PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR APRIL REGARDING HUNTING REGULATIONS

  The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) will hold four public hearings to receive input on proposed changes to the hunting regulations for the 2007-2008 season.  The purpose of the proposed regulation changes is to manage Georgias game birds and game animals according to sound principles of wildlife management and to meet public objectives for use of these renewable natural resources.  Those interested are encouraged to bring these hearings to the attention of others who also may wish to participate. 
  Proposed changes that WRD will address include regulations related to dove hunting season and hunting opportunities on new Wildlife Management Areas and on State Parks.
  Members of the general public will have an opportunity to provide input at the following WRD-sponsored public hearings:
--Monday, April 14, 2008:  Southwest Georgia Regional Library, 301 South Monroe Street, Bainbridge, GA 39819
--Tuesday, April 15, 2008:  Harris County Middle School, 184 South College Street, Hamilton, GA 31811
--Monday, April 21, 2008:  Georgia Mountains Center, 301 South Main Street, SW, Gainesville, GA 30503
--Tuesday, April 22, 2008:  Evans County Wildlife Club, 501 Cedar Avenue, Hagan (Claxton)
  Any participant at the hearing may present data, make a statement or comment or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants are required to register upon arrival and notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement.  Those unable to attend the hearings may submit statements electronically through the WRD website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com or by mail prior to close of business May 2, 2008.  Written statements should be mailed to:
  Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division Game Management Section Attn: John Bowers 2070 U.S. Highway 278, S.E. Social Circle, Georgia 30025
   These meetings are accessible to people with physical disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to John Bowers at the above address by April 9, 2008.
   The Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed changes and any comments received during the public hearing process May 28, 2008 at 9 a.m. at the DNR Boardroom at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 1252, Atlanta, Georgia.
   For more information on the scheduled public hearings or to view the proposed regulation changes, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com.  For additional information, contact WRD's Hunter Services office at (770) 761-3045.    For more information, contact: Kitty E. Spivey, Wildlife Resources Division public affairs specialist - (229) 227-5422; kitty.spivey@gadnr.org Cora Keber, The State Botanical Garden education specialist - (706) 542-6156; ckeber@uga.edu

CALLING ALL GOBBLERS
 Statewide turkey hunting season opens this month

   While turkey hunters across the Georgia dust off their calls and polish their stalking skills in preparation for another season, most probably don't realize they're participating in a not-so-small miracle.
   The season opened March 22 and runs until May 15. Season limit is three (3) gobblers. 
   The miracle? Only 25 years ago, the average Georgia probably never SAW three turkeys, gobblers or hens, in his lifetime.
    When Georgia's turkey restoration project began In 1973, the estimated statewide turkey population was only 17,000 birds. Consider that last year's harvest was 23,655 gobblers and it becomes immediately apparent that the restoration was a success.
    To get to today's statewide population of some 300,000 birds, the Wildlife Resources Division trapped and relocated over 4,500 turkeys between 1973-1996.  Today, turkeys exist in every county.
   When the project began, only a handful of Georgians had a clue about how to hunt turkeys in the spring. 
   Nowadays, seminars by the dozen teach hunters an amazing variety of calling techniques plus the basics of how to get that gobbler and Georgia's turkey hunting population has grown to an estimated 48,459.
   That meager bunch of 17,000 birds also grew to spawn an industry that earns millions from sales of calls, guns, clothing, footwear and other accessories.
       WRD Wild Turkey Project Coordinator Chris Baumann says the 2008 season should be respectable, but the harvest levels are expected to decrease in comparison with past years harvests.  A variety of factors affecting the wild turkey population and wild turkey habitat account for this, including consistently low reproduction for the past few years, recent statewide extreme weather conditions and considerable habitat loss and habitat alteration in many areas of the state.
   "Overall, the state's turkey population is good but in need of a few years of better reproduction and more of an emphasis on good brooding and nesting habitat across the landscape,"explains Baumann. "While success rates remain variable from season to season, one major contributing factor continues to be the weather.  As we continue to see relief from the extreme drought, hopefully reproduction will rebound and the future will remain bright for this important game bird."
    Most hunters pursue wild turkeys on private lands, but hunting also is available on state Wildlife Management Areas, many with an hour or two of Atlanta.
    Check the regulations for license fees and WMA locations:
    http://www.georgiawildlife.com/Assets/Documents/Hunting_Regulations/web_version.pdf

WMA Hunting Opportunities

   Georgia's Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) offer excellent turkey hunting opportunities.  Through the WMA system, resident hunters have access to nearly one million acres of prime hunting land for just $19/year $73.00 for out of state hunters). 
  According to Baumann, harvest success rates from 2007 indicate which WMAs hunters should target this year.
   -- In northwest Georgia (the Ridge and Valley region of the state) --Pine Log WMA and Berry College WMA reported the highest harvest rates.
   -- In northeast Georgia (the Blue Ridge Mountains region of the state) -- Warwoman WMA and Swallow Creek WMA had the highest success rates in 2007.
  -- Hunters in west central Georgia (the Piedmont region of the state) -- should try Blanton Creek WMA and Rum Creek WMA during the season.
  -- For those in east central Georgia (the upper coastal plain region) -- should visit Di-Lane Plantation WMA and Yuchi WMA. 
  --In southeast Georgia (the state's lower coastal plain region) hunters should visit the two WMAs that reported the highest success rates last year -- Dixon Memorial WMA and Griffin Ridge WMA.
  A special WMA license is required for any person 16 years or older who does not possess a valid honorary, sportsman or lifetime license when hunting wild turkey on a WMA, Public Fishing Area or State Park.  In addition, both a valid hunting license and a big game license are required to legally hunt wild turkey.  Wild turkey legally can be hunted with shotguns, loaded with No. 2 or smaller shot, any muzzleloading firearm, longbow, crossbow or compound bow.

Conservation of the Wild Turkey in Georgia

  The comeback of the wild turkey is one of Georgia's great conservation success stories.  Although the bird population currently hovers around 300,000 statewide, as recently as 1973, the wild turkey population was as low as 17,000.  Intensive restoration efforts, such as the restocking of wild birds and increased emphasis on biologically sound hunting seasons, have helped re-establish turkeys in suitable habitat in every county.  This resurgence is due to the efforts of private landowners, hunters and conservation organizations like the National Wild Turkey Federation.
  The Georgia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) has donated more than $3 million since 1985, and over $290,000 during the past year, on projects that benefit wild turkey and other wildlife.  The NWTF works cooperatively in partnership with WRD and other land management agencies to put such projects on the ground.  There currently exist 112 state chapters of the NWTF with membership totals more than 18,000.
  For more information regarding wild turkey hunting opportunities, WMA hunting opportunities, 2008 wild turkey hunting seasons, regulations or license requirements in Georgia, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com .