Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany

 

Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany


Enabling Logistics Excellence  •
Natural resources manager provides bow-hunting requirements, important dates

By Nathan L. Hanks Jr. | Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany | August 13, 2015

August 13, 2015 --

Most Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany deer-hunting enthusiasts are counting down the days until bow-hunting season opens aboard the installation, Sept. 12.

Julie Robbins, natural resources manager, Environmental Branch, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany, said before hunters can get into their tree stands, there are several requirements and important dates they need to know.

All hunters must attend a hunting season safety brief. Separate hunting briefs have been set aside for returning hunters and those new to hunting or new to the base.

·  All returning and new hunters must attend one of the scheduled hunting season safety briefs, Aug. 18 or 19, from 11:30 a.m. – noon or from noon - 12:30 p.m. at the Base Theater.

“The hunting briefs provide hunters a summary of the upcoming season’s rules and regulations,” Robbins said. “Each year, antler restrictions, quotas and other regulations are adjusted based on biological data, input from hunters, deer surveys and other factors.”

Robbins added the hunter briefs provide a forum to ensure that all hunters are aware of these changes.

To hunt aboard MCLB Albany, per Base Order 1720.17R and Base Bulletin 1720, all bow-hunters must pass the base hunter’s qualification and the National Bowhunters Education Foundation safety courses.

“The National Bowhunter Education Foundation Course is a nationally-recognized hunter education class that promotes safe, responsible hunting,” Robbins added. “The course focuses on stand safety, skills to make hunters successful, the history and evolution of bow hunting, and ethics.”

All new hunters must complete and pass NBEF’s online course test at www.bowhunter-ed.com.

“Hunters should select Florida as the home state since Georgia is not yet available,” she said. “Once the online portion is completed and the test successfully passed, hunters must attend one of two offered field days.

“Hunters should not sign-up for the $30 field day offered online,” she warned. “The field days here on the installation are free of charge and will include the annual hunting brief and archery qualification.”

Hunters who have previously passed the safety course do not need to take it again.

All hunters must qualify with their bow, which will demonstrate a hunter’s proficiency and provide an opportunity for them to inspect their gear, Robbins noted.

·  All hunters must pass the base hunter’s qualification course at the Base Archery Range scheduled for Aug. 25 - 27 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m. each day.

·  There are two qualification stations this year; a known-distance range and a walk-through course. Hunters are allowed to practice prior to qualifying. For both courses, two out of three arrows must cut the pie plate at 30 yards.

It’s also important for hunters to know and understand the latest base hunting regulations to have a successful hunting season, Robbins said.

·  The deer quota for the 2015-2016 season is 20 bucks and 20 does, depending on the deer survey, which will be conducted Aug. 18 – Sept. 1. If the quotas should change, hunters will be notified via email, according to Robbins. Hunters are asked not to enter the woods during the survey time.

·  The buck antler restrictions include a 15-inch inside spread or 18-inch main beam.

·  Hunters can begin scouting the day after the deer survey ends, Sept. 1.

In addition, all hunting enthusiasts are required to have a valid Georgia hunting license, big game license and a base hunting permit, according to Robbins.

Base hunting permits may be obtained at the Environmental Branch Office in Building 5501.

For more information, call the Natural Resources Office at 229-639-9946.

bow hunters MCLB Albany Qualification