Catching poachers and other wildlife violators often involved lengthy criminal investigations and require diligence and dedication on behalf of conservation rangers.

Cpl. Michael Crawley, representing Washington and Johnson counties, was named Investigative Ranger of the Year for demonstrating tenacity and excellence in his work, which included a complex case with more than 18 violations in 2011.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division names an Investigative Range of the Year annually.

“I commend Cpl. Crawley for his drive and continued efforts to apprehend violators who damaged our natural resources,” says Col.

Eddie Henderson, chief of law enforcement for Wildlife Resources Division.  “His commitment to the investigative work required for this case, as well as continuing to do all other required tasks, shows great multi-tasking skills and dedication.”

Cpl. Crawley’s investigation involved a poaching case in Washington County.  The case began with a complaint about trespassing on private property.  Assisting Cpl. Crawley was Storm, a canine who helped in the detection of evidence, including an injured deer and tire tracks.  Over the next few weeks, Crawley gathered information on the suspected violator, and in January 2011, served the suspect with an arrest warrant.

The poacher was charged with 18 total violations including:

•  possession of illegally taken wildlife
• taking game above the bag limit
• violation of a crop damage permit
• additional charges from other agencies.

He was fined $2,500 and loss of hunting privileges for two years.

Other WRD conservation rangers nominated for the award for their outstanding investigative work:  Sgt. John VanLandingham, RFC Josh Chambers, Cpl. Lynn Stanford, RFC Tim Hutto and Cpl. Phillip Scott.

The Georgia Chapter of the Safari Club International sponsors this award.  For more information about that organization, visit www.gasci.org.  For more information about Wildlife Resources Division Law Enforcement, visit http://georgiawildlife.com/enforcement/law-enforcement-section.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Georgia DNR Recognizes Investigative Ranger of the Year

Bubba Stevens of Senoia, Ga., prevailed over a strong field of competitors to win the 2011 NWTF Video Contest and an all-expenses-paid Osceola turkey hunt at Rafter T Ranch in Sebring, Fla.

In addition to the three-day Osceola hunt, Stevens will receive a CZ-USA Upland Ultralight 12-gauge and a gear package from Bass Pro Shops.

“I’m so excited I’m trying not to throw up in my office,” said Stevens, a project manager with a turn-key site contractor. “I was tossing and turning the last couple nights waiting to see if I won.”

Stevens outpolled four other finalists on the NWTF’s Facebook page to earn the hunt of a lifetime. Voters selected from videos that celebrated “Hunters: Champions of Conservation”, the theme for the 2012 NWTF national convention.

“We had several outstanding entries that demonstrated the passion for conservation shared by our members,” NWTF public relations director Brent Lawrence said. “We congratulate Bubba for his winning effort.”

Stevens’ 14-year-old son Cole filmed the winning video. Stevens was a finalist in the 2010 NWTF Video Contest.

“We’ve kind of been waiting for another chance since last year,” Stevens said. “I had a lot of support. I’m very grateful to all the vote who took the time to vote for me.”

The NWTF is the leader in upland wildlife habitat conservation in North America. A nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving the wild turkey and preserving our hunting heritage, the NWTF and its volunteers work closely with state, federal and provincial wildlife agencies and other partners.

Through these dynamic partnerships, the NWTF and its members helped restore wild turkey populations throughout North America, spending more than $372 million to conserve 17 million acres of habitat.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Georgia Man Wins NWTF Video Contest and Osceola Turkey Hunt

Social Circle, Ga. Oct. 13, 2011 – It is finally that time of the year again for Georgia hunters. Firearms deer season opens Saturday, Oct. 22 and lasts through Jan. 1, 2012 in the Northern Zone and in the Southern Zone, through Jan. 15, 2012.

“Regulated hunting is the most cost effective and efficient means of managing the deer herd,” says John W. Bowers, assistant chief of Game Management for the Wildlife Resources Division. “In addition, sportsmen and women provide more than $30 million each year to fund wildlife conservation in the state through license fees and self-imposed excise taxes collected on the purchase of firearms, ammunition, archery equipment and fishing equipment.”

More than one million acres of public hunting land is available to hunters in Georgia, including more than 100 state-operated wildlife management areas. In addition to traditional hunters, many special hunts are offered, including ladies-only and adult/child hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts, as well as WMA maps, are available in the 2011-2012 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/regulations.

During the 2010-2011 firearms deer season, 299,894 licensed hunters harvested more than 386,050 deer in Georgia.

Hunters are allowed a season total of 10 antlerless deer and two antlered deer (one of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).

A valid hunting license is required to hunt deer during firearms season, as is a big game license and a deer harvest record. In most cases, a separate WMA license is required to hunt on a WMA. All deer hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of fluorescent orange above the waist to legally hunt during firearms season, except on archery-only areas. Where can you get a license? Buy it online or find a list of retail license vendors at www.georgiawildlife.com/recreational-licenses or buy it by phone at 1.800.366.2661.

Georgia is considered the top destination in the country for non-resident hunters and continues to draw tens of thousands of hunters from across the country each year. The state’s quality hunting opportunities and the availability of vast acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

For more information on deer hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/regulations.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Georgia Firearms Deer Season Opens Oct. 22

Maurice, LA, October 7, 2011 – The outdoor industry’s first energy drink, Wildlife Energy Drink, is proud to announce that Jimmy Sparks of Alapaha, Georgia, won the Wildlife Energy Hunt Giveaway. Sparks won the grand prize of a 3 day, 2 night, hog hunt at Wildlife Beverage Company’s private hunting land in Mississippi, a premium, roto-molded cooler from K2 Coolers, filled with Wildlife Energy Drink, and a once in a lifetime opportunity, to hunt with an Outdoor Channel star, as Neal Rohrbach, host of the popular Outdoor Channel Outfitters television show, will be hunting along with the winner and the guys from Wildlife Energy and K2 Coolers!

Jay Davidson, President of Wildlife Beverage Company, expressed his excitement about conclusion to this great giveaway, “It was awesome to have the opportunity to give back to our fans through this hunt giveaway, and we’re looking very forward to having Mr. Sparks and Neal Rohrbach out to our private land for fun filled hunt. Just hearing the excitement in Mr. Sparks’ voice, when I called to let him know he won, made every bit of the hard work we put into this contest worth it!”

About Wildlife Energy Drink

Wildlife Energy Drink was developed by sportsmen for sportsmen and is dedicated to the American outdoor sportsman in every way, from its distinctive outdoor-themed packaging and shotgun shell energy shots, to its support of wildlife conservation projects and outdoor programs. Wildlife Energy Drink is superior to any other energy drink on the market when it comes to taste and performance-enhancing properties, carefully formulated for times where extended endurance is needed. From early-morning hunting adventures to late-night fishing expeditions, Wildlife Energy Drink can increase your vigilance and wakefulness, improving concentration and reaction speed.

For more information about the Wildlife Energy Hunt Giveaway, the drinks and energy shots, or to become a distributor call or email 800-311-3853, info@wildlifeenergy.com.

About K2 Coolers

K2 coolers are roto-molded, so they are much tougher than traditional ice chests. Utilizing UV stabilized, food grade polyethylene, they are dry ice compatible. K2 coolers are well insulated with high quality polyurethane foam to make sure whatever you are trying to keep cold, stays cold. All K2 Coolers are built with quality components, like integrated hinges, positive locking latches, rope handles, neoprene lid gaskets and marine grade stainless hardware to deliver a remarkably rugged, long lasting ice chest.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Wildlife Energy Announces Hunt Giveaway Winner

A Georgia plantation hunt with “ugly dogs” launches the third season of Scott Linden’s Wingshooting USA television series, broadcast on NBC Sports and four other networks. The episode, airing the week of Sept. 26, was shot at Quail Country Plantation near Arlington, Georgia, and offers several twists on the traditional southern-style hunt.

Appropriate to the rough-and-tumble approach of German Wirehairs and shorthairs featured on the show, Scott and his guest Terry Wilson “walk up” bobwhite quail rather than approach via the more genteel mule-drawn wagon. Three generations of dogs, a touching story of physical and emotional redemption, and classic southern habitat highlight the program. Scott’s wirehair Buddy teaches him the value of “weekends,” even for dogs, in the Buddy & Me segment. The “TruckVault Cares” public service segment features the International Hunter Education Association.

In addition to NBC Sports, the award-winning program airs on Sportsman Channel, AMG-TV, TUFF-TV and Legacy Television. Days and times vary by network; detailed program information is available at www.scottlindenoutdoors.com.

Voted “favorite upland hunting series” and “favorite host” two years running in a national viewer survey, Scott Linden’s Wingshooting USA is shot entirely in high definition. It is available to over 235 million households via Dish Network, DirecTV, most cable television providers, and more than 300 local television stations.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Wingshooting USA Debuts Third Season

Social Circle, Ga. September 2, 2011 – The Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division reminds all deer hunters, including big game license holders, honorary and lifetime license holders, hunters under 16 years of age and landowners, to obtain a new deer harvest record for the upcoming season.

Deer harvest records are required for any person hunting deer, regardless of age, are free of charge and available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/recreational-licenses or at any retail license agent.

“A deer harvest record is good only for a single hunting season because the bag limit is a season limit,” said John W. Bowers, WRD Assistant Chief of Game Management.

Hunters must complete a deer harvest record before moving a deer from the site of a kill, except when participating in a wildlife management area or national wildlife refuge hunt that requires hunters to check out harvested deer. Hunters may not possess or use multiple big game licenses or deer harvest records and should keep harvest records with hunting licenses.

“We appreciate the honesty, cooperation and support from each hunter in respecting wildlife and the conservation tradition by following game and fish laws. We encourage hunters to police themselves by using the anonymous Turn In Poachers (TIP) line (1-800-241-4113) to turn in individuals who violate these laws,” said Bowers.

For more information, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com, contact a Wildlife Resources Division Game Management office or call (770) 761-3044.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Georgia Hunters Need New Deer Harvest Record Prior to 2011-2012 Season

Social Circle, Ga. September 2, 2011 – Deer season is the most popular hunting season of the year for hunters, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division, and this year archers get first draw beginning Sat., Sept. 10. Last year, 122,316 archery hunters harvested more than 66,352 deer.

Statewide archery season runs through Oct. 14, but special regulations apply to archery-only counties and extended archery season areas. Hunters should refer to the 2011-2012 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/regulations for the most accurate information.

Georgia is considered a top destination in the country for non-resident hunters and continues to draw tens of thousands of hunters from across the country each year. The state’s quality deer hunting opportunities and the close to one million available acres of public hunting land serve as the main appeal.

Georgia offers more than 90 state-operated wildlife management areas. Many of these public lands offer specialty hunts, including primitive weapons hunts, adult/child hunts and ladies-only hunts. Dates and locations for these hunts are available in the 2011-2012 Georgia Hunting Seasons and Regulations guide, and WMA maps are available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/wildlife-management-areas .

Hunters are allowed a season bag limit of ten antlerless deer and two antlered deer (one of the two antlered deer must have a minimum of four points, one inch or longer, on one side of the antlers).

“This statewide framework provides landowners and hunting clubs great flexibility to meet their management objectives,” says John W. Bowers, Assistant Chief of WRD Game Management. “However, it is the responsibility of landowners and hunting clubs, individually or collectively, to set site-specific deer harvest regimes within this framework to meet their deer management goals.”

To pursue deer in Georgia, hunters must have a valid hunting license, big game license and a current deer harvest record. If hunting on a WMA, a WMA license also is required.

For more information on deer hunting seasons and regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Archery Deer Hunting Season in Georgia Opens Sept. 10

SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (August 31, 2011) – The Board of Natural Resources recently approved the 2011-2012 waterfowl hunting regulations.

“There are no changes to the 2011-2012 migratory bird and waterfowl regulations this year,” says State Waterfowl Biologist Greg Balkcom. “We have another 60-day season for ducks with the same bag limits as last year. Breeding ground conditions were generally good to excellent across the eastern U. S. and Canada, so I expect the ducks had a good nesting season this year.”

The September Canada goose season runs from Sept. 3-25 and the September teal season runs from Sept. 10-25. Hunting season for ducks is Nov. 19 – Nov. 27, 2011 and Dec. 10 – Jan. 29, 2012. A summary of migratory bird hunting season dates and bag limits can be found online at www.gohuntgeorgia.com/hunting/regulations .

Youth Waterfowl Days are Nov. 12-13, 2011. On these two days, youth age 15 or younger, may hunt specific migratory birds, such as ducks, Canada geese and mergansers, as long as they are accompanied by an adult of at least 18 years of age (only the youth may hunt).

In order to hunt waterfowl, hunters must have a hunting license, federal duck stamp, Georgia waterfowl conservation license and a HIP permit. If hunting on a wildlife management area, a WMA license is required.

For more information on hunting regulations, visit www.gohuntgeorgia.com and click on the “Hunting Regulations” icon on the home page.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Georgia DNR Board Approves Waterfowl Regulations

Ever wonder how the Realtree team adapts to summer office life after spending month after glorious month in the woods chasing game? Find out by watching the brand new webisode Off Season, airing on Realtree.TV all summer long.  There’s a lot of work to be done to prepare for the upcoming fall season, but things can get a little wild when the wait for the next hunt becomes more than the Realtree staffers can bare.

In the premiere webisode, Realtree’s David Blanton takes you on a tour of the “busy” Realtree offices located in Columbus, Ga.  You’ll get a close-up, behind-the-scenes view of life at the office when everyone is hard at work….and play. Tune in to new episodes airing every Monday throughout the summer and learn a little more than perhaps you want to know about the folks who bring you the outdoors entertainment and camo brand you love.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Check Out Realtree’s New Webisode Off Season on Realtree.TV

Camouflage is applied to just about anything these days – rifle stocks, bows, knife handles, even trucks.

But bait corn?

That’s right, camouflaged corn has been produced by at least two companies – one in Georgia and another in Michigan.

The kernels, dyed brown and green, are intended to go unseen to game wardens in states where it’s illegal to bait.

“It never has been illegal to put it out, only to hunt over it,” the manufacturer in Georgia said. “What you do with it is your business, but everybody knows that’s what it’s for.”

Read more about this product, including comments from a federal law enforcement officer, in the current issue of Lone Star Outdoor News.

This edition also has an article about a high school student from Thrall, Texas who recently hunted black bear in British Columbia – a reward from a trio of outdoorsmen who challenged him to get on the honor role at school.

Other articles update readers on smallmouth bass, redfish and tips on how to fish around offshore oilrigs.

Lone Star Outdoor News is available now at newsstands. The latest issue also is available for downloading at http://www.LSONews.com.

Outdoor Hub, The Outdoor Information Engine - Camo Bait Corn Explained in Lone Star Outdoor News