May 23, 2018 INTERESTED PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS NOTICE AND SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING

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1 MARK WILLIAMS COMMISSIONER RUSTY GARRISON DIRECTOR May 23, 2018 M E M O R A N D U M TO: FROM: SUBJECT: INTERESTED PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS Rusty Garrison NOTICE AND SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to authority contained in the Game and Fish Code (Official Code of Georgia Annotated, Sec ), the Board of Natural Resources proposes to amend Department of Natural Resources rule pertaining to general regulations for hunting deer. The proposed rule (copy attached hereto), when adopted, will amend applicable rules of Chapter , relating to General Regulations for Hunting Deer. SYNOPSIS AND MAIN FEATURES The purpose of hunting regulations is to manage Georgia s game birds and game animals according to sound principles of wildlife management and to meet public objectives for use of these renewable natural resources. Changes to the existing rule are responsive to an Executive Order reflecting an expansion of the zones relating to hunting deer over bait to meet public objectives for use of the white-tailed deer resource. This notice and synopsis of the proposed rule, together with an exact copy of proposed rule, is being mailed to all persons who have requested in writing that they be placed on the mailing list and have tendered the actual cost of such mailing. Copies of all these documents are also available by electronic mail and are available for review on the Division web page ( Please call Sharon Schwartz (770) to request a copy.

2 Memorandum Notice and Synopsis of Proposed Rule Making May 23, 2018 Page 2 of 2 Members of the public will have an opportunity to comment on these proposed regulations at two public hearings: June 19, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in Rome at Armuchee High School Auditorium, 4203 Martha Berry Highway NW; and, on June 20, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. in Thomson at Augusta Tech Auditorium, 388 Tech Dr. NW. Any participant at the hearing 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 in the hearing are required to register on arrival and to notify the registering official of their intent to give a statement. Following the hearings, the Board of Natural Resources will consider the proposed rule and any comments received in the hearing process at the June 27, 2018 meeting at 9:00 A.M. at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 1252, Atlanta, GA. Those unable to attend the hearings may submit comments on this proposed rule electronically by through the Division website, by telephone ( ) or by submitting written statements, before close of business on June 26, Written statements should be mailed to the attention of Dr. Tina Johannsen at: Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division Game Management Section 2065 U.S. Highway 278, S.E. Social Circle, Georgia Please bring this notice to the attention of interested acquaintances. These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Dr. Tina Johannsen at the above address no later than June 12, RG/jwb Attachment: Proposed Regulations 2070 U.S. HIGHWAY 278 S.E. SOCIAL CIRCLE, GEORGIA FAX

3 SUBJECT PROPOSED CHANGE CURRENT REGULATION General Regulations for Hunting Deer. Zone Delineation Relating to Hunting Deer Over Bait Modifies the zone for hunting deer over bait so as to allow hunting deer over bait, pursuant to OCGA , on privately-owned lands of the state except for lands within the Chattahoochee National Forest. Zone delineation only allows hunting deer over bait, pursuant to OCGA , in the area of the state formerly designated as the Southern Zone for hunting deer with firearms. CHANGE Expands the opportunity for hunting deer over bait, pursuant to OCGA , on private lands statewide. JUSTIFICATION The proposed change is responsive to an Executive Order dated April, 9, 2018.

4 CERTIFICATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE RULES FILED WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE BRIAN KEMP (Pursuant to O.C.G.A. Secs , , and ) I do hereby certify that the attached amendments are correct copies, as promulgated and adopted on the 27 th day of June STATE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FILING DATE Paragraph (1) of Rule General Regulations for Hunting Deer is hereby amended and reads as attached hereto. Authority O.C.G.A. Secs Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of June Mark Williams, Commissioner Department of Natural Resources Notary Public Kyle Pearson, Executive Counsel Sworn to and subscribed before me this day of June Notary Public

5 Chapter Hunting Regulations RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES CHAPTER HUNTING REGULATIONS TABLE OF CONTENTS General Regulations for Hunting Deer.

6 Hunting Regulations Chapter General Regulations for Hunting Deer. (1) For the purpose of hunting deer over bait pursuant to O.C.G.A (a), the State is divided into a Northern and a Southern Zone. The Northern Zone consists of Troup, Meriwether, Upson, Crawford, Bibb, Jones, Baldwin, Hancock, Glascock, Warren, McDuffie and Richmond counties and all counties north of these all federally owned lands within the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. The Southern Zone consists of Harris, Talbot, Taylor, Peach, Houston, Twiggs, Wilkinson, Washington, Jefferson and Burke counties and all counties south of these all privately-owned lands outside the boundaries of the Chattahoochee National Forest. Authority O.C.G.A. Secs ,