People in general don't want to stray very far from the accepted norm. Short seasons and low limits are the norm in other states, and their agency leaders see AL as backwards in our game management system. The desire of our leadership is to make us like everyone else. Looks like they will.

Here is my response.... Catch me if you can!

I've seen a lot of vague statements like this posted; can you be more specific? What could they possibly have discovered that is not hunter friendly? The gobblers still don't sit on the eggs or assist with raising poults. It's hard to imagine what they might have found on the hard hunted public land they are studying that applies to the whole state.

I've hunted the same property for 54 years. Populations have gone up and down depending on our habitat, but I have never seen any evidence that hunting did anything but help the turkey population. And right now it's up. It's produced more gobblers the past 2 years than it ever has. I don't see the crisis here.

The response I got was very similar but not exactly....keep in mind that I quoted the assistant directors comments in the Tuscaloosa news article in my emails and he had no comment on that.


Mr. Cockrell,
I was forwarded several emails from you today, one of which came from the Commissioner’s office, and I have been asked to respond to your concerns. I see that they are all centered around the change in the opening day of turkey season for the upcoming season. This quote was taken from your email addressed to specifically to me, “I realize that the CAB makes this recommendations but can’t you, as the director over rule them?” As you stated, the recommendation was not proposed by ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) wildlife biologists. However, we do not make the regulations. We can make recommendations to the Commissioner and the Board, but we can’t over rule them. So, ultimately, it is their decision.

Here’s another quote from you in an email simply addressed to whom it may concern, “ I wish we had leadership in the DCNR that wouldn’t allow major changes like this to seasons without a concrete biological reason.” Be careful what you wish for, you may just get it. The first priority with our staff in recommending changes to season regulations is the wildlife resource in which we are deemed responsible for managing. If a later opening had been proposed by our staff, it would likely have been later than the 3rd Saturday in March based on preliminary data. Our WFF Wild Turkey Committee, in cooperation with researchers at Auburn University, has developed wild turkey prediction models using current biological data such as reproduction, survival, and harvest rates to predict future populations under various season and bag limit alternatives. Although this work is not yet complete, indications are pointing to a later opening and reduced bag limit as the optimal alternative to produce the most viable populations. We are currently updating the model and will include data gleaned from the current AU research project when it concludes next year. Besides the observed decline in population growth as evidenced by our statewide brood surveys and harvest trends, harvest intensity in the first couple weeks of the spring season may play a role in reducing the potential of hens being bred.

The final quote of yours I’d like to respond to came specifically to me, “I am just very disappointed that we would allow a change like this based on someone’s agenda rather than abound biological reason.” I am looking at the turkey season and bag limit recommendations through three pair of glasses. First as a turkey hunter with 40 years of experience here in Alabama. Secondly, as a college educated wildlife biologist with more than 25 years of on-the-ground experience of managing tens of thousands of acres in Alabama. And finally, as the Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries whose job is to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama. As a selfish turkey hunter, I want as many days afield as I can get regardless of the negative impact it could have on the resource. As a biologist, I want the season to start in April as the biological data suggests which would be best for the resource. As the Director, I have to weigh the consequences of both sides before I make recommendations. Although these season changes may be inconvenient for our hunters, me included, our focus is maintaining sustainable populations of wild turkeys, while providing hunting opportunities for all Alabamians, now and in the future.
Thank you for your input and I hope I have adequately addressed all of your concerns.

Chuck Sykes

Director

Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division

I thought it was pretty comical that he told me to “be careful what I wish for, I just might get it”

Oh No! He’s threatening me with wildlife decisions based on science!!!! 😂😂😂😂

Just a thought, too: Sykes is responding to these emails, which is good instead of ignoring them or foisting them off to an underling, but surely y'all don't believe he's the absolute only one who decided or mandated or is making these changes?

Also, looking through three pair of glasses isn't good for your eyes. You could end up like this:

Reminds me. I need a new pair of running shoes before next year.

I think it's pretty clear that if we want sound biological decisions being made in regards to the game and fish in this state, we are going to need a new director. No email or call any of us send is going to sway the opinion of this out of touch, arrogant, asshat. I think we would probably all be better served by emailing Kay Ivey and asking her to make the change since she is the one who ultimately appoints the director.

Yep

Actually the guvner appoints the commissioner, not the director.

The governor appoints the commissioner and the Conservation Advisory Board. Apppointees "serve at the pleasure of the governor" and can be dismissed at any time for any reason.

The director is hired like any other state employee.


Think about that: the Advisory Board is appointed by the governor, as is the Commissioner - who can accept or reject the "recommendations" of the Advisory Board.

His Daddy didn't whip his arse enough when he was growing up. Arrogant prick.

Interesting, and I stand corrected. I still think approaching this through the governor has a better chance of success than dealing with Chuckie. So who determines if Chuckie needs to be fired and replaced?

Looks like we have a pattern , the Feb deer season extension for NA comes to mind . Sorry fellers, just couldn't help myself.

Chuck is an arrogant POS. He can go F himself.

Well, ol Chuck is right about one thing. Be careful what you wish for.
I used to have heated arguments with Corky and Riley.
Corky was the most stubborn, hard headed, stuck in the mud SOB I ever met.
But I sure do miss them two jackasses.
They both weighed their options, told the truth and didn't seem to have a personal agenda.

I am no college-educated wildlife biologist like Chuck is but I do know what i have witnessed at our hunting club in Sumter County. 20 years ago we had a lot more mixed Timber than we do now and I have an old journal where we recorded hunt observations. If you didn't hear 10 or 12 a day they just weren't Gobbling very good. Now I would doubt there's 10 or 12 gobblers on the whole property. So much young cut over that the birds are relegated to the smzs along the creeks and that property cant support the number of birds it did when it was mixed timber.

Despite what may be presented, these changes are being pushed from somewhere besides the CAB. It can only be the department. There were 4 CAB members that voted against the limit reduction, I have talked to them all and they seem steady against changes without biological evidence to support it. Ben Stimson and Raymond Jones are solid guys with good sense and biological knowledge. I believe Pat Cagle is for science supported recommendations also. That science does not include computer models to tell us how to set regulations! I think Grady Hartzog is also thinking practically. Many of you may know Tim Woods from Selma. He was just appointed and is also a solid guy with good sense. If we can keep these 5 guys from voting against changing limits and season dates, we should be able to hold the line. I would also note that they are all heavily involved with the Alabama Wildlife Federation and get sound information from folks there. I would recommend contacting them by phone, email, and/or letters and voicing your opinion whatever it may be.

Thank you for the information gobbler. I am done emailing or contacting Chuck about anything that’s for sure.