September 10, 2015 --
Many Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany hunting enthusiasts
long for the start of the deer bow-hunting season.
For some, hunting is a vacation, but to others it’s a
passion and a chance to pass on a family tradition.
Saturday will end that long wait as more than 50 Marine
Corps Logistics Base Albany registered deer bow-hunters take to their tree
stands aboard the base for the opening day of deer bow-hunting season.
These hunters attended mandatory hunter safety briefs and
proved their skills through a qualification process.
According to Julie Robbins, natural resources manager,
Environmental Branch, Installation and Environment Division, MCLB Albany, the
base hunting program prevents the deer population from surpassing the capacity
of its environment.
Robbins said deer harvest is set based on population
estimates obtained by camera and spotlight surveys.
As the anticipation of harvesting the “big one” builds, hunters
are reminded there is no requirement to harvest a doe first during the season,
which is scheduled to end Jan. 10, 2016, according to Robbins.
“Hunters can harvest one buck and one doe to begin with,”
Robbins said.
She noted adjustments to the individual deer quotas may be
made mid-season depending on how many are harvested.
Hunters should follow
regulations
Robbins said antler requirements must include an 18-inch
main beam or 15-inch inside spread for bucks.
“The 15-inch inside spread usually translates into antlers
that are outside of the deer’s ears,” she said. “This will protect most 1 1/2 -
2 1/2 year-old bucks from being harvested and improve the age structure of the
deer herd.”
Al Belanger, game warden, Environmental Branch, said hunters
must check in at Building 5643 before entering and after exiting the woods.
Bow hunters cannot check in any earlier than two hours prior
to sunrise and must check out no later than one hour after sunset, he said.
The game warden emphasized all hunters must read the log
book at the Game Warden’s Office before entering the woods for any changes or
updates.
All hunters must display the vehicle information sheet on
the dash while hunting, he added.
“It is mandatory that
all hunters wear a full-body safety harness while in a tree stand,” Belanger
said. “Hunters will receive suspensions if caught hunting without their safety
harnesses.”
Additionally, hunters must fill out their deer harvest
records properly prior to moving harvested deer.
“Once at the Game Warden’s Office, hunters must weigh,
photograph and record basic biological information on harvested deer to help us
improve our knowledge about the age, structure and physical condition of the
deer herd aboard the base,” Belanger said.
Certain personnel may
hunt aboard base
Hunters allowed to hunt aboard the installation include active-duty
service members, retirees and civil service personnel and their family members.
Only active-duty or retired service members can bring
guests. Sponsored guests pay their sponsor’s rate for each seven consecutive
days of hunting.
Payment must be made in advance and Robbins or Belanger must
be notified by email along with how long the guests will be here after hours
and weekends.
To hunt on MCLB Albany, per Base Order 1720.17R and Base
Bulletin 1720, all bow hunters must pass the National Bow Hunters Education
Foundation safety course and the base hunter’s qualification course.
All hunters are required to possess a base hunting permit
and a valid Georgia hunter’s license, according to Belanger.
He said there are about 1,200 acres of land available for
hunting aboard the base.
For more information, call 229-639-9946.