jlc,

If it was simply a public land hunt, I would agree. But, it is not.

Why didn't you apply this year? Is it because you dislike BHA? It can't be the money, it is cheaper now.

How many years have you been bowhunting? How many deer have you killed with a bow?

I just don't understand why you continue to complain. There has to be more than just the fact there isn't going to be a lottery this year.

The applicants that passed the proficiency test this year averaged 19 years experience bowhunting and averaged 42 deer bow kills. I think that is pretty good. I hope these hunters will take more deer off of the park. And that of course is the objective.

i don't give a crap how long anyone has hunted or how many deer they have killed with a bow. If it is state owned property, paid for by tax payers dollars, everyone that buys a license should have the same opportunity to be drawn to hunt the park. The BHA have found a way to make money off of the citizens by back dooring the process. Try to justify all you want, but everyone knows that the BHA saw green and went for the fence.
Getting the population under control by bowhunting is a big freaking joke. Just another way for money to be made, period.

Lets use the assets we have already paid for, the state employees of the DCNR ect. they can get the deer population under control in less than a month if they really wanted to.

Conservation Advisory Board meeting will be February 2009, most likely in Montgomery at the Capitol Auditorium.

DCNR Commissioner - (334) 242-3486

You couldn't be more wrong. Do you guys just make your arguments based on "what you think you know"? Or do you even bother trying to find out the facts?

Let's go over the FACTS again!
The DCNR asked BHA to handle the selection process!
The lottery system wasn't working!
Lots of the hunters selected under the lottery system were not showing up, were not staying through the hunt, and were not killing does when they had a chance.
Every bowhunter had a chance to apply.
BHA did exactly what was requested of them!
BHA hasn't been paid a single penny by the DCNR.
No BHA member or officer has been paid a single penny.
We have worked hard to make this work and have taken lots of criticism for trying to do as we were asked to do by the DCNR.

The lottery system was administered by a consulting company and they got a rake off of the application payments.
The lottery system was more expensive for the hunters!
The proficiency tests were administered during the week and more difficult to attend for the working folks.


So, I will be at the Feb 7th CAB meeting and I am sure this topic will come up. So, please bring your crying self to the meeting and make yourself heard! But, I doubt you will. I am guessing it is much easier for you to sit behind your keyboard and complain than it is to get out and do something constructive!

You know what? I am guessing that ya'll would still be complaining if BHA was doing this for free (no membership required)!

So, I have to ask myself; why? Are you concerned you wouldn't qualify (proficiency test)? Are you concerned you wouldn't be chosen? Are you just wanting to complain period?

So, let's put all the cards on the table!

Antlerhunter and jlccoffee,

Why didn't you apply? Don't be scared, tell us the truth!

I will be there if anyone needs a ride!

I do know this, BHA has got people to buy memberships through your association with the state Government. If you see nothing wrong with coat tailing on the government of this state that is funded by the tax payers, then so be it.

Appartently the management tools put in place are not being successful, so just let the state go in there and solve the problem quickly.

BTW, I have applied, and paid the state dept of conservation, for all of the hunts until this year. I am not going to pay for a membership to a private orginization in order to hunt property that I have already paid for by paying taxes every year. The state can deal with the problem themselves for all I care.

Sorry, I didn't understand your statement the first time I read it. Yes, we have had people join BHA as a result of this process. No, I don't see anything wrong with that.

So, why didn't you apply?

BTW, I have applied, and paid the State Dept of Conservation, for all of the hunts until this year.

Enough arguing about it here, we will just have to see what happens, and attend the CAB meeting to voice our opinions.

See you there.

I'm betting it's because neither of them are bow hunters and they're jealous.
Like a couple 3 year olds at daycare, can't stand that some kids might get to play an extra 5 minutes in the sand box.

I thought we were all hunters? Boy I bet peta is enjoying all the crap going on in this thread. Damn :rolleyes:

PETA is not a threat to hunting, they are wacos and everyone knows that.

However, sending paid snipers into Oak Mountain would be a threat to hunting. The public acceptance of the bow hunt has been overwhelming, the snipers (for sure) would draw a much different reaction.

PeTA protested at the first hunt ... maybe, two or three of them. Nothing major. As usual, all talk and bluster but no conviction.

DCNR was set up for any protests and had thought that aspect through. They had discussed who would be the spokesperson or spokespersons, boundaries, checkpoints, etc. Obviously that was a concern and still should be.

Sharpshooters were brought in and there was little to no outcry against them. Why? Because they weren't put in a spotlight, they worked at night, they did their jobs and they weren't hailed as evil killers or park-saving heroes.

The CAB meeting is Feb. 7 in Montgomery.

Whatever, I bow hunt 99% of the time 3-5 days per week every week. You don't know a darn thing about me, and you should just keep your comments about me to yourself.

Also, what is there to be jealous about, shooting malnourished 60lb deer?

I have not applied because I don't want to drive up there to hunt. However, I am concerned because the hunt is setting a precident that I don't want to see set at other state parks that may be opened to hunting in the future. If there are hunts in the future on state parks that are close to me, I may apply.

I have, as a matter of fact, applied for the state park hunts in Georgia. They have a lottery where everyone has an equal opportunity to hunt. Beginning this year, if you are not drawn, you build preference points to increase your chances of being drawn until you eventually get to hunt. By that way, they are making sure that everyone gets a chance to hunt. They have several state parks where hunting is permitted and have been doing this for several years. Maybe before saying a lottery system doesn't work, you should check your facts. It is working right accross the state line from us and has been for several years now.

For outback....I have bowhunted for about 23 years. Not sure how many deer and hogs I have killed with a bow over the years. It's not a huge number but I have killed my share. In the last 2 years I have also killed 2 deer and a bear with a crossbow. I'm not really sure what any of that has to do with someone wanting to ensure that the public has equal opportunity to access a public property.

Who is asking for snipers? I'm asking for a fair lottery for the public to utilize public land.

Everyone that took the time to apply and shoot the proficiency test and pass it has been selected. And they are going to get to hunt cheaper than prior years.

Yet, we still have a couple folks complaining on here that didn't take the time to apply and hunt. Let's see, 100% of those willing did what was required and are happy. Those that didn't are complaining. Sounds like we got the correct hunters after all!

Maybe you missed my post...it wasn't that I didn't take the time, it is that I didn't want to hunt Oak Mountain. That doesn't mean I shouldn't be concerned about the precident that is being set for managing hunts on Alabama state parks does it?

You really don't get it do you? It only worked out that way because not many people applied. If more had applied you have said yourself you would "pick" who got to hunt. That is a bad precident to set for how we are going to select who gets to hunt on publicly owned land.

I'm not complaining about who is hunting this year, it worked out well for all involved. I am complaining that your selection process is a bad one and I certainly hope a better process will be in place for future hunts and that hunting on state parks can eventually be expanded to other state parks resulting in even more hunting opportunities.

Why do you think the lottery system is working in GA but not here?