Unhappy With A Hunting Regulation? Public Meetings Begin Tonight

Every two years, the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) invites all hunters to attend public meetings and provide input on the development of changes to current hunting regulations.

Here are the dates and locations for the WRD Public Meetings on hunting regulations. All meetings begin at 7 p.m.

• Jan. 7: Gainesville Civic Center, Chattahoochee Room, 830 Green Street NE, Gainesville, GA 30501.

• Jan 7: Armuchee High School, 4203 Martha Berry Highway NW, Rome, GA 30165.

• Jan. 10: Southern Regional Technical College, 253-B Auditorium, 15689 US-19, Thomasville, GA 31792.

• Jan. 10: Coffee County Courthouse, 101 Peterson Avenue, Douglas, GA 31533

• Jan. 10: Sweetwater Creek State Park, Group Shelter, 1750 Mount Vernon Road, Lithia Springs, GA 30122.

• Jan. 14: GA Tech Savannah, 210 Technology Circle, Savannah, GA 31407.

• Jan. 16: Augusta Tech, Thomson Campus, 388 Tech Drive, Thomson, GA 30824.

• Jan. 16: F.D. Roosevelt State Park, Group Shelter, 2970 GA Highway 190, Pine Mountain, GA 31822.

Any participant at a meeting may present data, make a statement or comment, 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 of their intent to give a statement. Those unable to attend a meeting may submit input by Monday, Jan. 21, 2019 in one of the following methods.

• Statements may be submitted by email to: [email protected]
• Written statements should be mailed to: GA DNR/Wildlife Resources Division/Game Management Section; Attn: Tina Johannsen; 2067 U.S. Highway 278, S.E.; Social Circle, Georgia 30025.
• Call 706.557.3350.

These meeting sites are accessible to people with physical disabilities.  To request sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids, contact Tina Johannsen at 706-557-3350.

The development of hunting regulations follows this general timeline:

In January, the series of public meetings are held across the state to obtain public input prior to the formulation of hunting regulation proposals.

In February, hunting regulation proposals are received from WRD’s biologists and field staff.

In March, WRD will present their proposals to the Board of Natural Resources for input, review and tentative approval. In April, WRD will provide public notice of the proposed regulation package and hold three more public hearings on the proposed regulation package to receive public comment. Public comment on the proposals also may be submitted again electronically, in writing or by telephone.

In May, the Board of Natural Resources will approve the proposed regulations, and in August the “Hunting Seasons and Regulations” booklet is available at DNR offices and at some retail outlets.