Hunters have groaned and complained since the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board enacted a law asking hunters to report deer and turkey harvests within 72 hours.

The changes aren’t arbitrary and will help wildlife biologists gather more information about deer and turkey populations, according to Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division Director Chuck Sykes.

Sykes outlined the relatively small impact the new, voluntary Game Check System will have on hunters and benefit to biologists during Monday’s Selma Rotary Club meeting.

“It’s not a novel idea and 38 states have a similar program,” Sykes said. “The changes aren’t designed to punish hunters, but to get better information on harvests. It takes four minutes and we are able to gather information that we never have before.”

In 2007, hunters were required to be in possession of a harvest record when deer or turkey hunting. The  regulation is still in effect, but the original Game Check regulation required all hunters to record a confirmation number onto the Harvest Record within 24 hours of harvest.  Under the voluntary Game Check program, the Department encourages hunters to enter their harvests into the Game Check data base, Sykes said.  When hunters enter the information, he or she will receive a confirmation number that can be voluntarily recorded onto their Harvest Record.

The changes will add a minor step to hunting routines, but Sykes said there are multitudes of ways to enter the data — an iPhone or Android application, the department’s website, or by phone at (800) 888-7690.

Sykes said the data helps when determining the county by county harvest of deer and turkey so the Department can make better decisions when  setting seasons and bag limits.

“In this day and time, with the technology we have, it’s ridiculous not to be able to gain the information we need,” he said. “We need the participation of the public for this to be able to work. At this point, all we have is an educated guess.”

Sykes also discussed supplemental feeding regulations.

Previously, supplemental feeding of deer and wild hogs was not allowed in the same area as hunting. The new regulation sets a specific distance of 100 yards between the hunter and supplemental feed. Feed must also be obscured by natural vegetation or naturally occurring terrain features. It was finalized March 15, but does not apply to public land.

Though the department set a specific measurement, Sykes said hunters should use common sense when setting up his or her feed.

“Just be smart,” Sykes said. “You shouldn’t have a feeder right outside of the 100 yards, throwing feed back into the field. There is a clear line between supplemental feeding and baiting.”