2016 LRAFB Spring Turkey Hunter's Briefing

1. 2016LRAFBSpringTurkey Hunter'sBriefing

2. INTRODUCTION • James Popham, Natural Resources Manager • 987-3681 • james.popham@us.af.mil • If you want to be on my hunter e-mail distribution list please send me an e-mail. • Arkansas Game & Fish Commission Rules Apply

3. Turkey Zones 2016

4. Prevent Hunting Mishaps • Take a hunter’s safety course -- http://www.agfc.state.ar.us • Be sure of your target: Assume every noise and movement is another hunter • Never stalk a turkey or turkey sound: Be patient. Let the bird come to you.  • Protect your back: Select a large tree, rock or other substantial natural barrier while calling. Hunt in open woods. • Eliminate red, white and blue from clothing: These colors are found on the head and neck of mature gobblers and may be mistaken for a turkey. 

5. Prevent Hunting Mishaps • Make your position known to other hunters: Wear hunter orange when moving through the woods, particularly while carrying a bird.  • Do not move if you see another hunter: Remain perfectly still, and speak to the hunter in a normal voice. Never wave, use a turkey call or stand up. Be absolutely sure the hunter knows you are there. • Practice courtesy and self-control: Observe written and unwritten rules of safe turkey hunting. Good hunting habits prevent accidents.

7. ON-BASE HUNTING AREAS • When you sign-in at Bldg 481 check to see which areas are closed before each hunt • No gun hunting in archery only areas

8. WHAT WEAPONS CAN I USE ON BASE ? • Shotgun (small game bird shot 4-9 only, no duplex 4/2) • Archery (bow or crossbow) • No rifles, muzzleloaders, or handguns

9. STANDS • No hunting from an elevated stand • All deer stands must be removed by 1 April • Any stand found after this date will be removed • Ground blinds must have owner’s name and phone number

10. MISCELLANEOUS RULES • Stay out of peoples yards when hunting areas 21 and 22 • All turkeys killed on base must be checked in at the Law Enforcement desk • Do not check in turkeys from off-base • No smoking in the woods at any time • No alcoholic beverages in the woods

11. HUNTING SAFETY • Wear your hunter orange when walking through woods particularly while carrying a bird • Identify your target • Never shoot at movement • Protect your back

12. Prevent Hunting Mishaps • You, alone, are responsible for your actions: Once you decide to pull the trigger, there is no calling back your shot. • Assume firearms are loaded • If in doubt do not shoot • Lock up your guns • Separate guns and ammo

13. WHO CAN HUNT AT LRAFB? • Active duty/dependents • DoD employees • DoD retirees • Guests of active duty and employees • Guests must be in general vicinity (same hunting area) • Member is allowed and responsible for one guest

14. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO HUNT AT LRAFB ? • A copy of the base hunting rules and map • Arkansas hunting license • A base hunting permit • Vehicle parking permit card • Go to https://littlerock.isportsman.net for all above • View safety briefing • Born after 1968 – hunter safety course

15. WHAT CAN I HUNT ON LITTLE ROCK AFB ? • Almost any game in season for our zone • No hunting at night

16. ON-BASE HUNTING AREASCONT. • Watch for “no personnel beyond this point” signs in area 17 • If caught in a closed or off-limits area your hunting privileges will be revoked

17. SIGN-IN PROCEDURES • All hunters must sign-in and out each hunting session at law enforcement desk, Bldg 481 • Hunting day split into morning and afternoon hunts • After 1200 all must sign-out. Afternoon sign-in starts at 1300 • Hunters will not “sign-in” to more than one area unless small game hunting • ** Turkey are considered large game

18. SIGN-IN PROCEDURES CONT • First-come-first-serve basis • Parents/children under 16 count as one hunter. Both must sign-in and hunt together • All hunters in a party must sign-in individually • Cross out extra sign-in lines for your area - This helps prevent other hunters entering your area • If someone does intrude into your area please call Law Enforcement at 987-3221 and let them handle it

19. LEGAL HUNTING TIMES • Allowed in woods one hour prior to official sunrise and one hour after official sunset

20. VEHICLES • No ATV’s or driving off road • Obey all no POV signs and never block any road with your vehicle Do not drive on old roads, utility right-of-ways, trails, or specialty roads such as the one behind the FamCamp

21. AIRFIELD • Never cross or touch electric fence. If your wounded turkey goes inside this area contact Base Ops (6123) and Security Forces (3221). • Violators will lose hunting privileges

22. HUNTING SAFETY • Let other hunters know your position • No weapons will be shot or fired within 50 yards of any fence, road, boundary, or building. • Distance from horse pastures is 75 yards. • In areas 21 and 22 you must hunt a minimum of 100 yards from tree line (housing area) • In area 23 you can’t hunt 100 yards south of the road that runs behind the commissary

23. HUNTING SAFETY • Weapons will not be fired within 1,250 feet of munitions storage area or operational storage area (area’s 7, 8, 12, 14, 19 and 20)

24. HUNTER SAFETY • You are responsible for your actions while hunting on base • Practicesafety, safety, safety • Remember, just one mistake could be fatal and could ruin the privilege of hunting on base for everybody involved

25. LEAVE NO TRACE • Please don’t litter • Pick up your shell cases and other litter • Carry a small trash bag with you in the woods • Leave the woods just as nice as you found them • If illegal dumping is found please call Lynn Shaw • at 987-8135

26. MENTORING PROGRAM • If you want help to learn how to hunt send me an • e-mail and I’ll try to match you up with a • mentor. • Mentors – send me an e-mail with your name, • phone number, and what you want to help with, • i.e., deer, turkey, or both.

27. Questions ?