Alabama 3 buck limit- 1st in 40 years

[bronco1]

Conservation board to discuss possible vote on 3-buck limit

Friday, May 18, 2007By ALAN CLEMONSTimes Outdoors Editor [email protected]

Deer restrictions could be first for state in 40 years

Generations of hunters accustomed to liberal daily bag limits during deer season could find changes on the way during Saturday's meeting of the state's Conservation Advisory Board.

The board will meet at 9 a.m. at the Huntsville Museum of Art. It is expected to address and possibly vote on a proposal for a 3-buck limit, a tagging system for deer and turkeys and stiff penalties for anyone caught without a tag being filled out following a successful hunt. It also may hear information about high fence enclosures in the state, which restrict movement of wild animals and create a controversial situation involving landowner rights versus state regulation of those animals.

That buck limit proposal was made at the board's February meeting, with members requesting the formation of a committee of biologists and others to study any ramifications to the state's hunters and estimated 1.5 million whitetail deer population. That committee reportedly recommended a 2-buck limit or 3-buck limit with hunter's choice, or a 3-buck limit with two deer being hunter's choice on rack size and the third needing at least 4 points on one side.

Alabama's liberal policy is unique among the Southeast, with other states having buck limits or antler restrictions - or both - in place. The topic is controversial among hunters. Some want tighter restrictions and others want status quo, with no government intrusion into what they see as a personal choice.

Hunters currently may kill two does, or female deer, a day or a doe and buck if it has an antler that has broken through the hairline. The season, counting the archery season that opens in October prior to firearms season, is roughly 110 days, one of the longest in the nation.

Advisory board member Dr. Warren Strickland of Huntsville has been an outspoken proponent for changes to the current regulations.

"I feel the board wants a change. I will be surprised if we don't have some changes in the way we manage deer in Alabama," Strickland said. "I can't say I have polled them. Of course, we all talk between sessions and I really feel ... I think it's going to pass. It's time for a change. We have a great deer herd and we need some more management. I think we're in a unique situation with enough deer to provide more opportunity for hunters to have a chance at a quality buck. You shouldn't have to leave Alabama and hunt somewhere else for that opportunity."

Strickland was unsure about specific details, but doubted that a check-station system would be put into effect initially. He said a license tag hunters would sign could be used, and that a telephone or Internet check-system could be considered. Mississippi uses a tele-check system, while Tennessee still has a check-in station program.

A statewide buck limit would be the first in at least 40 years, said Gary Moody, chief of the Wildlife Section with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. When whitetail numbers were smaller hunters had stricter limits and few opportunities for killing does. That changed in the late 1960s and 1970s. Since then, more liberal regulations have been enacted and hunters have become more aware of managing wildlife and habitat.

"We have a different attitude about hunting and, naturally, it will continue to evolve," Moody said. "We're harvesting fewer bucks than years ago by over 50,000 a year. Our surveys show hunters are killing about 47 percent bucks to 53 percent does, and at least 60 percent of hunters, but probably more, are limiting their choice on bucks in some manner.

"They're doing it through club rules or individual choice. We're seeing a tremendous attitude shift and hunters are understanding more about deer management through numerous sources available to them."

Discussion about buck limits has been contentious through the years, with some Conservation Department officials steadfastly opposing any changes. Strickland said he expected that and discussed it with top officials.

"This is going to be a huge change for our Conservation officials," Strickland said. "They have not been very happy and we have met some resistance. I really feel they have come around. I think they see the changes coming, that the winds of change are coming quickly.

"There is no doubt in our mind the Conservation officials are going to work with the board to make sure the changes are executed. One of their big and very valid concerns is the state is short about 19 game wardens, and whether they would have to money to help execute these changes. That's why the license increase bills are so important in the legislature."

Moody said if buck limits are enacted they will not be the single key some hunters believe will create monster bucks. It is a puzzle, he said, with many pieces that include habitat, management, allowing bucks to mature and helping reduce population numbers through doe management.

"There is no single magic bullet," he said. "I encourage them to meet with a biologist to discuss goals, what to do and how to meet them. This is not going to happen in a year. You have to get started ... deer populations don't just come around overnight."

http://www.al.com/sports/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/117947982751510.xml&coll=1

[bronco1]

Poor fellas only get 3 bucks.  :'( :'( :'(

[tvc184]

A daily bag limit on deer? Could you imagine that in Texas?

...and they thought the buffalo where hunted almost to extinction overnight.

[bronco1]

A daily bag limit on deer? Could you imagine that in Texas?

...and they thought the buffalo where hunted almost to extinction overnight.

;D They are living in a fantasy land. I didn't know they still had that over there.