ace magazine summer 2013

7/22/2019 ACE Magazine Summer 2013

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Official Publication of the ACEOA

ACEOA Magazine

ACE Magazineis the official publication of theAlabama Conservation Enforcement OfficerAssociation. Purchase of advertising spacedoes not entitle the advertisers to any privilegesor favors from members. ACE Magazinedoesnot assume responsibility for statements offact or opinion made by any contributor.This magazine is created and produced byBrentWyatt West. Copyright 2013.All rights reserved.

EDITOR:

Gayle Morrow

PUBLISHER:

Brent-Wyatt West

8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

SALES OFFICES:

Chris Banks / Jim Downing

8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207

Montgomery, Alabama 36117

(334) 213-6229

WWW.ACEOA.ORG SUMMER 2013

ON THE COVERAlabam a ha s 22 sta te park s. T he s tate s mo stnorthern park is Joe Wheeler State Park and is

located in northwest Alabama, along Wheeler Lake.

The park contains 2,550 acres of land. The parkincludes a resort lodge, full ser vice convention

fac ili tie s, r est aurant, campgr ound, a mar ina wit h140 boat slips, a 2.5-mile looped trail for hiking and

biking, and an 18-hole championship golf course.

in this issue...2012 2013 State Ofcers and Directors 3

From the Trenches 5

Escape to Joe Wheeler and Other State Parks 7

Alabama State Parks 17

Gul State Park Lodge Project Clears Hurdles 23

Beyond The Basics 29

The Dedication o Hutto Lake 34

Oak Savannah at Freedom Hills WMA 37

Lowndes WMA Addition Boosts Waterowl Opportunities 41

2013 NASP State Championship Winners Announced 47

History o Alligator Hunting in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta 51

Who Gives A Hoot? 55

Wilsons Smallmouth Fishing Something to Crow About 57

Kids Korner 61

Human Illnesses Associated With Tick Bites 63

Outdoor Alabama Sweepstakes Awards Four-wheeler, Git Cards 67

Humminbird Celebrates Colombos Hall Induction 69

Beyond BOW Explores 5 Rivers Delta Center 75

John Denney Wins Alabama Waterowl Stamp Art Contest 81

Eastern Indigo Snake Research The Early Years 83

The Incredible Edible Dandelion 87

Post Your Fishing Tournaments at OutdoorAlabamacom 89

New Multi-Use Trail System at

Forever Wild Jacinto Port Tract in Mobile County 91

US Army Corps o Engineers Host Fishing Rodeo 93

Advertisers Index 179

Business Directory 186
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ACEOA Magazine 3

2012 2013 State Officers and Directors

Executive DirectorRusty Morrow (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Retired)

2012 2013 ACEOA State OfcersChris Jaworowski President Heath Walls Vice President Chris Lewis Secretary/Treasurer

DISTRICT IErnie Stephens Director Wendell Fulks Associate Director

Blount, ColBert, Cullman, Fayette, Franklin, lama r, lauderdale, lawrenCe, limestone, madison, marion, morgan, walker, winston

DISTRICT IIScott Kellenberger Director Jerry Fincher Associate Director Joel Glover Associate Director

Calhoun, ChamBers, Cherokee, Clay, CleBurne, Coosa, dekalB, etowah, JaCkso n, marshall, randolph, st. Clair, talladega , tall apoo sa

DISTRICT IIIGrady Myers Director Cliff Robinson Associate Director Elliott Waters Associate Director

autauga, B iBB, Chilton, dallas, greene, hale, JeFFerson, lowndes, perry, piCkens, shelBy, sumter, tusCaloosa

DISTRICT IVJohn Bozeman Director Vance Woods Associate Director

BarBour, BulloCk, CoFFee, Covington, Crenshaw, dale, elmore, geneva, henry, houston, lee, maCon, montgomery, pike, russell

DISTRICT VDon Reaves Director Joe Little Associate Director Bo Willis Associate Director

Baldwin, Butler, ChoCtaw, Clarke, ConeCuh, esCamBia, marengo, moBile, monroe, washington, wilCox

ACE MagazineGayle Morrow Editor

For questions about your District Director, ACEOA, or membership contact:

Rusty Morrow, P.O. Box 74, Lowndesboro, AL 36752, (334) 391-9113, [email protected]


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ACEOA Magazine 5

From the TrenchesBy Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director

Well, turkey season is behind us. Needless to say,

I am glad. I love this season best of all, but it

was a total wash for me. Literally, a WASH.

My swamp got out and underwater twice during the sea-

son. Im making no excuses, but it really made it tough.

Of course, my calling and techniques didnt help either.

Our Officers are now working the rivers, lakes, and

gulf full time. Please enjoy your summer on the water

but please be careful. Abide by the rules of the waterand make sure your crafts are safe. Know your water

ways and their danger areas. Never drive your vessel

under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Boating under the

influence is the same as driving on the highway under the

influence. This could really ruin your day and put other

boaters in jeopardy.

We really got some great responses from our last issue

ofACE Magazine. Having combined our Officer of the Year

and BADF Life Hunt issue was unusual but worked out

good according to our responses.

This issue will be devoted mostly to Alabama StateParks. Summer is not the only time these parks are acces-

sible, but it is truly a great time to enjoy them. There is

so much diversity from the mountains and lakes in the

north to the beaches in the south. Take advantage of

these great bargains in family fun.

In March I had the honor of being present when the

memorial was dedicated to a true hero from our ranks of

Conservation Enforcement Officers. Officer Jimmy Hutto

died after being shot while assisting Fayette County

Sheriffs Office to serve a warrant. This happened in 2002,

but because of ACEOA and other agencies, we were ableto finally honor Jimmy with a memorial monument and

the lake at Fayette Park named Jimmy Hutto Lake. So

many years have passed since Jimmy was killed, but he

will never be forgotten. Everyone who enjoys his lake and

passes his memorial will always remember him.

The honor guard was present that day and did a great

job honoring Jimmy with a twenty-one gun salute with

the colors and taps. Every time I have witnessed our

Honor Guard work, I am impressed with their profes-

sional precision.

ACEOA provided lunch for the Hutto family and Honor

Guard after the dedication. Even as bad as the weathewas, it was a great day and long overdue. Thanks to all

who made this possible and there are many. If you are

ever in Fayette Alabama please go by the park and see

this special place.

On a very sad note, please keep the family o

Conservation Officer Joel Lee Campora in your prayers

Officer Joel Campora and Sheriff Cody Carpenter lost

their lives in the raging flood waters of Mill Creek, near

Y-City, Arkansas on May 31st. They were attempting to

rescue two ladies stranded in a house when the house

was swept away by the waters. Our prayers go out toboth families and know when one Officer hurts, we all fee

the pain. They are true heroes. We have sent a donation

to the memorial fund set up for Officer Camporas wife

and two daughters.

Please enjoy this issue ofACE Magazine. We appreciate

your continued support. Without that our endeavors are

not possible. When finished pass it on to a friend.

Ill leave with this quote:

We must overcome the notion that

we must be regular it robs you of the chanceto be extraordinary and leads you to the mediocre.

Uta Hagen

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ACEOA Magazine 7

Escape to Joe WheelerFrom Fishing To Golf, Joe Wheeler Has It All!

By David Rainer Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

W

hen Eric Fleming and amily roll into Joe Wheeler

State Park its like coming home a second

home anyway. The 39-year-old Flemings con-nection to Joe Wheeler has been lie-long, and he insists

theres no place like home.

My parents brought me up here as a baby, said

Fleming o Kennedy. We started staying the cabins

when I was a kid, and we loved the accommodations,

being right on the water. Its quiet and peaceul. Its very

reasonably priced or what you get. There are boat land-

ings all around.

Sometimes wed just go or a weekend and sometimes

wed go or the whole week. It really is like a second

home to us. Fishing is obviously one o the main draws.

At Wheeler Lake, you can catch bream, crappie, large-mouths, smallmouths and even catfsh. Wed fsh or

everything throughout the year. Although we live close

to the Warrior River and Lake Tuscaloosa, no other fshing

compares to Wheeler.

Fleming said his sons have grown up just like him with

a connection to Wheeler.

They like to fsh, but theres also walking trails, a beach

across the river, he said. When they were smaller, there

continued on 9

Visit www.alapark.com for more information.

Alabama Parks

1-800-ALA-PARK

The Best Value onYour Next Vacation


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ESCAPE TO JOE WHEELER continued

ACEOA Magazine 9

were playgrounds. Theres just a ull compliment o things

to do on vacation. Its all right there at Wheeler. Then as

ar as just getting away or a vacation, you can go up toWheeler and its almost like youre by yoursel. Its 125

miles to the state park rom my house, but the drive is

worth it. We love Wheeler State Park.

By Vehicle or By BoatThe original cabins at Joe Wheeler are located on the

Tennessee River, while the resort and lodge are located

on First Creek just a short walk or boat ride rom Wheeler

Lake. For those who love the water, ample opportuni-

ties await.

Visitors to the park, located only minutes rom Decaturnear Rogersville, have the option o arriving by land

vehicle or by boat.

Theres no doubt in Park Superintendent Tim

Haneys mind that despite the modern amenities oered

in the newer section o the park the lure o the water

brings people to Joe Wheeler.

Probably the biggest attraction is the Tennessee River

itsel, Haney said. Wheeler Lake is 82 miles long, so

youve got room to do

just about anything you

want. People bring theirjet-skis, ski boats and

ishing boats. Its real

popular with sail boats

because once you come

out o the mouth o the

creek, the river is a mile-

and-a-hal wide.

Part o the park is right

on the main Tennessee

River. You can basically

leave here and go any-where in the world. We

have a large marina area.

We have 244 slips, plus

our transit slips. We built a new, large covered dock with

70-oot slips. They have sewer pump-outs right there

and power. We have a waiting list o about 100 people

or the new covered dock. It was a good thing or the

park, economically, and a good place or people to dock

their boats.

Each October, the park gets visitors rom all over the

nation and a ew other countries as a part o the Great

Loop Rendezvous, a group o avid boaters who travel the

many waterways available in the United States.

Well have rom 80 to 100 yachts that will rendezvous

here and then go on a great loop, around the Great Lakes

and then through the Gul and come back here, Haney

said. Or theyll go through the canal in Florida and back

up and come back into the Great Lakes. Some o them

stay with us or a week, and some will stay or a monthand enjoy the all colors.

The park oers 64 transit slips or the travelers, which

accommodates plenty o visiting boats. The slips are

right in ront o the hotel, which gives visitors access to

cable television, the swimming pool and restaurant only

yards away.

They can step out o their boats and get whatever

they need right here at Wheeler, Haney said.

continued on 11

Golfing at Joe Wheeler

State Park.

Billy Pope fishing.


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ACEOA Magazine 1

Renowned FishingWheeler also boasts world-class fshing or several

species. The lake is renowned or its bass, both large-

mouth and smallmouth, not to mention the outstanding

catfshing. Alabamas state record blue catfsh o 111

pounds came rom Wheeler. The Big Cat Quest held its

championship on Wheeler last all, and it took almost 140

pounds (fve fsh) on the fnal day to win.

The guys in the tournament really know how to catch

the big catfsh, Haney said. But, even the weekendanglers are subject to catching a 70- or 80-pound catfsh.

Or, i you just want to catch some catfsh to eat, youre

subject to catch a lot o catfsh.

The peak time or smallmouth fshing is in October,

according to Haney, although there is plenty o action

o some kind on the lake year-round. For someone

looking or a trophy smallmouth, Wheeler is one o the

prime spots.

They catch a lot o smallmouth below the dam on

live bait, and there are a lot o fsh in the main lake that

are schooling around the shad, he said. Theyre a little

easier to catch than the rest o the year. The best or thebig fsh, Id say, is in March beore the spawn. You stand

a better chance to catch that 6-pound-plus smallmouth

then. Ive seen them up to 8-13 caught out o the lake

here. There arent many places in the world where you

can catch a smallmouth like that.

As or largemouths, you probably wont catch as many

big fsh as you would in Guntersville, but there are just

tons o fsh in this lake. I you want to bring a kid to catch

bass, there are just numbers o fsh in this lake.

Rest and RelaxationO course, not all people pursue. For some, its timeor relaxation, which Wheeler oers, as well. Visitors

continued on 13

Cottages at Joe Wheeler State Park.

The lodge dining room with a view of the

marina at Joe Wheeler State Park.


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ACEOA Magazine 13

can spend a leisurely day o fshing o the bank or those

who preer not to use a boat. The park marina sells bait

and shore anglers can catch bass, bream and catfsh.

For those a little more adventurous, the portion o the

park on the south side o the river oers fshing access

below the dam where striped bass, hybrid bass and cat-fsh are plentiul.

The park also oers rental boats pontoon boats,

fshing boats and pedal boats. An 18-hole gol course

within walking distance o the lodge, hiking and biking

trails and tennis courts are available or those who preer

activities away rom the water. Plenty o camping sites,

improved and primitive, are available.

There are 75 hotel rooms associated with the lodge,

which underwent a major renovation in 1999 and are cur-

rently being updated again. Six o those rooms are junior

suites with kitchenettes and two are the large suites, onewith two queen beds and a living room and the other

with a king-size bed.

Adjacent to the modern lodge, 10 luxury cottages have

been built or those who preer the comort o home.

Several cottages are three bedroom-three bath, some

are three bedroom-two bath and two are two bedroom-

one bath. Demand or the cottages has been high, espe-

cially on weekends, holidays and during the summer

school break.

Occupancy has been really high and people really

enjoy them, Haney said. With the three bedroom-three

bath, everybody has their own bathroom. The two that

are two bedroom-one bath have a more intimate setting

with a more honeymoon cabin eel. They have a sleeping

lot with a private bedroom downstairs.All o the cottages have wood-burning freplaces tha

can be seen rom the living room and bedroom to give

visitors that cozy, cabin eeling.

Because o the freplaces, the cottages are popular

in the wintertime, especially around Thanksgiving and

Christmas, Haney said. We encourage people who get

a little stir crazy in the winter to come out and enjoy the

cottages or we have some cabins with freplaces on the

south side o the river.

Haney said when the cottages were designed park

ofcials told the architect they did not want a cookie-cutter group o acilities. They wanted each cottage to

have a dierent appeal.

We wanted them to look like your lake house, not

your typical cabin, Haney said. We wanted them to be

dierent, and each one is uniquely dierent with local ar

work. Theyre just plush accommodations. Its rustic, bu

modern. Youve got a big-screen TV, but you can also get

away rom those distractions by enjoying the ull porch

continued on 15

A serene water view of the lodge at Joe Wheeler State Park.


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ACEOA Magazine 15

where you can see the creek and enjoy the scenery in

a tranquil setting.

For those who are operating on a tight budget, the parkalso has 27 cabins located on the south side o the river.

I you want something economical or the amily or

the weekends, weve got the cabins on the south side,

Haney said. We have them that sleep up to 15, some

that sleep eight. And, weve got a group lodge on Elk

River that sleeps 30.

But i you want something plush, something like you

would rent in the Smokies or at the beach, then we have

the cottages.

For More Inormation

4403 McLean Dr.Rogersville, AL 35652Park Ofce: 256-247-5466

Lodge: 256-247-5461Gol Course: 256-247-9308Marina: 256-247-6971Campground: 256-247-1184

www.alapark.com/JoeWheeler

[email protected]

G


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ACEOA Magazine 17

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Greg Lein

April 10, 2013 334-242-3334

Alabama State Parks Budget to Remain Tight, But Operational

Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy responded Wednesday to recent media coverage regarding the possible

reduction of services in Alabamas State Parks. We appreciate all the support that organizations and the people of

Alabama have shown for their state parks, particularly over the last few weeks as potential budget cuts have been

discussed, he said.

By working with legislators and the Governors Office, we have come up with a budget strategy for FY 2014 to

absorb funding reductions in other areas of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The return

of these park maintenance funds will be especially helpful for planned campground renovations and other park

upgrades. The state park system will continue to undergo operational changes and remain efficient in its programs

during 2013, and we will continue to be good stewards of public funds and state resources. We are optimistic that

we can use this time to have a public dialogue about the future of state parks, and survey our customers, the general

public, and the communities where our parks are located to better understand their expectations and interests, Guy

said.

Guy noted that programs and facilities within Gulf State Park have historically been an important element of

the park systems operational model. The potential economic impact of the proposed Gulf State Park lodge

and conference center remains an important consideration for Alabamas tourism and the long-term financial

sustainability of our park system. We will continue working with legislators, the coastal communities and other

partners to make that possible, he said.

Alabama State Parks Director Greg Lein said Alabamas State Parks will be commemorating its 75th Anniversary

in 2014. As we work toward the 75th Anniversary, we want to remind our supporters that the vast majority of the

park systems operational funds come from park visitors. Your parks are open, and our staffs are ready to serve. We

encourage everyone to get outside and enjoy their public lands and visit Alabamas State Parks, Lein said. To learn

more about individual parks and their amenities, visit www.alapark.com.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and

enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,

State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

###

Alabama State Parks


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ALABAMA STATE PARKS continued

ACEOA Magazine 19

Modern cabins at Lakepoint State Park.

The Beach swimming area at Wind Creek State Park.

The Cave entrance at Cathedral Caverns State Park.Spring fed swimming pool at Blue Springs State Park.

Enjoy a round of golf at Roland Cooper State Park.

Cheaha State Park features spectacular views.


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ALABAMA STATE PARKS continued

ACEOA Magazine 2

Paddle boat rentals at

Oak Mountain State Park.

Mountain biking trails at Oak Mountain

State Park are World Class.

Improved campgrounds provide

relaxation at an Alabama State Park.


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ACEOA Magazine 23

Gulf State Park Lodge

Project Clears HurdlesBy David Rainer, photos by David Rainer

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Finally, the hurdles to restoring an Alabama Gul

Coast landmark are starting to all.

The Gul State Park Hotel and Conerence Center

were obliterated by a direct hit rom Hurricane Ivan in

2004. For a variety o reasons, the old hotel and con-erence site has been devoid o any structure since the

hurricane made landall with near 130 mph winds.

Relie, however, appears to have been realized in the

orm o several avorable outcomes last week. Part o

the unding issues have been resolved by the announce-

ment made by Gov. Robert Bentley that the Alabama Gul

Coast will receive about $100 million through the National

Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) Early Restoration

process related to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

About $85.5 million o

that money will be appliedto Gul State Park enhance-

ments unding toward the

construction o a lodge and

meeting acility on the site o

the previous acilities; con-

struction o an environmental

research and education acility

to beneft Alabama students;

trail development and enhance-

ment o existing trails in the

park; dune restoration alongthe parks pristine beachront;

and establishment o a coastal

ecosystems interpretive center.

An oyster ree restora-

tion project on 319 acres in

Alabamas estuaries will be

allotted $3.2 million. The

Swit Tract Living Shoreline in

Baldwin County, which would

construct an oyster breakwater/living shoreline to sta-

bilize and protect 1.6 miles o shoreline rom erosion

and increase shellfsh habitat, will receive $5 million

in unding.

The Alabama Gul Coast is one o our greatest natu-ral treasures, and we are committed to restoring and

strengthening our coast, Gov. Bentley said at a news

conerence last week. These projects are designed to

strengthen our natural habitat while also encouraging

more visitors to explore our beautiul beaches. We have

worked hard to identiy projects that will beneft the

people who live and work along the coast, the people

who visit our coast and the natural habitats that exist

continued on 25

After Hurricane Ivan devastated the Alabama Gulf Coast in 2004, the improved Gulf State

Park pier was rebuilt and opened to great fanfare in 2009. The hotel and conference cente

site is still bare after the ravaged structure was demolished. Recent legislation an d a

funding mechanism have the improved the prospects that a new hotel and conference

facility can be built on the 29-acre site.


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GULF STATE PARK LODGE PROJECT CLEARS HURDLES continued

ACEOA Magazine 25

along our waterways. I want to thank all o our local,

state and ederal partners who are working with us in

this long-term recovery eort.While the NRDA process proceeds, Gov. Bentley vowed

to continue eorts to restore losses suered by the state.

We recognize that recovery is a long-term process,

and these projects represent only a portion o our overall

eorts to address the losses suered by the Gul Coast

and the entire state o Alabama ollowing the oil spill,

Gov. Bentley said. This is an ongoing eort, and our

eorts will continue to see that all o the injuries we have

sustained are properly addressed.

The other hurdle cleared last week came in the orm o

Alabama Senate Bill 231. The bill establishes the Gul State

Park Project Committee, which will be chaired by the

Governor and include the Lieutenant Governor, Speakero the House, President Pro Temp o the Senate, State

Finance Director, Secretary o Commerce, Commissioner

o the Department o Conservation and Natural Resources

(DCNR) and Chairman o the Joint Legislative Committee

on State Parks or their designees.

I want to congratulate and thank the Alabama

Legislature or passing the Gul State Park bill, which

supports the enhancement and improvement o one o

the states greatest assets, Gov. Bentley said. We have

worked hard to secure unding or upgrades to the park

acilities on Alabamas Gul Coast. This ulflls a promise

I made to the people o Baldwin County to upgrade andimprove Gul State Park. The improvements will result in

the creation o more jobs and will generate more tourism

in our state. I particularly want to thank the bills spon-

sors, Senator Trip Pittman and Representative Steve

McMillan, along with the House and Senate leadership

and all those who supported

the bill. This legislation wil

beneft the Alabama Gul Coas

and our entire state.

Alabama State Parks Director

Greg Lein, who has had todeal with budget shortalls

already this year, said last

weeks developments are wel-

come news indeed.

The parks system has been

handicapped or well over

a decade because o a lack o

a lodge and conerence acilities

at Gul State Park, Lein said

This sets the stage or us to

have a lodge and conerencecenter like we had in the past

Were really excited about this

because so many people val-

ued the past experiences and amenities o the lodge and

conerence center that was located on the beachront.

Lein said completion o the lodge and conerence center

would signifcantly increase the publics enjoyment and

trafc at the other acilities at the park the 1,540-oot

pier, the large pavilion on the beach, new zip lines and

the championship gol course.

But this is not just about a lodge and conerence cen-ter, Lein said. We will be putting in a new education

acility and dorm; well be doing dune restoration; and

were building an interpretive center. These were not par

o the legislation, but they are part o the big picture.

Revenue rom Gul State Park will help provide oppor-

tunities at the parks in the more rural parts o the state

Lein emphasized that the parks system is operated by

visitor revenue and not tax dollars.

continued on 27


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GULF STATE PARK LODGE PROJECT CLEARS HURDLES continued

ACEOA Magazine 27

What we had down here in the past was well-used

and well-loved by the public, said Lein. That generated

a lot o additional revenue or the state parks system.Thats one o our aspirations here that once again we

will have a lodge and conerence center that will be well

used by the public. That will lit up the parks system

and provide additional revenue that will help the entire

parks system. The parks system is operated in a manner

to provide service and outdoor experiences to Alabama

residents and visitors. We not only want it to support

our tourism but to also support the publics interest in

the outdoors.

According to Lein, the new law requires the next

step be a market easibility study that will give currentinormation on which way to proceed with design and

construction at the 29-acre site o the ormer lodge.

DCNR Deputy Commissioner Curtis Jones said the

legislation passed last week will give the state the

much-needed flexibility to build acilities that meet pub-lic demand.

Wed like to thank the Legislature or working together

to get this bill passed, Jones said. The bill creates a lot

o optimism. It provides a lot more options, allowing the

state to build it or to enter into a private/public partner-

ship. It does give the Governor and committee options to

address the process in several dierent ways.

Its still a long process, but the bill creates a eeling

rom everybody that we can move on with the project

now. It will bring in people to go to conerences. This is

going to increase the entire economic activity along thecoast and throughout the entire state. Weve been missing

out or too long. G


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ACEOA Magazine 29

Beyond The BasicsBy Gayle Morrow, Editor

The Alabama Conservation Ocer is a government

employee assigned to management o reshwater

fsh, wildlie, marine resources, waterway saety,

state lands, and state parks. Conservation ofcers are

certifed at the state level as peace ofcers. To ensure

that wildlie is being protected, conservation ocers have

a number o basic duties that they must ulfll. These

include, but are not limited to, Law Enorcement, licens-

ing, patrolling, investigating and education.Most people do not realize that our ofcers oten go

beyond the basics in their everyday duties. Because o

their training in law enorcement, their broad knowledge

o Alabama land and waterways and their experience in

search and rescue, they are called upon when disaster

strikes. They were there in the atermath o Hurricane

Ivan. They were there during and ater Hurricane Katrina.

When the Gul Oil Spill devastated the Gul Coast, your

Alabama Conservation Ofcers were there. They are

your unsung heroes. They have stories to tell that you

wont read in the newspaper or see on the nightly news

They just quietly do their jobs and walk away.

On Sunday, August 12, 2012, Alabama CEOs were

critical in the rescue o a woman who was stranded in

the gul ater the car she was driving lost control and

let the I-10 Bayway Bridge. This is just one o so manyinstances that our ocers, Marine Police and Game & Fish

in this instance, come to the aid o other law enorcemen

ocers. The reports that they made to their supervisors

gave a close look at the sequence o events and will allow

our readers to witness the stellar job by ofcers Thad

Holmes, Wade Fail, and Jessie Peacock. l


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BEYOND THE BASICS Woman Injured When Car Runs Off Westbound Bayway continued

30 ACEOA Magazine

Woman Injured When Car Runs OffWestbound Bayway

By Mark R. Kent, Press-Register

SPANISH FORT, Alabama A woman was injured

Sunday aternoon when the Ford Mustang con-

vertible she was driving ran o the westbound

Interstate 10 Bayway just west o the mid-bay Battleship

Parkway exit.

Alabama State Trooper spokesman Sgt. Joe Piggott said

the woman was treated at a local hospital or non- liethreatening injuries.

Piggott said the woman encountered slowed tra-

fc on the Bayway and crashed trying to avoid hitting

other vehicles.

He said that she struck the let lane railing and went

over, alling more than 20 eet and landing upright in

about 5 eet o water. The car then quickly sank, but

Piggott said the woman stayed with the vehicle. Boaters

nearby came to her aid and oered her a foatation device

until rescuers could bring her ashore to an ambulance.A crew rom Tonys Towing, Inc. pulled the wrecked

car rom the water. Trac was backed up on westbound

I-10 well into Baldwin County or more than two hours

ater the 4:05 p.m. crash, despite one lane remaining

open at the salvage scene, Piggott said.

The Spanish Fort Fire Department, Daphne Search and

Rescue and Alabama Marine Police, along with some pri-

vate citizens, took part in the rescue and recovery.

l

Rescue workers take a woman to an ambulance after the

car she was driving ran off the westbound Interstate 10

Bayway and fell into the waters of Mobile Bay below.

Alabama State Troopers said the womans injuries di d notappear to be life threatening. (Press-Register/Mark R. Kent)

A crew from Tonys Towing Inc. pull s a wrecked Ford Mustang

out of Mobi le Bay from under the westbou nd I-10 Bayway

Sunday evening. About two hours earlier, the woman driving

the car was injured when it ran off the Bayway and fell 20

feet into the water and sank. (Press-Register/Mark R. Kent)


18/50

BEYOND THE BASICS Account of Bayway Rescue continued

ACEOA Magazine 3

Account of Bayway RescueBy Ofcer Jesse Peacock

On Sunday, August 12, 2012, I had just arrived home

rom a 7-hour-shit when I received a call rom

the Mobile Trooper post to a car in the water.

I had come home a little early so I could go down to the

Game & Fish ofce to pick up the work boat to carry it

to Montgomery. I had disconnected rom the Sea Ark

and walked inside when the Mobile Trooper Post called

me on my Linc.

There was a car that had gone o the Bayway at the30 mile marker. The I-10 Bayway is a bridge, about 20

eet high, that crosses over the north end o Mobile Bay.

I started that way while attempting to contact Ocer Fail.

While en route to the Bayway, Ocer Lee contacted me

and I inormed him I was aware o the situation and was

en route. I asked him to make contact with Ofcer Fail

and let him know I was about 15 minutes away.

Ofcer Fail made contact with me and we discussed

a plan. I would go to the scene and guide him in. He was

en route by boat and I by vehicle. Beore I was able to

make it to the scene, Fail inormed me we needed the air

boat due to water depth. I pulled in to the G&F oce and

hooked to it. Ofcer Fail told me to come to the launch

by the Oyster House as it was the closest.

Fail also told me that Ocer Holmes with G&F was en

route to meet us there. I had launched the boat, pulled

my truck out and was getting equipment when Ofcer

Holmes arrived. Holmes, being a more experienced Air

Boat operator, drove. Ocer Fail had gone around so he

could guide us to the scene. Ofcer Holmes and I were

able to save some time by running across the shallows

As we came to I-10 and started running between the

east and west bound lanes I could see the red and blue

lights on the bridge just above where the car was. Upon

approaching the scene I could see a head sticking out o

the water. The woman was standing in the convertible

car which had landed upright in the water. As we pulled

up I began talking to her, but could see she was in shockand not responding as a normal person would.

I inormed Ofcer Holmes I was going in. I removed

my gun belt and cell phones, and entered the water. The

water was chest deep (about ve eet). My PFD infated

and was interering with my operations so I removed it

threw it into the Air boat, and had Holmes throw me the

Type IV out o the boat. I waded over to the lady and lited

her out o the car. She was complaining o pain on her le

side. I cradled her in my arms but due to the wind, waves

and water depth we were unable to get her in the boat.

Holmes went over to the shore and picked up two

rescue personnel to assist. I was able to get up on the

hood o the car and gain better ooting. I had the lady

in my arms and sat her on the bow o the boat with the

assistance o two rescue personnel while Holmes passed

by me. Ocer Holmes circled the car while dodging string

and bridge pylons and picked me up. We carried the lady

to the shore where she was loaded into an ambulance

and transported to the hospital. l


19/50

BEYOND THE BASICS Account of Bayway Rescue continued

32 ACEOA Magazine

August 23, 2012

To: Lt. Frank ReidFm: CEO Thad Holmes

On August 12, 2012, Officer Thad Holmes was on patrol on Hwy 225 in Baldwin County,Alabama.

Officer Holmes heard a call from Spanish Fort dispatch to a Spanish Fort PD unit asking ifthere was anyone in the water and if there was a need for the Marine Police.

Officer Holmes immediately called AMP Officer Wade Fail to see if there was a need forassistance. Officer Fail told Officer Holmes that a car had left the I-10 Bayway Bridge and was inthe water with one person in the water. Officer Fail also stated that AMP Officer Jesse Peacock

was enroute to pick up the airboat (due to the shallow water and obstruction situation) from theDistrict Office and was intending to launch from the ramp next to a causeway restaurant. OfficerFail was in a patrol vessel himself and trying to get to that ramp to meet Officer Peacock. OfficerFail requested that Officer Holmes respond to meet Officer Peacock and Officer Fail would try torespond in his vessel.

Officer Holmes responded to the ramp next to the Bluegill Restaurant and met OfficerPeacock as he was launching the airboat. Officer Holmes piloted the airboat across the flatsand to the wreck site and arrived 15 minutes before any other standard vessel that had to follownavigation channels.

As the airboat pulled up to the accident site a white female was floundering in the waterwith a flotation device attached to a line from the bridge and rescue squad above. The female wasattempting to hold onto the flotation and balance on the windshield of her submerged car, whilethe northerly wind and one foot waves bounced her around.

The airboat had to approach from downwind and stop precisely without running overthe female in the water. As the airboat was being positioned by Officer Holmes, Officer Peacockattempted to make verbal contact with the female. In a matter of seconds it was obvious to OfficerPeacock and Officer Holmes that the female was in a panic state and possibly in shock. OfficerPeacock stated that he was going into the water with the female and made entry. Officer Peacockquickly gathered the female into a supported position and held her as immobile as possibleas Officer Holmes maneuvered the airboat around concrete pilings and lines hanging from theBayway Bridge that could damage the airboat. Officer Holmes made contact with two rescuesquad members and took them on board at the closest seawall. The airboat was repositioned at

the submerged car and the female was taken on board and secured on the bow deck. The femaleand rescue squad were transported to the seawall where the female was transferred to an awaitingambulance.

It is the opinion of Officer Peacock and Officer Holmes that the airboat and its capabilitiessaved critical minutes in a successful rescue.

CEO Thad Holmes

###


20/50

34 ACEOA Magazine


21/50

THE DEDICATION OF HUTTO LAKE continued

ACEOA Magazine 35

Rusty

Thanks to you and the ACEOA Board o Directors this ceremony was

a realization. I appreciate your attendance at the event.

JJ

Captains and Chies

We recently unveiled this monument honoring Ofcer Jimmy Hutto who was murdered in

2002 assisting the Fayette County So. Please share the photo with your personnel especially

those that knew Jimmy. His daughter, mother, and siblings attended the ceremony. The

North Team Honor Guard posted the colors, perormed the twenty-one gun salute, and taps.

Although the weather was terrible (35 degrees and 30 mph winds) the event went well.

The monument was a result o Ofcer Bryan Fishers hard work and unded by the ACEOA,Fayette County Commission, Fayette County Sheri, and the Mayor o Fayette.

Thanks.

JJ


22/50

ACEOA Magazine 37

Oak Savannah at

Freedom Hills WMABy Mitchell Marks, Wildlife Biologist, Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area

Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) had

its beginning with the purchase of 7,777 acres in

southwest Colbert County by the State of Alabama

during the early 1940s. During the 1920s and 30s, what

is now a camping area on the WMA was then called

Stewarts Sawmill. It was from this sawmill that most ofthe area was logged, particularly for the shortleaf pine

that was found growing in the region. Since the purchase

of the land by the state, little logging has taken place. This

has caused the areas timber composition to be generally

a 70- to 80-year-old middle-aged oak/hickory forest.

In 1988, a tornado transected the areas southeast side

and caused several acres of timber to be blown down.

It was decided that during the salvage of this timber an

additional 150 acres would be harvested to create early

successional habitat. Succession in habitat is the known

change that occurs in vegetative growth from bare ground

to a mature forest. Different wildlife species prefer differ-

ent stages of succession (or vegetative growth). Early suc-cessional habitat is the vegetative regrowth up to abou

5-years-of-age. The 22 different tracts that comprised

the 150 acres were disbursed throughout the area. The

creation of this additional type of habitat has increased

nesting areas for quail and turkey and provided habitat fo

other types of wildlife that need this early stage of forest

continued on 39

PHOTO BY MITCHELL MARKS


23/50

ACEOA Magazine 39

OAK SAVANNAH ATFREEDOM HILLS WMA continued

By late 1993, these units had demonstrated some suc-

cess by a noticed increase in rabbit and quail populations.

Along the areas Truck Trail 14, there was a 19-acre tractof oak/hickory timber that ended at one of these units.

The 19 acres was thinned down to four or five mature oak

trees per acre. This new unit was managed for early suc-

cession habitat like the other 22 units, except the mature

oaks were retained as part of the unit. This was the birth

of the Oak Savannah on Freedom Hills WMA.

Since the Oak Savannah was created in 1994, it has

been maintained through the use of a drum chopper

pulled by a bulldozer. This equipment, along with pre-

scribed fire, has been used to prevent the regeneration of

saplings. Some burning has taken place in late winter andearly spring, but prescribed fire has also been used at the

end of the growing season in late September and October.

The prescribed fire is used to top kill the woody vegeta-

tion and bring back grassy vegetation within the unit.

The Oak Savannah unit has been an important addi-

tional habitat component on the Freedom Hills WMA. It

also serves as a transition zone from mature timber on

one side, to completely treeless areas of the successionaunits, to agricultural fields along the other side. It has

also become an important part of Site 13 on the North

Alabama Birding Trail. Not only has it benefitted game

species on the area, but many species of nongame ani-

mals as well. Visitors to this location have the opportunity

to see and hear many species of wildlife.

For more information on the Freedom Hills WMA, con-

tact Mitchell Marks, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division

of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, 4200 White Pike

Cherokee, AL 35616.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and NaturaResources promotes wise stewardship, management and

enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five

divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands

State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn

more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com. G


24/50

ACEOA Magazine 4

Lowndes WMA Addition

Boosts WaterfowlOpportunities

By David Rainer,Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

S

aving your money until you have enough or

a worthwhile purchase is a wise economic policythat I wish I adhered to more oten.

The frst time I actually remember pulling that o was

when I was 13. I mowed lawns in our small town all

summer and when dove season was on the horizon, I had

managed to save enough money to purchase my frst

shotgun, a Remington Model 1100.

Another savings plan that reached ruition with a sig-

nifcant purchase recently used money rom the Alabama

Waterowl Stamp Program. The Wildlie Section o theAlabama Wildlie and Freshwater Fisheries Division had

stockpiled years o waterowl stamp money to try to

purchase land that would make a dierence.

Late last year, the division purchased a 1,400-acre tract

adjacent to the Lowndes County Wildlie Managemen

Area (WMA), west o Montgomery.

Weve always been looking or a large project in

Alabama to spend the money on, said

David Hayden, Wildlies Assistant

Chie. Although weve had a couple

o opportunities beore, this is thefrst one that actually materialized

This worked out really well in that

it was on property adjacent to an

existing management area, so there

was the potential or management

already there. This is a very valuable

wetland, waterowl habitat project.

Weve already had a site visit

rom a couple o people with Ducks

Unlimited and some o our sta to

start the assessment work on whatmanagement direction is needed to

maximize the potential o the area.

The waterowl stamp was insti-

tuted in 1979 in Alabama with a $5

cost and $1 issuance ee. The cos

has never changed. Through con-

tract, one hal o each years duck

stamp goes to Ducks Unlimited to

continued on 43

Opportunities for Labrador retrievers to fetch ducks was increased recently when

the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries completed the purchase of 1,400

acres that was incorporated into the Lowndes County Wildlife Management Area. A

map of the area highlights the addition.

PHOTO BY DAVID RAINER


25/50

ACEOA Magazine 43

LOWNDES WMA ADDITION BOOSTS WATERFOWL OPPORTUNITIES continued

assist with agreed-upon waterowl management projects

on the breeding grounds in Canada. Other than that and

some relatively minor expenditures, the stamp moneyhas been building or more than 30 years.

We wanted to wait until we had a project that was

benefcial or waterowl and wetlands or the long term,

Hayden said. Even though a number o small proj-

ects came up over the years, scattered throughout the

state, we never were able to fnd a larger project. Doing

a 20-acre project here or a 10-acre project there, even

though you might get beneft out o them, you dont get

as much long-term beneft or waterowl and wetlands as

you do on a large project. You just dont get much hunter

use or other recreational activity on the small projects.This project is 1,400 acres that will oer a wide range

o benefts to the public. We already had a management

area, so this just works perectly into long-term planning

and management.

Hayden said the land had been held or about 15 years

by two individuals who had managed it or deer and

waterowl hunting. Andrew Nix, the Wildlie Sections or-

ester, worked with the landowners to develop a plan to

purchase, which was closed at the sellers request beore

the end o 2012.

We pretty much depleted the money in the duck stampunds, Hayden said. But we get annual sales, so it will

start building back up right away. Itll be a while beore

well have a substantial amount back in it again. I we

get another opportunity, well have to look or additional

matching unds. We were able to use matching unds rom

the ederal government at three to one. I you can turn

one dollar into our dollars, youve done well.

The 1,400-acre tract is Alabama River bottomland with

numerous sloughs and slight ridges. Some o the land in

the area has been planted in pines, and some o the higher

areas are planted in wildlie openings. The majority iswetlands with the typical shrub and scrub vegetation

with some open water.

It has some still water and backwater that should

provide good habitat or waterowl, said Hayden, who

said the report rom last duck season was mixed with

plenty o gadwalls but not many mallards. I believe well

see a mixture o ducks. There will be a lot o wood ducks,

but I anticipate mallards, gadwalls and other species as

well. A good mast crop will attract ducks.

Chris Jawoworski, the Lowndes WMA Manager, said

the most attractive part o the addition to the WMA is tha

it will allow hunters to spread out across the propertywhich already has a good road system.

Right now, I cant put a number on the number o

dierent duck holes its got, Jaworowski said. Its got

multiple swamp drainages. Its going to double our duck-

hunting opportunity at Lowndes. And its easy access

easy walking to get to multiple sites. Hunters can wade

in with a hal-dozen decoys and be hunting a pretty

good site.

There is some opportunity coming in o the river

into one o the creeks just down rom Prairie Creek

Campground. Theres a boat ramp right at Prairie Creek(on Jones Blu Reservoir). Coming out o Prairie Creek

going away rom the dam, its the frst creek on the right.

Jaworowski said the area is going to provide opportuni-

ties or much more that waterowl hunting.

There are also some great bowhunting opportunities

great squirrel hunting, he said. Its got dove felds on

it. Unortunately, it also has hogs on it. It will limit what

we can plant over there, but we hope to be able to con-

trol them. Turkey hunting will be good on the new land

There are some pretty pine stands that were about to do

prescribed burns on, and turkeys love that.Jaworowski said the area has about a hal-dozen

swamp drainages that will give waterowlers more room

to hunt.

The way its set up is you have a hardwoods ridge

then a swamp drainage, a ridge, drainage and so on,

he said. So i youve got a truck parked at the frst

drainage, you pull up to the ourth one or the fth one

There are a lot o dierent holes to hunt. Where mos

places only have one or two, this property has prob-

ably seven or eight dierent drainages where you can

waterowl hunt. Thats why its so great. Instead ohaving everybody trying to pile into one spot, this oers

multiple sites.

Jaworowski said the new area has what it takes to

attract big ducks like mallards, but it will all depend on

the weather.

On the right year, we should have mallards, he said

We just need that snow line to come all the way down

to Tennessee. We managed to get a little hunting in in

continued on 45


26/50

ACEOA Magazine 45

LOWNDES WMA ADDITION BOOSTS WATERFOWL OPPORTUNITIES continued

January. They managed to get some gadwalls, green-

winged teal and wood ducks, but I didnt see any mallards

on the days I checked the bags.

Jaworowski said the waterowl hunting on the new areamay be limited to two or three days a week, although the

regulations have not been fnalized.

We probably wont shoot the roost in the aternoon,

he said. We want to limit the pressure so we dont over-

shoot the holes.

A WMA hunting guide will be published later this year

with all the regulations regarding each management area.

Hunters must possess a valid hunting license, a WMA

license and a permit specifc to the area to be hunted.

Waterowl hunters must possess both ederal and state

duck stamps and a Harvest Inormation Program (HIP)

privilege.

The new addition now provides a total o about 13,900acres in the Lowndes WMA. Jaworowski said some o the

planned management or the new area will be planting o

wildlie openings, prescribed burns and herbicide appli-

cations to open up more areas in the swamp drainages

This addition is going to provide some awesome

walk-in waterowl sites, Jaworowski said. Squirre

hunters are going to love it because there are a lot o

big, mature hardwoods. This will be an area where we

provide a lot o hunting opportunities. G


27/50

ACEOA Magazine 47

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Marisa Futral

April 12, 2013 (334) 242-3867

2013 NASP State Championship Winners Announced

Alabamas National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championship was held Thursday, April 4, 2013, at theMultiplex at Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. More than 1,200 students from across the state, grades 3 through 12,

competed for the title of state champion and the opportunity to advance to the national championship in May.

The top individual winners and top three teams in each division are:

TOP OVERALL INDIVIDUAL WINNERS:

FEMALE: Wendi Thomas, Alma Bryant High School, Score: 296 (out of a possible 300)

MALE: Miles Wilson, Alma Bryant High School, Score: 295 (out of a possible 300)

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL DIVISION:

1. Foley Intermediate

2. Saraland Elementary

3. Susan Moore Elementary

MIDDLE

SCHOOL DIVISION:

1. Ashville Middle

2. Grand Bay Middle

3. Buckhorn Middle

HIGH

SCHOOL DIVISION:

1. Alma Bryant High

2. Ashville High

3. Buckhorn High

When the shooting was over, 15 middle schools, 11 elementary, and 16 high school teams from Alabama earned a ber th in the

NASP National Tournament on May 10-11, 2013, in Louisville, Kentucky. Complete results for the 2013 NASP Alabama State

Championship are available on the ADCNR website at www.outdooralabama.com/education/archery/ .

The NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife

and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education. NASP instills discipline, concentration, and

participants learn a l ife skill as part of a schools physical education course or after school programs. Scoring is based on

Olympic style, target archery in three divisions elementary, middle and high school. Competition is on team and individual

levels.

The event could not be possible without the generous sponsorships of the Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey

Federation, Morrell Manufacturing, the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers Association, and the Alabama Wildlife

Federation.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of

Alabamas natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife

and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .

###


28/50

ACEOA Magazine 49

2013 NASP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS ANNOUNCED continued

Ashville Middle School 04/12/13

Alma Bryant High 04/12/13

Archery First Place Winners

04/12/13

Miles Wilson and Wendi Thomas

~ Top Individuals 04/12/13Foley Intermediate Coaches 04/12/13


29/50

ACEOA Magazine 5

History of Alligator Hunting

in the Mobile-Tensaw DeltaBy Chris Nix, Wildlife Biologist,

Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

The summer months between the end o turkey

season and the beginning o dove season can be

extremely long or hunters in south Alabama. In

August 2006, that changed when the rst alligator season

was initiated in Alabama. Registration or the upcomingseason is scheduled to begin in early June. Prospective

hunters should check www.outdooralabama.com or

registration details.

The American alligator has long inhabited the swamps

o the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Due to loss o habitat and

unregulated market hunting, alligators were reduced to

low numbers by the early 1900s. Thanks to the eorts

o conservationists and state wildlie agencies, alligators

were listed as endangered in 1967. This status, combined

with proactive management and law enorcement eorts

by wildlie proessionals, allowed alligator populations

to rebound, and they now fourish over most o their

historic range.

Alligator populations increased to the point that their

protected status was down listed in 1987, allowing greatefexibility to manage populations. Currently, the American

alligator is ederally classied as threatened due to simi-

larity o appearance to other endangered and threatened

crocodilians. This provides ederal protection or alliga-

tors but allows state-approved management and contro

programs. Regulated hunting provides one opportunity

to help manage alligator populations.

In 2006, 50 alligator tags were oered through a ran-

dom selection system or Alabama residents to hunt in

the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. The hunt area was restricted to

the Delta south o I-65 and northo the causeway and held during

seven consecutive nights. During

the irst season, 40 o the 50

issued tags were lled, with the

largest alligator being 12'4" and

weighing 461 pounds. In 2007

tags were increased to 100 in

the Delta and the hunt was held

or three consecutive nights on

two separate weekends. A tota

o 84 alligators were harvestedwith the largest being 1210 and

weighing 641 pounds. In 2008

tags were again increased rom

100 to 125 in the Delta and the

hunt remained at three con-

secutive nights on two separate

weekends. The hunt area also

increased to include all public

continued on 53PHOTO COURTESY OF THE U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE


30/50

ACEOA Magazine 53

HISTORY OF ALLIGATOR HUNTING IN THE MOBILE-TENSAW DELTA continued

waters o the Delta north to the Clarke and Monroe

County line. A total o 72 alligators were harvested with

the largest being 12'5" and weighing 540 pounds.From 2009-2012, tags remained at 125. In 2009, a total

o 81 were flled; the largest was 13'5" and weighed 701

pounds. In 2010, a total o 80 were lled; the largest was

13'4" and weighed 742 pounds. In 2011, a total o 78 were

flled; the largest was 12'8" and weighed 593 pounds. In

2011, a total o 80 were flled; the largest was 13'3" and

weighed 665 pounds.

To date, a total o 515 alligators have been harvested

in the Delta. This hunt has been a great success story in

Alabama, and alligator hunting has expanded to addi-

tional parts o the state. Through wise utilization and

proper management, Alabamas alligator population

remains healthy while at the same time allowing or the

sustainable use o a valuable renewable natural resourceFor more inormation contact Chris Nix, Wildlie

Biologist, Alabama Division o Wildlie and Freshwater

Fisheries, 30571 Five Rivers Blvd., Spanish Fort, AL 36527;

phone 251-626-5474.

The Alabama Department o Conservation and Natura

Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and

enjoyment o Alabamas natural resources through ve


State Parks, and Wildlie and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn

more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com .

G


31/50

ACEOA Magazine 55

Who Gives A Hoot?By Jerry L. Fincher, Talladega County Conservation Enorcement Ofcer

Should you be driving down a road somewhere in

northeast Alabama and see a woman holding a dip-

net chasing an owl, an eagle, an osprey, a hawk, or

some other bird, youre not seeing things, its probably

just Fran Johnson doing what she loves to do, taking

care o injured raptors. Fran and her husband Tim are

bird-brains, and I mean that in the nicest way possible.

They literally eat, sleep, and breathe raptors, and who can

blame them. I you have ever watched an eagle soaringoverhead or heard the piercing cry o a red-tailed hawk,

you know how truly special these birds are. They stir

something deep within each o us, something primal,

something that makes us want to rise above our earthly

problems and join them on the wind. But what you prob-

ably dont know is all the hard work this husband-and-

wie team rom Eastaboga puts into making sure those

sights and sounds remain a part o your world.

Each year, conservation ofcers receive countless calls

rom concerned citizens regarding injured wildlie. When

these calls involve raptors, we in turn call the dynamic

duo o Tim and Fran. Even though I have called them

in the middle o the night, at work, away rom amily

unctions, and on weekends and holidays, I have always

received the same response, Ill be right there.

Once the birds are captured, they are transported to

the Alabama Wildlie Center, a small, non-proft located

inside Shelby Countys Oak Mountain State Park. Center

personnel then evaluate and treat the birds, and, oncethey are ready to return to the wild, Tim and Fran drive

them back to their original capture site or release.

Even though the Johnsons work is a labor o love

gas stations only take cash, so, or all the time they save

our ofcers and all they do or the resource we love

and manage, the Alabama Department o Conservation

and Natural Resources and the Alabama Conservation

Enorcement Ofcers Association ACEOA elt a need

to recognize them. Consequently, the Department pre-

sented them a certifcate o appreciation and ACEOA

donated two hundred fty dollarstoward their expenses. While I am

sure both are appreciated, I am also

sure it doesnt go very ar in fnanc-

ing their endeavors.

I you would like to assist Tim and

Fran, become a transporter yoursel

or volunteer at the Wildlie Center

please visit them at www.awrc.org or

at their location inside Oak Mountain

State Park. You can also contact

them by calling (205) 663-7930ext. 2, between 8a.m. and 8p.m

seven days a week. Should you not

eel so inclined, at the very least, the

next time you see one o these birds

riding on the wind, take the time to

stop and appreciate it, and remem-

ber, it just may be a sight brought

to you compliments o Tim and Fran

Johnson. l

Conservation Enforcement Officer Jerry Fincher presents a $250 check from ACEOA

to Mrs. Fran Johnson and a certificate from the Alabama Department of

Conservation and Natural Resources.


32/50

ACEOA Magazine 57

Wilsons

Smallmouth FishingSomething to Crow About

By David Rainer,Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

W

hen it comes to ishing renown among the

Tennessee River lakes in Alabama, Wilson isthe lake most likely to be overlooked despite

its smallmouth bass population. When it comes to real

estate, Wilsons 154 miles o shoreline is covered with

houses, camps, weekend retreats and multi-million-

dollar mansions.

Brent Crow o Decatur, Alabama, is uniquely positioned

to take advantage o both the less-pressured fshing and

the real estate market. Crow owns a captains license

and a real estate license. I requested, Crows real estate

clients can get the view o the property rom inside

his bass boat.I think the reason Wilson gets overlooked is

its so small, Crow said o the 15,500-acre res-

ervoir. Its not much more than 15 miles or so

rom dam to dam. Plus, you dont have any major

tournaments on it. Theyre either on Pickwick,

Wheeler or Guntersville. Wilson never gets the

national tournament recognition.

The locals, the people who live around here,

they know Wilson. Its as good a place as any

to catch big smallmouth and big largemouth.

Its probably just as good as Pickwick and betterthan Wheeler in my opinion. Pickwick has always

been known as a smallmouth lake, but there are

just as many in Wilson and just as many big ones.

Crow did say there is a distinct dierence in the

topography o the lake bottoms o the Tennessee

River chain.

The main dierence is that Pickwick, Wheeler

and Guntersville all have the Tennessee River chan-

nel with ledges, he said. Wilson doesnt have the

defned river channel and ledges. Its just like a mountain

lake, where its 60 eet out in the middle. Thats why thereis so much real estate development around Wilson. It

has the eatures o a recreational lake where people can

participate in all sorts o water sports.

When it comes to fshing spots, Crow said there are

three main types o areas that hold fsh in large enough

concentrations to be targeted by anglers.

On Wilson, you can fsh the banks on the lower end

and the pockets, but more than anything its below the

continued on 59

Brent Crow has fished all the Tennessee River lakes in Alabama

extensively. He considers Wilson Lake one of the top smallmouth

fisheries anywhere, although large largemouth bass, like

this 6-pou nd, 11-ounce fish, are also plentiful in Wilson.


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ACEOA Magazine 59

WILSONS SMALLMOUTH FISHING SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT continued

dam, he said. Thats what most people call it below

the dam. The tailrace at Wheeler Dam has got to be

the best one in the world. I think there are probablymore big smallmouth, and more big largemouth, within

500 yards o the Wheeler dam than anywhere on the

Tennessee River.

Good tailrace fshing is dependent on several actors,

according to Crow.

First, youve got to have current, he said. The more

the better or the most part. There are 11 turbines on

Wheeler Dam. Depending on which turbines are running,

the fshing can be awesome. There are perect conditions

with certain turbines running, but as long as you have

some running you should be able to catch some fsh. Ino turbines are running, youve got to go down the lake.

But i the conditions are right, it can be unbelievable.

When the turbines are running, Crow makes sure his

three trolling motor batteries are ully charged beore he

heads or the tailrace.

Mostly you want to fsh the edge o the swit water,

he said. You want to be right on the edge o the slack

water, throwing into the swit. It seems like that at di-

erent times o the year, dierent baits work best. For the

most part, we throw spinnerbaits, crankbaits, Alabama

rigs and swim baits. You just kinda have to experimenteach day until you fnd out what theyre biting that day. It

will usually hold up or a week or two and then it changes.

They never run the same turbines, so you never catch

them out o the same places over and over again. It takes

a while to learn it and read the current. Ater a while, you

can learn where the fsh are going to be.

The tailrace on Wilson is best known or its all fshing

with live bait. During that time o the year, its not uncom-

mon to see plenty o smallmouth in the 6- to 8-pound

range with an occasional 9-pounder. The Alabama state

record o 10-pounds, 8-ounces came rom the tailracein 1950, caught by Owen Smith o Fairfeld.

All the shad in the lake seem to come to the dam in

the all, Crow said. Thats what the tailrace is known or.

But the shad come to the dam in the spring, too. When

the water temperature alls rom 70 to 65 in the all,

thats when it gets really good.

There is so much bait up there. You can take your cast

net and make one throw and get all the bait you need or

a hal a day. Theres threadfn and gizzard shad. Gizzard

shad are harder to keep alive. The ideal bait is about a

5-inch threadfn shad. But i you dont have them, you

use gizzard shad. You have to use a circular tank to keepthe bait alive. You cant use your livewell. And you have

to pour rock salt on them. The main thing is you have to

change the water. What I try to do is catch enough bai

or three or our hours o fshing. When I run out o bait

I change the water and then go back to the dam to catch

bait. Most o the time its easy to catch bait.

The other interesting actor about all fshing with live

bait in the tailrace is the number o predator species that

hang around swit water.

Youre not only going to catch smallmouth, but there

will be striped bass, catfsh, reshwater drum and large-mouth bass. That fshing is really good or kids and adults

who havent fshed that much. I you just want to catch

fsh, thats the time to be there. And at any time, you

might catch a 6- or 7-pound smallmouth.

We havent had a shad kill up here in two or three

years, so the lake is just absolutely ull o shad. All these

bass have just huge bellies because theyve been eat-

ing so many shad. The fsh are the healthiest Ive ever

seen them.

During the spring spawning period, Crow throws

a Shaky Head rig with a fnesse worm in green pump-kin or watermelon red with 8- to 10-pound test line or

braided line with a leader.

There will be a good topwater bite in May ater they

spawn, he said. Ater they spawn, there will be another

big eed. You can catch them at the dam, and you can

catch them down the lake. In the summertime, Wilson

gets tough because its so deep. We fsh 10- or 11-inch

worms or ootball jigs in 50 or 60 eet o water. But Wilson

is a great nighttime lake in the summer. Used to be

the only thing people threw at night were bear-hair jigs

This used to be the bear-hair jig capital o the world oa while. My avorite at night is throwing a spinnerbait

on rocky points, fshing rom 10 to 30 eet deep. When

a 5-pound smallmouth hits your spinnerbait at night

theres nothing like it.

The reason I come to Wilson, any time o the year, is

because o the 5-pound-plus smallmouth. I think Wilson

gives you the best chance to catch one.

Contact Crow at [email protected] or call 256-

466-9965 or more inormation. l


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ACEOA Magazine 6

Kids KornerBy CEO Wendell Fulks

When the heat just gets too hot to handle, what

do you do? Put on your swimming trunks, grab

the tackle box and fishing pole, and head to the

creek. What a fun day for Paisley and Palmer! Whether

its wading in the creek, catching crawfish, or fishing, it

sure beats the heck out of sitting around the house. This

was their treat for the day, and they enjoyed every waking

moment of it. G

Palmer just hoping for a bite.

Palmer and Paisley catching crawfish.Paisley wading in the deep creek.


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ACEOA Magazine 63

Human Illnesses

Associated With Tick BitesBy Je L. Makemson, Certifed Wildlie Biologist,

Alabama Division o Wildlie and Freshwater Fisheries

As the weather warms and you are spending more

time outdoors, dont orget to allow time or a tick

check. While some songwriters and comedians

make light o ticks, a tick bite should be taken seriously.

Ticks are the leading carriers o diseases to humans inthe United States, second only to mosquitoes worldwide.

Ticks are small spider-like animals that bite to as-

ten themselves onto the skin and eed on blood. Ticks

hide in low brush to allow them to

come in contact with a host. Once

they catch a ride on a host they will

live in the ur and eathers o many

dierent species o animals. Most

tick bites occur during early spring

to late summer in areas with many

wild animals and birds. The toxins,secretions and organisms transmit-

ted through a ticks saliva are the

sources o the tick-borne diseases.

Most ticks do not carry diseases and

most tick bites do not cause serious

health problems.

It is very important to remove

a tick as soon as it is ound. This

helps decrease the likelihood o

contracting diseases rom the tick.

Care should be used to remove theticks head to prevent an inection

in the skin where the bite occurred.

The sooner ticks are removed,

the less likely they are to transmit

disease. Use ne-tipped tweezers to

properly remove an attached tick. Grab the tick as close

to its mouth as possible. The body o the tick will oten

be above the skins surace, but its head and mouth will

likely be buried. Grabbing the tick by its belly can orce

inected fuids out o its mouth and into the skin. Pull the

tick straight out until its mouth lets go o the skin. Put

the removed tick in a dry jar or Ziploc bag and save it in

the reezer or later identication i symptoms start and

medical attention is needed. Wash the area where thetick was attached with warm, soapy water once the tick

is removed. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the bite area

to help prevent inection.

Many tick-borne diseases cause fu-like symptoms

such as ever, headache, nausea, vomiting and muscle

aches. Symptoms may begin rom one to three weeks

continued on 65

These black-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis, a re found on a wide rage of hosts including

mammals, birds and reptiles. Black-legged ticks, I. scapularisare known to transmit Lyme

disease, Borrelia burgdorferi, to humans and animals during feeding, when they inser

their mouth parts into the skin of a host, and slowly take in the nutrient-rich host blood

PHOTO COURTESY OF JIM GATHANY/CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL


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ACEOA Magazine 65

HUMAN ILLNESSES ASSOCIATED WITH TICK BITES continued

ater the tick bite. Sometimes a rash or sore appears along

with the fu-like symptoms. Common tick-borne diseases

include Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted ever,tularemia, ehrlichiosis, relapsing ever and babesiosis.

Lyme disease is an inection spread by the bite o

ticks inected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdoreri.

Symptoms include atigue, headache, sti neck, ever,

muscle or joint pain, swelling, and sometimes an expand-

ing red rash. I a rash develops, it may look like a target

or bulls-eye in some people. Lyme disease can be di-

cult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to

many other conditions and tests do not always detect

the bacteria. It is usually eectively treated with a short

course o antibiotics. I not treated properly, it can leadto complications involving the heart, nervous system,

joints and skin within weeks, months or even years later.

Rocky Mountain spotted ever, also called tick ever,

spotted ever, or tick typhus, is a bacterial inection

passed to humans by wood ticks and dog ticks. It can

lead to lie-threatening complications such as shock and

kidney ailure i not treated promptly. Initial symptoms

usually start an average o seven days ater the tick bite

and include a sudden ever, headache, muscle and joint

aches, distinct rash, nausea and vomiting. The rash typi-

cally is made up o many tiny, fat, purple or red spots.It usually starts on the palms o the hands and soles o

the eet, and then spreads to the arms, legs and the rest

o the body.

Tularemia, also called deerfy ever or rabbit ever, is

a disease that usually occurs in animals, but the disease

can be transmitted to humans through an inected tick.

Symptoms usually start within 21 days, but average one to

10 days, ater the tick bite. Symptoms o tularemia include

chills, sudden high ever, headache, an open crater-like

sore at the site o the bite, swollen glands near the site

o the bite, nausea and vomiting. Prescription medicine

is used to treat tularemia.

Ehrlichiosis is an inectious disease that can be passedto humans by ticks. It causes ever, chills, headache, gen-

eral ill eeling, nausea, vomiting and a purple or red rash

Symptoms usually start rom one to 21 days (average o

seven days) ater the tick bite. Prescription medicine is

used to treat ehrlichiosis.

Relapsing ever is an inectious disease that can be

passed to humans by ticks. It is most common in the

western United States. Symptoms usually start three to

11 days (average o six days) ater the tick bite. They may

last or several days, go away, and then return severa

days later. Symptoms include sudden high ever, head-ache, rapid heart rate, muscle aches, abdominal pain,

general eeling o illness, and a rash in up to 50 percen

o cases. Prescription medicine is used to treat relaps-

ing ever.

Babesiosis is a rare parasitic disease that can be passed

to humans by deer ticks. It may not always cause symp-

toms. When present, symptoms usually start one to our

weeks ater the tick bite. Symptoms o babesiosis include

a general eeling o illness, decreased appetite, tired-

ness, ever, chills, recurring sweats and muscle aches

Babesiosis is treated with antibiotic medicines.When returning home ater spending time in areas

where ticks may live, always careully check or ticks on

the skin and scalp. A little time spent conducting a tick

check may prevent days, weeks or months o illness.

The Alabama Department o Conservation and Natura


enjoyment o Alabamas natural resources through ve


State Parks, and Wildlie and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn

more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com .G


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ACEOA Magazine 67

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kim Nix

April 2, 2013 800-262-3151

Outdoor Alabama Sweepstakes Awards Four-wheeler, Gift Cards

Brandon Tucker of Baker, Louisiana, is the winner of a Yamaha four-wheeler awarded as first prize in the 2013 Outdoor

Alabama Sweepstakes. The sweepstakes was conducted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources(ADCNR) on its website, www.outdooralabama.com, and Tuckers name was randomly selected from all the entrants. The

Yamaha Grizzly 450 four-wheeler, valued at $7,000, was donated by the Montgomery Yamaha dealership and Yamaha Motors.

Two second prize sweepstakes winners were awarded Alabama State Parks gift cards in the amount of $300 each. Mack Vise of

Semmes, Alabama, and Mark Knower of Mandeville, Louisiana, were the gift card winners.

Tucker purchased an Alabama hunting license for the f irst time last year when he hunted on some family land in the state

and on the Frank W. and Rob M. Boykin Wildlife Management Area. After the license purchase, he took advantage of the

opportunity to enter the Outdoor Alabama Sweepstakes, but never dreamed he would actually win. I was ecstatic, he said of

his reaction when he opened the notification letter.

Tucker picked up his new four-wheeler in Montgomery with

his wife Tiffany and stepson Samuel Gip Kamphuis. All

three were excited about having the four-wheeler to use.

David Huneycutt, general manager of the MontgomeryYamaha dealership, presented Tucker with the four-wheeler

and gave him a safety briefing on its operation.

Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy Jr. created

the sweepstakes to bring attention to online availability of

hunting and f ishing licenses. Many people dont know that

you can purchase hunting and fishing licenses from your

home computer or mobile phone. I thought this would be a

great way to promote the fact that this process is easy and

available. Purchasing a license was not a requirement to

enter the sweepstakes. I really appreciate Montgomery

Yamaha, Yamaha Motors and Alabama State Parks

providing the prizes for the sweepstakes. We could not have

done it without their generosity, he said.

Huneycutt said the dealership enjoys partnering with

ADCNR on the sweepstakes. We look forward to doing it

again next year, he said.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural


enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through five

divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,

State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn

more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .

(L-R) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director Chuck Sykes,Brandon Tucker, Montgomery Yamaha General Manager DavidHuneycutt and Conservation Commissioner N. Gunter Guy, Jr.


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ACEOA Magazine 69

Humminbird Celebrates

Colombos Hall InductionBy David Rainer,

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Anyone who has been a serious fsherman since the

advent o marine electronics in the early 1970s will

likely know the brand name Humminbird, which is

still manuactured in sweet home Alabama in the historic

city o Euaula.And anyone amiliar with Techsonic Industries

Humminbird knows the person most people associate

with the line o depthfnders, sonars, GPS units and other

marine electronics Larry Colombo.

Colombo headed up Humminbirds marketing depart-

ment or more years than he wishes to admit, retiring

several years ago to hunt turkeys and deer and search

or arrowheads.

Colombos contribution to the fshing industry has not

gone unnoticed. As a member o the Fresh Water Fishing

Hall o Fame selection committee, he served or 25 years.When he retired rom the committee, the Hall o Fame

unanimously voted to enshrine Colombo in the hall.

A celebration o that induction was recently held at

Techsonic headquarters in Euaula, and the assembly

lines were shut down or the employees to join in.

Elmer Guerri, who has been on the halls selection

committee or 16 years and a riend o Colombos since

childhood, made the presentation with the caveat rom

his wie that no Colombo fshing-adventure stories could

be shared.

Larry is my very best buddy, Guerri said. I can onlysay that about one person. Ive been around the shing

industry not as long as Larry because nobodys been

there that long but almost as long as Larry.

Ive always had what I call the Colombo connection.

Larry always knew about the latest equipment and lures

and the places to use them. He carried me to a lot o

those really neat places to go shing.

During his presentation, Guerri explained how difcult

it is to gain enshrinement into the hall o ame. The con-

siderations include: Conduct which exemplifes high mora

and ethical standards consistent with the purposes o the

hall o ame; respect or the broad spectrum o interests o

reshwater sportfshing; activities which serve as motiva-

tion to others and which refect the honor and dignityo reshwater sportshing; and activities that refect the

respect or devotion to reshwater sportshing, rather

continued on 71

Elmer Guerri, chairman of the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of

Fame Awards Committee, presents Larry Colombo, left,

with a plaque to commemorate his induction i n the hall

of fame after serving 25 years on the Awards Committee

and for his overall contributions to the sport of fishi ng.

Colombo is retired from Techsonic Industries (Humminbird),

which still builds marine elec tronics in Eufaula, Alabama.


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ACEOA Magazine 7

HUMMINBIRD CELEBRATES COLOMBOS HALL INDUCTION continued

than the ulillment o a need or

personal aggrandizement or ame.

Larry never looked or credit oranything, Guerri said. That was

his hallmark.

The enshrinement category guide-

lines or the hall o ame include: rec-

ognized as a pioneer in an essential

aspect o reshwater sportshing;

contributed a lasting and signicant

national or international impact

to the benet o reshwater sport-

shing; recognized or excellence

and innovation o contributions toreshwater sportshing; magnitude

or importance o endeavors stand

out among contemporaries as being

avant-garde, unparalleled, unprec-

edented, transcendent, and served

as an inspiration to others.

This honor has absolutely n

ace magazine summer 2013

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