Georgia outdoors [Feb. 1965]

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Published bv the GEORGIA GAME & FISH COMMISSION
Game and Fish Commission

Asking for Budget Increase

Tommie Holliman of Thomaston was elected to his third term as president of the Georgia Sportsmen's Federation at the recent Federation convention in Macon.
Federation Backs
License Increase
For the second year in a row, the Georgia Sportsmen's Federation has asked the Georgia General Assembly to increase the price of hunting and fishing
license fees.
Meeting at its annual convention in Macon, representatives of the 80 individual hunting and fishing clubs affiliated with the State-wide organization called on the Assembly to increase license fees by at least one dollar for both hunting and fishing, with at least a two-dollar increase in the price of the combination
license.
Officers of the Federation and its affiliate clubs worked strongly for the license increase bill after passage of a similar resolution at the group's 1963 convention. However, the license bill in the legislature failed to come to a vote in spite of popular support.
Malone Speaks
Earlier, delegates to the convention
heard Game and Fish Department Director Rosser Malone and other key mem-
bers of the Department's staff describe
how increased funds for the Department would be used for an accelerated public hunting and fishing program, and for improved conservation law enforcement.
The Department is asking for an increase of $850,000 over its current operating budget of about 2 million dollars during the coming fiscal year.
Delegates also received an explanation of the Department's recent reorganization, and were given an opportunity to meet their local region manager and
other staff members who were present.
continued on page 2

The State Game and Fish Commission has asked the General Assembly

to increase its budget for the next two years by approximately $900,000,

with the recommendation that the additional money be raised by an in-

crease in the price of hunting and fishing licenses.

In its budget request for the next two

only half the national average of more

years, the newly reorganized department asked for an additional $856,538 for

than two million dollars for the other
State Game and Fish agencies," Com-

1965-66 and $932,923 for 1966-67. Includ-

mission Director Rosser Malone said.

ing half a million dollars of federal aid

"Even with the increase in appropria-

money, this would bring the department

tions we are asking for, we'll still be

budget to approximately three million
annually -- which is still below present

below the national average and below our sister states of North Carolina, Ten-

budgets of states of similar size and population like North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, and Alabama.
Modest Request
In making the request for increased funds, the Commission described the request as a modest one, especially in view

nessee, Alabama, and Florida," he said.
"We are one of the few self-supporting
departments," Malone pointed out, "and
I am sure that the sportsmen of this
State are more than willing to pay their own way with a small license increase to raise this money if they are sure that it
will be spent for their benefit."

of the fact that 36 of the 50 states have a greater income on their licenses

Fee Increase Necessary

with higher department budgets than Georgia's. Of the 13 states with lower budgets than the Georgia game department, most are small states like Rhode Island and Delaware which have little hunting and fishing to match Georgia, which is the largest state east of the
Mississippi River.
"Georgia's income from license sales

Without an increase in the license fees,
the Game and Fish Department will re-
ceive only a small increase in its present budget unless funds for projected increases in the budgets of other State departments are dipped into to provide
money from the State general fund regardless of its source. If the Game and

of approximately one million dollars is

continued on page 4

Now Efficiency Reorganization Plans Completed By The G &F Department

An extensive reorganization of the State Game and Fish Department set
into motion last year by an efficiency study has been virtually completed.
The reorganization plan, proposed by the Governor's Efficiency Commission, is the most sweeping change to be made in the present Game and Fish Commission since its creation by the General Assembly in 1943. The plan received unanimous approval by the eleven members of the Game and Fish Commission, who or-

dered its implemen-

tation to begin last

September 1st.

The most impor-

tant features of the

plan decentralized

functions of the

Commission to the

Zeller

field level, while

bringing forward

well-trained, well-

qualified profes-

sional conserva-

tionists to the key

positions of admin-

istration below De-

partment Director

Crockford

Rosser Malone. In

all, the reorganization also means a pro-

motion and a pay raise adjustment for

30 career employees of the Department.

"Each one of these men has been

chosen because of his education, training, past record with the Department, and potential for the future," Malone

said.

Assistant Directors

Two career biologists who have been with the Game and Fish Department for

continued on page 7

Darby

Wikle

Smith

Pope

NEW CHAIRMAN

Commission Elects New Officers;

Honors Retiring Board Members

At the December meeting of the State Game and Fish Commission, a

slate of newly elected officers for the coming year was announced by the

eleven-man board.

Former Vice-Chairman and newly ap-

a 30-year member of the Georgia Fox

pointed Chairman James Darby of Vi-

Hunters Association and a past Secre-

dalia succeeds last year's Chairman

tary of the North Georgia Fox Hunters

Beverly Lang-ford of Calhoun. Darby,

Association.

who is now serving his second seven-year

Also retiring from the Commission this

term on the board, previously held the

year as a result of the recent congres-

post of Commission chairman in 1952.

sional district reapportionment is C.

Darby's impressive record of public serv-

Flannery Pope of Dublin. Pope, a re-

ice includes the mayorship of Vidalia,

tired Brigadier General who saw exten-

and state senator and county commis-

sive military service during the First and

sioner in Toombs County.

Second World Wars, has served two

Leonard B. Bassford of Augusta, an-

terms as Mayor of Dublin, three terms as

other second-term member and one-time

President of the Dublin Chamber of Com-

Chairman of the Commission, has been

merce and two terms as State Com-

elected to the office of Vice-Chairman.
William Z. Camp of Newnan, who has

mander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

been re-elected to the post of Seci'etary, will serve his third consecutive year in

New Member

that office.

One new face will be seen on the Com-

Retiring Commissioners Also at its December meeting, the Com-

mission this year. Recently-appointed Commissioner Rankin M. Smith of Atlanta joins the board as the Commission's

mission offered formal recognition to two retiring members of the board. John B. Wikle, a Clarkesville businessman, has served as the Commission's representative from the Ninth Congressional Dis-
trict since January of 1961. He officially resigned from his post on the Commis-
sion earlier this fall due to ill health. Wikle, an ardent small-game hunter, is

first representative from the newly-cre-
ated Fifth Congressional District. Smith,
who is executive vice-president of the Life Insurance Company of Georgia and
an active sportsman, is a native of Atlan-
ta. He attended Emory University and
the University of Georgia and served
during World War II as a first-lieutenant
in the U. S. Air Force.

New Management
Area Hunt Opened
By The Commission
At its last meeting in December, the State Game and Fish Commission announced that a new game management area had been acquired near Albany.
Richard Tift, veteran member of the Game and Fish Commission, handled the negotiations with the St. Joe Paper Co., owners of the area.
The 26,000 acre tract of land, to be called the Chickasawhatchee Game Management Area, was opened for deer hunting on December 28, January 1, and January 5. Applications for the hunt were taken by mail at Game and Fish
A headquarters in Atlanta. five dollar fee
was charged for all permits and a limit of 250 hunters per day was set up. Within five days of the announcement of the permit procedure the hunts were completely filled, and applications were still coming in.
Outstanding
This area has been described by many
as being one of the best and most well preserved game refuges in the country, and as having one of the heaviest concentrations of deer in the state, with an estimated one deer to every 15 acres. Mr. Tift explained that the area was also outstanding for turkey, ducks, squirrel, and wild hogs.
The Chickasawhatchee area is the first area opened by the State that did not require development and stocking. The deer population and the well-kept area made it possible to open the area almost immediately after it had been acquired.
Plans are being made at this time by state game biologists for improving the area even more in the future. Such things
as access trails, posting markers, and permanent checking stations are to be added to the area before next season.
Bream may be legally used for bait in Georgia, but they must be caught on a
hook and line by legal methods, not by
seininer.

Georgia Sportsmen's Federation Backs License Increase

contimied front page 1
Governor's Awards
One of the highlights of the convention came at the Governor's Award Banquet, when Governor Carl Sanders announced the names of more than 37 winners in the Federation's conservation awards program, co-sponsored by the Sears Foundation.
In his address to the Convention, San-
ders praised the Federation for taking the lead in seeking additional funds for
the Game and Fish Commission through
an increase in the price of hunting and
fishing licenses, calling their action "a fine example of civic responsibility."
"This is as it should be," Sanders said. "You represent the sportsmen of Georgia and the sportsmen should initiate the move for such legislation which affects

them so directly."
Additional Appropriations
Listing a number of pressing needs of the Game and Fish Department, Sanders assured sportsmen that he would cooperate with them and with the General Assembly to provide additional appropriations for the Department during the next two fiscal years. Sanders said he would "do everything feasible under a sound fiscal policy to assure that the Department receives its fair share of funds so that Georgia can and will have an adequate program of wildlife con-
servation." Sanders also told the group he would
favor legislation designed to remove certain types of liability from landowners who open their lands for public hunting

and fishing at no charge. "The Game and Fish Department assures me that with such a law, we could increase the amount of land open to public hunting
by some two million acres within the next two years alone," he said.
Holliman Re-Elected
In other action, the Federation re-
elected Tommie Holliman of Thomaston
without opposition to his third term as president of the group. Tilman Willbanks of Canton was re-elected secretary-treasurer. Also elected by a unanimous vote were a slate of vice-presidents from each of the 10 congressional districts.
Named the Outstanding Club of the Year was the Haralson County Sportsman's Club, which has won the highly
coveted honor once before.

Game and Fish Commission
Cautioning Sunday Hunters

Letson is Named
Ranger Of Year
Georgia Game and Fish Commission
Director Rosser Malone presents Ranger
Sam (Shorty) Letson (right) with the Outstanding Ranger of the Year Award
given each year by the Southeastern As-
sociation of Game and Fish Commission-
ers. The thirty-eight year old Letson, a resident of Jackson, Georgia, has been
with the Game and Fish Department
since April of 1963. In presenting the official plaque and
check for fifty dollars, Malone noted Ranger Letson's "unusually outstanding record in such a short time of service to the Department."
"Sam is one of the most conscientious men we have in the field . . . not only a
good law enforcement officer, but also an indispensible public relations man," Ma-
lone said.

The State Game and Fish Commission has cautioned hunters to avoid Sunday hunting in many Georgia counties where an old State-wide law

against hunting on Sunday is enforced by local peace officers and wildlife

rangers.

The Sunday hunting law, passed by the

result in up to a $1,000 fine or up to one

General Assembly in 1873, prohibits hunting on Sunday with a gun or dog.

year in jail for violators. Fines vary in individual counties, usually averaging be-

Although the law is State-wide in its coverage, individual county grand juries

tween $25 and $50.
On the matter of hunting with a bow

must prosecute violators if the law is to

and arrows on Sunday, a recent ruling

be effectively enforced.
"Because some grand juries don't indict hunters for violating the Sunday
hunting law, why should our men make cases in these counties," comments Howard Zeller, assistant director of the Game and Fish Department. "Unless we are specifically asked to enforce the Sunday
hunting law by action of the individual
grand juries, we have instructed our
rangers not to waste valuable time arresting Sunday hunters in those coun-
ties."

by Attorney General Eugene Cook gave the opinion that bow hunters were immune from arrest under the Sunday hunting law, which specifies hunting "with gun or dogs, or both." The law was enacted before the recent growth in popularity of archery hunting. As a result, wildlife rangers have been instructed not to arrest archery hunters on Sunday, although county enforcement officers may continue to do so until and
if the question is settled in a court of
law.

Sheriffs Enforce Law
Zeller pointed out that this is presently
the case in 74 Georgia counties. On the other hand, Zeller said the Game and Fish Department has been asked to en-
force the law in 85 Georgia counties. Both wildlife rangers and county sheriffs
and their deputies may enforce the Sun-
day hunting law, as is the case with other game laws and regulations.
Sunday hunting is a misdemeanor offense, which under Georgia law could

List of Counties
The Game and Fish Commission has
attempted to compile a complete list of counties where the Sunday hunting law is being enforced, but the Department
points out that any county may begin
enforcing the law at a moment's notice,
and that grand juries at any time may
ask the Department's rangers and local sheriff's department to arrest Sunday
hunters. The Game and Fish Department
has also received unconfirmed reports that the law is more stringently enforced on non-county residents in some counties than it is on local hunters.
The most recent list of the Game and
Fish Department shows that the Department is enforcing the Sunday hunting law in the following counties:

JUDGE LANGDALE CONSERVATIONIST OF THE YEAR
Judge Harley Langdale of Valdosta received the Conservationist of the Year Award
from Georgia Governor Carl Sanders at the annual convention of the Georgia Sportsmen's Federation held in Macon on November 21 and 22. Judge Langdale, a veteran
Game and Fish Commissioner from the 8th Congressional District, was cited for his
outstanding achievements in the fields of soil, water, forestry, and wildlife conservation. Judge Langdale is one of the leading advocates of controlled burning for wildlife food production.
KIRKLAND IS STATE GAME AND FISH WINNER
Also cited at the Federation convention in Macon was the Game and Fish Commission's new coordinator of Fisheries, Leon Kirkland. Kirkland was the state winner of the Game and Fish Conservationist Award. He was cited for his detailed research on
reservoir improvement, and for his program of successful white bass and threadfin shad introduction in Lakes Allatoona, Lanier, Clark Hill, and Sinclair.

Sunday Hunting Not Allowed: Bacon. Banks,
Barrow, Bartow, Berrien, Bibb, Brantley, Bryan, Burke, Butts, Camden, Charlton, Chattahoochee, Cherokee, Clayton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Coweta, Crawford, Crisp, Dade, Dawson, Dodge, Dooly, Douglas, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Fannin, Fayette, Floyd, Forsyth, Gilmer, Grady, Greene, Gwinnett, Habersham, Hall, Hancock, Harris, Heard. Henry, Irwin, Jasper, Jefferson, Jenkins, Jones, Lamar, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Lumpkin, Macon, Marion, Meriwether, Mitchell, Monroe, Muscogee, Newton, Paulding, Peach, Pierce, Pike, Polk, Pulaski, Putnam. Schley, Screvens, Spalding, Stephens, Stewart, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Thomas, Tift, Troup. Turner, Twiggs, Washington. Webster, Wheeler, White, and Worth.
Sunday Hunting Allowed: Appling, Atkinson, Baker, Baldwin, Ben Hill, Bleckley, Brooks, Bulloch, Calhoun, Candler, Carroll, Catoosa, Chatham, Chat-
toga, Clarke, Clay, Cobb, Colquitt, Columbia, Decatur, DeKalb, Dougherty, Early, Elbert, Evans, Franklin, Fulton, Glascock, Glynn, Gordon, Haralson, Hart, Houston, Jackson, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Lanier. Lincoln, Lowndes, Madison, MeDufne, Mcintosh, Miller, Montgomery, Morgan, Murray, Oconee, Oglethorpe, Pickens, Quitman, Rabun, Randolph, Richmond, Rockdale, Seminole, Sumter, Taliaferro, Tattnall. Terrell, Toombs, Towns, Treutlen, Union, Upson, Walker, Walton, Ware, Warren, Wayne, Whitfield, Wilcox, Wilkes, and Wilkinson.

Y7
j
This adult walleye represents future catches in Lake Lanier as a result of the extensive double-punch stocking effort in the North Georgia lake by the
Game and Fish Commission.
Walleye Stocking
Program on Lanier
According: to officials of the Game and
Fish Commission, the Department's fish-
eries technicians tried a new approach to their long-range program of walleye stocking on Lake Lanier this past fall.
During the month of November, North Georgia fisheries biologists stocked approximately 10,000 sub-adult walleye from five to ten inches in size in portions of Lake Lanier in a continuing effort to
establish a thriving walleye population there. It is felt that this additional stocking will accelerate efforts to bring
the total number of walleye in Lanier up to a level where a self-sustaining, fish-
able population can flourish. Over the past three years, the Commis-
sion has stocked several million fry and fingerling-size walleye in the lake by use of nursery areas with slow but still evident success. According to fisheries coordinator Leon Kirkland the experimental introduction of a larger, adult-size brood stock is expected to increase the survival rate, and thereby speed up the naturally slow process of establishing a permanent walleye population.
Verified Catches
Already this season several verified catches of walleye ranging from one to three pounds have been reported by Lanier fishermen. It is known that walleye are usually taken only by fishing for this particular species and seldom by random-fishing for other species. For this reason, Kirkland believes that the increasing number of walleye catches on Lanier is a strong indication that a sub-
stantial, self-supporting population may now be ripening in Lanier.
As for now, biologists aren't predicting overnight success from new double-punch stocking efforts. However, they do an-
ticipate that the introduction of these 10,000 additional fish will bring walleye fishing one step closer to becoming a reality on Lanier within the next few years.

Commission's Budget Proposals

continued from page 1
Fish Department receives only a third or less of its requested increase, the Department will not be able to add any badlyneeded additional wildlife rangers or even begin a planned public hunting and fishing areas expansion program.
"If we only receive a $250,000 increase for instance, then we would only be able
to just meet increased operating and replacement equipment costs, along with projected State merit system salary increases for our existing underpaid employees, plus mandatory increases in the cost of employee health insurance, retirement, and social security," Malone said. "If we are to make any improvements in our present program, then we must have the full amount we have asked
for."
Fee Proposals
At their December meeting, the members of the Game and Fish Department's eleven-man policy board recommended
specific proposals for the legislature to consider, including a $2.25 fishing license, a $4.25 hunting license, and a $6.25 combination hunting and fishing license. Present fees are $1.25 for fishing, $2.25 for hunting, and a $3.25 combination
license.
The Commission recommended that
the legislature consider adoption of a straight two-dollar increase in the price of the hunting license instead of only a one-dollar increase in the hunting license coupled with a $3.00 deer stamp,
as was proposed last year. However, the group retained a proposal for a $2.00 stamp for mountain trout fishing to finance more expensive existing trout programs in the North Georgia mountains.
Two other proposals included lowering the minimum age required for a fishing
and hunting license to 15 years of age instead of 16, and requiring all fishermen to purchase a license regardless of where they fish.
Expanded Services
Most of the additional funds would be used to construct 40 public launching ramps and access areas on good Georgia fishing streams and lakes in hard-toreach locations, along with the creation of 16 new public hunting areas and a chain of public fishing lakes around the State in areas of greatest need. The increase request lists items of equipment required for additional personnel and to replace existing worn-out equipment: 100 pickup trucks, 40 patrol boats, 70 portable two-way radios, two new ranger radio base stations for Lake Hartwell and McDuffie County public fishing areas, a research vessel for off-shore commercial fisheries exploration, and a small
single-engine airplane for patrolling the coastal fishing fleet.
Additional Personnel
The next largest segment of the increased budget would provide funds for 56 new wildlife rangers, which for the first time would nive the department at least one ranger for each of the 159

Georgia counties. Also included are funds for hiring 14 badly-needed wildlife and fishery biologists for an expanded extension program for Georgia pond owners
and small game landowners, including 4 marine fishery biologists to work on the
complicated problems of the saltwater fishing industry. Forty-one other personnel are listed in the request for assorted positions ranging from stenographers and accountants to hatchery superintendents and radio operators.
Other than the services already listed, the proposed budget increase would have this effect on the four Department regions
Northern Region
Construction of public access areas
with launching ramps for fishermen on the Conasauga, Chattahoochee, Coosawattee, Etowah, and Oostanaula Rivers. Expanded trout program, including experimental stocking in reservoirs. Expanded walleye introduction program in reservoirs. Smallmouth bass stocking for marginal trout waters.
Add wildlife rangers to the following
8 counties: Barrow, Dade, Forsyth, Rabun, Towns, Walker, White, and Whitfield. Install two-way radio system at ranger station on Lake Hartwell.
Central Region
Construction of access areas and launching ramps on the Flint, Ocmulgee, and Ogeechee Rivers. Establishment of several possible public fishing lakes in areas of greatest need. Expanded channel catfish production for pond stocking.
Increase the number of public hunting areas from five to ten and carry out deer stocking programs on them if necessary. Experimental stocking of exotic game birds to improve declining bird shooting. Study of possible economic value of furbearing animals as supplemental source of income. Hire two game biologists to
supervise these projects.
Add wildlife rangers to the following
23 counties: Bleckley, Coweta, Crawford, Fayette, Glascock, Heard, Houston, Johnson, Macon, Marion, McDuffie, Oconee, Peach, Putnam, Spalding, Taliaferro, Treutlen, Troup, Twiggs, Upson, Walton, Warner, and Wilkinson. Construct new
Thomson District ranger office.
Southern Region
Construction of public access areas and launching ramps for fishermen on the Alapaha, Altamaha, Canoochee, Chattahoochee, Flint, Ocmulgee, Ogeechee, and Satilla Rivers. Establishment of saltwater striped bass in Lake Seminole. Study introduction of Flint River smallmouth bass into other streams. Expand supply of channel catfish for pond stocking from Cordele Hatchery by improving existing facilities. Increased research and
management of poor stream fishing. Establishment of at least five new pub-
lic hunting areas. Experimental forest game bird stocking. Survey of all native game animals to devise management methods for providing better hunting. Creation of possible public duck hunting
continued on page 5

As usual, the State's Cedar Creek Management area took top prize again this season with the largest hunter turnout of any game management refuge. The final figure was 2,656 hunters.

This handsome 8 point buck from this year's Cedar Creek hunt is a prime example of the extensive game management program now in effect on the State's 1 1 game management areas. Large antlers have been characteristic of the Cedar Creek area for years.

State Managed Deer Hunts Yield

Successful Results in 1964 Season

With the wrap-up of the State managed deer hunts in North and Middle

Georgia in late November, game biologists' reports show that manage-

ment area deer hunters shattered last year's hunter-success figures by an
easy margin. A total number of 11,123 hunters who turned out for archery,

"either-sex," and buck only hunts on nine State Game Areas bagged a total

of 1,213 deer for the season.

According to Game Coordinator Hubert Handy, Game and Fish Commission offi-

In the spring of 1964 the deer on Lake Russell were heavier, healthier, and had

cials are encouraged by the steadily ris-

more twin fawns than ever before. This

ing hunter-success ratio each year, with

fall Lake Russell hunters harvested 122

most management area deer herds at or

buck deer from the area, indicating that

beyond the carrying capacity of the

the deer population is flourishing as pre-

range.
Area managers and game biologists

dicted in a healthy condition.
According to management hunt figures,

are continually conducting population

the Commission's Cedar Creek area is

studies and range evaluations to deter-

still the most popular State management

mine the effects of good game management practices and hunter harvests on

area, but was topped this year by the
Warwoman Management Area in the

the deer herds. On those areas where the

average size of deer taken. Hunting on

deer population has reached or exceeded

the Lake Burton Area was up consider-

the carrying capacity of the range, one-

ably over last year's results, with a

day "either-sex" deer hunts have been

greater percentage of hunters taking

conducted in an effort to reduce the deer

deer there than on any other manage-

herd to a healthy level.

ment area this year.

The Lake Russell Management Area is a prime example of the benefit of this management practice. In 1955 the Lake Russell refuge yielded the heaviest and

Combined results from all nine areas
looked like this:
RIFLE HUNTS

best antlered deer kill of any other area during its first year hunt. However, during the following five years the area's deer herd continued to expand and by 1960 game biologists found that the range was beginning to show definite signs of overbrowsing along with a noticeable drop off in antler development and average deer size.
Since the Russell area apparently had reached its carrying capacity, a one-day hunt of "either-sex" was allowed for the first time in the fall of 1960 and again in 1963. Hunters bagged a total of 211 bucks and 170 does to bring the herd back down

Area

November 23-30, 1964
%
No. No. No. Avg. Hunter Ilnlrs. Bucks Does Wt. Success

Blue Ridge 2,446

Lake Burton 760

Chattahoochee 885

Chestatee

621

Lake Russell 1,477

Warwoman

:>;i

John's Mountain

1,016

Cedar Creek 2,656

Clark Hill

1,001

133

ti?

95

L6

65 16

51

13

122 00

27

3

35 00 1 69 62
78 111

74.0 64.0 65.0 80.0 95.5 117.0
87 6 98.5 65.0

10.6 17.9 11.7 14.0
8.3 13.1
3.4 10.4 16.8

to a healthy level.

TOTALS

11,123 775 298

Clark Hill refuge manager Joe Smallwood takes specimen of deer reproductive organs to determine breeding rate and population growth on the Clark Hill Management area. This information enables biologists to estimate future deer population.
continued from page U
areas. Hire two game biologists to carry
out these programs.
Add wildlife rangers to the following 16 counties: Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill,
Brooks, Cook, Decatur, Echols, Irwin, Lee, Mitchell, Pulaski, Randolph, Seminole, Stewart, Thomas, and Turner.
Coastal Region
Public access areas and launching ramps to popular saltwater fishing areas and on larger freshwater rivers. Creation of a public freshwater fishing area on
Butler Island south of Darien. Initiate a
research and development program for commercial fish and shell fish. Research and promotion campaign to stimulate tourism and saltwater sport fishing. Expanded pond stocking program, especially for channel catfish. Hire four marine fisheries biologists and purchase research
vessel for offshore fisheries exploration. Establishment of at least three public
hunting areas and stocking with deer and turkeys, if needed. Complete survey of existing game species and preparation of recommendations for better hunting. Expanded waterfowl program, including hiring of an experienced waterfowl bi-
ologist.
Add wildlife rangers in Bryan and Evans counties, plus patrol plane and
pilot for patrolling the commercial fishing fleet.

Experimental Pheasant Stocking

Program In Northwest Georgia

250 experimental pheasants have been stocked in Northwest Georgia

in Gordon County near Calhoun, according to C. V. Waters, Northern

Region manager of the State Game and Fish Commission.

Waters says the birds are part of a

cessfully survive or reproduce. Waters

three-year experimental stocking pro-

points out that the pheasants used in the

gram begun by the Commission last year

current project are a cross between the

in an effort to establish the popular game

Western Iranian Blackneck Pheasant

birds in Georgia. 250 of the birds were

and the Chinese-Ringneck Pheasant, and

released on the same area last year, and

that these birds have successfully estab-

250 more will be released this spring.

lished themselves in Virginia and Mis-

At present, there are no native pheas-

souri.

Game biologist Joe Kight releases part of the 250 experimental pheasants in Gordon County near
Calhoun.

ants in Georgia, and previous stockings
of the more common ringneck pheasant
and other varieties have failed to sue-

Pen-Raised Birds Waters noted that as a rule, pen-raised
birds are extremely unsuitable for life on

their own in the wild, and usually perish

Commission will Launch a State-wide

from starvation, exposure, disease, or predation. "The only time I would ever

Hunter Safety Program Next Season

attempt stocking of pen-raised birds such
as we have done here is to establish a suitable new species which will not com-

The State Game and Fish Commission has announced that plans are
underway for an intensive hunter safety program during the next year. Plans for launching the new program were begun well before this year's fall hunting season. However, the alarming rash of fatal hunting accidents this season which claimed the lives of seven Georgia hunters has

pete with existing birds," Waters said.
"We don't expect most of these birds
to survive, but if a small number do survive and reproduce, this project will be justified," he said. "As a matter of fact, we had some reproduction in the birds we

brought a renewed awareness of the urgency for such a program. The

released last year. If these pheasants

seven reported fatalities set a new yearly record for hunting accidents in

are established here, we plan to trap the

Georgia. According to Robert Baker, special
services coordinator of the Commission, the department hopes to have a suitable safety program plan approved -and in
operation by early summer. A proposed
plan is now being formulated by the Planning and Evaluation Division of the Game and Fish Department in coopera-
tion with the National Rifle Association. Once the plan is finalized it will then be
submitted to the Game and Fish Com-
mission for its approval.
Safety Instructors
It now appears that a hand-picked number of personnel from each of the
Department's eight districts will be trained as safety officers specializing in firearms instruction. These officers will be used to train volunteer instructors from sportsmen's clubs, civic organizations, and Boy Scout groups in conducting hunter safety classes and programs for school children and the general public. Along with the safety instructors,
the Department plans to make films, slides, and brochures on hunting safety
widely available before the next hunting season.
The primary objective of the new program will be to educate hunters in the
safe handling of firearms. Tentative plans call for safety instruction in the use of shotguns as well as rifles. Since statistics show that shotguns are by far the leading weapon involved in hunting accidents in Georgia, slightly more emphasis will be placed on the importance of shotgun safety.
"High Powered" Rifles Findings of the Game and Fish Com-
mission show that for every accident involving a high-powered rifle in Georgia,

four have occurred with a shotgun. Offi-

cial percentages reveal that 75'/' of

Georgia's hunting accidents are attrib-

uted to shotguns, which are probably the

most popular hunting weapons in Geor-

gia. Nation-wide figures tabulated by the

National Rifle Association show that

90

f /<

of all hunting accidents occur with-

in 100 yards of the weapon. This, of

course, would include the lethal range

of both the rifle and shotgun slugs or

buckshot.

All of these figures back up the find-
ings of Game and Fish technicians who

say that a ban on high-powered rifles for

deer hunting probably would not de-

crease the number of hunting accidents,

since simple carelessness and not the type

of weapon is the cause of most hunting

accidents.

Hunting Deaths
Since 1957 forty-eight hunting accidents have been reported in Georgia which have resulted in twenty-two deaths. Of these, ten died as a result of shotgun blasts, five were killed by .22 rifles, two were killed by high-powered rifles, one drowned, one suffocated, one fell from a tree and was killed and two
died under unknown circumstances.
These accidents coupled with this season's staggering increase in fatalities point up an urgent need for immediate initiation of the department's proposed hunting safety program.
According to Howard Zeller, assistant director of the Commission, "The groundwork for our badly-needed hunter safety program is now being laid. With the cooperation of our sportsmen, I believe we will see some real progress made in cutting down the number of hunting accidents during coming seasons."

wild survivors and stock them in surrounding areas to build up a huntable
population."
The hybrid pheasants used in the project are of wild stock, and have succeeded
in limestone valley areas similar to that
around Calhoun. "We didn't just pick
any pheasant on a hit-or-miss basis for this project," said Waters. "This bird was carefully selected on the basis of all available scientific information as possibly being suitable for this area." If the project does not show signs of success at the end of the three-year period next year, Waters says these pheasants will
not be tried again.
Asks Cooperation
"I'd like to ask for the cooperation of northwest Georgia hunters in protecting these birds during this trial period," Waters said. "Quail or rabbit hunters especially should be careful not to shoot any large birds which they might flush while hunting." The pheasants are readily identified by their particular method of flying almost straight up for ten or twelve feet before beginning their forward motion. The cocks have a brilliantly colored red and green head with brown and white body feathers, while the hens are solid brown and white.
FISH DEEP
Like his yellow perch look-alike, the cold-blooded walleye is a deep water lover caught most frequently by anglers trolling with heavy, bright deeprunning rigs in thirty to fifty feet of water or by casting with white dollflies around rocky points. Walleye are caught occasionally at night on topwater where populations are unusually high.

6

New Positions, Regions are Highlights of Reorganization

continued from page 1
several years were chosen for the top positions in two new assistant directors'
jobs.
Howard Zeller, former chief of fish management since 1962, was named assistant director in charge of program
planning, while Jack Crockford, chief of
game management since 1951, was named
assistant director in charge of field oper-
ations.
Zeller joined the department as a fisheries biologist in 1954 after serving in the Korean War, and became coordinator of federal aid fisheries projects in
1957. He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1950 and received his M.S. degree in fisheries biology from the University of Missouri in 1952. He is an
active fisherman and a quail hunter. Crockford joined the Department in
1947 as a game biologist, before being
promoted as coordinator of federal aid
game management projects and game management division chief. He holds a B.S. degree in wildlife management from
Michigan State College, and served in the
Burma Theater of World War II as an Air Force pilot. He is an active deer
hunter, a crack shot, and a semi-profes-
sional gunsmith who is probably best known for his invention of a tranquilizer "dart-gun" now used all over the world
by veterinarians to subdue wild or dangerous animals.
Two Divisions
Another primary feature of the reorganization consolidated the three former field divisions of law enforcement, game management, and fisheries into a single Field Services Division, administered by assistant director Crockford. He, in turn, supervises four new region managers for
each of the major geographical regions --
North Georgia, Central Georgia, South Georgia, and Coastal Georgia. Each region manager has a staff of supervisors to assist him, with one fishery biologist, one game biologist, and two district law enforcement chiefs in charge of all hatchery personnel, refuge managers, and wildlife rangers.
For the first time, the Department will also have a headquarters staff of program planners to coordinate the many activities of the Department. Individual program coordinators will be responsible for but not directly in supervision of Statewide activities in the fields of game management, fisheries work, law enforcement, information and education, and eventually, marine fisheries (including commercial fishing). These men are under the supervision of Assistant Director Zeller, and primarily will prepare objectives and plans for Department operations, prepare activity budgets, draft regulations, and coordinate federal aid projects under the Pittman-Robertson and Dingell-Johnson Acts.
Program Coordinators
Coordinator of the fisheries programs of the Commission will be biologist Leon

Kirkland of Madison, formerly in charge
of reservoir research and management with the Department since 1958. Kirk-
land supervised the successful stocking of white bass and threadfin shad in Lakes Lanier, Allatoona, Clark Hill, and Sin-
clair. He holds an A.B. degree in biology from Berea College in Kentucky, and has done graduate work in fisheries manage-
ment.

Kirklcnd

Handy

The new game management coordinator of the Department is Hubert Handy
of Gainesville, formerly district law enforcement chief at Gainesville since 1960
and game biologist since 1953. Handy
played a key role in the successful North Georgia deer stocking and re-introduction
program. He has a B.S. degree in forestry from the University of Georgia.

Morrison

Boker

The coordinator of information and education is Jim Morrison of Decatur, formerly chief of public relations for the Department. Morrison has an A.B. degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. He was formerly with Atlan-
ta radio stations WPLO and WQXI and
Charlotte radio and television station
WBT-WBTV before joining the Commis-
sion in 1963.
Robert Baker, former district law enforcement chief at Fort Valley, has been named coordinator of special services,
consisting primarily of law enforcement and boating safety. Baker joined the Commission as a wildlife ranger at Summerville in 1958 before his promotion to
district chief in 1961.

Civic Programs
The four coordinators and two assistant directors, along with Director Rosser Malone, will maintain their offices at the State Capitol in Atlanta, where they will
also be available to the general public for consultation or information on their
various fields. In addition, these men and members of region staffs will be available for speaking or program engagements
for civic or sportsmen's clubs through-
out the State. To contact any member of
the headquarters staff, write to State
Game and Fish Commission, 401 State
Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334, or telephone Atlanta, area code 404, 522-6566. Please give at least two weeks advance notice for program engagements. Show-

ings of Department films should be arranged through the Atlanta office or from the individual district ranger chiefs listed below for each region.
Field Personnel New Northern Region manager is C. V. Waters of Calhoun. Working under Waters are fisheries supervisor Claude Hastings of Clayton and game supervisor Jim Scharnagel of Gainesville. The two district ranger chiefs in charge of law enforcement activities are chiefs W. E. Murphree of Calhoun and Toccoa native Bob Carter. All Game and Fish Department activities in Central Georgia are under the supervision of region manager Wayne Thomaston of Macon. Fisheries coordina-
tor for the Central Region is biologist Phil Pierce of Fort Valley and filling the
post of game management supervisor is Dick Whittington of Fort Valley. Law Enforcement activities in the Central Re-
gion are under the direction of Chief Lewis Cotton of Manchester and Chief
Drew Whitaker of Thomson. Southern Region manager is Way-
cross native Frank Parrish and the fisheries and game management supervisors are Herb Wyatt of Tifton and game biologist Joe Knight of Fitzgerald. Directing law enforcement activities in the Southern Region is Chief Steve Bush, a resident of Leary, and Chief Mallory Hatchett of Waycross.
New Region Manager of the COASTAL
Region is David Gould of Brunswick. At
present, the fisheries supervisor's position for the Coastal Region is vacant, but ef-
forts are under way to find a qualified marine biologist. Game management in the Coastal Region is now under the
supervision of biologist Oscar Dewberry,
formerly of Bainbridge. Law Enforce-
ment chiefs in the two districts of the Coastal Region are J. D. Atchieson of Metter, and Bob Lowell of White Oak.
S--
District and Regional Division of the State.

Commission Initiates Program

To Improve Park Lake Fishing

The State Game and Fish Commission
has initiated a program to improve fishing in Georgia's state park lakes. The program, completed this fall, consisted of a draw down on all lakes, the stocking of intermediate bass, and the removal of rough fish in certain areas.
The 5 to 9-inch largemouth bass used in the stocking of the lakes were issued
at a rate of 50 fish per acre after action
had been taken to make the lakes suit-
able for their survival.
Hear
Georgia Outdoors

Lakes Included
The following park lakes were included in the program: Indian Springs, Hard Labor Creek, Stephens, Roosevelt, Magnolia Springs, Fort Mountain, Reidsville, and Laura Walker.
Future Plans
As a part of the stocking program the department recommended to the State Parks Department that in the future a 10-inch size limit be observed on bass in all the above lakes. The Game and Fish Department feels that this action would
help to protect the stocked fish as well as to improve lake conditions.

On Radio!
Keep up to date on the outdoor news as it happens, week-by-week, on Georgia Outdoors, the 15 minute weekly radio program of the Georgia Game and Fish Commission.

New Address?
If you plan to change your address, be
sure to notify the Game and Fish Com-
mission so that you will continue to re-
ceive GEORGIA OUTDOORS. Postal
regulations do not permit third-class mail to be forwarded.
If your address is not correctly listed or your address is changing, send your
full name, full old address, and your new address to the State Game and Fish Com-
mission, 401 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334. There is no subscription cost.
STATE GAME & FISH COMMISSION
Public Information Division
401 State Capitol
Atlanta, Ga. 30334

Fingerling bass are released into one of eight state Park Lakes. Approximately fifty fish per acre were released during the all-out stocking effort which was completed this fall.
GEORGIA OUTDOORS
Jim Morrison, Editor Ronnie Abney, Managing Editor Beverly Burdette, Staff Writer

Intermediate bass arrive at Hard Labor Creek State Park's Lake Rutledge and immediate preparations are made for their distribution. The fish averaged from 5 to 9 inches in size.
The largemouth bass used to stock State Park lakes were produced at the new AAcDuffie County Fish Hatchery near Dearing, Georgia.
Bulk Rate U.S. Postage
PAID
Atlanta, Ga. permit no. 155

3 ElOfl 0MSSM D14L
HUNT RESULTS;
BUDGET PROPOSALS

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islon
.

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