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Official Publication of the ACEOA

www.aceoa.org SPRING 2009

in this issue...
EDITOR:
Warren Hinson

PUBLISHER:
Brent-Wyatt West ARTICLES
601 Interstate Park Drive
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
President’s Corner....................................................................................... 3
SALES OFFICES:
Bryan Elkins, Sr. Notes From The Trenches.......................................................................... 5
Jim Downing
601 Interstate Park Drive Mr. Bill Perryman Receives Lifetime Service Award..................................... 7
Montgomery, Alabama 36109
(334) 213-6229 Old Fashioned Fisherman Shares Fresh Tips.............................................. 9

ACEOA Sponsors FFA Campers............................................................... 17

Love, Respect, Patience and Persistence................................................... 21

“Blaze” the Arson Dog.............................................................................. 33

Feral Hogs Create Havoc on Crops and Habitat........................................ 39

ACEOA Attends Iron Men Ministries......................................................... 43


ON THE COVER
The People You Meet................................................................................ 47
In Loving
Memory
of Conservation Board Considers
Mr. William (Bill) Perryman. Outlawing Practice of “Gassing” Rattlesnakes....................................... 51

Gulf Coast Agencies Mount Massive Search and Recovery Effort.............. 57

NWTF Stewardship Project on Oakmulgee WMA..................................... 63

Marine Police Recruits Begin Training....................................................... 67

Venison Chili............................................................................................. 71

The Early Years........................................................................................ 77

Advertisers Index.................................................................................... 191

Business Directory.................................................................................. 196

The 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. The
ACE Magazine does not assume responsibility for statements of fact or opinion made by any contributor. This
magazine is created and produced by Brent-Wyatt West. Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.

ACE Magazine  1
Mr. Bill Perryman
Receives Lifetime
Service Award
A CEOA was joined by officers from Wilcox County to
recognize Mr. Bill Perryman for his lifelong service to
the officers of Wilcox County, the Conservation
Department, and the State of Alabama. Mr. Perryman
has helped officers in Wilcox County for more than
twenty years. At the request of Officer Dan Quincy and
the recommendation of Capt. Kenny Blalock; ACEOA
awarded Mr. Perryman a lifetime service award and an
honorary membership in ACEOA. Mr. Bill with Capt. Blalock and CEO Dan Quincey.
ACEOA along with Officer Dan Quincy and his wife
Jackie held a dinner and presented Mr. Perryman his Through his service to the officers of our department
award. Officer Quincy coordinated the event and made Mr. Perryman earned a great deal of respect and admira-
sure that it was a surprise to Mr. Perryman. tion. Mr. Perryman tirelessly supported the officers in
Current and former officers from Wilcox County were Wilcox County as well as the mission that they undertake.
in attendance as well as Mr. and Mrs. Perryman along We are proud to have been in the company of such a
with family members. great gentleman. l

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. William (Bill) Perryman. Our prayers are
with his beloved wife and family. In honor of Mr. Perryman, ACEOA has established
The William (Bill) Perryman Award to be given annually to a deserving person who
possesses the standards and dedication to the conservation department that Mr.
Perryman exemplified in his service to the Conservation Officers in Wilcox County.

Mr. Bill with ACEOA members.


The ACE Magazine  7
Old Fashioned Fisherman Shares Fresh Tips
by David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

A hardscrabble life growing up in the hills of Choctaw


County pretty much determined how Gray Mosley
goes about anything these days, including his fishing
a dark spot on their tail. We called them spot-tailed min-
nows. There’s more of that species than any others.
“One reason I like a branch minnow is they are much
trips to the Tombigbee River. livelier than what you get out of a minnow vat at the bait
Self sufficiency was the model Mosley learned and shop. That’s just the way I came up. I’ve pretty much
continues to follow, whether it’s sawing and milling his always caught my fish bait. I have bought bait over
own lumber to catching his own bait for a fishing trip. the years, but if it’s convenient I catch my own. The
From his axe and chainsaw to his trusty boats – a 1972 ones I catch are much more durable than a minnow out
Ouachita bomber-style boat with a 50-horsepower of a tank.”
Mercury and a 1981 Polarkraft jon boat with a 40-horse When Mosley catches bait, he takes water out of the
Evinrude – Mosley’s tools may not be the latest and stream to fill his minnow buckets.
greatest, but they suit him just fine. “It’s a lot better to take water out of their environment,”
When fishing is on his mind, the obvious goal is to he said. “That water is much colder. They are accus-
catch enough fish to eat. But to allow the number of fish continued on 13
in the box to determine the quality of the fishing trip is a

Photo by David Rainer


mistake, according to Mosley.
“You don’t catch them every time you go,” Mosley
said. “It’s just not going to happen. People get caught up
in how many fish they catch. A mess of fish is really all
you need. If your catch eight or 10 crappie big enough to
get a good fillet, that’s enough to feed several folks.
“What I do is just old-fashioned fishing – an old man
and old boats. They have been used several times. But I
take care of them. That’s why they still run so well to be
as old as they are. I don’t have anything new but fishing
tackle. Boats don’t catch fish.”
Bait does catch fish, though, and it’s hard to find it any
fresher than what Mosley takes to the river.
“This community we live in is called Red Springs,” he
said. “I guess whoever named it was because of the red
sand and there’s a spring in most every hollow around
here. Of course, they feed down through the hollows and
create bigger streams as they go along. These streams
are filled with what I call branch minnows. Some people
call them creek minnows, but some people call a creek
what I call a branch, too. I just put a little barrel trap in
there and catch enough bait to go fishing.”
Mosley said he has made minnow traps, although the
ones you can buy for $6-$7 each might be a more fea-
sible alternative.
“It’s just a wire mesh barrel trap about 6 inches in
diameter with a funnel in each end,” he said. “I put a piece
of light bread in them and in about 20-30 minutes you’ve
got enough minnows to go fishing. You’ll end up with three
or four dozen, depending on how many traps you put out.
You walk up to one of the little holes in the branch and
you’ll see if there are any minnows in it. If you see min-
nows, put the trap in there and in 30 minutes, at the most, Gray Mosley of Choctaw County unhooks
you’ll be ready to go fishing. I can’t tell you the name of a nice “slab” crappie that hit a Beetle Spin
the minnows, but some have gold stripes and some have in a slough off the Tombigbee River.
The ACE Magazine  9
Old Fashioned Fisherman Shares Fresh Tips – continued

tomed to that. You obviously can’t put tap water out of a Especially in the spring of the year, Mosley gives the
commercial well on them because the chlorine will kill fish the opportunity to hit artificial baits, as well.
them. Water out of natural well is OK, but I always use the “I fish the small tube jigs, and small Beetle Spins are
water out of the branch I catch the bait out of.” productive in the spring of the year in shallow water,” he
When Mosley launches his boat, he goes on a “milk run” said. “But I don’t go without a bucket of minnows. I’ve
to the spots that have produced for him over the decades. been out there when they wouldn’t hit anything but a
“Probably 20 percent of the water holds 90 percent of minnow. That may be because I concentrate more on
the fish,” he said. “You learn these places that are produc- minnows. That’s my mainstay.”
tive. That’s what I concentrate on. I look for structure. If And to maximize his efficiency on the water, there are
you’re fishing in the river, you look for a good tree top – always around a dozen ready-to-fish jugs in the bottom of
oak or hickory that’s been there for some time. The leaves the boat.
are all off and the branches are clean. Water depth, espe- “I might throw out a dozen jugs and let them fish for
cially in the river, is important. If you can find treetops up catfish while I’m catching crappie,” Mosley said. “Those
on a shelf, which was the old river bank before they built small catfish are hard to beat when they’re fried right.”
the Coffeeville Lock and Dam, that’s ideal. Mosley said he doesn’t really understand why some
“Fish feed out of the deep water into the shallow. fishermen launch their fancy rigs and run miles and miles
They’re coming out of 30 feet of water into 15. That’s my before they wet a hook.
favorite spot, especially in the fall of the year.” “They’re passing some of the best fishing there is,” he
Current has a great deal to do with where Mosley said. “That’s my opinion, but I don’t think you need to run
fishes. 15-20 miles to fish.
“When I’m fishing the river, you don’t want much cur- “The main thing is to find fish close by and concen-
rent,” he said. “Otherwise you can’t fish because you stay trate on that. That’s the way I operate. I don’t know a lot,
hung up. The current will wrap you up in the structure. but I catch enough to feed my family and share with my
Calmer water is best. neighbors.” l
“I fish sloughs in the spring of the year when the water
temperature rises. The fish come out of the river in the Visit www.outdooralabama.com to learn more about the
shallower water into the lakes to spawn. That’s when you Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources or to read previous columns by David Rainer.
catch them in 2-4 feet of water.”

The ACE Magazine  13


Love, Respect, Patience and Persistence
by Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director

I made my way to the tree stand through the darkness. I


had walked it a hundred times. I knew every tree and
every marker that marked my trail. My foot prints from
me. I was sure that this gobbler and I would match wits
over the next couple of months.
Love, respect, patience, and persistence – these are
my last hunt were still visible. No flashlight was needed. I often words used in a relationship with one’s spouse or
was entering the domain of Big Swamp buck country in friends and believe me, I use them with my wonderful
Lowndes County. It was the last morning of the 2009 deer wife, Gayle. But this story is not about a spouse. It is
season. The rut was still on and my hopes were high. about a wildlife species that I happen to love and respect
I quietly climbed into my ladder stand and settled in. as well. It is about the majestic Eastern Wild Turkey.
The sun would soon rise and I would be ready. It was You might ask how could you love something and then
really cool that morning with a light north wind that was go out and hunt it with a 12-gauge 3” magnum shotgun.
perfect for this stand. You might ask how this could be fair to hunt something
As the sun came up, I heard a faint sound. I recognized that has a brain the size of a peanut.
it as a quiet tree call of a hen turkey. She got louder and To hunt a wild turkey is much like the challenge issued
I knew she was close. She was soon answered by another by that gobbler the last morning of deer season. He is
hen. Suddenly the woods were awakened by a loud telling you he has all his wits about him. He can spot
gobble and then another! This gobbler was hot. Soon he movement at 300 yards. He can pick out something in
got another gobbler started. I could tell he was a Jake but his domain and be gone in a flash, faster than you can
he was enjoying this first experience with his gobble. pull a trigger. The wild turkey makes you work hard to
The biggest deer in Lowndes County could have perfect your game plan and still beats you!
walked past me and I would not have paid him any atten- Now, I’m not going to waste your time telling you how
tion. I was totally engulfed in this pre-season ritual. The to hunt turkey. I’m not going to tell you the calls to use or
dominant gobbler gobbled 15 times in the tree. the strategy to take. I am probably the worst turkey hunter
The hens flew down and the gobblers followed. The in existence. I am very seldom successful. It is not about
last gobbler on the ground was a challenge. He was the my successes. I most often remember my unsuccessful
boss and he would take anyone on. I never saw any deer hunts the most and there are plenty of them. If the gob-
that morning but I witnessed something much bet- bler does all of this to me, how could I not respect him?
ter than deer hunting. This boss I watch a lot of outdoor shows on TV but I am
gobbler that morning often disappointed by the glory of the kill.
became a chal- These programs so often make it look very
lenge to simple. First get in your blind, put out your
decoys, call a few times and kill your
bird. I worry that this is where turkey
hunting is going. Maybe all hunting in
general will end up like this. It is
becoming too simple. Maybe
everyone is expecting a kill and
becoming disappointed when they
waste a morning or an afternoon
without killing anything.
I am worried that we have lost
respect for wildlife. I use the word
respect in a true sense of the
meaning. Maybe hunting is becom-
ing a total lack of respect for the
wildlife species.
I have worked with Jackie
Bushman and Buckmasters on sev-
eral ventures and I truly believe the
respect for the whitetail deer still
continued on 29
The ACE Magazine  21
10ad1

En c o Co n struc tio n
EAGLE WHOLESALE Co m pan y
SUPPLY
Love, Respect, Patience and Persistence –

remains within this program. They work hard and video


continued
P.O. Box 310029
I’ll often pass gobbling birds to go to the one that whips
P.O. Box 815
many hours to show one kill. It is truly not easy. Other
Enterprise, AL 36331
me on a regular basis. Is this persistence – or stupidity?
Athens,
shows seemAL to 35612
play games with the 601-759-3546
theory of killing a 334-347-8448
Last season I fooled with a turkey for several weeks
deer. They choose sides to see who can kill the most and early in the season. He was a really great turkey and
the quickest. Is this right? Is this the way hunting should gobbled his head off. Then he disappeared. I never really
be portrayed? quit listening for him but I was beginning to think I was

LAMBERT
Turkey hunting is often done the same way on the
Outdoor Channel and other popular outdoor channels.
The wild turkey deserves better. He is much too wise,
hunting a dead turkey. This did not bother me. I kept

Roberts Landscape &


going to the area.
One morning he reappeared like he never missed a
E
keen, and deceptive X Cto AnotVreceive
A T dueI Nrespect.
G
To hunt the wild turkey requires a great deal of Turf Management
day on his hardwood ridge. I set up on him and held my
gun at ‘ready shoot’ for one hour and ten minutes. When
patience. This 8782
is whereCounty
I truly Road 26 I critique my
fail. When he gobbled, he gobbled three times. Probably, over two
morning hunt, Hope I oftenHull,
122 Rabbit Town Road • Albertville, AL 35950
AL 36043 to lack of
attribute my failure hundred times he ripped the woods. This is one of the few
patience. Maybe I moved too soon or maybe I tried to get times my calling did not spook the bird. I hammered him
too close. 334-288-1078 256-891-7865
with cutting, yelps and cackles. He loved everything! His
I have turkey hunted with some old timers in the past. hens could not even resist me and they led him to his
They truly have patience. They will sit in one spot, call death. This was, without a doubt, one of my most memo-
every thirty minutes, and remain there all day if neces- rable kills. My persistence paid off.

Powe Jackson Floor


sary. They believe that, even though that gobbler did not Love, respect, patience and persistence are words I
come when he first heard the call, sometime during the use to describe the eastern wild turkey and what it takes

Center, Inc.
day after other business is done, he will return to the place to hunt him. If I could choose only one species to hunt
where he heard that hen. I just don’t have the patience to forever, my choice would be the Eastern Wild Turkey not
General Contracting
do this but sometimes that is what it takes. No matter how for my successes but for my failures. He is formidable,
hard ‘get up and go’ is pulling at you, stay put. I guess this keen, alert and truly a remarkable bird.
215 Cr. Rd 485 • Hanceville, AL 35077
is a strategy in a way and I said I was not teaching strat- I would encourage P.O. Boxto361
anyone learn to hunt this bird. I
egy. Patience is a key prerequisite for turkey hunting. Jackson,
would also encourage themAL 36545
to learn to love and respect
256-734-0280
I often get into trouble with my persistence while turkey him. Hunt him with patience, and persistence. Hunt him
251-847-2129
hunting. I find myself hunting the same bird way too often. fairly. He deserves it. l

The ACE Magazine  29


“Blaze” the Arson Dog
M eet the newest member of the AFC Law Enforcement
Section: Blaze is his name, Arson is his game! In an
effort to reduce the high number of arson cases in the
state, the Alabama Forestry Commission recently pur-
chased the bloodhound puppy to track down offenders.
During the past four years, an average of over 42% of
all wildfires in Alabama have been determined to be
“incendiary” in nature, not only destroying natural
resources, wildlife, and property, but also endangering
human life. According to statistics, most arsonists set
fires within two miles of their homes. Working with his
handler, Forest Investigator Donnie Parker, the new
“K-9 officer” will be specifically trained for woods arson
investigations.
“Blaze is a man tracker,” according to Alabama Law
Enforcement Chief Craig Hill. “It’s amazing what a
bloodhound can do to follow a trail somebody left. You
can wear gloves to hide your fingerprints, you can work Birthdate: July 7, 2008
at night so chances are people won’t see you. But it’s
almost impossible to not leave behind human scent. Born in Darlington, South Carolina
There have even been documented cases of blood-
hounds successfully tracking people who have driven off Pop’s name: Elvis of Roblyn’s Neck
in vehicles,” Hill said.
Another important task for Blaze at the AFC will be his Mom’s name: Southern Bell Magnolia
use as a wildfire prevention message and educational
tool. Making special appearances in schools and camps, Moved to Alabama at the age of 12 wks
he will help teach children about the dangers of wildfire,
much like Smoky Bear.
The Alabama Forestry Commission provides an arson/ Sponsors for the bloodhound program include: The Tuscaloosa
forest crimes hotline so that citizens can call and report: County Fire Protection Association, District Three Volunteer
Fire Fighters’ Association, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians,
• Suspicious activity in areas and the Alabama Conservation Enforcement Officers. The
where wildfires have occurred Commission welcomes continued support and assistance in
the ongoing upkeep of Blaze and the bloodhound program.
• Theft of timber
• Theft or vandalism of This information is provided by the Alabama Forestry Commission
timber harvesting equipment For More, Please Visit: www.forestry.alabama.gov

The toll-free number is 1-800-222-2927. Information


provided is confidential and you will remain anonymous. l
10ad1

The ACE Magazine  33


“Blaze” the Arson Dog – continued

More Blaze were eager to be a part of this project and approved fund-
ing without hesitation. We met Blaze at our last board
meeting. Chief Craig Hill and Blaze’s handler were very
by Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director
appreciative of our donation. We were proud to be one of

O ver a year ago, I was contacted by Forestry Chief of


Enforcement, Craig Hill about assisting in funding for
a special arson dog. Our board and state ACEOA officers
the associations that made this project possible. As you
can see by the story, Blaze has made the news!
 l
08ad1

M & H Tool
& Die, Inc.
416 West Grand Avenue
Rainbow City, AL 35906
256-442-6795

George W. Hall, MD
3719 Dauphin St. • Suite 102
Mobile, AL 36608
251-344-1502

The ACE Magazine  35


Feral Hogs Create Havoc
on Crops and Habitat
by David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

PHOTO BY CHRIS JAWOROWSKI


hris Jaworowski has witnessed first-hand how a feral
hog situation can get out of hand in a hurry.
Jaworowski, Area Wildlife Biologist for the Lowndes
Wildlife Management Area (WMA), saw two feral hogs
when he started his career at Lowndes in 1997. The next
year, he saw between 50 and 60 hogs.
“By the third year, they had pretty much taken over
a 5,000-acre tract,” Jaworowski said of the 11,124-acre
WMA in central Alabama. “Supposedly, our hogs came
from an intentional release by a neighboring landowner
in the early 1990s. Those 10 hogs have multiplied
exponentially.”
The hogs first showed up in the White Hall area south
of County Road 40, a parcel of land from the Tennessee-
Tombigbee mitigation program that required the agri-
cultural fields be returned to hardwoods. Those fields
were planted in hardwoods, and the remainder of the
property is primarily bottomland hardwood with an The rooting action of feral hogs can wreak havoc in
understory of palmetto. agricultural fields and wildlife openings.
“It’s very thick habitat,” Jaworowski said. “Unfortunately,
that makes it very easy for the hogs to hide. There are Jaworowski said he knew when a neighboring land-
plenty of hogs in Lowndes, but that doesn’t make them owner lost over 200 acres of corn in one year to crop
easy to harvest. Hogs have an uncanny ability to get depredation by hogs, it was going to take a concentrated
down in those impenetrable, dense swamps where few effort to keep the animals in check. Feral hogs present a
hunters want to go. So it’s not an easy hunt and offers a double whammy for those who try to control their popu-
big challenge for the hunters. But they’re great table fare lation – hogs are prolific breeders and they have few
and a lot of fun to hunt.” natural predators.
“What’s amazing about hogs is the reproductive capa-
PHOTO BY CHRIS JAWOROWSKI

bility,” said Jaworowski, who has made feral hogs presen-


tations to wildlife-related groups around the nation. “If you
start with two boars and two sows, they’ll have two litters
a year, but three in 14 months. Their litter size ranges
anywhere from four to 14 with an average of six to eight.
So if you started with two boars and two sows with six
piglets in each litter with a 50-50 sex ratio, how many
would you have in three years? You do the math and you
end up with 16,000 pigs. The bad thing is that number
increases exponentially every six months.
Feral hogs become sexually mature at six months of
age. So every six months, that number will go up by a
factor of four. Of course, that’s with no mortality at all.
There is some natural mortality on the hogs, but not
enough to have an effect. And six in a litter is a very
conservative estimate.
“Very few natural predators will tackle a hog. More often
Once an area has a feral hog population, trapping is the than not, it’s something grabbing a piglet or a hog dying
only viable alternative to keep the population in check. continued on 41
The ACE Magazine  39
Feral Hogs Create Havoc on Crops and Habitat – continued

PHOTO BY CHRIS JAWOROWSKI


from natural causes. From what we’ve seen, the natural
mortality is not that high. Without man going out and try-
ing to control these things they’re basically going to keep
reproducing and keep spreading across the state.”
Jaworowski said the U.S. Department of Agriculture
estimates that feral hogs are doing over $800 million of
agricultural damage annually in the United States.
By the year 2000, Lowndes WMA had to begin a seri-
ous control project. The hogs are trapped all summer
long, and hunters are encouraged to harvest hogs on the
management area. Every hog trapped on the area is
humanely euthanized and given to families that need the
meat for food.
“We basically allow people to hunt hogs during any
other open season on the area, using the weapons and
ammunition approved for those hunts,” Jaworowski said.
“So we basically have a hog season from early August all
the way through February and during turkey season
when hunters are out on the area.”
Jaworowski said the most effective way to control
hogs is through live trapping – setting up large corral
traps baited with corn topped with molasses. The traps
are 4 feet by 8 feet and 4 feet by 16 feet with horse panel Traps can be made in a variety of configurations and may
(heavy duty galvanized wire fence) and inch-and-a-half catch a single boar or a number of smaller hogs.
angle iron posts.
Not only is crop depredation a major problem, hogs to get the grubs and earthworms below them. People just
are also just as destructive on the native habitat, compet- don’t understand how destructive these animals are.”
ing for food with every game species in the woods – deer, Jaworowski will help conduct a series of hog control
rabbits, turkeys, bobwhite quail, etc. seminars this year, which will cover basic biology, repro-
“They’re eating all the food that our native species need duction and different control methods. Demonstrations
to make it through the winter,” Jaworowski said. “They’re will be made on the different trap types, how to set them,
omnivores. If they can get their mouths on it, they’ll eat it. baiting and pre-baiting traps to get the hogs accustomed
Their primary food sources are tubers, earthworms, grubs to the trap before the trap is set.
and your mast crops – hard and soft mast like acorns, The seminars are set for Feb. 26 at the AAES Wiregrass
persimmons, and crabapples. Everything that we as hunt- Center, 167, East AL Highway 134 in Headland; March 4
ers do to make our places more beneficial to native wild- at 5 Rivers Delta Center, 30945 Five Rivers Blvd. in
life, your hogs will consume those same resources. Spanish Fort; March 12 at Southern Sportsman Lodge,
“Not only does consuming the resources cause a prob- 9022 U.S. Highway 80 West in Tyler; and March 20 at
lem, but the aggressive rooting they do in the fields can be Belk Activity Center, 2101 Bowers Park Drive in Tuscaloosa.
murder on equipment.” Jaworowski said people don’t real- Cost is $10 per person. Call 334-844-1010 to register.
ize the veritable Pandora’s Box they are opening when they A special feral hog hunt is scheduled March 1-10 at
intentionally trap and relocate hogs to virgin territory. Lowndes WMA. A hunting license, management area
“Whether it’s the high prices of leases or the price of permit, and management area license are required when
travel, people don’t want to drive 300 miles to go hog hunting on management areas.
hunting,” he said. “So people, who don’t know the “You can say we use every control method possible,”
amount of damage they’re bringing to their property, Jaworowski said. “We’re going to try everything we can,
release these hogs. In a few years, every landowner in the within reason, to get rid of these things. They’re destroy-
area has feral hogs. ing the property and hurting the native wildlife. We don’t
“Education is the key. We’ve got to teach people that want these things on the property.” l
trapping these things and moving them into new areas is
going to cause nothing but destruction – destruction to Visit www.outdooralabama.com for more information on
agriculture and even road systems. I’ve got roads with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources or to read previous columns by David Rainer.
four inches of gravel, and they’ll root through the gravel
The ACE Magazine  41
ACEOA Attends Iron Men Ministries
Iron Men Outdoor Ministries funds disabled children,
children without parents, mentally and physically dis-
abled adults, elderly individuals, terminally ill children
ing, attending rodeos and car races, Thanksgiving meals,
and Christmas. The ministry also supports an orphanage
in Argentina with 150 small children. ACEOA is proud to
and adults to be involved in such events as fishing, hunt- donate to this fine ministry. l

(L-R) Associate D4 Director Grady Myers, State ACEOA President Chris Jaworowski, Chief Executive Director of Iron Men
Ministries Rick Murphy, ACEOA Executive Director Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Administrative Assistant Gayle Morrow.

The ACE Magazine  43


The People You Meet
by Scott Kellenberger, ACEOA District II Director

I have had the privilege of meeting many interesting


people through the years I have served as a CEO with
the Marine Police Division; from millionaires to river rats
and everything in between have enriched my work and
my life.
James “Tiger” McKee from Langston, Alabama is just time. I don’t believe I made a mistake that he didn’t catch.
such a person. I knew that I heard his name mentioned By being Tiger’s student, I learned a lot about the art of
before and I have read a few of the articles he has written instruction. Jim and I later took Defensive Pistol II and
for various police and firearms magazines but I didn’t Patrol Carbine (AR-15) classes with Tiger.
know what his profession was until I found his website Each class is two days long allowing the participants
and discovered that he operates the SHOOTRITE to get to know one another. In the beginning, I also dis-
Academy in Langston, Alabama, where he also resides. covered that Tiger is one of a small handful of top defen-
Langston is just off of the Tennessee River where I work. sive firearms trainers in the country. I took a while
SHOOTRITE is known as one of the premier firearms figuring this out because Tiger is generally quite and
facilities. As a firearms instructor, I was especially inter- extremely modest for someone with his level of knowl-
ested in meeting Tiger and seeing what I could learn from edge, ability and expertise. He trained with the Legendary
someone who trains people for a living. After meeting Col. Jeff Cooper and instructs with Clint Smith at his
Tiger in his classroom, it wasn’t long before I enrolled in
his basic Defensive Pistol classes. Lt. Jim Kirkland
WFFD, a good friend and frequent work partner, also
attended. As lifelong shooters, former police officers and
veteran CEOs, we were both curious about what Tiger
might show us that we hadn’t seen before.
We learned quickly that Tiger’s classes are not
designed for entertainment. The classes require concen-
tration and effort but Jim and I both decided that we had
fun and learned a lot. Another thing I found out is that
Tiger sees everything each shooter is doing all of the

Tiger McKee instructing a student.

Thunder Ranch training facility in Oregon.


Tiger trains police officers, SWAT teams, active duty
Special Forces operatives and executive security person-
nel from all over the country. He will train civilians but
screens closely and will not train anyone with a criminal
record. He has operated SHOOTRITE since 1994 and has
logged more than 5,000 training hours. He even took
time out of his busy schedule to help me design a combat
course that we shot from our boats back in October.
I consider myself a lucky man to have a job that allows
me to work in the great outdoors and gives me countless
opportunities to meet people like Tiger McKee. I was
fortunate in this case to gain valuable training and make
Tiger McKee, owner of SHOOTRITE Firearms Academy. a friend at the same time. l
The ACE Magazine  47
Conservation Board
Considers Outlawing Practice
of “Gassing” Rattlesnakes
by David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

A labama’s Conservation Advisory Board heard testi-


mony February 7th, from both sides in the usual
user-group conflicts concerning dog deer hunting and
However, Darnell said the use of gas significantly
reduces the lifespan of the rattlesnakes.
“Some of my snakes, I’ve had for six years,” he said.
gill net fishing, but the topic that garnered the most “I’ve never had one that had been gassed to live more
attention tends to make most Alabamians cringe – the than two months. You can tell when they’ve been gassed.
eastern diamondback rattlesnake. They just act different. With a healthy snake, I can collect
Ken Darnell of Elmore County is in the business of venom every two weeks.
collecting snake venom to use in the production of anti- “I’ve been told that the people can’t produce enough
venin. The problem for Darnell is that some of the rattle- antivenin without the Alabama venom production.”
snakes he purchases to use in the venom production Jim Godwin, a zoologist with Auburn University, and
have been “gassed.” Craig Guyer, a herpetologist with Auburn, agreed that the
“Gassing” snakes involves taking a long PVC pipe and practice of “gassing” should be eliminated.
poking it down into a gopher tortoise burrow. If a telltale “More than 300 species from birds to mammals to
rattle is heard, a small amount of gasoline is poured amphibians to reptiles use gopher tortoise burrows, includ-
down the pipe and into the burrow. The snake will then ing some rare and threatened species,” Godwin said. “The
flee the burrow and is easily caught. continued on 53

A Gopher Tortoise heads back to its burrow, where it may find company in a variety of animals,
including the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake.
The ACE Magazine  51
Board Outlawing Practice of “Gassing” Rattlesnakes – continued

eastern indigo snake has not been reported in the wild since Avery Bates, a five-generation commercial fisherman
the 1950s. There is a long-term project underway to re- from the Bayou La Batre area, said the current economic
establish the eastern indigo snake in Alabama. If the prac- crisis makes it unconscionable to consider restricting
tice of gassing continues, it could undermine our efforts.” commerce along the Gulf Coast.
Guyer said it’s harder to determine how much the “Why would anybody, in this day and time, want to put
“gassing” affects the gopher tortoise, a protected species anybody out of work when it’s so important to keep – not
in Alabama. “When you gas a burrow, the snakes can only keep five generations but 20 generations of fisher-
easily leave,” Guyer said. “The tortoise is reluctant to men – producing good, sound, healthy food from our
leave. Gas does bad things to lung tissue. This is a very waters,” said Bates, whose point was reiterated by several
serious concern.” representatives of the seafood industry along the Alabama
Board member Dr. Warren Strickland indicated he Gulf Coast.
would make a motion at the March 7 meeting, which will The board was also asked by avid dove hunter Anthony
be held at the Mann Museum at the Montgomery Zoo, to “Skeeter” Fillingim to move Baldwin County into the
ban the practice of “gassing” rattlesnakes. North Zone to allow an earlier season opening. Fillingim
Several speakers, including Edwin Lambert of the said that by the time the South Zone opens in early
Coastal Conservation Association of Alabama, requested October, the doves have scattered or departed due to
the designation of Florida pompano and Spanish mack- migratory patterns.
erel as game fish species, which would prevent commer- Because doves are a migratory species and regulated
cial harvest. by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, any changes to the
Bob Shipp, head of Marine Sciences at the University hunting zones in Alabama would have to be approved by
of South Alabama and vice chairman of the Gulf of the wildlife service. The earliest that could be done would
Mexico Fishery Management Council, said the two spe- be the 2011 season.
cies need game fish status. However, Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley
“Florida pompano is a species that has the potential to said a change to the opening dates of the South Zone
be a tremendous asset to our coastal tourism industry,” could achieve the same purpose if the public supports it.
Shipp said. “It is one of the few truly exciting and desir- Because of a board rule that no motion may be voted
able finfish that can be caught directly from shore while on unless discussed at a previous meeting, only propos-
surf fishing. Yet due to over-harvest by net fishermen, als were raised at the February 7th meeting.
first purse seiners and currently Alabama net fishermen, Among the proposals are the 2009-2010 seasons and
their abundance has declined dramatically. bag limits from the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries
“Although the gill net ban in Florida has resulted in a Division. One of the changes for the proposed seasons
resurgence of the species along the Florida west coast, and bag limits would increase the unantlered deer season
which appears to have spilled over the Alabama shore- on National Forest Service lands in Calhoun, Clay,
line, a much greater improvement in these stocks could Cleburne, Franklin, Lawrence, Talladega and Winston
result if we banned gill netting of this species and declare counties. Another change would be to expand the alliga-
it a game fish.” tor season in southeast Alabama to include not only Lake
Shipp said results from the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Eufaula but also the rest of Barbour County, as well as
Rodeo indicate a significant decline in recreational Henry, Houston and Russell counties. The season would
catches of Spanish mackerel. also be expanded by seven days.
“As for Spanish mackerel, we have a similar but more John Thomas Jenkins, Director of Marine Police,
recent situation,” he said. “For much of the last century, stated the division has no plans to ask for regulations
Spanish have been abundant and well-managed along concerning a speed limit on Alabama’s waterways or a
the Gulf Coast. However, for the past several years, the 100-foot, no-wake zone from the shorelines.
commercial harvest has increased from several hundred- Board member Dr. Wayne May also said he is working
thousand pounds to nearly a million pounds.” on a motion that would refine the definition of certain
Philip West, representing the City of Orange Beach, aspects of the supplemental feeding regulations currently
asked for a buffer zone along the Gulf shore line around in effect. l
Orange Beach.
“Close to five million people visit the Alabama Visit www.outdooralabama.com for more information about
beaches each year and spend upwards of $1 billion,” the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources or to read previous columns by David Rainer.
West said. “We’re there to sell an experience. We believe
the proximity of that (gill netting) practice detracts from
that experience.”
The ACE Magazine  53
Gulf Coast Agencies Mount Massive
Search and Recovery Effort
by Lt. Scott Bannon, Alabama Marine Resources Enforcement

O n January 8th, 2008, Captain Chris Blankenship of


the Alabama Marine Resources Enforcement Division
(AMRD) received a call he will never forget. The voice on
could be done was to continue to search. Every piece of
trash became a victim and the thought that maybe the
kids were not here was on everyone’s mind.
the other end was a friend who also happened to be the Day five, the thing everyone wanted to happen (but
lead investigator from the Bayou La Batre Police depart- did not want to be the one to do it) occurred. One of the
ment. “Chris, do you have a boat out near the Dauphin children was discovered by a local duck hunter to the
Island Bridge. I have a guy who said he threw his four west on a spit of land called Point Aux Pines. The dis-
kids off the bridge.” Within minutes Chris was underway covery provided the evidence required for the crime and
and had two more officers enroute. the reassurance to everyone that they were doing
That phone call started the largest water- the right thing.
borne search of the Mobile Bay and With the discovery of the child, the
Mississippi Sound areas that anyone command center relocated to Bayou La
can remember. For thirteen days, four- Batre and the search focused from
teen of the Divisions sixteen officers there to the Mississippi/Alabama state
became involved in the search along line. AMRD officers switched to pri-
with the Alabama Marine Police and marily their shallow water Predator
the Mobile County Sheriff’s Flotilla jet drive boats that are able to
as well as approximately a dozen operate in as little as six inches of
other agencies from surrounding water. The average depth of
counties, three other states and water in the search area was two
two federal agencies. feet or less. The boats were
The victims Ryan, Lindsey, used to transport searchers to
Hannah, and Danny ranged in areas for walking and to take
age from less than a year to four search dogs known as cadaver
years old and had allegedly been dogs trained to locate the scent
thrown from a height of over 100 of deceased humans.
feet off the Dauphin Island Bridge. Day six, a second child was
Day two, Marine Resources discovered in Grand Bay two
was the only agency to search. It miles from the first. The search
had already been more than thirty continued with the thought that
hours since the crime had alleg- all four could be recovered to help
edly occurred and night was falling. bring closure. The next logical
The next morning the U.S. Coast Guard expansion was into Mississippi.
and the Mobile County Sheriff’s Flotilla began Day eight, the third child was located by a
at first light. The Flotilla becomes the lead agen- Mississippi Marine Resources Officer just across
cies for recovery operations in Mobile County and the the state line. Due to the close relationship the Alabama
Marine Resources Division began a daily ritual of 7:00 and Mississippi officers maintain, communication was
a.m. planning meetings, searching until dark then repair- not an issue and within a few minutes AMRD had trans-
ing and refueling equipment to prepare for the next day. ported the detectives and crime scene investigator into
Along with this, was the prayer that it can not be true, the shallows of the Mississippi Rigolets. One to go.
but if it was, that all four children would be recovered. The weather at times was less than helpful. At times,
The search centered on the Dauphin Island Bridge; the winds were gusting to 40 mph, seas were to two to
AMRD officers used large boats scouring the bottom with three feet near the shoreline and blinding rain with tem-
fathometers trying to locate any potential targets as well peratures in the teens made searching difficult and the
as smaller boats to check the shallow area and ATV’s to volunteers were called off but AMRD continued with
do shoreline searches. determination. Why could number four not be found?
The frustration built with each passing day without a Day twelve was a day of high winds and intermittent
recovery. Theories and possibilities abounded but all that continued on 59
The ACE Magazine  57
Agencies Mount Massive Search and Recovery Effort – continued

rain with limited searchers. Lt. Ryan Bennett of the around, phones began to ring with the news that it was
Alabama Marine Police showed up at the Command over. The mood took an immediate change; no one was
Center with news that a boat with two duck hunters sank celebrating the death of a child but celebrating the ability
near Point Aux Pines and they were in the water. With for a family torn apart by tragedy to move on. AMRD had
three boats able to get underway quickly, the men were put in almost 700 man hours, 300 boat hours and 24
recovered within ten minutes of the call. Both went to the hours on ATV’s now it was over.
hospital suffering from hypothermia, one was in near Saturday, day nineteen, the final chapter to the tragic
critical condition. story of four small children and the Officers of AMRD
On any given day, the nearest help would have been an was the funeral. With little family in the area, the mother
AMRD officer or the U.S. Coast Guard and both of them had asked if some of the officers involved in the search
would have taken nearly 45 minutes to reach the area. could serve as pallbearers. Representatives from Mobile
Was this the reason number four had not been found? County Sheriff’s Office, Bayou La Batre Police Department,
Sunday, day thirteen was coming to a close. Boats Dauphin Island Police Department and the Marine
were being pulled from the water, volunteers were grum- Resources Division were chosen.
bling about having to go to work and not continue even The day was ironic; four small children that brought so
the Salvation Army, who had supplied hot food and many people together through tragedy and spent the
drinks for two weeks, discussed not being able to return.
10ad1
final time of their lives in the water were going to their
The AMRD officers knew they would have to start cutting final resting place in the pouring down rain. The day
back hours to handle other issues. The mood was som- ended with the family providing a meal for all of the
ber; number four had not been located.
En c o Co n struc tio n
people who had given so much to bring closure.

EAGLE WHOLESALE
Was she nearby but had just been overlooked, had she
traveled to the Mississippi/Louisiana area or is she in the
Sunday, day twenty-one, the officers of the Alabama
Co m pan y
Marine Resources Enforcement Division begin a new

SUPPLY
Gulf of Mexico where there is very little traffic this time of week. What is in store for the future? Nobody can predict
year? The questions were endless. Then a call came that what events may occur but the officers of AMRD know
the body of a small female child had been found off the P.O.phone
that if and when that Boxrings
310029the “Fish cops” will be
P.O.ofBox
coast 815
south Louisiana, nearly a hundred miles away. prepared to act.Enterprise,
Prepared toALhelp36331
do what they can to
Cheers of joy were heard, hugs and handshakes went
Athens, AL 35612 601-759-3546 make it better. 334-347-8448 l

The ACE Magazine  59


NWTF Stewardship Project
on Oakmulgee WMA
by Jeff L. Makemson, ACEOA District III Director and Certified Wildlife Biologist

O akmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was the


first WMA established in Alabama. It was created in
1937, with the passing of the Pittman-Robertson Act, and
and promoting safe and responsible turkey hunting. More
recently, in 2007, the NWTF was awarded a stewardship
contract from the United States Forest Service (USFS) to
with the partnership of the United States Forest Service perform forest health and wildlife habitat improvements on
(USFS). For more than seventy years the USFS and the the 157,000 acre Oakmulgee Division of the Talladega
Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division National Forest. Many of the projects were located on the
(AWFF) have been working together to manage and to 45,000 acre Oakmulgee Wildlife Management Area (WMA),
protect the natural resources on Oakmulgee WMA. Much located on the west side of the Oakmulgee Division.
of our past and present success has been attributed to the The NWTF partnered with personnel from the Alabama
great support our department and the USFS have received Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division to perform
from various user groups and conservation organizations. several projects on the WMA. The project included 362
The National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) is one acres of longleaf pine thinning, 1,185 acres of forest mid-
example of a champion conservation partner. story removal, 135 acres of herbicide application to
For years, the NWTF has been a leader in assisting control non–native invasive plants such as kudzu and
states in restoring wild turkey populations, contributing cogongrass, 144 acres of wildlife plots and linear wildlife
financially to support research to better understand the openings maintenance, planting logging loads and skid
habitat requirements and the biology of the wild turkey, trails, distribution of 100 tons of lime on wildlife open-
ings, installed 55 red-cockaded woodpecker inserts,
installed four gates and conducted prescribed burns on
2,635 acres.
Red-cockaded woodpecker, Bachman’s sparrow, bob-
white quail, white-tailed deer and wild turkey are just a few
species that will benefit from these habitat enhancement
projects. Forest health has also been improved, along with
reducing the possibility of a catastrophic wild fire outbreak
in the areas where prescribed fire was applied. The stew-
ardship contract allowed the revenue generated through
the sale of timber to fund all the projects.
This type of contract reduces the number of contracts
and cost associated with preparing separate contracts,
maximizes the amount of work that can be implemented
on the ground in a timely manner and strengthens part-
nerships and collaboration throughout the process.
Typically a project of this size would take eight to 10
years to complete, but with the NWTF Stewardship
Contract, it will be completed in less than three years.
As state and federal government budgets tighten, it is
imperative that we form more partnerships and strengthen
existing ones with conservation groups, with individuals
and with corporations to accomplish our mission. The
NWTF and the USFS are two instrumental conservation
partners that we can depend on for continued assistance
with managing and protecting Alabama’s Natural
Resources on behalf of its citizens. l

For more information about the NWTF Stewardship


Contract on Oakmulgee WMA, contact Joe Koloski at
601‑824‑2993 or jkoloskenwtf@yahoo.com.
The ACE Magazine  63
Marine Police
Recruits Begin
Training
by Lt. Mitford Fontaine, ACEOA IV Director

T he Alabama Marine Police announce the hiring of four


new officers and have added another by transfer. On
January 19th, Officers Thomas Bobo, Bart Lindsey, Rod
MacLeroy and Willie Thornton were sworn in by Director
J. T. Jenkins. Officer Chris Glover transferred to the
Marine Police from Marine Recourses. New Marine Police Recruits — Photo by Mit Fontaine
All of these officers are currently in the Alabama Marine (L-R) Rod MacLeroy, Chris Glover, Bart Lindsey,
Police Recruit Class being held at District III Headquarters Thomas Bobo, and Willie Thornton.
at Wind Creek State Park. Once they have completed the
course they will begin the field training program and Thornton will be assigned on Lake Martin. Officer Glover
report to their posts. Officer Bobo will be assigned to The will be assigned to Lower Pickwick Lake. Officer MacLeroy
Tombigbee River in Demopolis. Officers Lindsey and will be assigned to Lake Logan Martin. l

New Marine Police Recruits Sworn In — Photo by Mit Fontaine — (L-R) Director Jenkins, Rod MacLeroy,
Bart Lindsey, Willie Thornton, and Thomas Bobo.
The ACE Magazine  67
Venison Chili
by David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

levels), no participant had PbB higher


than the CDC recommended threshold of
10µg/dl – the level at which CDC recom-
mends case management; and the geo-
metric mean PbB among this study
population (1.17µg/dl) was lower than the
overall population geometric mean PbB in
the United States (1.60µg/dl) (CDC 2005).
The clinical significance of low PbB in this
sample population and the small quanti-
tative increase of 0.30µg/dl in PbB asso-
ciated with wild game consumption should
be interpreted in the context of naturally
occurring PbB.”
The somewhat confusing CDC report
seems to indicate the minute increase in
blood lead levels was caused by the con-
sumption of wild game taken with tradi-
tional ammunition, but the study really
can’t determine if that is the sole cause
because of vocational exposure to lead or
lead-related hobbies. Pre-industrial

A s a big pot of venison chili simmers on the stove, I


can’t help but marvel at the imaginative—if not
delusional—ways some people will try to deter us from
humans had lower blood lead levels, but I consider that a
moot point.
NSSF noted that blood lead levels of children under six
consuming wild game. – those who the Minnesota Department of Health deem
If you haven’t read about it, a dermatologist in North “most at risk” – had a mean of just 0.88 micrograms per
Dakota claimed there were lead fragments in venison deciliter of blood, which is less than 1 part per billion and
donated to food banks. Unfortunately, it caused a panic less than half the national average. Children over six had
and health officials in North Dakota and Minnesota made even lower lead levels. The CDC’s level of concern for
the food banks dump the venison. What a colossal waste. lead in children is 10 micrograms per deciliter of blood.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) NSSF also noted that Minnesota’s Department of
sent a team in to do a study of the hunters in North Agriculture conducted a study that showed only 5.3 per-
Dakota to look for lead contamination. cent of whole cut venison donations contained “very small
When the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) amounts” of lead fragments. Hence, 94.7 of the donations
saw the results of the CDC study, it was obvious certain had no fragments at all. The CDC study indicated that
groups were using this as a spin tactic. Ted Novin, more than 90 percent of hunters cleaned around the
NSSF’s Director of Public Affairs, said the results from wound channel to ensure there were no bullet fragments.
the study indicate what hunters have known all along. “Hunters have been taking game with traditional
“The question posed is whether traditional ammunition ammunition for over a century, and the CDC results
poses a threat to people who consume venison harvested simply confirmed what we already knew – that there is no
with that ammunition,” Novin said. “That question has threat in consuming game harvested with traditional
been answered. According to the CDC report, the average ammunition,” Novin said. “Blood lead levels have been
blood lead level for hunters tested was lower than that of tested in Iowa since 1992, and there has never been an
the average American. So we feel strongly that the CDC instance of a problem.”
results speak for themselves – that this is a non-issue. I Novin said the response NSSF has received after blow-
don’t know what other evidence people could want.” ing the whistle on this fiasco has been very positive.
The section of the CDC study to which Novin is refer- “It’s not really because of us but because of the CDC
ring follows: “While this study suggests that consumption results,” he said. “When we brought this to the attention
of wild game meat can adversely affect PbB (blood lead continued on 73
The ACE Magazine  71
The Early Years
by Rusty Morrow, ACEOA Executive Director

M y retirement from Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries


Enforcement came in May of 2008. I served 25
years in a very rewarding career with this division.
involved in the investigation won’t have any trouble figur-
ing out who Billy Bob actually is.
He was one of our most decorated officers and had
Several people have mentioned that I probably could received five Governor’s awards. No one else has received
write a book on the things that I have seen and have that number of awards from the Alabama Wildlife
been involved. I have chosen to share my adventures Federation. He was very smart and had served many
with the people I most appreciate, our officers and our years in Autauga County as a remarkable officer. Nobody
ACEOA supporters. really knows why he went sour. He became involved with
When I was hired in 1983, I was blessed to have a the sheriff of Autauga County at that time and some of
partner who had police experience. Keith Mickle had his cronies. Politics, parties, and corruption gave him an
worked for Decatur PD for several years. He was very ‘above the law’ attitude and a false sense of security.
street smart and often kept me out of trouble because he During this era, the Spoonbill Catfish was not pro-
had this experience. tected. Regulations later put this fish on the endangered
This Part I of my career may give you the impression species list. Spoonbill Catfish provide the markets with
that our department was in complete turmoil; “poor man caviar.” The eggs (roe) from the fish
and in a way it was. Officer Craig Chapman were bringing a premium. Commercial fish-
had been brutally murdered in border- ermen were coming from all over to
ing Butler County in 1982. The per- catch the fish for its by-product. Billy
son who did this spent very little Bob was said to be a buyer for the
time in prison and made a mock- roe. This was never substantiated
ery of our court system. It wasn’t but he was definitely involved up
until several years later when he to his chin.
boasted about killing Craig to The Alabama River is consid-
another agency that he spent ered an impoundment to the
additional time. Lock & Dam at Jones Bluff.
The officers in Lowndes Gill-netting is restricted in these
County had been fired for steal- areas because the river is
ing the Probate Judge’s cattle. stocked with Striped Bass. Two
Stories evolved that they were miles below the lock & dam
only corralling the problem cattle waters are open to gill-netting
for removal. Who knows? It did during daylight hours only.
create a real problem for Keith and Spoonbill catfish are easily caught
me when we arrived in Lowndes in gill nets and are prevalent in areas
County. Public trust was at its worst. of the river closed to netting.
They could only see two more renegade No one knew the river like Billy Bob. He
Game Wardens arriving to continue the past, busi- was already involved with other commercial fish-
ness as usual. ing techniques. The rise in value for the roe generated a
On August 31, 1983, after we were sworn in, Captain new interest for harvesting the spoonbill.
Henley and Chief of Enforcement Dalton Halbrook called When Keith and I were informed of his activities, we
Keith and me aside. We were informed of the serious were shocked. To place this kind of responsibility on two
problems that were occurring across the river in neigh- rookie officers was beyond me. We were told that it had to
boring Autauga County. It would be our job to observe be done by us and outside contacts would be limited. The
and apprehend the corrupt conservation officer in information we obtained would only be heard by Captain
Autauga County. Henley and the Chiefs in the Montgomery office.
What a way to start our career! Our first arrest could Keith Mickle had prior police experience and did not
very well be one of our own; and we were to do it without have to attend the police academy. Shortly after August,
help from any surrounding officers. This was scary stuff! I went to Selma Minimum Standards Academy for seven
It is important to give you a little history of the conser- weeks. Keith was in the county during the week by him-
vation officer from Autauga County. I will just give him self. On the weekends, I would work with Keith patrolling
the fictitious name of Billy Bob. The folks who were continued on 79
The ACE Magazine  77
The Early Years – continued

the county. Prior to deer season in 1983, I completed the was there, below the dam in his state boat. He had his
academy and returned to Lowndes County for good. shirt off and was snatching for fish on the short wall
It was obvious that we were not very popular because between the floodgates and the powerhouse.
of the former Lowndes County officers. Fortunately, According to the rules dictated by Montgomery office,
things got better once the people of Lowndes County met we had to see Billy Bob place the nets. If we did not and
us and saw that we were in this for the long haul. It still found the nets in his state boat, he could say that he
was very difficult. pulled them up and they were illegal nets. Billy Bob knew
This probably should be in Part II of my stories; but it this, too. Remember, I said he was smart.
seems to be an ideal spot to elaborate on the problems Lt. Virgil Randolph had dropped off Mike and Byron
we encountered during the early days. that afternoon and went to a pre-determined hiding spot
Keith and I were patrolling an area in North Lowndes with his vehicle. After dark, Billy Bob had tied to the
County and encountered two individuals we suspected black buoys below the dam. We were convinced the nets
shooting doves off power lines on a public road. Unable were tied to the buoys. Radio traffic was limited. We had
to make a good arrest, we released the subjects with a borrowed radios from another agency so that Billy Bob
verbal warning. They immediately informed us that they could not monitor our traffic. Remember, he had the
had ridden with the prior disposed officers and would be same radios we used. Finally, we felt like we had him.
interested in riding with us and help us in the county. We Yeah, sure!
simply informed them that we did not allow riders and we For some unknown reason, Lt. Randolph left his loca-
would learn on our own. They informed us that Lowndes tion and was spotted by the Statesville lookouts. They
County was a rough county and told us to be careful. went to the fishing pier below the lock & dam and flashed
I give you this information because this was the first their lights. Billy Bob left the buoys and motored to the
negative contact we had made. Maybe it was coincidental. pier. He spoke to his lookouts and returned to the buoys.
Shortly after this contact, someone began tacking (square We believe he cut his nets and headed down river.
roofing nails) in our driveways. Keith and I spent several Keith and I watched him go past us in his boat. We
days getting to the Montgomery warehouse to replace went to the lock & dam and began dragging for the nets.
tires. We had the local Police Chief in Hayneville watching Because the generators were on, the nets disappeared
our residences but they were watching him and managed down river quickly.
to get us when he wasn’t there. Fortunately, the ware- Billy Bob obviously took his boat out at Steele’s
house had more tires than our friends had roofing nails. Landing and returned to the lock & dam searching for us.
In the early years, Keith and his family rented a house We observed him climbing on the top of the restrooms at
in Hayneville. Gayle, Kelli and I moved to Lowndesboro the fishing area looking for our observation points. He
and later built a home there. Requirements by the depart- even called me on the radio. I did not answer.
ment back then required us to be on the Hayneville tele- We were so close to closing this chapter on our “bad
phone exchange and could pretty much dictate where we apple,” but it didn’t happen. This detail had been compro-
lived in the county. These restrictions have now eased. mised and we knew we would not get this opportunity
In the spring of 1984, we received help from two young again. He was just too smart to do this again in this area.
and aggressive officers in Perry County. They offered to I close this “early years” chapter with just a short state-
help us work details to apprehend Billy Bob. Mike Nichols ment. Conservation Enforcement Officers are entrusted
and Byron Smith were our new recruits in this very diffi- with a great deal of responsibility. We often go places
cult situation. We had received information that Billy Bob other officers are not allowed to go. We are given greater
was working with a group of commercial fishermen in powers and our officers know this and are very careful
Statesville and operated out of Steele’s Landing on the not to abuse this power.
Autauga County side of the river. Every agency has had officers who abused their law
Night vision scopes were new; but we had acquired one enforcement power. Because of the turmoil in Lowndes
through another agency. Mike and Byron manned obser- County during my earlier years, it should not negatively
vation points at the Lock & Dam. Keith and I launched our reflect on the department. Our department addressed
boat at Benton and had chase responsibilities. I don’t these problems the best way they could. Their goal was
remember exactly how many nights we spent sitting in to remove these officers who had abused their powers
the mouth of Big Swamp Creek but we were convinced and to learn from these experiences.
this is where the apprehension would be made. Please read in our next issue Chapter II, “The Catch.”
On one of those evenings, Mike and Byron had reached This will be the end of an era as I share some very
the observation point in late afternoon. We were set up in comical events. Please stay tuned.
the creek in our boat. Mike informed us that Billy Bob  l
The ACE Magazine  79

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