Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
ACEOA Magazine 1
ACE Magazine is the official publication of the
Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officer
Association. Purchase of advertising space
does not entitle the advertisers to any privileges
or favors from members. ACE Magazine does
not assume responsibilit y for statements of
fact or opinion made by any cont ribut or.
This magazine is created and produced by
Brent-Wyatt West. Copyright 2014.
All rights reserved.
EDITOR:
Gayle Morrow
PUBLISHER:
Brent-Wyatt West
8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
SALES OFFICES:
Chris Banks / Jim Downing
8436 Crossland Loop, Suite 207
Montgomery, Alabama 36117
(334) 213-6229
WWW.ACEOA.ORG SUMMER 2014
ON THE COVER
The beautiful Lake Guntersville
State Park was the site of the
ACEOA State Convention.
in this issue...
2014 2016 State Ofcers and Directors ....................................... 3
Presidents Column ....................................................................... 5
From the Trenches ........................................................................ 7
2014 ACEOA Convention .............................................................. 11
Kids Korner ................................................................................ 29
Mississippi Gulf Coast Billsh Classic .......................................... 33
How to Survive a Venomous Snake Bite ....................................... 39
Bankhead Kids Fishing Derby ...................................................... 43
Catsh Rodeo Offers Fun, Education ........................................... 49
Beyond The Basics ...................................................................... 53
Pike County Kids Fishing Day Sets Record .................................. 61
Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuary .................................................... 65
Beaver Friend or Foe? ............................................................... 71
Press Release ~ Catch a Wave at Oak Mountain State Park ........ 75
Enjoying the World Unplugged ................................................. 77
Bass Fishing in Alabama ............................................................. 87
Concerns of Police Survivors ....................................................... 93
Blue Springs State Park Hosts Youth ............................................ 95
Butler County Youth Fishing Day ............................................... 101
Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) ........................ 105
15th Annual Youth Fishing Rodeo at
Millers Ferry Resource Ofce ................................................. 109
Hope For The Warriors .............................................................. 117
The One That Didnt Get Away .................................................. 123
Barbour County WMA Welcomes Youth .................................... 129
Jackson County FFA Outdoor Camp .......................................... 135
Advertisers Index ...................................................................... 173
Business Directory .................................................................... 181
ACEOA Magazine 3
2014 2016 ACEOA State Officers
Executive Director
Rusty Morrow (Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Enforcement Retired)
2014 ACEOA State Ofcers
Heath Walls President Vance Wood Vice President Chris Lewis Secretary/Treasurer
Chris Jaworowski Past President
DISTRICT I
Ernie Stephens Director Wendell Fulks Associate Director
BLOUNT, COLBERT, CULLMAN, FAYETTE, FRANKLIN, LAMAR, LAUDERDALE, LAWRENCE, LIMESTONE, MADISON, MARION, MORGAN, WALKER, WINSTON
DISTRICT II
Scott Kellenberger Director Jerry Fincher Associate Director Joel Glover Associate Director
CALHOUN, CHAMBERS, CHEROKEE, CLAY, CLEBURNE, COOSA, DEKALB, ETOWAH, JACKSON, MARSHALL, RANDOLPH, ST. CLAIR, TALLADEGA, TALLAPOOSA
DISTRICT III
Grady Myers Director Cliff Robinson Associate Director Elliott Waters Associate Director
AUTAUGA, BIBB, CHILTON, DALLAS, GREENE, HALE, JEFFERSON, LOWNDES, PERRY, PICKENS, SHELBY, SUMTER, TUSCALOOSA
DISTRICT IV
Tim Ward Director Patrick Norris Associate Director Rick Smith Associate Director
BARBOUR, BULLOCK, COFFEE, COVINGTON, CRENSHAW, DALE, ELMORE, GENEVA, HENRY, HOUSTON, LEE, MACON, MONTGOMERY, PIKE, RUSSELL
DISTRICT V
Don Reaves Director Joe Little Associate Director Bo Willis Associate Director
BALDWIN, BUTLER, CHOCTAW, CLARKE, CONECUH, ESCAMBIA, MARENGO, MOBILE, MONROE, WASHINGTON, WILCOX
ACE Magazine
Gayle Morrow Editor
For questions about your District Director, ACEOA, or membership contact:
Rusty Morrow, P.O. Box 74, Lowndesboro, AL, 36752, (334) 3919113, rusty_morrow@yahoo.com
ACEOA Magazine 5
Presidents Column
By Heath Walls
I
would like to personally thank everyone that has
supported our Alabama Conservation Enforcement
Ofcers. Whether you have supported our ofcers by
becoming a member, associate member, or by buying ads in
our ACEOA Magazine your support is greatly appreciated.
We had our annual ACEOA Convention this year at
Guntersville State Park. The facilities at Lake Guntersville
were outstanding. We had a golf tournament, some good
fellowship, and several impressive guest speakers. That
being said, we are trying to move forward and plan next
years convention and will mail out registration and event
information at the rst of the year to give everyone more
time to plan if they wish to attend. We would like as many
of you as possible to attend. Our conventions provide
a great opportunity for us to meet and socialize outside
of work. Its nice to be able to see ofcers from all over
the state and meet their families.
Since turkey season our Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries Ofcers, Marine Resources Ofcers, and Marine
Police Ofcers have all been busy working on our state
waters to keep everyone safe and to insure compliance
with shing laws. Marine Police are organizing details
in high trafc and problem areas to make waterways
safe and enjoyable to use. Marine Resources Division has
been diligently working to get our state boundary into the
Gulf of Mexico extended from three miles to nine. This
would allow for more state regulated waters and possibili-
ties of extended snapper shing season in those waters.
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries has added most of the
southern half of the state to the area with an extended
deer season. Look for our Hunting and Fishing Digest for
maps and details on the new area and regulation, or look
on Outdoor Alabama.com for all the latest news for the
Department of Conservation.
I hope everyone has a safe summer. Alabama citizens
are blessed with an abundance of public creeks, lakes,
rivers and the gulf. So get out there and enjoy our natural
resources. G
ACEOA Magazine 7
From the Trenches
By Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
I
hope all of our readers had a safe and fun Fourth of
July holiday. It seems families are getting out a lot this
summer. Maybe its a sign things are getting better.
I have hopes anyway.
Our ofcers are busy with their summer duties on the
lakes, rivers and coast. They are also hard at work on our
summer events. It is a very busy time but they reserve
time to assist at our youth shing events across the state.
Some of the events are featured in this
issue of ACE Magazine.
Our State Convention was held May
31st at Lake Guntersville State Park. The
Park was a great location and provided
something different for our ofcers and
their families. If you havent visited this
park lately you need to put it on your list.
The lodge is rst class and the golf course
is a very special addition to a great facility.
We had an array of guess speakers
that was as diverse as it comes. Mr.
James Martin spoke to our guests about
his term as Conservation Commissioner
in the mid eighties. Our being located
at a state park made his contributions
to rebuilding our parks during that era
very interesting. He also discussed the
beginning of Forever Wild. He was the
key gure in starting this great program.
Protecting recreational lands for future
generations and providing a program
that accomplished this goal was an act
of genius.
Wounded Warrior, Gary Everett, was
on hand all weekend with his Nitro
Warrior specially adapted bass boat. He
provided rides for those guests interested
in a fast ride around Lake Guntersville.
For those unfamiliar with Gary, he
takes wounded warriors shing while
he is on the tournament trail. ACEOA
helps sponsor his shing initiative under Hope for the
Warriors program. It is a program we are proud to be
a part of. I would encourage our readers to consider
this program if they are looking for ways to help our
heroes. The shing initiative can be found on the Hope
for the Warriors website. Any donations go directly to
Garys program. We have discovered over the years to
What a pleasure to welcome Whitney DeVane, Miss Alabama
International, to our 2014 ACEOA Convention! Pictured with Whitney
are President Heath Walls and Executive Director Rusty Morrow.
continued on 9
FROM THE TRENCHES continued
ACEOA Magazine 9
use wounded warrior programs where all donations
go directly to the wounded warriors, not some corpo-
rate enterprise.
Gary brought a very nice plaque from Hope for the
Warriors and presented it to ACEOA in appreciation for
our support. He also made a very inspirational speech
about his injuries while serving in the military and the
hardships when he returned home. He is a true hero and
we appreciate all he does for other wounded warriors.
Now, Im not going to say Mr. Martin and Gary
Everett arent handsome guys, because they are. Our
third guest takes beauty to a whole new perspective.
Whitney DeVane, Miss Alabama International, spent the
weekend with us and what a beautiful young lady she
is. We really enjoyed having her. Whitney shed with
Gary early Saturday morning on the lake. Now there
were lots of sh stories when they returned but somehow
Whitney let the big one get away. There were two sides
of the story. I believe Whitney and have no choice but to
blame her guide.
Whitney comes from a law enforcement family back-
ground and believes in programs that support our wound-
ed heroes. She is a true country girl and loves to hunt and
sh. This is the perfect young lady by ACEOA standards.
Please enjoy our convention photos in this summer
issue. Lake Guntersville State Park was enjoyed by all.
I even trailered my motorcycle and was able to enjoy
the beautiful mountain scenery in the open air. I would
encourage other riders to take advantage of this park.
Its worth the drive.
Please enjoy our summer issue and, when nished,
past it on to a friend. Thanks again to our corporate
sponsors that make it possible for ACEOA to have the
success we have. You are our life line.
Now I will leave you with this Quote
Oh, my friend, its not what they take away from you that
counts. Its what you do with what you have left.
~ Hubert Humphrey
G
10ad17
Chattahoochee
Gutters
675 Lee Road 646
Salem, AL 36874
334-826-1678
Bowling BBQ
60 Brian Knoll
Odenville, Alabama 35120
205-640-8932
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Scott Street Grocery & Deli
412 Scott Street
Montgomery, AL 36105
334-354-7268
ACEOA Magazine 11
2014 ACEOA Convention
Lake Guntersville State Park
L
ake Guntersville State Park is located along the
banks of the Tennessee River in Northeast Alabama.
The park overlooks the majestic 69,000-acre
Guntersville Lake and ranges over more than 6,000 acres
of natural woodlands. The park has an 18-hole cham-
pionship golf course, a full-service restaurant, a beach
complex with a rental pavilion and ample parking, out-
door swimming pool for hotel, cabin, and chalet guests,
fishing center, hiking trails,
nature programs, and a day-
use area. Modern campground
and lakeview cottages on the
lake, coupled with a resort
lodge on the pinnacle of Taylor
Mountain and chalets on the
ridge-tops, provide a selection
of overnight accommodations
beyond comparison.
Lake Guntersville State Park
provides a beautiful lodge per-
fect for your associations next
state or regional meeting. The
lodge has conference facilities
large enough to accommodate
up to 300 people for a ban-
quet or opening session, along
with smaller breakout rooms.
The magnicent view of Lake
Guntersville from atop Taylor
Mountain will provide an expe-
rience not soon to be forgot-
ten. This park ranks as a total
recreational resort.
The members of ACEOA
were fortunate to have Lake
Guntersville State Park as
our 2014 Convention site. We
cant say enough about what
a great choice we made in
choosing this location for our
convention. l
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Lake Guntersville State Park continued
ACEOA Magazine 13
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Lake Guntersville State Park continued
ACEOA Magazine 15
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Convention Images continued
ACEOA Magazine 17
The poolside view was pretty nice!
ACEOA Convention Attendees received a very hearty welcome from Guntersville Park employees.
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Convention Images continued
ACEOA Magazine 19
Several of the officers enjoyed meeting the beautiful Whitney DeVane.
Gary Everett shows his appreciation to ACEOA. Pictured
are Heath Walls, Gary Everett, and Rusty Morrow. James D. (Jim) Martin speaking at our convention.
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Convention Images continued
ACEOA Magazine 21
James D. Martin
W
hat a pleasure to have James D. Martin as
our guest and speaker at the ACEOA State
Convention this year!
The following biographical sketch was compiled at the
time of induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor in
October 2009.
James Douglas Martin
has spent a lifetime in pub-
lic service. His roles have
included soldier, business-
man, Congressman, and con-
servationist.
The rstborn son of a school
teacher and a railroad engineer,
Martin attended public schools
in Boyles, Alabama. After
studying at Massey Business
College and Birmingham School
of Law, he worked for Pan Am
Petroleum Corporation until
he enlisted in the U.S. Army,
where he rose to the rank of
major. Serving in World War II
under General George Patton,
he helped to open the gate of
the rst concentration camp
liberated by American Forces
and was instrumental in Austrias cleanup and restoration.
Upon returning home from the military, he estab-
lished Martin Oil Company. A successful and respected
businessman, he was elected president of Associated
Industries of Alabama, now known as the Business
Council of Alabama. His friends and colleagues in the
business community encouraged him to run for public
ofce. In 1962, Martin entered the U.S. Senate race but
lost to incumbent J. Lister Hill by a narrow margin, with
49.1% of the votes. His campaign, though unsuccess-
ful, marked a signicant shift in politics in Alabama and
Republican politics nationwide. In 1964, he launched
another campaign and was elected to the U.S. House
of Representatives as a member of the Eighty-ninth
Congress. Forfeiting his personal desire to run for a sec-
ond term, he accepted the Republican nomination for
governor, but lost the 1966 election to Lurleen Wallace.
Martin was later appointed Commissioner of
Alabamas Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, where he set to work making his mark on
the agency and creating his
legacy. Under his leadership,
the agency renovated all of the
states parks and worked with
Alabama Power Company to
establish a 15,000-acre wild-
life management area. Because
of his unrelenting efforts, the
U.S. Supreme Court allowed
Alabama to restore the off-
shore boundary line for drill-
ing oil, ultimately earning
the state more than a billion
dollars. Martin also initiated
an audit of oil companies that
resulted in adding over $200
million to the states oil and
gas trust fund. A portion of
the interest earned by this
fund made Martins dream
of Forever Wild possible.
Approved by an overwhelming
majority of the voters, this program allows acquisition of
land for permanent preservation. These wildlands, now
more than 180,000 acres, protect our natural environ-
ment and provide opportunities for recreation and for the
enjoyment of nature.
He has served as National Committeeman for the
Republican Party. He is a long-time member of the
Gadsden Kiwanis, and has served as local president and
state lieutenant governor of that organization. He headed
the Gadsden Concert Series and continues as a contribu-
tor to the Gadsden Symphony. He teaches Sunday School
and serves on the Board of Stewards of The First United
Methodist Church. Martin and his wife Pat, a former Miss
Alabama, have three children, ve grandchildren, and one
great-grandchild. Academy in October 2009. l
Rusty Morrow, Jim Martin, and Heath Walls spending
some quality time together at the convention.
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Convention Images continued
ACEOA Magazine 23
Rusty Morrow, Elliott Waters, Gary Everett, and Paul Dinerman.
Gary Everett not only spoke at our banquet but stayed around to give some attendees a FAST ride on the Nitro Warrior.
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Banquet continued
ACEOA Magazine 25
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Golf Tournament continued
26 ACEOA Magazine
ACEOA Gol f Tournament
2014 ACEOA CONVENTION Golf Tournament continued
ACEOA Magazine 27
ACEOA Gol f Tournament
ACEOA Magazine 29
Kids Korner
By Heath Walls
T
his year at our annual ACEOA Convention, we had
a golf tournament instead of a shooting competi-
tion. Several of our members brought their kids
to play. Palmer Fulks, Carson Lewis, and Peyton Walls
all participated in the tournament and had a great time.
Palmer and Peyton had both played before and Carson
caught on quickly. The course at Lake Guntersville was
very open and made nding your ball in the rough a lot
easier. Actually, I think the kids may have spent less time
looking for balls than some of the adults. It was a great
opportunity for the kids to spend time with their fathers
and for fellowship with the guys. I truly hope and think
they enjoyed it and made a memory that will last.
l
(L-R) Carson Lewis, Palmer Fulks, and Peyton Walls.
KIDS KORNER A Very Good Friday continued
ACEOA Magazine 31
A Very Good Friday
By Scott Kellenberger
G
ood Friday was especially good this year for me
and one of my hunting buddies, Andrew Holman.
School was closed that day. Turkey season was
open and I had been seeing a couple of gobblers pretty
regularly in Andrews Grandfathers pasture. We found
the two gobblers; but they lit out in the pasture with four
hens shortly after daylight. We had fun calling to them
and watching them strut and gobble but we couldnt con-
vince them to approach the tree line we were hiding in.
Later in the morning we heard an occasional distant
gobble at the far end of the property and we worked our
way towards it. We set up initially to call the bird, but
were still too far away. Our next set up was almost too
close. I yelped on my box call, the bird gobbled and nearly
blew my hat off. I practically threw Andrew down against
the nearest tree, got my 1100 propped on his knees and
leaned in so I could whisper to him.
The first advice I gave was that this probably
wouldnt work. The turkey was on a sharp point above
us with about a fteen foot rock bluff all the way around.
We were only about twenty yards from the base of the
bluff. We couldnt go up, and it was very unlikely that
the turkey would y down. I had Andrew hold the bead
on the edge of the bluff, and I called again. In a minute
or so we could see a black shape moving near the edge
of the bluff. He gobbled another time or two, and then
made his nal mistake by sticking about eight inches of
head and neck over the edge to look for us. Andrew made
a perfect shot with a load of #6 hevishot. He killed his
rst turkey that day a gobbling Jake. l
10ad17
BRISKMAN & BINION, PC
P.O. Box 43 Mobile, AL 36571
251-433-7660
Bowling BBQ
60 Brian Knoll
Odenville, Alabama 35120
205-640-8932
COASTAL AUTO CARE
1911 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526
251-626-8900
AIR GAS, LLC
P.O. Box 988
Demopolis, AL 36736
334-289-3555
Scott Street Grocery & Deli
412 Scott Street
Montgomery, AL 36105
334-354-7268
TIMBER COMPANY
1159 Arnold Drive
Pine Hill, AL 36769
334-963-9663
Alabama Hard Surfacing, Inc.
1326 Knoxville Street
Birmingham, AL 35224
205-787-7187
ACEOA Magazine 33
Mississippi Gulf Coast
Billsh Classic
By David Rainer, photos by David Rainer
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
S
ometimes surprises come in big packages, some 10
feet and longer. While visiting old friends last week-
end at the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billsh Classic
(MGCBC) in Biloxi, a steady stream of boats was backing
down to the weigh dock with
huge sh.
With 53 boats from all over
the Gulf Coast participating,
the top boats would usually be
spread out among the ve Gulf
states, but this MGCBC was an
exception. Basically, boats from
Alabama ruled.
The top two blue marlin
were landed by Alabama boats,
which also had the winning
yellown tuna, the third-place
wahoo and swept the top three
spots in the dolphin category.
Plus, the Conundrum out
of Orange Beach won the Top
Boat award with its winning
1,200 points in the Catch and
Release division.
But I really shouldnt have
been surprised. Alabama boats
have been winning big all
year. Sea Mixer out of Orange
Beach has already scored two
big prizes as the big-game
season reaches the halfway
point. Ronald Davis Sea Mixer
won the billsh division in the
Orange Beach Billsh Classic
with a 528.8-pound blue and
followed that with the top blue
in the Cajun Canyons tournament in Venice, La., with
a 708.6-pounder.
At the Mobile Big Game Fishing Clubs Memorial
Day Tournament, Johnny Dorlands Cotton Patch out of
Orange Beach weighed in the
largest blue at 710 pounds.
But back to Biloxi.
On Friday, the rst boat to
weigh sh in the MGCBC cre-
ated quite a stir in the big-game
shing community and among
the crowd at the Golden Nugget
and Point Cadet Marina.
As Iona Louise backed into
the dock, the huge frame of
a blue marlin dominated the
space on the back deck. It
took everyone on the dock
crew at the marina to slide the
behemoth off the boat and to
the scales.
When tournament emcee
Scott Rossman called out
843.7 pounds, the Iona Louise
crew started a celebration that
didnt end until the awards were
handed out on Sunday morning.
Not only did that sh stay
atop the leaderboard the
remainder of the tournament,
it also set a record. Deb Hebert,
an emergency room doctor at
South Baldwin Medical Center
in Foley, Ala., landed the big
blue marlin, which is the largest
continued on 35
Deb Hebert and Joe Hudson, owner of the Iona Louise
out of Montgomery, are dwarfed by the 843.7-pound
blue marlin that Hebert boated after a three-hour-plus
battle during the Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic.
It is the largest blue marlin landed by a female angler
in the tournaments 18-year history.
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 35
ever caught by a female angler in the 18-year history of
the tournament.
It took more than three hours for the petite but t
Hebert, also a lieutenant colonel in the Air Reserve who
has own with Keesler Air Force Bases famed Hurricane
Hunters, to subdue the
127-inch billsh.
This was one of the
most exciting experiences
Ive ever had, said Hebert,
who has completed 13 mar-
athons. It was incredible.
Ive only been fishing for
two years, and this was my
rst blue marlin. Ive caught
and tagged white marlin,
but this is my rst blue.
Although Iona Louise
went back out and tagged
a white marlin and caught
the third-place dolphin,
Hebert said the ef fect
of battling the blue was
becoming evident.
My arms are so sore,
I can hardly straighten
them out, she said. Ive
got bruises today that
I didnt even know I was
getting when I was ghting
the sh.
Boat owner Joe Hudson,
a busi nessman f rom
Montgomery, Ala., said he
had a special feeling about
where Iona Louise was sh-
ing when the blue marlin
hit. The boat had been by
the Thunder Horse rig and found little action.
I saw this area with a lot of current about 60 miles
away, so we headed there and it was real shy, Hudson
said. There was bait everywhere 20- to 25-pound
yellowns and 10- to 15-pound blackns jumping every-
where. Thats everything a big marlin eats, so we knew
she was there.
We jigged up some blackns and put a ve-pound
blackn out. Somebody asked when we would get a bite.
I said, well, the moon came up at 7 oclock last night. At
7:00 this morning, the moon will be directly below us,
and thats when theyre going to do it.
Hudson said the question
was posed at 10 til 7:00
a.m., and ve minutes later
the rst evidence of a bite
was apparent.
It started with just a tick,
tick, tick, he said. We let
her eat it for two minutes
before Deb set the hook.
We didnt know what she
had until 30 minutes into
the ght when she came up.
She tail-walked and we got
some great video of that.
We got her to the wire in
50 minutes, but she was so
big she would just drag the
mates across the transom.
You just cant believe how
powerful a big sh like that
is. We got to the leader 25
times in two hours. But she
would do a gure eight on
the port side and go under.
She would do a gure eight
on the starboard side and
go under. This wasnt her
first rodeo. We had 300-
pound leader and t wo
mates try to turn her head,
and they couldnt do it.
Then the marlin sounded
to a depth of more than
1,200 feet, which meant a great deal more work for
Hebert. The sh nally came to the surface again and
the tide turned.
She lit up like a Christmas tree, Hudson said of the
billshs ability to dramatically change skin colors. Once
they do that, theyre using a lot of oxygen. My worry was
continued on 37
The second-place boat in the blue marlin category was
also from Alabama. Patience, an Orange Beach boat,
weighed in a 680.1-pounder that was caught by Andy
Ryan (left), as Parker Huddle captained the boat.
MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST BILLFISH CLASSIC continued
ACEOA Magazine 37
she would die and start sinking. But she made a mistake
and came up beside the boat, and we got a gaff in her.
We had a great crew, but no crew gets to practice on
800-pound sh. Its like grabbing onto a tow truck going
away. We were just fortunate. All these boats have great
shermen. It was our time.
Andy Ryan of Memphis,
fishing with boat captain
Parker Huddl e aboard
Patience out of Orange
Beach, Ala., took second
in the marlin division with
a blue that hit 680.1 pounds
on the scales.
Huddle said they were
shing a rip (where opposing
currents converge) about 130
miles south of Biloxi. They
had tagged a white marlin
before the bite slowed. They
checked out another area,
but returned to the rip, where
they found a lot of bait.
We started live-baiting
with a hardtail (blue run-
ner), and we had the sh in
about an hour, Huddle said.
It happened pretty quickly
for a sh that big.
For those who dont like to
see those big marlin brought
to the scales, Craig Martin
said not to worry. Martin,
who has been sampling mar-
lin at billsh tournaments for National Marine Fisheries
Service since 1986, said only a few sh are weighed in
each year.
About 95 to 97 percent of the billsh hooked are
released, said Martin, who serves as weighmaster for
a number of billsh tournaments on the northern Gulf
Coast. The billsh population appears to be stable, and
there are a lot of big sh out there. The rst four tourna-
ments of the 2014 billsh series have weighed four sh
bigger than 700 pounds. Four 700-pounders in a year
is a big deal, and were only halfway through the series.
But the number of sh brought to the dock is minimal.
Word gets around really
quickly these days about
whats been weighed in, so
a lot of sh get released now
that might not have been in
years past.
The next event in the
billsh series is the Emerald
Coast Blue Marlin Classic
June 12-18 at Sandestin,
Fla., followed by the Blue
Marlin Grand Championship
of the Gulf at The Wharf in
Gulf Shores on July 8-13.
The Alabama state record
blue marlin of 845.8 pounds
was caught last year at
the championship at The
Wharf. The Mobile Big Game
Fishing Club wraps up the
season with its Labor Day
Invitational on Aug. 29-Sept.
1 at Orange Beach Marina.
In other big-game com-
petition at Biloxi, seven
yellowfin tuna that sur-
passed the 100-pound mark
were weighed in during
Saturdays nal round. Brian
Replogle on Blue Smoker out of Orange Beach weighed
in the winning 173.3-pounder.
The top two places in the dolphin division went to
Bloodsport out of Orange Beach. Brad Laquers fish
weighed 43.3, while Pip Aljazra weighed in a 39.9-pound-
er. Heberts 38.6-pound dolphin was third. l
The crew of Blue Smoker, another Orange Beach boat,
celebrates the winning 173.3-pound yellowfin tuna.
ACEOA Magazine 39
How to Survive a
Venomous Snake Bite
By Justin Monk, Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
S
nakes may be Alabamas most misunderstood wild-
life. A high percentage of people are both fascinated
by and fearful of snakes. While not all snakes are
venomous, you should take caution when outside dur-
ing both day and night. Snakes are most active at night,
especially in warmer weather.
Six of Alabamas 40 species of snakes are venomous.
Five of those are classied as pit vipers. Pit vipers have
a depression (pit) on both sides of the face between the
eye and nostril. They have vertical, cat-like pupils along
with triangle-shaped heads, thin necks and heavy bodies.
Pit vipers have hollow, retractable fangs near the front of
the mouth. Alabamas pit vipers include the diamondback
rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, pygmy rattlesnake, cop-
perhead and cottonmouth (water moccasin).
Alabamas sixth species of venomous snake, the coral
snake, is not classied as a pit viper. Coral snakes have
oval, elongated heads with thin bodies. They have dis-
tinct body markings with a series of red, yellow and
black bands, while their head and snout are both black.
Several nonvenomous snakes found in Alabama resemble
the coral snake. However, the easiest way to distinguish
between the coral snake and its lookalikes is to remem-
ber the quotation, red on yellowkill a fellow; red on
blackfriend of Jack.
All snakes will bite when threatened or surprised, but
most will avoid people if possible. Pit vipers, however,
tend to be more aggressive snakes than most, including
the coral snake. Rattlesnakes are the only snake equipped
with a warning mechanism (rattlers) that gives notice that
you are in danger and getting
too close. Coral snakes tend to
move away when threatened to
avoid contact with predators,
but not always.
B i t e s f r o m a n y o f
Alabamas venomous snakes
can be deadly if not treated
quickly. If you are bitten by any
of the aforementioned snakes,
the following is a list of some
of the symptoms you could
experience: blurred vision, diz-
ziness, fever, excessive sweat-
ing, fainting, rapid pulse, skin
discoloration, swelling at the site
of the bite, pain at site of bite,
low blood pressure, numbness,
nausea and vomiting, breathing
difculty and thirst.
If you nd yourself in a situa-
continued on 41
TIMBER RATTLESNAKE PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS FUNK
HOW TO SURVIVE A VENOMOUS SNAKE BITE continued
ACEOA Magazine 41
tion where you or someone you are with has been bitten
by a venomous snake, take these steps to ensure you
survive and make it to a hospital for the appropriate treat-
ment:
Keep calm. Restrict movement and keep the affected
area below heart level to reduce the flow of venom.
Remove any rings or restricting items from the affected
area due to swelling.
Create a loose splint to help restrict movement of the
area.
Clean the wound but dont flush with water.
Wrap wound with compression bandages. Go about
4 inches above the wound, wrapping as you would a
sprained ankle.
Seek medical attention immediately.
Below is a list of things you should not do when bitten:
Do not allow for over exertion.
Do not apply a tourniquet.
Do not apply a cold compress to a snake bite.
Do not cut into the bite with a knife or razor.
Do not try to suck out the venom by mouth.
Do not give/take any stimulants or pain medication
unless instructed to do so by a doctor.
Do not raise the site of the bite above heart level.
Do not drink caffeine or alcohol.
During warm months, avoid areas where snakes inhabit
such as overgrown/grassy areas, woodpiles and debris,
and thick woodlands. If encounters with these areas are
unavoidable, be sure to wear the appropriate clothing
like long pants, snake boots or snake chaps, and gloves.
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and
enjoyment of Alabamas natural resources through ve
divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands,
State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.
G
10ad17
Chattahoochee
Gutters
675 Lee Road 646
Salem, AL 36874
334-826-1678
BRISKMAN & BINION, PC
P.O. Box 43 Mobile, AL 36571
251-433-7660
TIMBER COMPANY
1159 Arnold Drive
Pine Hill, AL 36769
334-963-9663
Alabama Hard Surfacing, Inc.
1326 Knoxville Street
Birmingham, AL 35224
205-787-7187
ACEOA Magazine 43
Bankhead Kids
Fishing Derby
By Ernie Stephens
T
he Bankhead National Forest held the 22nd annual
Kids Fishing Derby on Saturday, June 7, in cel-
ebration of National Fishing and Boating Week and
Alabama Free Fishing Day. The Forest Service, which
hosts the yearly event to help interest young people in
wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation, stocked
a pond with about 350 pounds of catsh and invited
area youngsters to try their luck. Highlights of this
years Derby included a surprise visit from Smokey Bear,
the National Wild Turkey Federations Jakes Take Aim
Shooting Booth. All children received a free member-
ship to the NWTFs Jakes club and a shing derby t-shirt
complements of the Alabama Conservation Enforcement
Ofcers Association.
Over 100 children (with accompanying adults) from
continued on 45
BANKHEAD KIDS FISHING DERBY continued
ACEOA Magazine 45
surrounding counties came to the Black Warrior
Work Center on the Bankhead National Forest
to compete for trophies in three age catego-
ries. Contestants shed for approximately 1
hours and the winners in each age group were
decided by measuring the longest sh caught
by each individual.
The largest sh overall was caught by Xander
Bell of Double Springs.
In the 56 year-old age group, Braden
Kachelman of Florence took the first place
trophy. Alyvia McElwaney of Trinity captured
second place.
Abbie Wells of Trinity won the rst place tro-
phy in the 79 year-old group. Bryant Addison
of Trinity won the second place trophy.
In the 1012 year-old category, Jade Wilson of Phil
Campbell took the rst place trophy and Eric Wilson of
Phil Campbell took the second place trophy.
In addition to the shing competition, a casting contest
was held in which Ellie Grace Gilliland of Moulton won
in the 56 year-old division; John Cade Stone of Double
Springs won in the 79 year-old division; and Hunter
Fields of Double Springs won the 1012 year-old division.
All three received a new rod and reel and tackle box as
their prize.
The Derby concluded with drawing for door prizes,
awarding of trophies to contest winners and a hotdog
lunch. This years event was funded by a grant to the
Winston County Natural Resources Council from the
Winston County Commission, a grant from the National
Wild Turkey Federation, and the US Forest Service.
Sponsors of the 2014 Kids Fishing Derby include the
Double Springs Lions Club, the Alabama Division of
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Sipsey Strutters
Moulton Chapter and Bankhead Beards and Spurs
Winston County Chapter of the National Wild Turkey
Federation, Alabama Conservation Enforcement Ofcers
Association, Winston County Natural Resource Council,
Wild South, and the Bankhead National Forest. l
Drawing for door prizes.
Contestant Winners!
BANKHEAD KIDS FISHING DERBY continued
ACEOA Magazine 47
ACEOA Magazine 49
Catsh Rodeo
Offers Fun, Education
By Fred Guarino, The Lowndes Signal, photos courtesy of Lowndes Signal