Page 8 December 21, 2007 A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER The Franklin Chronicle I :b l w4 s FWC Lt. Rama Shuster and Offi- cers Faris Livesay, Mike Slotin, Travis Huckeba, and Charlie Mallow concluded a two-day hands-on turtle excluder device (TEDs) training aboard the FWC's offshore patrol vessel "Sea Hawk." The first night consisted of several boardings offshore in federal waters. FWC pilot Frank Utermohlen flew off- shore, located the shrimping vessels and relayed their coordi- nates back to the "Sea Hawk." On the second night, the shrimp- ing vessel "Lady Hazel" was boarded five miles south of Cape San Blas. Three of the four TEDs were not in compliance. A citation was issued. Later in the evening, the shrimping ves- sel, "Mary Ellen" was boarded in Apalachicola Bay. The TEDs in both nets were not in compli- ance, and -the captain had removed the by-catch reduction devices (BRDS) from the nets. Citations were issued and approximately 60 pounds of shrimp were seized. SOn December 8, Officers Percy Cook and Steven Cook were working a decoy deer detail in the Tate's-Hell Wildlife Management Area. Around 4:30 p.m., a vehicle approached their position, drove past, then turned around and came back. A person stepped out of the vehi- cle and shot one of the decoys with a shotgun. The officers identified themselves and arrest- ed the subject for attempting to take deer with gun and light. The shotgun was seized and the shooter was issued citations. On December 12, Officers Don Walker and Travis Huckeba were on routine patrol in Apalachicola Wildlife and Environmental Area near Gard- ner's Landing. A small vessel approached their position and the two officers performed an inspection. They discovered two subjects on board with two undersized red drum and seven undersized seatrout. The two subjects were issued citations. On November 30, Lt. Rama Shuster, Officers Faris Livesay and Seth Wagner, and Duty Officer Brenda Mitchell were on patrol aboard the off- shore patrol vessel "Sea Hawk." At approximately 12 p.m. a com- mercial fishing vessel was stopped while underway in fed- eral waters of the Gulf of Mexico. While the officers were approaching the vessel, the cap- tain ran out of the cabin onto the aft deck and began throwing fish overboard. Officers Livesay and Wagner immediately board- ed the vessel while Lt. Shuster and Duty Officer Mitchell att- empted to recover the dumped fish. One red snapper was found floating behind the vessel. The officers also found pieces of red snapper being used as bait on two fishing poles aboard the ves- sel. Federal charges for obstruc- tion and possession of red snap- per during closed season are being filed. The next meeting is set for Feb. 6-7 in Panama City. December's full of holiday hunting traditions There's finally a chill and a certain. festiveness in the air-as most of us try to take time off from work to enjoy spending quality time with family and friends and reflect on the passing year. Children will be out of school on winter break soon, and while the holiday season's upon us, so are several traditional hunting opportunities. The second phase of water- fowl and coot season comes in statewide Dec. 8 and runs through Jan. 27.In addition to the usual hunting license and permit requirements, duck hunters also must have a Florida waterfowl permit ($3) and a fed- eral duck stamp ($15). The daily bag limit on ducks is six, but you need to know your ducks before you pull the trigger, because there are different daily limits for each species. For instance, with- in the six-bird limit there can only be one black duck, one mot- tled duck, one fulvous whistling- duck and one pintail. Only two of your six-bird limit can be can- vasbacks, redheads, wood ducks or scaup, and you may have only four scoters or four mallards (of which only two can be female) in your bag. All other species of ducks may be taken up to the six-bird limit, except harlequin ducks. Taking or attempting to take har- lequins is illegal. The daily limit on coots is 15,.and there's a five bird limit on mergansers, only FWC approves The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commis- sion wrapped up a two-day meet- ing at Key Largo after wading through an eventful agenda. Commissioners voted to approve the Florida Manatee Management Plan, effectively establishing a comprehensive OtJ4 ,,VW 0utta te Woods By Tony Young, FWC two of which may be hooded. When hunting waterfowl, hunters may only use non-toxic shotgun shells. In fact, it's illegal for hunters even to possess lead shot when waterfowl hunting. Only iron (steel), bismuthtin and various tungsten-alloys are per- missible. For something different, try woodcock hunting. Woodcock season runs Dec. 15 Jan. 13. Woodcocks are excellent game birds because they hold well for pointing bird dogs and provide a challenging shot when flushed. The daily bag limit is three. The third phase of mourn- ing and white-winged dove sea- son opens Dec. 8 and runs through Jan. 6. There's a 12-bird daily bag limit on doves. From November on, shoot- ing hours for all migratory birds are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. You must get a no-cost migratory bird permit where you -purchase your hunting license manatee plan plan that lays out all the realistic measures the state can take to nurture the species away from the threat of extinction. The plan also includes measurable goals for the manatee's recovery. It marks the first time Florida has had a management plan for the species. . before you hunt any of these birds, though. The only firearm you're allowed to hunt migratory game birds with is a shotgun, no larger than 10-gauge. Shotguns must be plugged to a three-shell capacity (magazine and chamber com- bined). Bows also are legal. Retrievers and bird dogs can be useful in hunting migratory game birds. Artificial decoys, as well as manual or mouth-operat- ed bird calls, also are legal arid essential gear for duck hunters. You may hunt migratory game birds over an agricultural field, as long as the crop's been planted by regular agricultural methods. However, don't even think about "sweetening" the field by scattering agricultural products over it-or anywhere near it-or you could wind up in serious trouble. It doesn't matter if you aren't the one who scat- tered the bait. If you knew or should've known that such bait was present, you're accountable under the law. Some other things you can't do while hunting migratory game birds include using rifles, pistols, crossbows, traps, snares, nets, sinkboxes, swivel guns, punt guns, battery guns, machine guns, fish hooks, poisons, drugs, explosive substances, live decoys, recorded bird calls or sounds or electrically amplified bird call imitations. Shooting from a moving automobile or boat and Commissioners voted to defer a proposal to reclassify manatees from endangered to threatened on the state's imper- iled species list. Meanwhile, Commissioners directed FWC staff to research options for herding or driving birds with vehicles or vessels -also- are against the law. Bobcat and otter hunting season is Dec. 1 March 1, and there's no daily bag or season limit on either species. Like foxes, bobcats may be chased year-round with dogs, but possessing firearms during the closed season between March 2 and Nov. 30 is prohibited. On a few wildlife management areas, bobcats and otters may not be taken, so please consult the spe- cific area brochure before you hunt. Whether upland bird hunt- ing with friends. and family, shooting ducks on the pond with your favorite lab or taking that big bobcat as he slips up behind an unsuspecting fawn, December has the hunting opportunities you're looking for. Here's wish- ing you happy holidays and a successful hunting season. If you can, remember to introduce someone new to our great sport. As always, have fun, hunt safely and ethically, and we'll see you in the woods! Tony Young is an avid sportsman and native Floridian who co-man- ages the wildlife and timber rec- sources on family property in Franklin County. He is the media relations coordinator for the FWC's Division of Hunting and Game Management. You can reach him with questions about hunting at Tony. Young@MyFWC.com. revising the agency's imperiled- species classification process. Also, Commissioners heard an update on a proposed man- agement plan and associated rules concerning the bald eagle. Living Tree Donation Program Dear Community Member and Business Owner, Thank you in advance for taking an interest in our children. This letter comes from the parents of the first Consolidated School 2008 Graduating Class of Franklin County. This project is a first, for Franklin County Schools and for our commu- nity. You will be the first to be part of this great "Living Tree Donation Program". When you purchase a tree from the Living Tree Donation Program, you will be helping a graduating senior expand their possibil- ities. Many students might not have the resources to further their edu- cation, but with your help they can achieve avenues they thought would not be possible. The proceeds. from this program will be used as fol- lows: Project Graduation 2008 and to beautify our new Franklin County School Campus. Project Graduation has been a very successful program in Franklin County. Immediately after graduation, all seniors return to the school gym, where they will stay until the next morning. We call it Lockdown, during that time; we have safe and entertaining activities for them that will last all night until the next morning. These activities will also include educational information regarding college and how to manage their money and time well. All who attend will be awarded equal amounts of the Project Graduation 2008 Scholarship Fund that comes directly from the Living Tree Donation Fundraiser. This program not only helps the graduating students, you will also be beautifying our.new "Franklin County School Campus" all the trees purchased will be planted on the school grounds for all to see for future years to come. As an appreciation to your donations, we will be plac- ing your name on the beautiful Donor Tree Wall for all who enter the Franklin County School Campus to see. Your donation will always be known and appreciated. TREES PURCHASED & PLANTED (All trees are native to our area): Palms/Chase Tree/Southern Magnolia/Live Oak. DONATION (You may donate as many trees as you would like): $150 per tree. Your Name: Address: Phone Number: How many trees will you be donating: . MAKE AND MAIL CHECK TO: Project Graduation 2008 (All donations are tax deductible). Questions: (850) 323-0380. 661 U.S. Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328. GO SEAHAWKS! "Steps to Unlimited Possibilities" "Whoever wants to soar freely on the unlimited pathway of possibilities must first take steps" SEAHAWK SENIORS 2008 Dear Community Member and Business Owner, The First Graduating Class from the new consolidated Franklin County Schools will be the "Seahawk Seniors 2008". We are honored, thankful and proud to be part of this community and school. We would like to team up with you to help make our graduating year the most memorable. We have thought hard and long to come up with a fundraiser that truly brings us all together as a community and recog- nizes you as a donor. Leave Your Mark! In appreciation to our community and your sup- port, we are offering the first "Steps to unlimited possibility" stepping stones that will pave the pathways along the new school. These step- ping stones will represent a pathway to a successful education experi- ence. Each stone you purchase will be placed on the school grounds for each generation of students to see and be proud that their commu- nity is supporting them each step of their way. 1. Each stone will be personally engraved with your message to make it unique to each donor, as seen above. Engravement: up to 2 Lines with 16 letters each line. 2. Stones are approximately 12" round in diameter and 1" thickness with smooth edges made of genuine slate stone. A naturally textured top surface will give each stone depth and beauty. 3. Each stepping stone will be $100 and you may purchase as many stones as you would like, each having a unique personalized message. Each stones will be displayed at the new school. You may purchase additional stones for your private garden to show your expanded school spirit. Name: Phone Number: Address: Personal Engravement: Stones Purchased: Check Enclosed $: MAKE AND MAIL CHECK TO: Project Graduation 2008 (All donations are tax deductible). 661 U.S. Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328. Thank you very much for teaming with the Seahawk Seniors 2008 in creating a stronger sense of community, history and in being part of this new and exciting educational fundraising. All the proceeds will be used as a scholarship to ALL 2008 GRADUATING SENIORS who attend project graduation 2008, For Questions please contact: (850) 323-0380.