Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.73 - The Alabama Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program

(1) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources shall administer a program entitled "The Alabama Cooperative Deer Management Assistance Program" to improve management of white-tailed deer through cooperative agreements with landowners and hunting clubs.

(2) Each prospective participant shall submit an application on a form to be supplied by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Each application must be accompanied by two copies of a map of the area to be included in the Deer Management Program that are of sufficient detail to allow the area's boundaries to be readily determined. Approval of the application shall be at the discretion of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Each landowner/club approved shall be termed a "cooperator."

(3) Each cooperator shall designate a person with authority to represent all parties with a controlling interest in hunting activities on the land to serve as the cooperator's contact with the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

(4) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shall designate a Wildlife Biologist, knowledgeable in deer management, as the agency's contact with each cooperator.

(5) Cooperators must abide by all hunting laws and regulations. Failure to do so shall be cause to terminate participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

(6) Each cooperator shall make a written statement of its deer management objectives. Those objectives must be within the capabilities of the harvest and management strategies that can be applied.

(7) Each cooperator shall collect specified biological information from deer harvested and submit the data to the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries as directed. Failure to do so shall be cause to terminate participation in the Deer Management Assistance Program.

(8) Information concerning past harvest, existing conditions and deer management objectives will be considered in the development of a deer management and harvest strategy for each cooperator. Harvest of unantlered deer will be prescribed as appropriate.

(9) Harvest of unantlered deer outside the regular Hunter's Choice hunting season will be allowed only where appropriate to meet the deer management objectives of the cooperator. The number of unantlered deer to be taken, dates of harvest and bag limits will be designated and shall be by written permit as approved by the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Director based on recommendations submitted by the Wildlife and Enforcement Sections. The regular Hunter's Choice hunting season shall not apply to the extent of its conflict with the provisions of said permits.

(10) Any person hunting on areas included in the Deer Management Program shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including those relating to the wearing of hunter orange.

(11) The Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries shall provide the cooperator a report based on the biological information submitted.

(12) The penalty for the violation of any of the provisions of this regulation shall be as provided by law.

(13) This regulation shall become effective on the 36th day after filing with the Legislative Reference Service.

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 220-2-.73

Filed November 17, 1984. Amended: December 23, 1986; October 22, 1987; October 15, 1988; November 13, 1991. Amended: Filed: September 14, 1993; effective October 19, 1993. Amended: Filed July 21, 1998; effective August 26, 1989. Amended: Filed August 25, 2003; effective September 29, 2003. Amended: Filed August 20, 2012; effective September 24, 2012. Amended by Alabama Administrative Monthly Volume XXXVIII, Issue No. 10, July 31, 2020, eff. 9/14/2020.

Author: Christopher M. Blankenship

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§ 9-2-8, 9-11-240.

PENALTY: As provided by law.