About The Madison County journal. (Hull, Ga.) 1989-current | View Entire Issue (May 28, 2025)
PAGE 2B - THE MADISON COUNTY (GA) JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 28, 2025 Outdoors National fishing and boating week to be celebrated June 1-8; two free fishing days available Submitted photo A fisherman shows off his catch. , National Fishing and Boating Week is set for June 1-8 and includes two free Fishing Days, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Re sources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). “Some of the best days are those spent on the water, whether you de cide to make it an all-day adventure on a large reservoir or a short trip to go bank fishing at the local pond,” said Scott Robinson, Chief of the WRD Fisheries Management Section. “Ev eryone benefits when you are out on the water because boating and fishing helps you connect with family and friends; it provides stress relief; and it also means you are actively support ing conservation efforts with the pur chase of fishing equipment and boat ing fuel.” National Fishing and Boating Week began in 1979 and was created to recognize the tradition of fishing, to broaden the spirit of togetherness and to share the values and knowledge of today’s anglers with tomorrow’s an glers, according to the DNR. WAYS TO CELEBRATE •Free Fishing Days: Georgia of fers two free fishing days on Saturday, May 31 and Saturday, June 7 to cele brate the week. On these days, Geor gia residents do not need a fishing li cense, trout license or Lands Pass to fish on public waters. • Attend a Fishing Event: Multiple Family Fishing Events are scheduled throughout the state during the week- long celebration (License.gooutdoors- georgia.com/Event/Calendar.aspx). • Angler Academy: Georgians can also celebrate indoors by allowing children to go to the Angler Academy. At this website, developed by Take- MeFishing.org, you will find links to crafts, games, informative videos and puzzles. Angler Academy can be visited at takemefishing.org/how-to- fish/fishing-resources/angler-acade- my-for-kids/. The Georgia DNR invites Georgians to celebrate at the state’s many trout streams, large and small lakes and ponds and extensive river systems. Georgians are also invited to visit any of the 11 Public Fishing Areas (Geor- giaWildlife.com/allpfas) or at one of many Georgia State Parks (GaState- Parks.org/) that offer fishing opportu nities. For more information, visit Georgi- aWildlife.com/nfbw. GADNR offers tips for dealing with Canada geese The Canada goose adapts easily to dif ferent environments, from open farmland and rural reservoirs to suburban neighbor hood ponds, office complexes, parks and other developed areas. This ability to adapt sometimes puts them in close quarters with people, which could lead to an increase in geese interactions, according to the Geor gia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (GADNR WRD). “Canada geese that are regularly around humans, especially in areas where peo ple feed them, can lose their natural fear of people,” says Kara Nitschke, wildlife biologist and the state waterfowl biolo gist with the GADNR WRD Game Man agement Section. “That lack of fear could make them more likely to act aggressively, especially when defending their nest sites against perceived threats. Planning ahead to prevent geese from establishing resi dence can help avoid these situations.” The nesting season for geese is just get ting underway, and landowners and land managers (homeowners, golf course man agers, city/county managers, etc.) that have experienced past geese issues — especially during the summer molting season — may be able to act now to reduce issues later. Canada geese are a protected species under state and federal law. It is illegal to hunt, kill, sell, purchase or possess Can ada geese except according to Georgia’s migratory bird regulations or other feder al permits. However, there are a variety of methods for handling situations before they become an issue: •Harassment: Landowners who don’t want geese on their property should first try a variety of harassment techniques. Various devices, such as reflective tape, scarecrows or even decoys of predators (like coyotes), can help discourage geese from using certain areas. Motion-activated sprinklers or loud noises (like recordings of predator calls) can also be effective. Now is the ideal time to act. At this time of year, geese are still in the process of choos ing where to settle, making it an excellent opportunity to discourage them from nest ing in areas where they might cause issues. These methods do require consistency from the property owner and are not al ways 100% effective. • Reduce Goose Reproduction: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has issued regulations that allow for additional con trol measures, apart from harassment tech niques and traditional hunting, to help ad dress human-goose conflicts. One of those regulations is a permit for reducing goose reproduction through nest and egg remov al OR egg addling or oiling to prevent the eggs from hatching. “These permits provide a legal way to disrupt geese from nesting in specific ar eas, which can help keep the population from growing too large through years of unchecked reproduction,” says Nitschke. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service permits are available at epermits.fws.gov/eRCGR/ geSI.aspx. Their website also contains use ful information on the methods for addling or oiling the eggs or removing the nests, and when each method may be appropriate. For more information on Canada geese, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/prevent- ing-wildlife-conflicts, scroll to “Common Conflict Species” and click on “Canada Geese.” Canada goose Y2- 1< .g, wilts ■ A ‘*zee = Madison County Recreation Department Request for Proposal - Concession Operations Madison County Recreation Department is soliciting proposals in order to identify individuals and/or businesses qualified to oper ate and manage concession stands to be located at Sammy Hag gard Park, Brewer Phillips Sports Complex, Diamond Hill Softball Complex, and Cliff Mize Park. This RFP is designed for those in terested in creating a contract relationship to operate a concession stand. The selected concessionaire(s) will be required to operate the facility according to the terms and conditions as outlined in the recreation department's Concession Agreement. See Appendix A for an example of the contract. Questions may be addressed to the recreation department; (706) 795-6270. Proposals should be sealed and clearly marked on the outside of the envelope: "Proposal for 2026 Concession Opera tions." The Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids. All proposal packages must contain O.C.G.A 13-10-91 E-Verify Affidavit in order to be considered. The proposals are due by 9:00am on Friday, June 13, 2025 and can be mailed to the following address: Madison County Board of Commissioners County Clerk's Office Attn: Madison County Recreation Department PO Box 147 Danielsville, GA 30633 Applications for Ga. quota hunts open June 1 Starting Sunday, June 1, hunters can apply electron ically for most quota hunts including certain youth, deer, alligator, waterfowl, dove and many others, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD). A quota hunt is a sclieduled event at a Wildlife Manage ment Area or other state-man aged property where a limited number of hunters are allowed. Quota levels, sucli as the num ber or type of hunters that can participate and the harvest lim it, are based upon the principles of wildlife management and public desires for a quality hunt. These liunts provide a challeng ing and rewarding experience for hunters of all levels. Select ed hunters must be properly li censed to participate in a quota hunt. “If you want to apply for a quota hunt, be sure to check those deadline dates and don’t wait until the last minute,” says Tina Johannsen, Assistant Chief of the Game Manage ment Section witli the Wildlife Resources Division. “Quota hunts allow hunters to partic ipate in lugli-quality hunts on 2 at C m A . @ - TH White-tailed deer Submitted photo some great Georgia Wildlife Management Areas.” To apply, visit GoOutdoors- Georgia.com and select “Quota Hunts” and follow the steps to complete an application. Those applying should ensure their email is current and correct to receive quota updates, confir mations or any further notices about quota hunts. For assistance applying, con tact 1-800-366-2661. Application deadlines vary depending on the hunt type. The first deadlines are July 15 for Alligator, Aug. 15 for Dove (including Adult/Child hunts), and Sept. 1 for most types of Deer Hunts (including Youtli hunts). The definition of youtli hunt er was recently changed to mean those aged 15 and under. Those who are going to turn 16 on or before June 1, 2026, will age out next year and sliould use their accumulated points (if available) to apply for a quota hunt during the 2025-2026 year. For all quota hunt deadlines, selection odds and more, visit GeorgiaWildlife.com/liunting/ quota. Sanford Road Water Madison County, Georgia Separate sealed Bids, for furnishing all materials, labor, tools, equipment and appurtenances necessary for the installation of water main and associated appurtenances will be received by the Owner at the Madison County Board of Commissioners Office - Public Meeting Room, 91 Albany Avenue, Danielsville, Georgia, until 11:00 a.m., local time, on June 5, 2025 and then at said office publicly opened and read aloud. Any sealed bids received after this date and time will not be accepted. Each Bid must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to the Owner. All bids must be sealed and marked on the outside with the Sealed Bid Name and Company Name. The Project consists of but is not limited to the following major elements: Installation of approximately 5,040 LF of 12-inch water main and installation of approximately 6,880 LF of 8-inch water main with associated appurtenances. The OWNER will provide water main and associated materials for the project. The work will be awarded in one Contract. A Bid Bond in the amount of 5% of the Bid Amount is required. Time of completion for all work associated with this project shall be 120 consecutive calendar days from the date of a written “Notice to Proceed” from OWNER. Hard copies of Contract Documents, Specifications, and Construction Drawings may be obtained at the Madison County Board of Commissioners Office, 91 Albany Avenue, Danielsville, Georgia, 30633, upon payment of a non-refundable cost of $100.00. Checks shall be made payable to Madison County Board of Commissioners. Digital copies of Contract Documents, Specifications, and Construction Drawings may be obtained from the Engineer at ptsengineeringinc@,gmail. com at no charge. The Owner reserves the right to reject any or all Bids, to waive informalities and to readvertise. MADISON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
