bucks Only- Nov! 20-25- Blue

Chattahoochee, Muscogee, and Worth Glynn, Liberty, Mcintosh, and Camden Ridge, BuUard Creek, Cedar Creek, Clark

I

where hunting deer with dogs is prohibit- counties, east of the Intracoastal Water, Hill, Chattahoochee, Chestatee, Coleman

ed.

hunters may take two additional bonus River, Johns Mountain, Lake Burton, Lake

Season C: North and Middle Ga. Season scaup ducks per day.

Russell, Oaky Woods, Piedmont Experi-

-Nov. 4, 1967 through Nov. 27, 1967 Possession Limit-Eight ducks, to include ment Station, Swallow Creek, Warwoman.

in the following counties:

no more than four wood ducks, one can- $S.OO permit required per hunt. No limit

Baldwin, Banks, Butts, Columbia, Daw- vasback, and four black ducks. Possession on the number of permits.

son, Fannin, Gilmer, Greene, Habersham, limit for mergansers is 10, to include no Deer-Either Sex-Nov. 27 only-Ches-

Hancock, Henry, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, more than two hooded mergansers.

tatee, Lake Russell. Each hunt is limited

Lincoln, Lumpkin, McDuffie, Monroe

GEESE AND BRANT

to SOO hunters selected by drawing Nov.

Morgan, Murray, Newton, Oglethorpe, Season-Nov. 4, 1967 through Jan. 12, 1S. Applications must be made by mail

Putnam, Rabun, Richmond, Rockdale, 1968, except in Liberty and Mcintosh between Nov. 6 and Nov. 11, 1967. All

Schley, Stephens, Talbot, Taliaferro, Counties, where the season is closed.

applications must include the $5 .00 permit

Towns, Union, Walton, Warren, White, Shooting Hours-One half hour before fee for each applicant up to five persons,

Wilkes, Wilkinson.

sunrise to sunset.

and must be mailed to the State Game and

Bag Limit-Two (2) Bucks, except that in Bag Limit-(Geese) Two per day. Pos- Fish Commission, 401 State Capitol, At-

order to harvest a bumper crop of deer, session limit is four. There is no open lanta, Ga. 30334.

Baldwin, Greene, Jasper, Jones, Lamar, season on snow geese.

Deer-Primitive Weasons Only-Nov. 22-

McDuffie, Monroe, Newton, Putnam, and Bag Limit-(Brant) Six per day. Posses- 2S-Chickasawhatchee. $S.OO permit re-

Talbot counties will be open for either- sion limit is six.

quired. No limit on number of permits.

sex deer hunting on the last day of the

QUAIL, BOBWHITE

Small game in season-Nov. 29-Dec. 23,

regular season, Nov. 27, 1967, with a bag Season-Nov. 18, 1967 through Feb. 29, Wednesdays and Saturdays Only-Cedar

limit of no more than one ( 1) doe deer. 1968.

Creek, Clark Hill (Quail, squirrel, rabbit,

The regular season bag limits will also ap- Bag Limit-12 Daily, possession limit 36. doves, ducks in season) $1.00 daily per-

ply during this period, provided that no

RABBITS

mit required.

guo hunter during the entire year may Season-Nov. 18, 1967 through Feb. 29, Small game in season-Nov. 29, 1967-

take more than two (2) bucks or one (1) 1968.

Jan. 31, 1968, Wednesdays and Saturdays

buck and one (I) doe by any method or N. Ga. Bag Limit-S Daily.

only - Piedmont Experiment Station,

methods.

S. Ga. Bag Limit-10 Daily.

Oaky Woods (Squirrel, rabbits, quail,

Deer hunting with dogs is prohibited in

North Georgia includes the counties of and doves in season) $1 permit per day

all of the above listed counties, and it is Harris, Talbot, Upson, Monroe, Jones, required.

illegal to run, chase, or pursue deer with Baldwin, Hancock, Warren, McDuffie,

FEDERAL REFUGE HUNTS

dogs in any of these counties.

Columbia, and all counties north of those

NEXT MONTH

Season D: Counties open-Nov. 4 thru listed. All counties south of those listed Deer-Bucks Only-Nov. 4, 6, and 7, 1967

Nov. 18, 1967 in the following counties: above on the fall line are considered part -Piedmont National Refuge. Limited to

Appling, Atkinson, Berrien, Bleckley, of South Georgia.

4,000 hunters to be determined by draw-

Crawford, Harris, Houston, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens north of U.S. Highway 80, Macon, Montgomery, Spaid iog, Taylor, Tift east of Interstate Highway 75, Too~bs, Twiggs, Upson and Wheeler cou~tilf~.

SNIPE, WILSON'S Season-Nov. 27 through Jan. 1S, 1968. Bag Limit-S Daily, possession limit 16.
WILD TURKEY-Fall Season West Central Ga.-Season-Nov. 4, 1967, through Jan. 2, 1968 in the counties of

ing. Applications for free permits must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 1967 at t he Refuge Manager's Office, Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Round Oak, Ga. 31080.
Deer-Either Sex-Nov. 27, 1967-Pied-

Bag Limit-Two (2) Bucks. Hunting with Chattahoochee, Marion, Muscogee and mont National Refuge. Limited to 4000

dogs in the above counties is prohibited Stewart.

hunters to be determined by drawing. Ap

except in that portion of Atkinson Coun- Bag Limit-One ( 1) per season.

plications for free permits must be re-

ty lying south of Atlantic Coastline Rail- Talbot County-Nov. 4, 1967 through ceived no later than 4:30 p.m. Oct. 9,

road and east of U.S. Hwy. 221 and that Nov. 28, 1967.



1967, at the Refuge Manager's Office,

portion of Berrien County lying east of U.S. 129, south of the Alapaha River, north of State Highway 76 and west of
State Highway 13S. These sections of Atkinson and Berrien counties will be open for deer hunting with dogs on Nov. 16, 17, and 18, 1967 only. Season E: Counties open-Nov. 4, 1967 through Nov. 11 , 1967 in the following counties:
Bartow, Catoosa, Chatooga, Cherokee, Clarke, Dade, Elbert, Floyd, Franklin, Gordon, Haralson, Jackson, Madison, Oconee, Paulding, Pickens, Polk, and Walker.

Bag Limit-One ( 1) per season. Southwest Ga . Season-Nov. 20, 1967 through Feb. 29, 1968, in the counties of Baker, Calhoun, Decatur, Dougherty, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, and Thomas. Bag Limit-Two (2) per season.
WOODCOCK Season-Nov. 28 through Jan. 31, 1968. Bag Limit-S Daily, possession limit 10.
STATE MANAGEMENT AREA HUNTS NEXT MONTH
Deer-Archery Only. Either Sex.-Nov. 611-B1ue Ridge. $S.OO permit required for the hunt.

Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge, Round Oak, Ga. 31080. Deer-Archery Only-Nov. 20-2S, 1967Biackbeard National Refuge. Deer of either sex. No limit on number of permits. Applications for free permits must be received by Nov. 14, 1967, the Refuge Man ager's Office, Savannah National Wild life Refuge, Rt. 1, Hardeeville, S. C. 29927.
MEETINGS THIS MONTH
Board of Directors, Georgia Sportsman's Federation. Stone Mountain Park, Oct. 7 and 8, 1967.

Bag Limit-Two (2) Bucks. Hunting with Deer-Archery Only, Either Sex-Nov. 27-

dogs is prohibited.

Dec. 9--Suwanoochee. Hunters are re-

DUCKS Season-Nov. 28, 1967 through Jan. 6,
1968. Shooting Hours : One half hour before sun-

quired to pick up a free permit at the checking station.
The bag limit on all archery hunts is one deer of either sex.

William E. (Bill) Hobbs, Rt. 4, Blakely, Ga., died July 21, 1967. Mr. Hobbs was a wildlife ranger

rise until sunset. Consult the nearest office Deer-Bucks Only-Nov. 20-21-22-Aila-

in Early County, and patrolled

of the U. S. Weather Bureau for the ex- toona. Quota hunt limited to 400 hunters.

Lake Walter F. George. He first

act time.

Applications must be made by mail be-

joined the Commission in March,

Bag Limit-Four (4) per day, including no more than two wood ducks, one canvasback, and two black ducks. In addition, hunters may take five mergansers daily, including no more than four American

tween Nov. 6 and Nov. 11, 1967. All applications must include the $S.OO permit fee for each applicant up to five persons, and must be mailed to the State Game and Fish Commission 401 State Capitol,

1955, and was with the Commission until his death, except for nine months of 1963, serving for 11 years in that capacity.

and red-breasted mergansers and one Atlanta, Ga. 30334.

ABSORBING .. .. That's Game & Fish
But don't get so engrossed that you forget to renew. If you subscribed to Game and Fish last year, your subscription may soon expire. Renew now.
STATE GAME & FISH COMMISSION
401 State Capitol Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Make checks payable to:
STATE GAME & FISH COMMISSION
D One year subscription $1.00 D Three year subscription $2.50 D Renewal

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