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7/22/2019 ACE Magazine Summer 2013
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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
http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-7/22/2019 ACE Magazine Summer 2013
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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, rusty_morrow@yahoo.com
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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
G
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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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ESCAPE TO JOE WHEELER continued
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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ESCAPE TO JOE WHEELER continued
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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ESCAPE TO JOE WHEELER continued
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
JoeWheeler.Park@dcnr.alabama.gov
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)
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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
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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
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34 ACEOA Magazine
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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 .
###
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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
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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
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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
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands
State Parks, and Wildlie and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn
more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com .
G
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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.
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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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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 brentcrow@bellsouth.net or call 256-
466-9965 or more inormation. l
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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
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment o Alabamas natural resources through ve
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands
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
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 .
(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
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