Etowah Sportsman's Club

Etowah Sportsman's Club Rules and Regulation

Effective Date – 1/2/2007

For Use During 2007 Seasons

Violation of these rules may result in loss of membership and dues.

!WARNING!

READ CAREFULLY…NO REFUNDS

Rules and Regulations

2007 Deer Restrictions

All bucks must have at least 6 points to be harvested.
Your second buck per season must be in accordance with the state law of Georgia by having at least 4 points on one side and to be in compliance with club rules, still a total of 6 points or more.
No spikes will be harvested unless you are a dependent and this would be your first buck.
Dependents follow the same harvest rules and buck restrictions as members once they have taken their first buck and that carries over to all future seasons.
No spotted fawns are allowed to be harvested.
$100 fine for first illegal deer offense, $200 on second offense. On the third offense you will be presented in front of the board to determine disciplinary action that could result in removal from the club with no membership refund.

Camping Rules and Regulations

There will be no permanent structures of any kind permitted on club property. It is also illegal to permanently affix stands to trees using nails or spikes.
Camping on club property is only allowed in the designated camping areas. Year round campsites are required to pay a $100 fee. Anyone who will set up camp for just deer and turkey seasons and remove the camp after each respective season does not have to pay the fee. Campsites are assigned by the board member in charge of camping designations. Members must coordinate with this board member to receive a campsite location.
All structures or vehicles left on club property year round must pay the $100 fee. This includes ATV's, Trucks, Campers, Trailers, Tents and all other such personal property.
All structures must be mobile and removable.

Sighting Range Rules

Target shooting is not allowed on club property at any time unless for sighting in purposes only and in the club designated range.
There is a sighting range on the club property located on the road leading into the L property by the old trailer.
For use of sighting in hunting weapons only. No excessive shooting or clay/trap shooting.
Open from 11AM – 3PM year round. Open range time remains the same in and out of season.
Leave the area cleaner than you found it. Pick up cartridges and other trash to keep the area clean.

Guest Rules

Members who purchase a guest badge may bring a guest to hunt. The guest badge is good for one limit of game per season, regardless of how many people use the badge. The game limit is according to State Regulations. Members who do not purchase a guest badge may not bring a guest to hunt, but may have up to 4 non-hunting guests on the property outside of hunting seasons. Any member who wishes to bring more than 4 guests on the property for any reason must contact the Board for prior approval. Members are responsible for the actions of their guest. Any violation of club rules by a guest will be assessed toward the member who purchased the membership.
Guests must come and go with the member of whom they are the guests.
Guest can never be in possession of a gate key.
Guest must hunt in the same general area as the member.
Guests cannot bring a dependant to hunt on club property.

4 Wheeler Rules

ATV's or motorbikes will not be allowed off main dirt roads or designated trails anytime except in the retrieval of a deer, hog or bear. NO EXCEPTIONS, outside of this game retrieval. Evidence of off road four-wheeler use can lead to your membership being terminated without refund.

General Hunting & Conduct Regulations

All members must comply with the game and fish laws of Georgia, the county they are hunting in and the United States of America.
All hunting seasons follow the guidelines as established by the State DNR regarding dates and limits.
Any member caught in violation of federal, state, county or Etowah Sportsman's Club rules and By-Laws will be brought before the Board of Directors, and after review of the charges, may be fined up to full price of membership per offense or expelled from the club. If any member is fined and refuses to pay, they will be expelled from the club. It is up to the member to know the current Rules/Regulations and By-Laws. Ignorance of the Rules/Regulations and By-Laws is no excuse.
Cutting of trees is strictly prohibited except for the purpose of road maintenance. This includes tree cutting for personal food plot preparation.
There will be no use of center fire rifles on club property during deer bow or muzzleloader seasons. This does not include rimfire rifles or shotguns used for small game hunting.
During firearms and muzzle loading deer season, anyone hunting from a concealed ground blind must place a length of orange flagging immediately above the blind area for safety purposes.
There are no permanent structures allowed on the property and this includes hunting stands. It is illegal to permanently affix stands to trees using nails or spikes.
All ladder stands, climbing stands if left on property, tripods or ground blinds, must have the member's name and badge number on them. Any stand found without a name will be confiscated by the club and become club property. There is no restriction on the amount of stands a member may have.
Stands shall not be placed in a manner that is predominately facing a visible, drivable road. Stands placed on dead end roads are acceptable providing they face away from such road. No stand shall be placed closer than 30 yards from a navigable, drive past road.
No member or group of members can claim any single area of club property for his/her private hunting area. Hunting any area is on a first come basis, regardless of a member having a stand located in that area. The only time a member can ask another member to leave is if they are in his/her stand.
Any member wishing to install a feeder on club property must notify a club officer or board member and give the exact location where the feeder will be located. The feeder must have the member's name and badge number clearly marked. Any feeder not so marked or operating after the legal deadline (10 days before season) will either be confiscated or the DNR will be notified. Names must be clearly written on game cameras as well.
There will be no feeding of wildlife from 10 days prior to and through the end of deer and turkey season. Any feeding of wildlife during this time frame will be considered as “baiting”, whether or not the feed is hunted over.
Before hunting another club members stand please obtain permission from that club member.
It is illegal to kill any dogs, or any other animal other than the object of your hunt. Killing of predator species is allowed if in season.
Please remove any garbage you may generate and assist in the clean up of any garbage left by someone else. Anyone caught dumping or leaving garbage shall be turned over to the county officials where the act occurred.
Gates must be closed and locked each time a member enters or leaves club property.
Deer drives are not allowed.
It is mandatory that all deer, turkey, bear and hogs be weighed and checked in at the designated areas. There are currently three check stations. One on Johnson Mountain, one on Garland Mountain and one at gate 17 (dog kennel area).
Current vehicle stickers must be visible from the outside of all vehicles, including ATV's, motorbikes, campers and trailers while on club property.
Every member must have his/her membership card on his or her person and his or her badge must be accessible and shown to fellow members when requested while on club property. Anyone failing to display their badge or card when requested will be asked to leave the property.
No camping, parking or driving through a food plot will be allowed.
Must be 18 to be a member.
There will be no drinking of alcohol during normal hunting hours on club property. No one is allowed to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs while hunting on club property or participating in a scheduled workday. Anyone violating this rule will be asked to leave the property. We are no anti-alcohol, but hunting and alcohol do not mix!!
All members must work two scheduled workdays. These may be on the specified club workdays, or on days assigned by prior arrangement with the External Vice-President. ESC collects $100 at time of membership purchase and refunds the money after both workdays are completed. By not working two workdays you forfeit your refund.
The Club reserves the right to reject any member with whom previous history is troublesome. This includes anyone who has been signed up by an external person before the board has reviewed the membership application. In the event of someone signing up and then being rejected, all monies paid will be refunded upon return of all membership materials.

Remember that hunting is supposed to be fun. Keep it that way.

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