I'm asking for the opinions of wildlife, land management and DCNR type professionals - retirees too - not necessarily those of professional opinion givers - I assume you all will give yours anyhow .

For the pros:
As far as it impacts hunting in the state of Alabama, If you could eliminate one current trend or regulation or state initiated management practice, what would it be? What would you change?

As far as it impacts hunting in the state of Alabama, If you could implement a new trend or regulation or management practice, what would it be? What would you like to make happen?

I really want to know what the Pros think about the current state of hunting in AL.

This should be interesting I’m saying 5 page minimum

I doubt it. They’ve realized that everyone else’s thoughts and opinions are way more “right” than theirs, and I bet they don’t bite the hook that’s been thrown out. (Not that the OP is intentionally baiting them)

I doubt you'll see anyone but retirees answer. Would put a current employee in a precarious spot...

May not get any feedback to this one...

haha, chickens...

I'd tell Montgomery to get their heads out of their ass and make positive changes to the laws pertaining to hunting hogs. Make hog hunting easier, less restrictions, etc. Don't tell me we have way too many destructive hogs and then restrict the hell out of hog hunting.

Next......

Require everyone that shoots a buck to have it shoulder mounted...

.....And it would be a terrific plan. Very smart. Much better than all of the other plans. Hunters will be tired of seeing such fantastic bucks on a regular basis. Believe me...!

Obviously this suggestion is made in jest. But seriously, that would be pretty effective in getting them to grow. IMO trigger control is the most economical and effective management strategy. What is not realistic is thinking you can persuade hunters to do it, though.

I have to be honest here. It didn't occur at all to me that people currently employed would have a reason to keep their opinions to themselves. At some level I keep thinking this internet thingy is anonymous.
I would appreciate any truthful comments because I have an inquiring mind.... but I get it if there's reason to keep quiet. My dad always gave me the same advice: "Never pass up an opportunity to keep your mouth shut."

How's about easing up on all predator regs? If they are so concerned about deer and turkey numbers , lets do something about a real problem and not take the easy way out and just lower the bag limit.

Shorter deer and turkey seasons.

They have continued to expand/lenghten to the point that there is no Urgency to go by many and it trumps all the small game hunters out of the woods.
Not to mention, so much pressure on the game that it takes away from the quality of the hunting.

But, I am far from a 'professional'!

I’m not a professional but I’ll tell you what i think is a bad trend for hunting and that is the steady upward rise of the coyote population. Not sure of a solution but there needs to be an incentive to kill them, most folks don’t eat them like they do deer.

The coyotes are a bigger problem than most folks realize.

I've have no hogs but a terrible coyote problem had two try to circle me a few weeks ago

Get rid of the CAB. We're paying professionals who are suppose to know what they're doing. Get out of their way and let them do it. If they're not capable, replace them. I don't need political appointees who can afford private leases in Texas making decisions about Alabama hunting, claiming to be representative of the state's hunters. (I don't have a problem with them having the leases. More power to them. They just aren't having to hunt the way the typical Alabamian has to hunt.) We also don't need political appointee's allowing themselves to be used to get unpopular decisions made into law. Part of hiring professionals and letting them do what we pay them to do can sometimes include having to accept things we don't like. If the study's show we need antler restrictions, shorter turkey season or reduced limits, they need to put it out there and back it up.

And there are several areas the whole "make it easier, not harder" concept comes into play. Some have already been mentioned, i.e. trapping and other predator management, hunting WMA's, etc.

We had coyotes real bad then hogs moved in and cyotes vanished. First hog I ever killed was chasing a coyote. Hogs have now been trapped, coyotes have not really returned yet and fawns are everywhere

5$ bounty on coyotes...huntable by any means necessary accept poison...you kill enough to cover next seasons hunting liscense you get a redeemable voucher for a free liscense. If you kill enough to cover a lifetime liscense..you get a one time voucher to cover 1 person in your household..wheather it be you,your wife, or your kids. Be a nice incentive to totally eradicate the mongrels.

I'll say it, this is NOT SMART,😶
Trying to make everyone a trophy hunter just because one believes he's a trophy hunter is flat out dumb. Alot of people hunt because they enjoy hunting and want the meat. I could kill a 180 buck, and it'll be a skull mount. I have enough mounts of other animals so I don't want any more l9l

I agree with a bounty, heck state of Wa put one on nutria

So........

How much of an increase will I have on my license to pay people to trap on their property??
I mean, I do it myself and am not waiting around on the ‘Government’ to come fix my problem.

But, maybe I am wrong.....maybe the Government really does just print out money when they need some and don’t collect it as taxes and fees from the Public.....

ha, Danny, they could of took all the money they squandered at Lowndes and funded coyote bounties for years....LOL