 A Wildlife Conservation employee swabs a bat to check for white-nose syndrome. (Katrina Morris/DNR)
Survey after survey shows that people care about all wildlife, not only game and sportfish.
As you know, at WRD we call species not hunted or fished “nongame.” But that word raises a problem. While it speaks to us as scientists and staff, it does not really translate to our customers and the public at large.
Most of them don’t know what nongame means. When we use nongame – to discuss surveys or species – we then have to explain what we’re talking about.
And that cuts the feet out from under one of the key components of effective communication: clarity.
Is our message clear? When we use nongame, usually it isn’t.
That’s why we’re changing the Nongame Conservation Section to the Wildlife Conservation Section.
This section (which had another name when created in 1998) does research and surveys, habitat and species management, conservation planning, land protection, technical assistance, outreach, and education. Guided by Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan, staff work with plants, animals and natural communities statewide.
Rather than being defined by what it isn’t, Wildlife Conservation more clearly defines the section’s focus.
The change to Wildlife Conservation was favored by the section’s program managers and discussed by WRD chiefs. It syncs with the State Wildlife Action Plan, a comprehensive conservation strategy for native animals and plants. And it will help in promoting the part of our agency that depends largely on fundraising, grants and contributions. When it comes to online searches and ad strategy, Wildlife beats Nongame hands-down.
What the new name doesn’t do is devalue the solid conservation work done by our Game and Fisheries Management sections. It also doesn’t affect our use of the state’s Nongame Wildlife Conservation & Wildlife Habitats Acquisition Fund, which is critical to the Wildlife Conservation Section’s mission.
Nor does it misuse “wildlife.” Wildlife can encompass animals and plants. That’s how it’s defined in Georgia law (“all species of flora and fauna”) and, if more evidence is needed, in the ultimate go-to … Wikipedia.
Last October, one of our staff members gave a presentation at the national State Wildlife Action Plan managers meeting about communicating the plans and the work done through them. After he finished, the first question the audience asked was why, considering the topic, DNR continued to use “nongame.”
As of July 1, we began revising our website and using Wildlife Conservation Section in communications. In short, we are communicating even more clearly about what we do and why it is important.
Thank you for all you do to make WRD better each day!
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 Don’t forget: July marks the second straight month that first-time Georgia license buyers earn an automatic shot at an amazing fishing trip.
Every new license customer from June 1-July 31 will be entered in a drawing for a guided trip. The first of two drawings was for new customers in June. The second will be at the end of this month. The winner chooses between a trip for trout, bass, stripers, walleye or tarpon. Gear and accommodations are included.
The Fishing Trip Giveaway is open to all who create a new customer account and buy any license – fishing, one-day combo, hunting, Lands Pass, etc. – from June through midnight July 31. This month's winner will be announced via WRD social media and contacted directly.
WRD Director Rusty Garrison pointed out that buying a youth sportsman’s license for a child is a can’t-lose option. “Starting their customer account and purchasing this $15 license gives your 12- to 15-year-old sportsman’s license privileges through their 17th birthday – a $70 value that provides a fantastic advantage to your child and a chance at winning an awesome trip as a terrific bonus!”
Learn more.
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If you haven’t taken our staff survey about taking part in some of the activities WRD supports, it’s not too late. Just click the button.
The survey takes only about 5 minutes. It asks about participation in hunting, fishing and shooting. Yes, it's geared to R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation).
Haven't responded? Please do so. But soon!
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It doesn’t feel like it, but fall – and fall hunting – isn’t far off.
2018-2019 seasons and dates were posted online this week. You can point people to them at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/regulations. Even more hunting resources are available at www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/resources.
As of June 1, hunters have been e-applying for quota hunts. Options include adult/child, deer, alligator, waterfowl, dove and others. Customers can visit www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com, choose “Quota Hunts” and follow the prompts. One tip: Make sure your email is correct to receive updates, confirmations and notices.
Deadlines for applying vary. The first is July 15 for gator hunts. Game Management Chief John Bowers’ advice is straightforward: apply now. “You will definitely want to be sure to get your quota hunt applications in between June 1 and Sept. 1 for the chance to get the area of your choice.” View deadlines and selection odds.
Also, the DNR Board of Natural Resources approved 2018-2019 migratory bird season dates and regulations in late May. State waterfowl biologist Greg Balkcom said the dates remain “similar to previous years, including an early teal hunting season and special youth hunting days.” One small change is that the daily bag for pintails has increased from one last year to two this season. Details.
As for how turkey season went this spring, here's a quick wrap-up:
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 Adults and young in a Berry College nest (Gena Flanigen)
Helicopter surveys of bald eagle nests in the eastern half of Georgia underscored the iconic raptor’s resurgence in the state – and in more ways than one.
Nearly 110 occupied nesting territories were found in the six coastal counties and an area roughly from the South Carolina state line to interstates 16 and 85. Those nests fledged an estimated 127 young.
But after three straight years of 200-plus nests statewide – including a record 218 last year – Wildlife Conservation Program Manager Dr. Bob Sargent also scaled back surveys. Instead of flying most of the state each year, he’s checking half.
The change fits with the raptor’s range-wide comeback while continuing standardized monitoring and mirroring slimmed-down eagle counts in neighboring states. It also frees money for other needed conservation projects. One was a search for peregrine falcon nests in north Georgia this spring.
What the switch doesn’t signal is that conserving eagles is any less important, according to Sargent. The key consideration,” he said, was determining that halving the survey didn’t “compromise our ability to identify and address a decline in productivity of our nesting eagles, should that occur.”
Watch Bob Sargent and Georgia Power’s Jim Ozier discuss the bald eagle's recovery in this nationally televised report.
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 License sales for the year have totaled nearly $5.6 million as of May. That’s 93 percent of our annual goal. Sales and renewals of WRD license plates through April hit 44,737, very near the 45,000 targeted in the first four months. For help promoting licenses and plates, rummage through our R3 toolbox or contact Marketing and Communications Manager Jenifer Wisniewski. Got questions? Ask away (you can be anonymous).
A quick success story: Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center staff sold an optional multiyear youth combo license to everyone at a recent Fish and Learn program for beginning anglers. Nice work! What’s your story? Email Director Rusty Garrison and copy Jenifer.
The Fish and Learn participants at Charlie Elliott all had a great time, learned about fish and fishing, and planned to fish more, according to a follow-up survey. The program immerses adults and youth in an intensive weekend involving how to fish and fish conservation and management. Related: The Go Fish Education Center recently held two beginner classes – both filled fast – and two fishing day camps.
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 Sea turtle nesting in Georgia is on pace for 1,700-2,000 nests. As of July 2, more than a week past the season's midpoint, the Georgia Sea Turtle Cooperative had recorded 1,136 loggerhead nests, which indicates a season total shy of last year’s 2,155 nests but still double the number when comprehensive surveys for the federally threatened species began in 1989, said DNR Sea Turtle Program Coordinator Mark Dodd. See nesting updates by beach. Also: season's first nest on Cumberland (again).
The DNR board approved a regulation modifying the department rule establishing the northern and southern zones as they relate to statutory legalities for hunting deer over bait. The changes followed an executive order directing expansion of the zones regarding deer and bait to meet public objectives for using the resource. Coming on the heels of two public hearings in June, the decision legalizes hunting deer near bait on private property statewide, starting this fall. The practice had been limited to the southern zone.
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 Georgians led all categories – team and the male and female divisions – at the second annual Southeast Youth Clay Target Combine, held in May in Edgefield, S.C. Created by WRD, the skeet, trap and sporting clays event featured 90 varsity students from Independent School Association schools in Georgia, South Carolina and Mississippi.
2018 proved a great year for fish production and stocking. This spring, Fisheries Management racked up the following raised-and-stocked stats: 2.4 million hybrid striped bass, 1.8 million striped bass, 913,000 American shad, 613,000 walleye, 320,000 largemouth bass, 114,000 white bass and 68,000 smallmouth bass. Get hooked: fishing resources, weekly reports, trout stocking updates.
Donations to the Georgia Wildlife Conservation Fund through license sales have topped $35,000 in about three months. Options for license buyers to donate directly or round-up their license purchase with the extra going to the fund were added to gooutdoorsgeorgia.com in late March.
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 Shoot this way when videoing with your phone.
Public Affairs needs your images, video and updates from the field. To help connect your work to WRD's social network, social media coordinator Aubrey Pawlikowski offers the following tips.
- When taking video, hold your phone horizontally, not vertically! This will give us the best view.
- Always name your photos and videos with the basics: what it is and where was it taken. If possible, include a brief write-up of why it’s important or generally what it’s advertising.
- Submit your content to wrd.socialmedia@dnr.ga.gov.
- Large video files can be submitted here.
- Take photos and video of everyday critters! For example, we have very few photos of game species before being harvested.
- Even if you don’t think it’s cool, it probably is. Take photos of your everyday activities, such as cool things you see, neat buildings, unique interactions.
Got questions? Ask Aubrey at Aubrey.pawlikowski@dnr.ga.gov or wrd.socialmedia@dnr.ga.gov.
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 In June, the DNR Board of Natural Resources honored Game Management’s Frank Manning with a resolution recognizing his lifesaving efforts during a car wreck in Hall County. The wildlife technician 4 and field supervisor was answering a nuisance animal complaint on April 26 when he saw a three-vehicle crash near Gainesville. One of the vehicles, a pickup truck, caught fire with the driver inside. Before first responders arrived, Frank and two other people forced their way into the truck and pulled the injured driver out. The board noted that Frank has maintained all Law Enforcement certifications during his 25-plus years with WRD, and commended his “bravery and selfless services" to Georgians.
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 Lisa Kruse in the field (DNR)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized Wildlife Conservation botanist Lisa Kruse as a 2017 Recovery Champion for the Southeast Region. The agency cited Lisa for leadership in working to restore and conserve endangered Canby’s dropwort. “Her dedication and passion to recover Canby’s dropwort has resulted in significant conservation gains and she continues to bring us closer to our recovery goal of 19 protected populations,” the service said in an Endangered Species Day announcement.
 Congratulations to Dallas R. Ingram, a seven-year veteran of DNR’s Bobwhite Quai Initiative and recently named the state’s quail biologist. Dallas “has proven to be a great resource for both landowners and professionals,” said Private Lands Program Manager Dr. Jessica McGuire of Game Management. “Bobwhite quail are a high-profile wildlife resource in this state and we look forward to seeing her thrive in her new role.” Don McKenzie, National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative director, said, “We know Dallas and her work in Georgia, and we congratulate her on this new, expanded role.”
You can add “author” to the list of accomplishments for many WRD retirees. One is former Regional Fisheries Supervisor Russ England. In his recently published “Gross Deceptive Product,” available at Amazon.com and other outlets, Russ maintains that continuous economic growth cannot be sustained long-term because it is built on the unsustainable – “finite natural resources, ever-increasing debt, continuous population growth and land-use conversion.”
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WE ARE DNR
WRD’s recent We Are DNR recipients include the following, plus some of the comments from those nominating them:
Garrett Anderson, Wildlife Conservation, southeast Georgia – “Garrett works across regions 6 and 7 to conserve and manage Georgia's biodiversity. His forte is fire. He is an excellent fire manager, benefiting natural resources and the people he manages, while working closely with Wildlife Conservation and Game Management. He was a vital Interagency Burn Team member in southeast Georgia this year, helping burn more than 3,000 acres, many of them challenging first-entry burns. Three seasonal fire crew members under his charge completed key fire-training task books, a feat pointing to Garrett's solid leadership.”
Jimmy Miller, Region 4 Fisheries Management – “A 17-year DNR employee and current manager of Hugh Gillis Public Fishing Area, Jimmy goes the extra mile to serve customers. Whether talking with anglers at the PFA, conducting Kids Fishing Events or responding to issues day or night, he demonstrates a customer-first attitude. He goes the extra mile, too, in keeping all aspects of the PFA in top shape. He sets an example in fiscal responsibility and uses creativity to overcome obstacles. His vast skills and knowledge are shared and used daily as a front-line employee.”
Lee Taylor, Region 3 Game Management – As regional supervisor, “Lee is committed to great customer service. He owns a complaint or issue until it is resolved, then follows up. He takes time with external and internal customers. When we went to remove a 'tame' deer from a campground, Lee explained to the concerned landowner how the deer would be immobilized, calming her nerves. She is now an ally. Lee has an open-door policy, is willing to help with any call and is considerate. After the northwest Georgia wildfires, he wrote our wives,” thanking them for their family’s sacrifices over that Thanksgiving. “Lee is focused on DNR’s mission.”
We Are DNR awards allow all WRD employees to recognize associates for exemplary work. Click the button and answer the brief questions.
WRD CHAMPION
For three months earlier this year, Public Affair’s Taylor Brown filled two roles: her assistant communications and marketing manager position and her supervisor’s, while Jenifer Wisniewski was on leave. Taylor’s responsibilities expanded to overseeing Public Affairs operations, including four additional staff and the volunteer program. She assumed the coordinating position for WRD’s Weekend for Wildlife activities. And with the General Assembly in session, she handled information and communications related to legislative actions affecting WRD.
Public Affairs operations remained efficient and ran smooth. Accomplishments included further website updates, policy uploads, a successful Weekend for Wildlife, coordination of several dedications and openings, developing the fishing regulations popular guide, and a second Coyote Challenge launch. While each included the work of the Public Affairs team, maintaining oversight on operations requires ownership and diligence for all products, which Taylor did exceptionally well.
Congratulations to all of these employees. Thanks to each for helping WRD excel at customer service and continue to pursue its mission.
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Changes for April through mid-June (hourly positions not included).
HIRED
- Bryson Alexander Ashe, Game Management (Fitzgerald), wildlife technician 1
- Aaron Gunnar Gray, Fisheries Management (DJ expansion), fisheries tech 3
- Joseph Vernon Harnage, Game Management (Sapelo Island), wildlife tech 2
- Kathryn Ruth McCollum, Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, curator/preservationist 2
- Stanford Terrel Nettles, Fisheries Management (Southeast Region III Operations), fisheries tech 2
- Heidi King Purvis, Wildlife Conservation (Forsyth), administrative assistant 3
- Angela Kay Thomas, Game Management (Administration), administrative support 2
- Timothy Alexander Wiley, Game Management (Gainesville), wildlife tech 2
PROMOTED
- Jennifer Bailey Pittman, Hunter Education and Shooting Sports, Hunter Development Program manager
- William D. Hartley, Game Management (Sapelo Island), wildlife tech supervisor
- Josh Tannehill, Fisheries (North Region 1 Operations), fisheries tech supervisor
- Ryan Lee Watts, Game Management (Gainesville), wildlife tech 2
RESIGNED
- Patrick Sutton Hagan, Game Management (Sapelo Island), marine tech 2
- Rhonda M. Swinea, Fisheries Management (South-central Region IV Operations), administrative support 3
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