I've been critical and vocal of my disgust of our DCNR because of the doe days. I've been critical of Chuck as well 50% of his job is selling hunting in Alabama, and the other 50% is making hunters happy.

Former employee just retired after 30 years, would like to know what hunters think about the current direction of the Dept,and what changes to the laws and how the GWs operate. What kind of grade would you give from 1 to 10.

The February deer season extension in North zone has been highly discussed topic. Some of the biologist at least, maybe all, we're against this move. The one I spoke with was adamant against it. Against it with biology to back it up. But the DCNR led by Sykes who is a biologist chose to go against biology. Do we need someone over the States resources who will go against biology in decision making.

NOBODY will ever convince me that Will Ainsworth isn't solely responsible for the season extension in north Alabama. He was losing a LOT of money to high fence operations in south Alabama when their season was longer than ours. Biologically, the extension is not needed up here. Follow the money.

My apologies for getting distracted. Obviously my opinion of Chuck is no secret. But regarding the original question, I think the direction of the Dept got sidetracked years ago, like 20+ years ago, well before most of the current administration. That's when they seemed to lose focus on the "conservation and natural resources" opting instead to mitigate the political implications. Money is always a driver, there's no way around it. But balancing revenue and politics can leave the wildlife out in the cold, so to speak. I do understand the difference between laws and regulations, as well as the limitations of each one. Some of the things folks want from the DCNR just isn't within their authority. Some of things our lawmakers want are not practical or beneficial to the resources. That alone is a real balancing act. I just happen to believe there are ways to increase revenue without defrauding your lifetime license holders or breaking your commitment to almost every "Consumer Group" in the state. (BTW, I really hate that term "consumer group". I believe that's an original Corky Pugh cliche).
For example, I don't believe license sales reflects the actual number of hunters, and I think the gap is really large. I believe the cheap fines and lack of enforcement are responsible for a substantial revenue shortfall. That's not an opinion about game wardens. I think the majority of them do a great job, but they are spread too thin not authorized enough overtime. Changing fines would require changing the law, but adding GWs and allowing them work whenever they deem necessary could be done with a handshake.
I disagree with moving season dates and changing bag limits purely for political gain, ignoring any available input from professional biologists in the field. Then there's the ever popular game check. I'm not opposed to using it, and have complied faithfully since it was implemented. The problem I have is that it offers numerous ways to cheat and yet we keep hearing that the majority of hunters aren't in compliance and the "data" is useless. Well, first of all, the data isn't very useful anyway... (sex, or number of points, and location). Then place the blame on hunters for not following the rules.
I will say that I'm very proud of the buck limit and I then it's already paying off in many areas. I'm also pleased with the app, and that I can now carry my license and record right on my phone.
I could go on and on but it boils down to, in my opinion, the Dept as a whole gets a 👎
But most of the GWs and other field personnel get a 👍




.

You touched on a HUGE mistake by the DCNR. Not sure how long you have been here but there was an old dude years ago before named 49'er. He posted for one season the citations written. It named the GW and who received the citation and the violation. ALL IS PUBLIC RECORD! The DCNR should post this every year. Show us what the GWs are doing. Might not get many people's attention but getting your name on that list just might, MIGHT, deter violations. Also, hunting clubs could use the list to screen future members.

As far as the citations being written now, I just might be a little closer to what's going on but I know their is A LOT of citations written. But no one knows.

I remember 49er. I remember when he did that. I trained that officer whose cases he posted.

The reason I cannot take you guys seriously is because you actually say stuff like "Alfa drives deer hunting rules". Oh my everloving Lord, you cannot be serious. Please God, turn your feed store hat around forward and and stop making the rest of us hunters look like low functioning inbreds. I bet you think clumped deer poop is "buck" turds. And folks wonder why Sykes has a condescending opinion about Alabama hunters.

You cannot really say tinfoil buffoonish crap like that, then try to make an intelligent accusation about the DCNR....stop it, just stop it. How many times must I tell you that deer don't even blip the radar, they are a bazillion items down the list of claims cost--and that's ALL you need to know. Completely irrelevant.
Now if you think the Alabama Farmers Federation has something to do with it, that could be. I cannot imagine what or why, but I don't know their operations. Alfa is not the AFF, not in the sense you are implying. I promise you, insurance companies are not concerning themselves with deer hunting, and even if they were, of ALL companies Alfa wouldn't be (good Lord, half the home office executive staff are staunch hunters. You know, the ones you're saying want all the deer gone).

The reason I cannot take you guys seriously is because you actually say stuff like "Alfa drives deer hunting rules". Oh my everloving Lord, you cannot be serious. Please God, turn your feed store hat around forward and and stop making the rest of us hunters look like low functioning inbreds. I bet you think clumped deer poop is "buck" turds. And folks wonder why Sykes has a condescending opinion about Alabama hunters.

You cannot really say tinfoil buffoonish crap like that, then try to make an intelligent accusation about the DCNR....stop it, just stop it. How many times must I tell you that deer don't even blip the radar, they are a bazillion items down the list of claims cost--and that's ALL you need to know. Completely irrelevant.
Now if you think the Alabama Farmers Federation has something to do with it, that could be. I cannot imagine what or why, but I don't know their operations. Alfa is not the AFF, not in the sense you are implying. I promise you, insurance companies are not concerning themselves with deer hunting, and even if they were, of ALL companies Alfa wouldn't be (good Lord, half the home office executive staff are staunch hunters. You know, the ones you're saying want all the deer gone).