Georgia

GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA - At a ceremony held Monday, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) and the Mountain Stewards officially dedicated a fully accessible trail located at the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The 1,940-foot boardwalk, located near the Amicalola River at Highway 53, provides a way for hikers of all abilities to enjoy the trail and in addition, offers easy access for fishing. Local dignitaries, including Gary Pichon of the Dawson County Board of Commissioners and members of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, as well as WRD and Mountain Stewards representatives were present at the ceremony.

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The top names in Fly Fishing have joined forces together to put togther a world-class fly fishing outfit as a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited-Alaska to help with their efforts protecting the Bristol Bay watershed.

Participants of all ages are invited Saturday, March 8, to “Fire on the Mountain!” – a celebration of an ongoing effort to conserve areas of rare montane longleaf pine habitat through the use of prescribed fire at Sprewell Bluff State Park near Thomaston.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is providing trout anglers some earlier-than-normal winter fishing opportunities. In an effort to create more space in WRD’s trout hatcheries, fisheries personnel will begin releasing some of the trout they’d normally release in March into select north Georgia streams this week.

It is with great pleasure and excitement that I have the opportunity to present the inaugural issue of MARLIN WORLD.

LINK TO MAGAZINE: http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=pgptf

1. Click anywhere on the screen to ZOOM in and read.

The idea for Outdoorsman Exchange came about in an instant, but in a way it was sometime in the making – we just didn’t realize it at the time.

For years my husband, Paul, has wanted to go on an elk hunt. I’ve encouraged him many times. He and his brothers talk how they should all go elk hunting out west with their Dad before age took its toll on him. Pursuit of that dream sounded good but there was always the financial reality check that held my husband back. He couldn’t justify spending money on a guided hunting trip and felt a guided trip was the only way to go for a successful hunt. This voice inside kept telling him - we need to save money for more sensible things like kids braces, college funds, etc. Most everyone can relate to these thoughts, unless you’re an heir to a fortune.

ATLANTA - Standing on the bank of Corley Lake in Paulding County with a scenic view of the Paulding Forest behind him, Governor Sonny Perdue announced today a monumental investment in land conservation. The state of Georgia, through an investment of $35 million and additional federal, local and private funds, will protect approximately 20,000 acres of pristine forest lands in Paulding, Decatur and McIntosh Counties.

Social Circle, Georgia - In response to recent public comment regarding Georgia's dove hunting season structure, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) has created a convenient online dove season questionnaire, available at www.gohuntgeorgia.com>www.gohuntgeorgia.com. The purpose of the questionnaire is to provide hunters an opportunity to share their opinions on certain aspects of Georgia's current dove hunting season schedule. The 2007-2008 season runs Sept. 1-15, Oct. 6-15 and Nov. 22 - Jan. 5. Questionnaire responses will be considered as public input in the Department's effort to evaluate potential season alternatives.

Social Circle, Georgia - Prohibiting chronic wasting disease (CWD) from entering Georgia is a continuous effort. This fatal disease attacks the nervous system of cervids (e.g. deer, elk and moose) and to date has been detected in 14 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces. With big game hunting seasons underway across much of the nation, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) advises resident hunters planning out-of-state hunting trips to become familiar with Georgia's current regulations regarding cervid importation.

Fort Benning, Georgia - The world class rifle shooters of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit competed in the Creedmoor Cup and conducted a high power rifle marksmanship clinic for match participants Oct. 24 to 28 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Ariz.