By By ANNA M. LEE Assistant Editor
Effective Nov. 22 the Conecuh National Forest is no longer permitting dog deer hunting in the general forest area, said Griff Morgan, district biologist for the national forest.
In the past, dog deer hunters have generated complaints by hunting on public roads and hunting on private land without permission, said Frank Reid, a game warden with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
Private landowners with land adjoining the national forest lobbied to get the regulations changed to eliminate trespassing by hunters with dogs, Morgan said.
Regulations regarding the national forest are established by the state. "The forest service by agreement with the state turns regulation of hunting over to the state," Morgan said.
Any hunting regulations in the Conecuh National Forest are enforced by a law enforcement officer with the state game wardens.
Though Reid has issued no citations for dog deer hunting, there have been reports of violations since the regulation was put into effect. Wardens have a difficult time enforcing the regulation because violators set up a network of communication to warn each other when law enforcement approaches, he said.
Deer hunting season for gun hunters began Nov. 22 this year and will last until Jan. 31.