SOCIAL CIRCLE — Hunters and others interested are encouraged to attend any of eight upcoming public meetings regarding the development of proposed hunting regulations for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 hunting seasons.
These meetings, sponsored by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division, are opportunities for the public to help shape hunting regulations.
“Science provides the foundation for development of hunting regulations,” said John Bowers, chief of the Game Management Section. “Additionally, public input is also important and valuable. It is our goal to maintain simple, easy-to-follow hunting regulations that are biologically appropriate while encouraging hunting participation, and maximizing management flexibility and opportunity.”
All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. The closest to Liberty and Long counties are:
Monday: Stellar Center (14 Stellar Drive, Brunswick, GA 31525)
Tuesday: Southeastern Technical College (3001 East 1st Street, Vidalia, GA 30474)
Wednesday: Augusta Tech College (216 Hwy. 24 South, Waynesboro, GA 30830)
Thursday: Banks Co. High School (1486 Historic Homer Hwy., Homer, GA 30547)
Any participant at a meeting may present data, make a statement, or offer a viewpoint or argument, either orally or in writing. Statements should be concise to permit everyone an opportunity to speak. Participants must register upon arrival and notify the registering official if they intend to give a statement. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit statements by Jan. 20, via:
• Electronically submitted at: www.georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Regulations/SubmitComments
• Mailed to: GA DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management Section; Attn: Tina Brunjes; 2070 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.; Social Circle, GA 30025.
• Call 770-918-6404.
To request sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids at the meetings, call Tina Brunjes at 770-918-6404.
Hunting regulation proposals will be available in early-April and will be considered by the Board of Natural Resources on May 31.
For more information, go to www.georgiawildlife.com/Hunting/Meetings.