BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A move to liberalize Alabama's hunting laws has sparked a debate so passionate you'd think the subject was college football.
A state board has approved a series of proposals to loosen hunting regulations in Alabama, where hunting is a $3 billion industry helped along by one of the nation's longest game seasons. Under the new rules, hunters could use turkey decoys, crossbows and sights on muzzleloaders "” practices that are all currently banned.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources says the changes are aimed at adding more options for hunters, and the move already has opened up new marketing opportunities for hunting manufacturers and retailers. While the changes still aren't final, Wal-Mart stores in the state have started stocking crossbows from $159 and up.
But the new rules have outraged some unusual critics "” hunters themselves, not the animal-rights types who might be expected to join such a fight. They say traditional outdoor ideals like fair play are being trumped by dollars in a bid to sell more products and increase the state's sale of hunting licenses, which has lagged in recent years.
"My biggest concern is the hunter ethics they are destroying," said Bud Cardinal, a retired veterinarian and former member of the state board that approved the changes.
Symbolic of the chasm dividing state hunters, Cardinal said he can only speak for himself and not the Alabama Wildlife Federation, for which he is a lobbyist. Directors of the organization are split over the issue.
While the changes would begin taking effect this fall, a special legislative council still must approve the new rules. No hearing date is set, but both sides are getting ready for a fight.
"It's an interesting mix that all boils down to the social aspects of hunting," said Jerry de Bin, a spokesman for the state conservation agency.
In a state where sporting debates usually revolve around Alabama vs. Auburn on the gridiron, hunting rules have become a point of contention. The debate is mostly out of the public view since the state sold only 432,000 hunting licenses in 2003, or one for every 10 of Alabama's 4.3 million residents.
The drive for changes began earlier this year in the Legislature, where a bill was introduced to legalize deer and turkey hunting over baited fields within certain guidelines.
The bill "” which purists considered a green light to unethical hunting "” died in committee. But in May, the Conservation Advisory Board, which helps sets policy for the state wildlife agency, approved a series of unrelated changes. They included:
_Allowing the use of decoys during spring turkey season. Supporters said Alabama was the only state that didn't allow decoys for turkey hunting, in which the skills of camouflaging, stillness and calling are vital and can take years to master.
_Approving the use of crossbows, which are held like rifles and are generally considered easier to use than traditional longbows or compound bows. Previously, only disabled hunters could use crossbows in Alabama.
_Letting hunters who use old-fashioned muzzleloading guns add telescope-like sights to their weapons. Also, the board allowed hunting with muzzleloaders during five days previously set aside for bow hunters.
Accusations of wrongdoing began almost as soon as the meeting ended.
Board chairman Dan Moultrie, who owned a game-feeder company and now works for a company that makes products including turkey decoys, was accused of having a conflict of interest when he voted to allow decoys. The board approved the change again at a meeting last month, with Moultrie abstaining from the vote.
But that didn't blunt the broader criticism that loosening the regulations would give hunters an unfair advantage over their prey. And some traditional bow hunters are still angry about the approval of crossbows "” which they claim really are firearms "” and about losing part of their season to muzzleloaders.
De Bin, a spokesman for the conservation department and Commissioner Barnett Lawley, said the changes were about opening up new avenues for hunters, not money.
"There's enough deer to go around. This commissioner has said we're going to give people choice," de Bin said.
De Bin said most hunters favor the new rules becoming permanent, and Tommy Birkenfeld is among them. With an old shoulder injury that makes it hard for him to draw and hold a regular bow, Birkenfeld already is practicing with his new crossbow.
"I went and bought one as soon as they voted for the change," said Birkenfeld.
My thoughts are if the move is motivated strictly from an economic postition and/or pressure from retailers etc. perhaps those opposed have a legitimate grip. If it based on wildlife management and controlling the wild game populations etc., that's good or perhaps a combination of both. Either way it is good to see the passion people have for the sport and the rules that govern them.
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If you give a politician an enema you can easily hide them in a bread box.
A modern muzzleloader is SUPPOSE to be sighted - they are designed for sabots and bullets, not patches and balls.
And archery - the compound bow is a more effective weapon than a crossbow will ever be. Crossbows pose no threat to archery season at all - none - and has never been proven too.
Wanna talk scent lock suits, deer feeders, camtrackers, deer urine, electronic rattling and grunting kits, ATV's , scnet free blinds .......... the whole industry and hunting mentality is drive by one thing
MAKE HUNTING EASIER
Until the G&F and the hunting people realize this, silly bans on this and that make no sense and a faux nadage on the larger issue at hand. Don't talk to me about technology when you drive the woods in an ATV, bait with corn, use a decked out compound while wearing scnet lock and using 3D deer decoys out of a $500 ground blind.
There is a push to sell more "stuff" to hunters, not just in AL but all over. From a management perspective, if the hunters are having a hard time keeping the deer herd (appx. 1.5million in AL, last I heard) in check, something's gotta be done.
A higher level of success, makes more hunters which in turn results in more license sales, and projects to benefit all wildlife, etc.
Amongst hunters there's always arguements on the quality of the harvest and the trophy aspects of hunting. Even if a hunter only ever harvests one deer [turkey, duck, moose, etc.] and enjoyed the experience, all hunters benefit. It's one more pro-hunter and one less fence sitter that can help protect our hunting heritage from the anti crowd.
The question "How much technology is too much?" will always be around in one form or
another. Making it too easy demeans hard won and worked for harvests. There's a line, but I don't know exactly where it is for me. I once read a line off this website where someone wrote that unless you're out there in a loincloth & a spear, you don't have much right to dictate to anyone else how much technology is too much. While I'm not primitive down to that level, (I repect the guys who are) I don't hunt with laser guided, infra-red scanning, terrain following turkey seeking cruise missles either.
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Days Full Of Clays...
NWTF, DU, SCI
I have hunted for about 40 years now and the most hi-tech I got was to buy a scope for my rifle when Maine went to a bucks only law. Other than a little hot seat I carry around with me and the mandatory blaze orange hat and vest that's it.
Don't use eye help, scents, blinds, decoys, calls - nothing. If I want to be up in a stand I climb a tree. A lot of that stuff is illegal in Maine anyways.
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If you give a politician an enema you can easily hide them in a bread box.
If it's called a "Primitive Weapons" season (not sure in AL) it's a joke from the start. Nothing primitive about compounds and in-line muzzleloaders.
Heard a lot about this earlier in the month at the Alabama Society of Traditional Bowmen's state championship. Seemed to be a lot of questionable activity going on, with no studies (scientific or otherwise) to back those who were making the changes, along with questions about money being the only motivation. There were studies from the other side---page upon page upon page that was not taken into consideration.
If they are going to allow crossbows, muzzleloaders, etc. into every season, might as well let the entire season be a free-for-all and hunt with whatever you want. So much for those who enjoy the quiet and solitude of archery season, not to mention not having to worry about stray bullets.
It's being corrupted by the allmighty dollar just like everything else. Dang shame too.
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
All of the changes alabama is doing are legal in arkansas. big deal!!!!!!!!!
You mean you can't use a decoy for turkey hunting in alabama? While i have never killed a gobbler using a decoy i have some. I guess according to this
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Allowing the use of decoys during spring turkey season. Supporters said Alabama was the only state that didn't allow decoys for turkey hunting, in which the skills of camouflaging, stillness and calling are vital and can take years to master.
I am a master!
You know as i see it alabama has alot of whiny babys that just want it their way!!!.
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But that didn't blunt the broader criticism that loosening the regulations would give hunters an unfair advantage over their prey. And some traditional bow hunters are still angry about the approval of crossbows "” which they claim really are firearms "” and about losing part of their season to muzzleloaders.
And i am glad it ticked off "traditional bowhunters" !
crossbows really firearm??????????????never heard one go boom!!
These changes will really do nothing except give some a chance to hunt with a crossbow if they want, use a decoy and enjoy hunting with a modern muzzleloader!
Whats the real problem??
Selfish jerks!!!!!!!!
soark, look up more information than what you see here. There's a lot more to it. Muzzleloaders have been allowed, I belive (not 100% sure) crossbows have been allowed, even spears have been allowed, in their proper seasons. Crossbows generally tick archers off because they are as much or more a gun than a bow. Even though it only takes most folks a reasonably short time to be accurate enough to hunt with a compound, it still has to be drawn in the presence of the deer. The x-bow may not go "boom", but it still has a stock and trigger, and can sit cocked and locked for an indefinate period of time. Use them in the regular gun season where they belong. There is already a provision for those who cannot shoot a bow to use a x-bow in the archery season.
It's not a bunch of selfish jerks on the anti side, it's a few greedy jerks on the pro side. Cougar and stealthy are both right--its all about money and making it easier--they go hand in hand. Making it easier/allowing easier equipment will bring in more sales of the equipment and more people in the woods.
What's the down side of this? I see it drawing primarily two groups in--those too lazy to work and become proficient with the traditional weapons, and those that think if they buy these new weapons it will automatically transform them into Daniel Boone. There's more to hunting that dressing up in the latest camo and shooting at animals. Do you think those that are too lazy to work for it and those that have no experience with it are going to have the motivation or knowledge to follow up a blood trail, or take care of the meat once it's down?
I'm not from AL, and I don't hunt in AL, but I do worry that it's going to become a trend. Before you know it the gov't will just pen them up and let whoever wants shoot a deer with whatever weapon they choose for a fee. Got to make is as easy as possible for those who just don't have the time or motiviation to get into the woods and actually learn how to hunt, and it will bring in the money.
Chad
__________________
"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
LBR from what i gather about the muzzleloader issue they are just letting them add a scope? No in lines??
And they are giving the muzzle loaders five days that were during bow season?
Why is this such a big deal?
And when it comes to the crossbow issue i really get steamed and am glad i live in arkansas where from the first day until the last you can hunt with a crossbow during the archery season. from oct to feb.
Now i have a compound bow and a crossbow. i practice with both and enjoy shooting both and will hunt with both. but i still am a gun nut and usually tkae my deer with a gun.
I don't see the point why people would almost codemn me for hunting with a crossbow. i hunt my property that they cannot hunt . and you know it's these so called "traditional bowhunters" that make an issue out of it not those that muzzle load or gun hunt just them.
But hey that really is another issue.
You and others have stated that it's motivated by money.
HELLO!!!!!! where have you guys been??
hunting has been motivated by money for years . just look around these type of boards.
Topics range from products to hunts. i mean these boards have been the best advertising for money hungry companys that make it off hunting.
Hunting has been and unfortunately will continue to be a money making thing.
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What's the down side of this? I see it drawing primarily two groups in--those too lazy to work and become proficient with the traditional weapons, and those that think if they buy these new weapons it will automatically transform them into Daniel Boone. There's more to hunting that dressing up in the latest camo and shooting at animals. Do you think those that are too lazy to work for it and those that have no experience with it are going to have the motivation or knowledge to follow up a blood trail, or take care of the meat once it's down?
Is there really any proof of your theory?
Maybe we should start having the state screen people to see if they are really fit to hunt period. i don't mean just physically but mentally and that trusty old word ethical enough to hunt. i mean some may not find that you and i are fit to be daniel boones. who knows?
And what you think folks that have never hunted are going to say "oh boy honey lets go get a crossbow thing and try hunting!" nope i say 99% will be gun hunters wait ............70% the other 30 will be compounders that aren't stuck up on themselves and want to try something new.
You know the statement .......
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increase the state's sale of hunting licenses, which has lagged in recent years.
is a interesting statement. think if the sales of license are down then really why?? cause folks can't hunt with crossbows? not in my opinion. folks can't use decoys? nope again!
Folks can't have scopes on there smoke poles? NAH!
my take on it is again in reference to money. I beleive the real problem in license sales reduction is loss of hunting land. Hows that ........... years ago lease's were not as expensive as they are today and in some areas were not even heard of. you could get a land owner to let you hunt on thier property with a handshake and a smile. and when the guy that showed up with a hundred and a smile the landowner saw $$$$$$$$$$$ for his product! land!
then joe from the subs had to go back to his cul de sac with a frown.
Thats why license sells are down. now how many folks would have raised cane if the state had put a cap on the price per acre one could charge for hunting rights? or how many acres one could lease?
The landowners and timber companys would.
Anyway to cut this off for now i will just say i have a beef with those elite "bowhunters" that really like to stick thier chests out and pound them and make themselves feel special. i am not against bowhunting by no means just those like the ones in this article!
Alabama Hunting Regulations Spark Debate
