I got a reply to my questions I posed to the Commissioner of the state of Alabama from Jerry de Bin
Chief, Information & Education, which I think is bureaucratic lingo for PR flak.

Chuck,

Thanks for taking time to email Commissioner Lawley with questions about the Conservation Advisory Board. I am pleased to respond to your questions as follows.

Q. Do CAB members consider the wishes of Alabama sportsmen?
A. Yes. It is important to remember that Alabama law only authorizes the Conservation Commissioner to promulgate regulations, with “advice” from the CAB and input from other internal and external sources. CAB members represent their diverse constituency in the process of advising the Conservation Commissioner on seasons & bag limits and other DCNR policies/regulations. Q. Will a move toward antler restrictions and permits lead to more traffic accidents because of a population increase?
A. First, answering this question is speculative but, in my opinion, will not result in increased traffic accidents since buck harvest represents less than half the annual deer harvest. While some may believe that protecting younger bucks equals could lead to more accidents, it is also plausible that hunters will meet their venison quota by harvesting more antlerless deer instead. Only time will tell.

Q. Why do I need to manage our private lease to benefit others who want to hunt trophies?
A. I presume you are referencing the proposed buck harvest restriction in Barbour County. If so, it is not aimed at producing trophy deer, but rather, at improving the quality of herd health and herd structure. An underlying philosophy is that improved deer herd benefits everybody. Quality deer management is not the same as trophy deer management. Support for some form of quality deer management continues to grow inside and outside the DCNR. The Commissioner must weigh the issue from all sides. Some do not favor the change but a growing number do. Wildilfe biologists recommend buck harvest restriction in order to improve deer herd health and herd structure. An increasing number of landowners and hunters are already practicing quality deer management and want it applied on a wider scale.

Q. Do the CAB members have email addresses available to the public?
A. Visit for the published CAB directory.

Q. Since the CAB is an appointed body, are they answerable to anybody?
A. I’m not sure what you mean. Do they represent their constituents? Yes. Are they accountable as public servants? Yes. Can you contact your CAB representative to discuss a conservation issue, problem or proposed regulation? Yes.

Q. Is there any way to contact the CAB for potential interviews concerning their stands on issues that effect all sportsmen of Alabama?
A. Yes. See the CAB directory above.

Q. Is anything being done to keep the middle class or poor from being priced out of hunting besides the rather limited Forever Wild?
A. Yes. First, Forever Wild is significant and has secured over 100,000-acres of land, much of which has been added to our statewide system of Wildlife Management Areas. The combined acreage provides a variety of hunting opportunities statewide for anybody (poor, middle and upper class) for a mere $16.50 WMA permit. The DCNR also aggressively promotes STEP OUTSIDE, an innovative mentor program that introduces newcomers to hunting, fishing and other nature-based recreation.

Again, thanks for your interest in hunting and your concern for its future. It takes all of us working together to pass along the great hunting heritage. Have a great day.

Jerry de Bin
Chief, Information & Education
AL Dept. of Conservation & Natural Resources
64 N. Union St.
Montgomery, AL 36130
Outdoor Alabama
334.242.3151

Well, that called for a followup question or two. Maybe even three.

Thank you for your prompt response to the questions I posed to you. Before I post the email on redneckin and The Rabbit Journal, I would like to follow up.

Actually in reference to why I should manage my property for trophy's when all me and my friends want is a meat deer or two is because of this interview with Mr. Strickland a recent cab appointment.
'Strickland, known as one of the country's premier bow hunters, said one issue he wants to address is managing the state's deer herd. He said the state should look at a tagging system and an antler restriction'. Both of these should lead to a reduction in the overall deer bag in Alabama

The second thing is the move that is being made by some to extend the deer season into February. Is such a plan still in the works? I'm very worried the negative effects that it would have on small game hunters and and hunting in general.

And finally, I read a recent interview that said that 26% of the annual red fish harvest would be wiped out if the natural gas plant is built near Mobile. How does the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and CAB stand on this issue

chuck over at redneckin/The Rabbit Journal

He was very prompt in his response

Chuck,

I have not met Dr. Strickland and cannot comment on his philosophies.
As noted earlier, the CAB is a diverse group of individuals with
different interests and philosophies about wildlife. Dr. Strickland has
an excellent reputation and will surely bring a wealth of knowledge and
experience to the CAB.

There are no plans that I am aware of to extend deer season into
February. Similar stories run through the rumor mill every year but
nothing ever comes of it.

For information on redfish, contact:
Stevens R. Heath
Chief Marine Biologist
P. O. Drawer 458
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(251) 968-7576

Have a good day.
Jerry de Bin
Chief of I&E
The best bet is to go to the contact page and make your opinions known. If we let them operate in a vacuum I can assure you we will get screwed