Copyright 1999 The Atlanta Constitution
The Atlanta
Journal and Constitution
September 2, 1999, Thursday, Home Edition
SECTION: Sports; Pg. 11G
LENGTH: 447 words
HEADLINE:
OUTDOORS NOTEBOOK: Hunters cautioned about pesticide hazard
BYLINE: SCOTT BERNARDE, Kent Mitchell, Staff
SOURCE: Constitution
BODY:
More than 100,000 hunters are expected to be in the field for Saturday's
opening day of dove season. Meanwhile, the Wildlife Resources Division of the
state Department of Natural Resources has announced that it has been
participating in an investigation led by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency into the use of chicken eggs laced with pesticides to control
predators on plantations.
Although the pesticides are focused
in the Albany area, WRD officials say they think that the eggs are being used
statewide. They warn hunters not to touch or remove any chicken eggs or dead
wildlife they find. WRD requests that hunters report their findings to the
nearest WRD office. "We want hunters to exercise caution in order to keep
themselves, other hunters and hunting dogs safe," WRD director David Waller
said.
In the Albany area, Georgia Rangers have found dead wildlife,
including alligators, raccoons, squirrels, snakes, hawks and song birds poisoned
by chicken eggs containing pesticides.
Use of pesticides to poison
wildlife is a violation of federal and state law. The only predator management
WRD recommends is trapping and/or hunting during the legal season.
The
investigation is expected to take several weeks. Individuals with information
are asked to contact Andy Wilson at the EPA, 404-562-9000; Ashley Darley at WRD,
912-430-4252; or Tommy Gray at the Georgia Department of Agriculture,
404-656-4958.
On the water
A national survey by Boating magazine
showed that 70 percent of powerboat owners have recorded speeds of 60-100 mph
and 40 percent have gone 80-100 mph.
But they better not this weekend.
Thousands of Georgians are expected on state waterways to celebrate Labor Day,
the unofficial end of boating season in the state. And once again, Wildlife
Resources Rangers will be on the water in force. Boating accidents this year
number 152, only 19 short of the record 171 of 1998, with 11 fatalities and 67
injuries. So far, Georgia Rangers have arrested 277 boaters for boating under
the influence. The news on BUI isn't all bad, though. "Conservation rangers are
finding more and more designated boat operators on the water than ever before,"
WRD law enforcement Chief Col. Walt Taylor said.
Tournament trail
David Ellison and John Richard, both of Fayetteville, caught a stringer
weighing 15.14 pounds to win a Patriotic Bass Anglers tournament on Lake Horton
in Fayette County. Their catch included the big-fish winner, a 3.64- pounder. .
. . Barney and Jake Bates of McDonough teamed to win a Johnboat Bass Association
tournament on Stone Mountain Lake with five fish weighing a total of 10.85,
which included a 4.10-pounder.
LOAD-DATE: September 2,
1999 
