If you have a question you want to "Ask the Game Warden," e-mail it to: Matt Majors, Hamilton County Wildlife Officer

Christmas is a time when may sportsmen get new “hunting toys” under the tree. Whether it be a new tree stand, crossbow, or you may have been lucky enough for a new all-terrain vehicle. No matter what the gift was, or how many times you have used one, take the time to read the instruction manual! Taking the time to familiarize yourself with the product and using the proper safety equipment may be the difference between a good day in the field and a bad one.

Numerous sportsmen have accidents while afield each year. Some of these accidents are not serious but others are. I don’t know many sportsmen who have not had a close call while enjoying the outdoors. While most of these incidents don’t result in any injury, they are a clear reminder of the dangers that exist. While hunting is a very safe recreational activity, each hunter has the ability to reduce the accidents if they start with themselves by knowing their equipment.

Merry Christmas and keep those questions coming!

Q. Who do I need to call if I have squirrels in my attic? I live in the country and have problems with some wildlife getting into my crawlspace as well. Who is the best person to call?

Matt Majors, Hamilton County Wildlife Officer - There are many companies, most located in the phone book, who specialize in removing nuisance wildlife from homes. Although I cannot suggest a particular one, many of them are very effective at catching pesky wildlife. These companies and individuals are licensed and bonded and do charge a fee for their services. They have the expertise and tools that will allow them to catch most anything. Some can even give you advice to remedy the problem yourself!

Q. When I hunt public land, I have seemed to run into a lot of “skybusters” who ruin the chance of decoying a duck for all the hunters in that area. How can I get them to quit? Is this a law violation?

Matt Majors, Hamilton County Wildlife Officer - For those who don’t know what “skybusting” is, it is a slang duck hunting term used to describe waterfowl hunters who shoot at ducks that are to far away or out of range. This is common around most wildlife management areas or public hunting areas and I have never found a way around it. “Skybusting” is not a law violation but would be better classified as an unethical shot. Taking a shot that is too far away may lead to an injured bird. I would encourage each waterfowler to know the limitations of the shotgun and shells they are shooting. Whether it is steel shot, tungsten, bismuth, or any other legal load, they each have different distance characteristics. The shotgun shell performance will also be dependant on the choke in your shotgun. Lastly, try not to hunt shoulder to shoulder with other hunters. If it is too crowded, as some hunting areas are, moving to a less crowed area may save you some heartache!

Q. I see deer hit by cars around town. Who do I need to call about keeping a road-killed deer?

Matt Majors, Hamilton County Wildlife Officer - It is perfectly legal to keep a road-killed deer. The only requirement would be to let our dispatcher know so they can alert the county wildlife officer. You can contact them at 1-800-262-6704 seven days a week. You will be asked your name and address and that information will be given to a local wildlife officer for their records.