to the email I sent to Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Wildlife Section in connection with the steady lengthening of deer season at the expense of the small game hunter.

Keith Guyse, who responded last year, gave this answer this year
"I did not expect any break with the traditional date of October 15th for the opening of the archery deer season but obviously I was wrong. I have to remind myself from time to time that anything is possible during the process of setting those season dates."

while, Gary H. Moody, Chief, Wildlife Section, (334) 242-3469, Gary.Moody@dcnr.alabama.gov responded to a rather snide note that I sent saying

"This move effectively takes away two days that I can run rabbits because the deer hunters don't want you to hunt on their property when season has started. Or most any other time, come to think of it. Every thing that you do in this state is for the deer hunters whoare increasingly tieing up available hunting land at the expense of the small game hunter because we don't have the clout or the MONEY to fight you.
I lose more time and I might get rid of my pack and quit hunting.
Then, since theres not enough room in the woods for me, I may as well vote to severely restrict hunting and ultimately ban it."

Sense my frustration?

His reply
"We appreciate your enthusiasm for small game hunting.
We are disappointed that you seem to think we are not fully supportive of encouraging and increasing opportunities for small game hunting. The proposal that we have heard more in the last few years that will affect small game hunting is to increase deer season into Feburary. We have consistantly not supported that recommendation and one of the main reasons is the negative impact such a move would have on small game hunters.
The next meeting of the Conservation Advisory Board will be in February.
The time and place will be posted on the web site. We invite you to attend the board meeting to support hunting opportunities for small game hunters. "