Windknot
12-07-05, 05:05 PM
Following are three news releases from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division.
SUMMARY OF RELEASES FOR DECEMBER 7, 2005
1. SHAD SEASON TO OPEN JANUARY 1, 2006
Commercial shad season runs from 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 through midnight on Friday, Mar. 31, 2006, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). However, since January 1, 2006 falls on a Sunday and rivers open to commercial shad fishing are closed on Sundays, areas of the St. Marys, Satilla, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah river systems will actually open on Monday, January 2, 2006. Commercial shad fishing regulations are the same as those during the 2005 season.
2. GEORGIA'S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY WITH THE BIRDS! Spend a day with the birds this holiday season by participating in the 106th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, an annual hemispheric early-winter bird census. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) celebrates its 35th year of participation in the Christmas Bird Count. This year's Georgia Christmas Bird Counts take place December 16-January 1 across the state and will give biologists a snapshot of the health of both resident and migratory bird populations.
3. NWTF AND GEORGIA DNR ANSWERING THE CALL
The sound of a wild turkey gobbling gets louder every year in Georgia. Pretty amazing, considering that wild turkeys were nearly silenced in the 1900s following a century of habitat loss and market hunting, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). If only Ben Franklin were alive today-the bald eagle would surely take a back seat to the cagey bird the American statesman considered the most regal of our winged friends.
For more information, contact:
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Information and Education Specialist, (770) 918-6788 Lisa Doty, Public Affairs Coordinator, (770) 918-6787
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHAD SEASON TO OPEN JANUARY 1, 2006
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (December 7, 2005) - Commercial shad season runs from 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 through midnight on Friday, Mar. 31, 2006, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). However, since January 1, 2006 falls on a Sunday and rivers open to commercial shad fishing are closed on Sundays, areas of the St. Marys, Satilla, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah river systems will actually open on Monday, January 2, 2006. Commercial shad fishing regulations are the same as those during the 2005 season.
The Altamaha River (including the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers), the Satilla River and the St. Marys River downstream from the Seaboard Coastline Railroad bridge will be open for commercial shad fishing Monday through Friday each week. Waters upstream from this bridge will be open Tuesday through Saturday each week. The Ogeechee River will be open for commercial shad fishing on Fridays and Saturdays of each week during the shad season.
The Savannah River will be open for commercial shad fishing downstream from the I-95 bridge Tuesday through Friday and upstream from the I-95 bridge Wednesday through Saturday each week. Only drift nets may be used downstream of a line between the mouth of Knoxboro Creek and McCoys Cut at Deadman's Point.
Persons fishing commercially for shad must have a valid Georgia commercial fishing license. Boats used below the saltwater demarcation line for commercial fishing also must be licensed, with the cost of the license depending on the size of the boat.
The minimum mesh size for legal set or drift shad nets is 4 ½ inches stretched. Set netters are reminded that set nets must be placed at least 600 feet apart and should be limited to 100 feet in length. Set nets must clearly display the owners name and commercial fishing license number. Drift nets shall not be fished closer that 300 feet apart and are limited to a maximum of 1,000 feet in length in saltwaters. Set nets and drift nets must be situated so as to allow one-half the stream width to be open and free for the passage of fish. All set nets must have one end secured to the stream bank and must be buoyed at the outer (seaward) end so they will be clearly visible to other boaters. This regulation is designed to prevent anglers from setting nets in the mid-channel of the stream. Sturgeon, game fish other than American shad or hickory shad, and all species of catfish taken in set or drift nets must be released unharmed into the waters where they were taken.
Other regulations apply. For a complete set of commercial fishing regulations or for more information, contact a WRD law enforcement office at (912) 264-7237 (Brunswick); (706) 595-4211 (Thomson) or (912) 685-2145 (Metter). ###
For more information contact:
Terry Johnson, Program Manager - (478) 994-1438
Kitty Spivey, Sr. Public Information Specialist - (229) 227-5422
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEORGIA'S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY WITH THE BIRDS!
FORSYTH, Ga. (December 7, 2005) - Spend a day with the birds this holiday season by participating in the 106th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, an annual hemispheric early-winter bird census. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) celebrates its 35th year of participation in the Christmas Bird Count. This year's Georgia Christmas Bird Counts take place December 16-January 1 across the state and will give biologists a snapshot of the health of both resident and migratory bird populations.
"The Christmas Bird Count has evolved into the world's largest and longest running wildlife survey," said Terry Johnson, WRD's Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program Manager. "Birds are indicators of the overall health of our environment and by looking at long-term population trends, biologists can get an idea of the success or failure of conservation efforts."
This year marks the 106th anniversary of the Christmas Bird Count. Over 55,000 volunteers will take part in counts held in all 50 states, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies, and Pacific Islands. During the counts, every individual bird seen during one calendar day (from midnight to midnight) within specific geographic areas for the Christmas Bird Count is tallied. Each geographic area is a circle 15 miles in diameter --- approximately 177 square miles. Participants meet at the end of the day to compile their results. In 2004, there was a record of 2,022 individual circles, totaling over 70 million birds counted.
"The Christmas Bird Count is THE birding event of the year. It is a fun sporting event, social occasion, education experience and wildlife survey," says Johnson. "Birders from all over the state gather to make this is one of the best examples of citizen science in action today. It provides an ideal opportunity for novice or beginning birders to learn bird watching skills from savvy experienced birders."
The Christmas Bird Count began over 100 years ago when 27 conservationists in 25 localities, led by scientist and writer Frank Chapman, changed the course of ornithological history. On Christmas Day in 1900, the small group posed an alternative to the "side hunt," a Christmas day activity in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and small mammals. Instead, Chapman proposed to identify, count, and record all the birds they saw, founding what is now considered to be the world's most significant citizen-based conservation effort - and what has become a more than century-old institution.
This year's counts will be held at the following 26 locations: (December 16) Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge and West Point Lake; (December 17) Albany, Athens, Augusta, Cumberland Island, Macon, Peachtree City and St. Catherines Island; (December 18) Atlanta-Marietta and Chattahoochee National Forest Songbird Management Area; (December 19); Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge and Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge/Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area; (December 20) Columbus; (December 24) Aiken, South Carolina (near Augusta); (December 26) Amicalola Falls; (December 27) Bainbridge/Lake Seminole; (December 30) Callaway, Dalton, Dublin and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; (December 31) Floyd County and Glynn County; (January 1) Savannah; (TBA) Lake Blackshear. Most counts are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come out and participate. However, some counts, such as Cumberland Island and St. Catherines Island, are by invitation only due to transportation logistics.
"One of the exciting things about this event is you can be a citizen scientist for a day and help conserve the birds that enrich your life," said Johnson.
If you are interested in participating in one of the open counts, visit the Georgia Ornithological Society website at www.gos.org (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.gos.org) for the latest list of count dates, locations and contact information. There is a $5 fee to participate in the count for ages 19 and older. Ages 18 and under and bird feeder watchers are free. # # #
For more information, contact
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Relations and Information Specialist - (770) 918-6788
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NWTF AND GEORGIA DNR ANSWERING THE CALL
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (December 7, 2005) -- The sound of a wild turkey gobbling gets louder every year in Georgia. Pretty amazing, considering that wild turkeys were nearly silenced in the 1900s following a century of habitat loss and market hunting, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). If only Ben Franklin were alive today-the bald eagle would surely take a back seat to the cagey bird the American statesman considered the most regal of our winged friends.
Many hunters in Georgia, and throughout the nation, agree with the Founding Father and have done their part to restore wild turkeys to historic numbers. Georgia's Eastern wild turkey population now stands at 350,000, up from only 17,000 as recently as 1973. Georgia trails just behind Texas and Missouri for the most wild turkeys in the nation. But the comeback story could not be told without mentioning the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), federal and state wildlife agencies and NWTF corporate partners and volunteers who have done their part to reintroduce the grand gamebird, which now roams across the entire state of Georgia.
From 1973 to 1996, WRD, with help from NWTF, trapped and released more than 4,500 wild turkeys. Today, turkey hunting is open in every county and trapping is no longer necessary to establish turkey populations. Even Fulton County, which surrounds metropolitan Atlanta, has a gobbler season.
"The renaissance of the wild turkey, especially in Georgia, is something that should make us all proud," said Chris Baumann, State Wild Turkey Program Coordinator. "In no small measure, our success has come from cooperation with our partners, and in particular, support from the Georgia State NWTF and local chapters. The dedication and support of over 13,000 NWTF members in Georgia to the conservation cause is truly a blessing."
Each year the 99 local NWTF chapters hold banquets and other fundraisers. Revenues from these events are used within the state to promote wildlife conservation and protect the hunting heritage. Since 1985, the Georgia Chapter NWTF has contributed over $2.3 million for land purchases to preserve wildlife habitat, in support of hunter safety and education and to provide scholarships for graduating seniors.
Georgia Chapter NWTF recently approved over $244,000 in projects, which will predominately pay for habitat improvements on public land and acquisition of new public lands. Examples include:
· $10,400 to maintain over 392 acres of wildlife openings on WMA's in southeast and south-central Georgia.
· $12,500 to track turkey harvests and hunter demographics. The survey will help state wildlife officials set seasons and bag limits.
· $22,000 to support law enforcement efforts during turkey season for rangers throughout Georgia.
· $150,000 and $15,000 respectively for portions of the costs of two new public land tracts: Penholloway and River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area.
Support from NWTF volunteers helps ensure wild turkeys continue to flourish throughout Georgia.
For more information on the Super Fund or other NWTF projects, visit their website at www.nwtf.org (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.nwtf.org) or call 1-800-THE-NWTF. For more information on WRD, visit their website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.gohuntgeorgia.com) .
###
SUMMARY OF RELEASES FOR DECEMBER 7, 2005
1. SHAD SEASON TO OPEN JANUARY 1, 2006
Commercial shad season runs from 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 through midnight on Friday, Mar. 31, 2006, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). However, since January 1, 2006 falls on a Sunday and rivers open to commercial shad fishing are closed on Sundays, areas of the St. Marys, Satilla, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah river systems will actually open on Monday, January 2, 2006. Commercial shad fishing regulations are the same as those during the 2005 season.
2. GEORGIA'S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY WITH THE BIRDS! Spend a day with the birds this holiday season by participating in the 106th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, an annual hemispheric early-winter bird census. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) celebrates its 35th year of participation in the Christmas Bird Count. This year's Georgia Christmas Bird Counts take place December 16-January 1 across the state and will give biologists a snapshot of the health of both resident and migratory bird populations.
3. NWTF AND GEORGIA DNR ANSWERING THE CALL
The sound of a wild turkey gobbling gets louder every year in Georgia. Pretty amazing, considering that wild turkeys were nearly silenced in the 1900s following a century of habitat loss and market hunting, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). If only Ben Franklin were alive today-the bald eagle would surely take a back seat to the cagey bird the American statesman considered the most regal of our winged friends.
For more information, contact:
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Information and Education Specialist, (770) 918-6788 Lisa Doty, Public Affairs Coordinator, (770) 918-6787
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SHAD SEASON TO OPEN JANUARY 1, 2006
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (December 7, 2005) - Commercial shad season runs from 6 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 through midnight on Friday, Mar. 31, 2006, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). However, since January 1, 2006 falls on a Sunday and rivers open to commercial shad fishing are closed on Sundays, areas of the St. Marys, Satilla, Altamaha, Ogeechee and Savannah river systems will actually open on Monday, January 2, 2006. Commercial shad fishing regulations are the same as those during the 2005 season.
The Altamaha River (including the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers), the Satilla River and the St. Marys River downstream from the Seaboard Coastline Railroad bridge will be open for commercial shad fishing Monday through Friday each week. Waters upstream from this bridge will be open Tuesday through Saturday each week. The Ogeechee River will be open for commercial shad fishing on Fridays and Saturdays of each week during the shad season.
The Savannah River will be open for commercial shad fishing downstream from the I-95 bridge Tuesday through Friday and upstream from the I-95 bridge Wednesday through Saturday each week. Only drift nets may be used downstream of a line between the mouth of Knoxboro Creek and McCoys Cut at Deadman's Point.
Persons fishing commercially for shad must have a valid Georgia commercial fishing license. Boats used below the saltwater demarcation line for commercial fishing also must be licensed, with the cost of the license depending on the size of the boat.
The minimum mesh size for legal set or drift shad nets is 4 ½ inches stretched. Set netters are reminded that set nets must be placed at least 600 feet apart and should be limited to 100 feet in length. Set nets must clearly display the owners name and commercial fishing license number. Drift nets shall not be fished closer that 300 feet apart and are limited to a maximum of 1,000 feet in length in saltwaters. Set nets and drift nets must be situated so as to allow one-half the stream width to be open and free for the passage of fish. All set nets must have one end secured to the stream bank and must be buoyed at the outer (seaward) end so they will be clearly visible to other boaters. This regulation is designed to prevent anglers from setting nets in the mid-channel of the stream. Sturgeon, game fish other than American shad or hickory shad, and all species of catfish taken in set or drift nets must be released unharmed into the waters where they were taken.
Other regulations apply. For a complete set of commercial fishing regulations or for more information, contact a WRD law enforcement office at (912) 264-7237 (Brunswick); (706) 595-4211 (Thomson) or (912) 685-2145 (Metter). ###
For more information contact:
Terry Johnson, Program Manager - (478) 994-1438
Kitty Spivey, Sr. Public Information Specialist - (229) 227-5422
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GEORGIA'S CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNTS A GREAT WAY TO SPEND A DAY WITH THE BIRDS!
FORSYTH, Ga. (December 7, 2005) - Spend a day with the birds this holiday season by participating in the 106th National Audubon Society's Christmas Bird Count, an annual hemispheric early-winter bird census. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) celebrates its 35th year of participation in the Christmas Bird Count. This year's Georgia Christmas Bird Counts take place December 16-January 1 across the state and will give biologists a snapshot of the health of both resident and migratory bird populations.
"The Christmas Bird Count has evolved into the world's largest and longest running wildlife survey," said Terry Johnson, WRD's Nongame-Endangered Wildlife Program Manager. "Birds are indicators of the overall health of our environment and by looking at long-term population trends, biologists can get an idea of the success or failure of conservation efforts."
This year marks the 106th anniversary of the Christmas Bird Count. Over 55,000 volunteers will take part in counts held in all 50 states, every Canadian province, parts of Central and South America, Bermuda, the West Indies, and Pacific Islands. During the counts, every individual bird seen during one calendar day (from midnight to midnight) within specific geographic areas for the Christmas Bird Count is tallied. Each geographic area is a circle 15 miles in diameter --- approximately 177 square miles. Participants meet at the end of the day to compile their results. In 2004, there was a record of 2,022 individual circles, totaling over 70 million birds counted.
"The Christmas Bird Count is THE birding event of the year. It is a fun sporting event, social occasion, education experience and wildlife survey," says Johnson. "Birders from all over the state gather to make this is one of the best examples of citizen science in action today. It provides an ideal opportunity for novice or beginning birders to learn bird watching skills from savvy experienced birders."
The Christmas Bird Count began over 100 years ago when 27 conservationists in 25 localities, led by scientist and writer Frank Chapman, changed the course of ornithological history. On Christmas Day in 1900, the small group posed an alternative to the "side hunt," a Christmas day activity in which teams competed to see who could shoot the most birds and small mammals. Instead, Chapman proposed to identify, count, and record all the birds they saw, founding what is now considered to be the world's most significant citizen-based conservation effort - and what has become a more than century-old institution.
This year's counts will be held at the following 26 locations: (December 16) Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge and West Point Lake; (December 17) Albany, Athens, Augusta, Cumberland Island, Macon, Peachtree City and St. Catherines Island; (December 18) Atlanta-Marietta and Chattahoochee National Forest Songbird Management Area; (December 19); Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge and Piedmont National Wildlife Refuge/Rum Creek Wildlife Management Area; (December 20) Columbus; (December 24) Aiken, South Carolina (near Augusta); (December 26) Amicalola Falls; (December 27) Bainbridge/Lake Seminole; (December 30) Callaway, Dalton, Dublin and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; (December 31) Floyd County and Glynn County; (January 1) Savannah; (TBA) Lake Blackshear. Most counts are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to come out and participate. However, some counts, such as Cumberland Island and St. Catherines Island, are by invitation only due to transportation logistics.
"One of the exciting things about this event is you can be a citizen scientist for a day and help conserve the birds that enrich your life," said Johnson.
If you are interested in participating in one of the open counts, visit the Georgia Ornithological Society website at www.gos.org (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.gos.org) for the latest list of count dates, locations and contact information. There is a $5 fee to participate in the count for ages 19 and older. Ages 18 and under and bird feeder watchers are free. # # #
For more information, contact
Melissa Cummings, Sr. Public Relations and Information Specialist - (770) 918-6788
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NWTF AND GEORGIA DNR ANSWERING THE CALL
SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (December 7, 2005) -- The sound of a wild turkey gobbling gets louder every year in Georgia. Pretty amazing, considering that wild turkeys were nearly silenced in the 1900s following a century of habitat loss and market hunting, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). If only Ben Franklin were alive today-the bald eagle would surely take a back seat to the cagey bird the American statesman considered the most regal of our winged friends.
Many hunters in Georgia, and throughout the nation, agree with the Founding Father and have done their part to restore wild turkeys to historic numbers. Georgia's Eastern wild turkey population now stands at 350,000, up from only 17,000 as recently as 1973. Georgia trails just behind Texas and Missouri for the most wild turkeys in the nation. But the comeback story could not be told without mentioning the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), federal and state wildlife agencies and NWTF corporate partners and volunteers who have done their part to reintroduce the grand gamebird, which now roams across the entire state of Georgia.
From 1973 to 1996, WRD, with help from NWTF, trapped and released more than 4,500 wild turkeys. Today, turkey hunting is open in every county and trapping is no longer necessary to establish turkey populations. Even Fulton County, which surrounds metropolitan Atlanta, has a gobbler season.
"The renaissance of the wild turkey, especially in Georgia, is something that should make us all proud," said Chris Baumann, State Wild Turkey Program Coordinator. "In no small measure, our success has come from cooperation with our partners, and in particular, support from the Georgia State NWTF and local chapters. The dedication and support of over 13,000 NWTF members in Georgia to the conservation cause is truly a blessing."
Each year the 99 local NWTF chapters hold banquets and other fundraisers. Revenues from these events are used within the state to promote wildlife conservation and protect the hunting heritage. Since 1985, the Georgia Chapter NWTF has contributed over $2.3 million for land purchases to preserve wildlife habitat, in support of hunter safety and education and to provide scholarships for graduating seniors.
Georgia Chapter NWTF recently approved over $244,000 in projects, which will predominately pay for habitat improvements on public land and acquisition of new public lands. Examples include:
· $10,400 to maintain over 392 acres of wildlife openings on WMA's in southeast and south-central Georgia.
· $12,500 to track turkey harvests and hunter demographics. The survey will help state wildlife officials set seasons and bag limits.
· $22,000 to support law enforcement efforts during turkey season for rangers throughout Georgia.
· $150,000 and $15,000 respectively for portions of the costs of two new public land tracts: Penholloway and River Creek, the Rolf and Alexandra Kauka Wildlife Management Area.
Support from NWTF volunteers helps ensure wild turkeys continue to flourish throughout Georgia.
For more information on the Super Fund or other NWTF projects, visit their website at www.nwtf.org (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.nwtf.org) or call 1-800-THE-NWTF. For more information on WRD, visit their website at www.gohuntgeorgia.com (http://www.georgia-outdoors.com/forum/www.gohuntgeorgia.com) .
###