Goat Island

Lost my father this week, we had a few weeks to know this was possible. Had plenty of time to share and be with him over this period. Talk, laugh, and love. We were lucky to have had this time with him. Go hug your loved ones today, tell them you love them no matter if it's not your norm, lifes so much shorter than we think.

I thank God for him, and for a special trip to goat island with him a while back.

Lost my father in 1976. Lots has happened since then, and I miss his advice on some of life's major decisions. Dad or mom never saw my grandboys. What I would give for that interaction today.

Lost my dad many years ago, and the pain is still there. My sincere condolences. Remember all the good memories, and as you say, tell the ones you love that you love them today--now! May God give you comfort and peace.

Sorry to hear of your loss, TIVO. I know this is a tough time, but God's timing is perfect - it's just hard to understand sometimes. Thanks for your advice.....I called my Dad this evening to let him know I love him.

and prayers.

Mayb I'm a tad behind the times...... but how long has a Donkey been on Goat Island? Thanks all.... hehe

Come on! Surely someone knows......

If you go to the "search" area and type in "donkey" you will find 44 previous posts regarding the donkey on Goat Island, dating back to May, 2002.

Please don't disregard the threat that Ivan presents to us. Last week, a lot of people ignored Frances because she went mostly to our East. I am aware of the following results of Frances just on the South end of Lake Martin:

3 boats were sunk at their docks in Tallassee & Cooper Sloughs

a 21 ft runabout broke loose, floated into our harbor and we found it wedged under our Ship's store

Several floating docks broke loose and were found floating around the lake

one person received a call about his boat - the good news was that his boat was still securely attached to his dock but the bad news was that his boat AND HIS DOCK had just washed up on goat island!

more than $150,000 in damage was experienced just between the Kowaliga bridge and the powerlines. I don't know about other areas of the Lake. Perhaps you might add tot he list!

Please make certain that your boat is very secure before Wednesday. Do not tie it up with ski ropes or other 'sissy ropes', either. Storms are serious business and good rope is just not that expensive. Use secure knots or get assistance from someone that knows knots. Make sure that anything on your dock or in your yard that could fly around and become a projectile in a storm - is secured or taken inside. If you are tying the boat to a floating dock, make certain the floater is securely attached to the fixed dock.

If you plan on taking your boat to a marina for storage, do not wait until the last minute. (We had to tie off the last several boats that came in before Frances as we could not put them away in the rain or in the dark - Insurance regs prevent us from having lights in the boat storage building)

Just use simple common sense. We all hope and pray that Ivan will head off in another direction, but the wiser folks among us will take careful preparations anyway!

Good point. We live in central Florida where Charley and Frances crossed - several hundred miles from where they initially came ashore. On the area lakes, there were hundreds of boats damaged and destroyed by the high winds and waves. The boats which faired the best were properly tied down with numerous lines and bumpers.

I'd have never heard about this if you hadn't posted this.

I came online today to inform the forum that the path is currently forcasted to pass over the lake. Boats in the lake are one thing but attention needs to be paid to everything outside...lawn furniture, animals, anything that can be thrown.
There's plenty of time to prepare....no excuses for not.

Been spending the day buying plywood, renting a trailer to get it home, and boarding up windows, as well as, 12 foot and 8 foot sliding doors on the house on the Gulf. Expect to leave the Panhandle tomorrow and head to the lake residence. Now, you are saying it may head up there. Wonder if it is just following me cause I am supporting Kerry?????

going to offer you safe haven in B'ham....oh well, hot dog's go well with Ketchup, not sure about a country. LOL

Your information on Goat Island is WRONG. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT ON LAKE MARTIN SINCE AGE 2. There have been many herds of goats put on the island over the last 50 years. 4 summers ago a "nameless" person put another herd of goats on the island and a donkey in hopes to keep stray dogs off the island when the water is down in the winter and chasing them in the water. (Goats apparently cannot swim) Well, it happened again. The donkey was not able to keep the dogs from chasing the goats in the WATER and/or killing them. So the donkey, whom I've named Eyeore (Winnie the Pooh) has been stranded out there for going on the 4th winter. We have been feeding him all winter long as well as summer. Many people feed him during the summer, but when the water goes down and the lake is freezing, no one but a few of us feed him. He gets 50 lbs of oats, a bale of hay, carrots, broccoli and other veggies and fruit per week at a cost of over $1,000 per week just from us, not counting the the few others who take him food periodically during the winter. My pontoon boat needs recovering terriblly, but I cannot keep it out of the water long enough to have it recovered and carpeted because my poor baby will starve. WE NEED HELP.

HE GETS NO VET CHECKS OR VACCINATIONS. I brush him weekly and try to keep fly salve on him in the summer. Brushing helps keep the ticks and mites off of him. Please no one give hiim too much sweet feed. It will give him colic and can kill him. I would love to get him off the island and in a pasture. Donkeys are personable animals and he gets so lonely out there. No more goats need to be put on the island unless someone can keep the dogs off the island.

I've been there and heard gun shots across from the island. I am afraid he will get shot. No one seems to want to help when its freezing cold. He is great fun in the summer for people to go and feed, but no one wants to take responsibility for him when its cold, bad weather, etc. We still do and have for the last 3 winters.

Please contact me. I would like for you to place an article in LML and help us get him the humane care he needs. We have pictures, etc. PLEASE HELP HIM NOT GO THROUGH ANOTHER WINTER ALONE. HE IS A VERY SWEET DONKEY AND SHOULD NOT BE TREATED THIS WAY.

PHONE: DAYTIME 334-353-7026. YOU HAVE MY E-MAIL. MY LAKE ADDRESS IS 706 LOVEJOY PLANTATION RD. - CASTAWAY ISLAND RD., ECLECTIC.

Does he like assperagus?

HA HA! THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER. DON'T WASTE MY TIME WITH WORTHLESS JOKES!

We spend $1000.00 per year not per week.
I am the other half that keeps the boat floating , halls the food,and yes gets to love on the donkey when he's in a good mood.
My e-mail is deangrant86@wmconnect.com

hi, we just love eyeore and will help in any way we can. Patti, i think you spoke on the phone earlier today to my husband. there are 2 organizataions in alex city that could possibley help, the ala. horse council and the lake martin shelter, a lot of other shelters in different parts of ala. might also be able to help. these shelters take care of the animals until they can be adopted out, they do not destroy the animals. also there is a donkey rescue shelter, please look under - donkey rescue shelter, or others listed under this heading. maybe if LML did an article a farm somewhere could take him. let us know how we can help.

Do I understand this correctly? In the winter the dogs can walk onto the Island from the mainland? If so, why not just lead the donkey OFF the island in the winter and onto a horse trailor and take him home, or to a donkey farm.

The water is lower and the dogs aren't afraid to swim across. The donkey doesn't like to get near the water and can be quite hard to deal with.
We had him on the pontoon boat once but with his weight I couldn't get the boat pushed back and he insisted on getting off.

Could the donkey be coaxed to swim across, like the pony round ups on coastal barrier islands? I wonder if the vet school at Auburn would volunteer some students to sedate the donkey and then carry him across on a larger pontoon boat? I guess it would be worth asking about. I will try to email the vet school. How and who got the donkey out there?

The dogs swim across at the most shallow point of the island. Deer also swim over to have their babies. But the donkey is not going to voluntari;y swim over by himself. DO YOU UNDERSTAND NOW?

nasty's friend.

wow, for someone looking for help, there are much better ways to do it.

Call Oak Mountain State Park, Animal Rescue Center, see if they have any way they can help. Park office number is: (205) 620-2520 they would have to provide you with the animal rescue number.

Also, email these folks... http://www.greenpeople.org/searchresults.cfm?memid=17451

Link: http://www.greenpeople.org/searchresults.cfm?memid=17451

THANKS FOR THE INFORMATION

Patti, you have obviously expended much time and effort on this project, so I can understand your frustration. In an earlier post you indicated that you had once managed to get the donkey on your boat. You must have, at that time, had a place selected that was agreeable to attending to this animal. Is that arrangement still valid? If so, perhaps someone with a larger pontoon boat will volunteer their services.

Yesterday (12/14/04) I arrived at my cabin near Goat Island to find that someone had stolen my two seat electric Bass Hound 9.4 fishing boat. It had been pulled out of the water and was sitting on one of my floating docks. It was tied to the floating dock and securely covered with a tarp. The thief left the tarp, but took the boat and all of its contents...fishing poles, tackle box, etc... The boat has a green exterior and camel colored interior. I doubt I will ever see it again, but simply wanted to put this message out there for others to be on the look out for their own property. Have a merry Christmas every one!

Sorry to hear about this. I am sure you alerted the Water Patrol to be on the lookout. Unless the theif takes the boat out of state, they will have to register the boat again since your own numbers are on the boat and could be easily spotted. Wonder if the registration people at the courthouse could also be on the lookout.

I would post a picture if avaliable at the marinas and ask them to also be on the lookout. Would contact nearby pawn shops and give them details as well.

Been hear for years, and this is rare, though nevertheless infuriating.

If you have one, post a picture here too. It's a long shot, but we can keep an eye out for it.

We will keep our eyes out for the boat. Please call me with the AL numbers and I will pass the info on to the Marine Police when they are next here at Anchor Bay.

Sorry to hear this. I'll look out for it too. I leave my canoe out tied to a tree. I've worried about it being stolen. I hope this won't become a common happenning.

Make sure you report the AL numbers and the serial numbers to the Sherrif and Marine Patrol. I never ahd anything stolen in 30 years...but...it is gettign tot hat point now I guess

We usually try to feed the donkey on goat island (treats like carrots or apples) every week but we haven't been able to find him in the last 5 or 6 weeks. Was someone able to get him off the island or does anyone know what happened to him?

We were last there with Eeyore on Labor Day. He enjoyed our carrots and apples. Someone PLEASE tell me he is FINE!! Our kids talk about Eeoyre all the time. We even have framed pictures of him in our home. Where is Eeyore????

BUMP!!!!

Please someone tell me that Donkey is OK!! My family is so worried, and we won't be able to get to the Lake this weekend.

The Donkey's probably okay; thats a big island.

Someone told me Eyeore is fine and has left the island. He is on a farm with lots of pasture land and other horses. I was told that he is being well cared for and in a good home.

I saw lakefun riding the donkey.

LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that little kid's pets get sent to, if you know what I mean?

No!!!!!! I am told that he is alive, well and enjoying his new home.

Good to hear it. But you know I had to ask.

I know, but he is really fine. Maybe his new owners will get him a girlfriend.

Thank You for the information...how confident are you of the accuracy of this information. I would love to know how they got donkey off the island.

BUMP!!

I would love to know how confident you are too. Our whole family really cares for Donkey and we are WORRIED about him.

I am 99.9% confident the information that I posted is accurate. I really believe he is safe and sound. My source was going to post additional information today. I guess he or she didn't have time.

You know what you get when you breed a horse and a donkey.

uhuuuuuuh? A Burran? LOL ! I'm sorry, I didn't say that! Peace!

Anyone have an update on Striper or bass fishing? I plan to fish between Christmas and New Years around Goat Island

i do not nor have i ever owned a houseboat or big boat. i do have a 22 foot runabout that goes over 60 mph. i chose it for its classic look, beefy construction, and hull that was designed to ride smoothly in "choppy water"

i have an older friend from Mountain Brook who has a summer home on Lake Mitchell. He has three teenage children.
His children never want to go to their house and would rather come to lake martin and sleep on the floor at my house.

Why? because they like the atmosphere at lake martin. they like to go to the rock and see the action. They also always enjoyed eating at the various resturants on the lake, particular anchor bay, because they could see friends and make new ones who spent weekends on the houseboats there.

They did not like lake mitchel because "there were no big boats or houseboats there"

These kids are right. I never saw a houseboat or big boat on Mitchell. All you see is a bunch of hicks and rednecks in walmart john boats chewing tobaco and spittin in the lake while they run their trot lines and baskets filled with stink cheese.

I guess all of the big boats will go to mitchell now and we will get all of the rejects from "Deliverance" running trot lines and stink cheese on our lake. Those "real men" have the goats on goat island scared.

i for one would be glad to put up with some big wakes to be able to dance with and oogle hot babes dancing on big boats in their thongs and get invited to a box lunch at the Y on a house boat. its a lot more fun than watching those "goat rapers" from mitchel.

sigmund was right. it aint about money or greed. its all about sex.

and you wonder why teenagers like ' the Rock?

Wow, at least we don't keep dumping goats (and donkeys, really folks?) on an island to fend for themselves.

 

Have a PETA pill and chillout.

 

Wow.

I am looking for photos of Goat Island. Does anyone have any?

is the donkey still on goat island by himself? ...to lighten up what are you scared of, i am scared of people who are crazy enough to let their dogs loose on goat island to track down the goats. (i suppose that story may not be true, but no matter what those people did to the goats it is WRONG!) i miss those goats.

Been gone awhile. Someone posted the whole story on this sight some time back. Went to someone who had land and would take care of him. Sounds like he found a great home.

OT we were on the island from Sat. evening to Sun. around 2ish,never saw a goat. Had a few small dogs with us and that might have kept them away. It was great spending the night there, Bloody Marry's the next morning were nice too!

the goats have long been gone... i feel sure your little pups would have been fine regardless though. i have a german shepherd of my own, i was not trying to imply all dogs are mean or vicious.... the concept of goat island was neat, a nice landmark for LM, a fun thing to show people who were visiting! i hate that some bunch of idiots let their dogs do that. one can't help but wonder... accident or intentional.

One of the dam's hazard buoys has been washed up to the back side of Goat Island. Don't know who to report it to- thought I'd start with ya'll. Have a great day.

the buoy out in front of the sailing club pier is missing also. that is a bad spot if you are unfamiliar with lake.

Just to add to this. There is also a missing caution bouy on the East side of the Hwy 49 bridge right in front of Lakeside Marina. There is an unmarked rocky island sticking up. The bouy has been missing for about 1 month now. I hope no one hits this with their boat at night.

GPS coordinates:
N 32.73824
W085.78664

Marine Patrol doing a great job, huh.

JIM.....I'm sure you'll correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think that the Marine Police have anything to do with the various buoys that are placed and maintained on the lake. As I have understood from posts over the years, the Lake Martin Resource Association takes care of this. Their contact number taken from a former post is 329-0835 ext 355.

E-mail me a phone number and I will call and give you directions. Thanks. Rhonda

a good job for this forum would be to organize help in replacing those lost or cut-up markers........

Let's all plan on having lunch at Pier 59 next Saturday... we can grab lunch and/or a beer on the deck & finally meet each other. I'll have my wife & 2 daughters with me (8 & 12). How about high noon? Chris, Stemley Bridge is only a 12 or 15 minute run by boat to Pier 59 - we are at Rabbit Branch (below Pier 59) & run to the bridge every weekend just to ride. Just head toward the dam, and make a right turn beside the island with the red house & barn - the old timers call that Goat Island. Bear left after you get behind the island - can't miss it.

Don't want to stop anyone else from meeting but our nephew got married in Utah a few weeks back and this is the weekend that they are having the reception for the Alabama friends and family.

Trust me Pier 59 is a better idea than wedding cake and a tie.

Even if you guys meet this weekend I would be there the next weekend (21st) if anyone else would like to come back.

Steve

Steve, the 21st looks good too... I don't have my heart set on the 14th, I'm just trying to set a date for everyone to meet.

John

Oops... it's Chris that is near Stemley Bridge. Sorry about that Steve.

John

You had it right on the first post about Chris coming from Stemley Bridge area.

Count me and my crew/family in for the 21st or weekend after that.

Steve

Is there more than 1 goat island? At the bend in the lake to either go toward the civic center or continue down toward the dam is a goat island I am familiar with. Is there another one down closer to the dam?

chris

I am familiar with the Goat Island up by Lakeside Landing and the VERY large house on the point.

Chris what he is talking about is a red house and small barn on an island with no road to it. In the past it could have been refered to as "Goat Island".

You would actually take a left at the goat island you are familiar with and a right at the red house.

Before that day I will give everyone that is not familiar with Pier 59 my cell hoen # in case you get lost since we won't be by a computer.

Steve

It will be good to get to meet evryeone the 14th is good for me the following Sat I will be out of town but regardless the group should meet.
David Cell # 296-6319

Yeah, this is the island I was talking about.

Chris

Sorry guys but I've been offline a few days. I will be at Pier 59 on the 14th, but will also plan on the 21st - it's a short run for me. I'll be in a blue & white Glastron & my cell # is 369-8957. If it's raining we'll go by car. I'll still plan on noon.

John

The Island InjunJohn is talking about has been known to me as School Bus Island. Goat Island just above city park .The other day I saw 2 goats on a island below Riverside so I guess I could call that two goats island.

I'll stand corrected & eat crow... I was told by the old man that I bought my place from that they called that Goat Island. 2 people have said that wasn't right, so pass me the salt for the crow! Oh well, as long as everyone knows how to get to Pier 59

John

There is a good map by land at

http://www.ussailing.net/aread/SBS/SBS_2001/bsc%20map.pdf

It's to the sailing club but also includes Pier 59.

Terry

7:00 this morning an excursion was made to move 6 nanny's back to Goat Island. 4 have been moved already and the other two will join them shortly. We are currently searching for a good billy to place with the nanny's so that future generations of goats can repopulate the island. Several families helped in the purchase, transport, and care of the goats. We ask that everyone who wants to see the goats thrive on the island to please watch out for them.

Great!!! Just in time for the 4th.

I really fear they will meet the same fate the last 4 herds have faced, but I wish you (and them) the best!

I know how you feel and we share your concern but we are going to do our best to take care of them and ask the good Lord to add a helping hand.

The last two herds were shot at night. Might want to look into some game cameras aimed at the water. There is an old service road off the dam that leads to the point South and West of the island. A Game Warden told me at least two were shot from that point. He said it was someone just trying to see how long a shot they could make. I wonder if a camera or two there might be useful too?

I really hope they leave this herd alone. It would be nice to see the old island given back to its namesake.

Thank you...Thank you...Thank you...

Me and my family are fairly new to the lake. When my girls see those goats on goat island...they will be ecstatic.

I think DARE park is a long ride for me (Kowliga near 63). But I want to take them to see the eagles nest as well.

So once again thank you.

Each time I have passed the eagle nest near Chimney rock I have seen what appears to be a young bald eagle sitting on a limb in a tree just south of the nest.

Glad to see the goats are back. Our girls (in their mid 20's now) have many fonf memories of loading up with the extra vegetables and going to the island and putting the food out for them.

I guess I didn't know about that nest....can you tell me where that is please...Thanks.

I say them yesterday afternoon, My wife and friends thought is was crazy and we did not go back to see if in fact I did, good to know it was not a flashback after all.

Just an FYI kind of thing, I posted some pictures I scanned from the Goats that were on the island in 1993, they were very tame and would take food out of your hand, the kids will love this, I hope like everyone else that these goats make it thru the summer.

DUH! They were sent to viewer submitted photos, don't know how long it might take to upload them or if they will even be posted but I sent them. If they do not get posted email me and I'll send them.

Have been posted, Bruce gave added a new section for them, anyone have pictures of the new Goats that they can post?

I hope Bruce has a way to register who 'flags' these posts. That new feature is becoming as big a joke as the 'ignore' function.

Yes indeed, I'm sure he can. I would understand the flame if this was a recipe for cooking those little shuts instead of telling folks I posted the pictures and were to see them. Some folks just do not want to see me post anything. I guess I will just start posting anything and everything I can think of. I'd bet the jerk that flamed this is a PETA card-carrying vegetarian and thinks this is like a spread in playboy for those goats and we are exploiting them. I’ll make sure and give them good pay when I take my Grandkids there to feed them.

Neat pictures! Thanks for posting them. Have heard about the goats for ages, but never saw them. I hope someone gets new pics soon. And, I hope the goats survive this time around. Thanks again.

Where are the pictures?

Here's the link

Link: 1993 Goat Island Pictures

We're so glad everyone is thrilled by the return of the goats! The 6 nannies have now been joined by a billy and another nanny. So far the new nanny and billy are rather shy and have run off somewhere on the island. We've been leaving feed (not that they don't have enough on the island!) for them so we hope the new billly and nanny will "socialize" and join the group!
Anyway, please enjoy the new arrivals, leave food (toss it) for them and please DO NOT let your dogs go ashore anywhere on the island. It goes without saying - "no guns, no hunt."
Take care of our little guys...

where is this island? is it the one on the right coming down from riverside before you turn heading toward the steamly bridge?

oops i meant left

The one this one is talking about is on Lake Martin.

Do we have any goats on Logan?

<><
TC

Are you talking about the Goat Island on Lay or Logan Martin??

I'm really glad they're back. I haven't been to the island in years since I no longer have a pontoon boat but it was a highlight to show visitors seeing them for the first time.

We cruised by Saturday and Sunday to see if we could spot them. Didn't see them Saturday but they were all gathered in one spot near some folks parked on the bank Sunday afternoon. It was neat to see them there again. I still miss seeing the donkey that used to be there.

Took pictures of the new goats at the island today. There are 7 females now and one billy. Hope folks will visit there again and enjoy watching and feeding them. I'll try to post the pics tomorrow,

Better take a pic of that Billy while he's hale and hardy...............who decided on the ratio of 7 to 1?? :~}

OMG!!!!...just spewed my coffee.............

We passed by Goat Island on Saturday and saw them also. One looks either REALLY healthy or pregant. There may be baby goats soon?

LL

Went looking for the goats last weekend and was appalled at the TRASH on Goat Island. Was on my Seadoo. Next time I will go on my pontoon equipped with a few kids, disposable gloves, and many large trash bags. Who would leave all this trash? I guess that I assume that anyone who enjoys our wonderful lake would try to keep it clean. Disgusting.

I went by Sunday and didn't notice any trash. Was the trash on the goat house side or other. I will help clean also if I know where to look.

The solid brown female is pregnant. We are not sure though if it is twins or not yet. We will probably know by the end of summer though since a goats gestation period is only 4 1/2 months.
As for the trash...Please no body believe that goats are Gods trash compactors!!! All of these goats have been raised by good families and are used to REAL food. While scraps from the cookout and leftovers from home are great, they can not digest the paper plates and syran wrap, potato chip bags or anything else of that nature. There are several families going out to the island weekly to place Goat Feed on the island, and if you would like to help with that there are a few donation jars in surrounding markets just for that purpose.
Thanks to everyone who has taken pleasure in the new goats. I grew up with them there and I am so happy to hear the wonderful and helpful response. I believe if we all work together we can make sure these goats make it for years to come.

What does goat feed consist of? Can you feed them Dog food?

BTW went by today and saw the goats. Very enjoyable. Also, the trash situation is better. Saw some campers and I hope that they clean up after themselves. Still lots of cig butts, some beer cans, skoal cans, but overall, better than the last time I was there.

Was by on Sunday around noon. Saw the nest but no eagles. We saw four there about two weeks, one with a white head, maybe an adult.

So, I want to know why this message has been identified as inappropriate

The solid brown female is pregnant. We are not sure though if it is twins or not yet. We will probably know by the end of summer though since a goats gestation period is only 4 1/2 months.
As for the trash...Please no body believe that goats are Gods trash compactors!!! All of these goats have been raised by good families and are used to REAL food. While scraps from the cookout and leftovers from home are great, they can not digest the paper plates and syran wrap, potato chip bags or anything else of that nature. There are several families going out to the island weekly to place Goat Feed on the island, and if you would like to help with that there are a few donation jars in surrounding markets just for that purpose.
Thanks to everyone who has taken pleasure in the new goats. I grew up with them there and I am so happy to hear the wonderful and helpful response. I believe if we all work together we can make sure these goats make it for years to come.

Do you have a jar at the market?

What do they eat besides table scraps? What is in the feed that we can supply ourselves when we are in the area? They had MAJOR attention this past weekend and seemed to love every minute of it!

Hello, We just moved here from Tennessee. We have 2 goats Evie and Pearl, Both female. They are not fitting in in our neighborhood on lake martin. My sister-n-law told me about goat island. We were wondering if they could come to the island. Pearl had triplets in december. 2 boys and Evie. We sold the males. Evie is 6 months old and Pearl is 4 years old. They think they are dogs and come when you call them. We would love to contribute a brand new bag of goat food and help feed when needed. They will ride on the pontoon boat (which they like) to the island. I have a degree in Zoology from Auburn. I actually castrated my male goats, so if you need any kind of help let me know. Also, let me know if Pearl and Evie would be welcome on the island. Thanks.

I just returned from Goat Island with my 2 daughters and 2 Granddaughters, the kids love feeding the Goats. We make the trek everyday to feed them. We noticed today that the Goats are covered in ticks, especially the old nanny. Is there anything we can do to help prevent this? My brother-in-law raises goats and I will call him to see if he knows what to do. I'll be glad to purchase any meds needed but stomach is not strong enough to administer.

Try the same method I use for deer. Shoot em! Then skin em! :)

Shoot and skin a tick? OK, what the hay, I'll give it a try....any suggestions on how to prepare a freshly skinned tick?

Just fry them in butter and add a little salt....this way the skin can be left on and it gets nice and crunchy (that is if there's anything left after shooting them)

someone is partial to ticks....I find it hard to believe I got flamed for giving a good tick recipe!!!! Don't flame me until you try it!

a neggie too! Somebody really loves ticks, or possibly thought I was speaking of the goats (which couldn't be farther from the truth). I think the re-patriotism of goats to "goat island" is a wonderful thing and I hope they do well...AND, they ARE a great source of the main ingredient for fried tick.

Do ask your brother. I wonder if you can use the same thing you use on dogs. It is just a little tube of liquid that you put on the back of their neck. It last for 3 months. The best thing would be a little lime put down. This will get rid of the ticks instead of just keeping them off the goats. I don't know where the island is located, or what the regulations are with the lime, but it sounds like you have a good source for info. We are going to try and find it in the next weekend or so. Will have to save up some veggie for them.

What kind of table scraps do they like? Any kind? or just goat food

According to Misty Edmondson - AU Large Animal Teaching Hospital:

“The main thing the goats will need is a mineral source – more specifically a loose trace mineral salt,” Edmondson said. “If they only have a regular salt lick out there that will not be ideal. There’s only so much nutrition that the brush will be able to provide them.”
Falkner said, “After we dropped the first four nannies off on the south side of the island, we went around to the west side and put out feed in the worn down areas where the previous goats used to occupy the majority of the time. We came back by an hour later and they were all in the spot we put the feed out, as well as laying under the shed. As soon as they get more comfortable on the island and associate the sound of boats and people’s voices with feeding, you will be able to feed them out of your hand.”

****Edmondson offered the following tip for area boaters: “Don’t try to feed them people food or too much grain. It will only cause bladder stones and digestion problems for the goats. If every boater that went by tried to feed them, the goats could run into problems quickly."

Read the rest of the story using the link below

Link: Return to Goat Island Article

We mostly feed them fruit and veggies. The old nanny will eat out of your had now. She loves carrotts. They love apples but you need to cut them up. My 2 year old granddaughter took them some doggie trearts, she insisted, and they loved them. I talked with my brother in law he is sending me some stuff to put out for them to eat. It will provide them with much needed minerals and help keep the flies and ticks to a minimum. I went today on my wave runner, and so I didn't spend as much time there, but they will come to the water everytime we pull up.

Buy dog tick collars and put them on them. Might have to join two collars so it will be big enough. Short of dipping or spraying them, collars seam like the only solution. Give them tick/flea pills like you would do a dog.

Any vets in the forum?

Im a vet of hard drinking and late night partying...oh you mean veterinarian??? Sorry.

We invite everyone from the Lake Martin forums (members and visitors) to view the newest edition of LAKE Magazine online! It's filled with breaking news and features regarding the Lake Martin area.

This month's issue includes:
* The Return to Goat Island
* Pat Dye's Long Lost Pants
* Mimosa Trees on Lake Martin
* Going Green on the Lake
* Alabama Power gives notice on level drawdown
* Getting Crafty at the Kitty Dark Arts College
* Fourth of July Blast Info
* Showcase of Lake Homes Info
* Wade Fishing on Lake Martin
* Heatlhy & Delicious Recipes
* John Coley's "Ode to a Window Unit"

Clicking on the link at the bottom will allow you to read the magazine as if you have it in your hands ... so feel free to share with those you love!

If anyone has any story ideas, or would care to write their own "My Lake Martin" or opinion piece, feel free to do so by visiting our regular web site at www.lakemartinmagazine.com/front/

Thank you all for reading, and don't forget to send us YOUR PHOTOS of your time on Lake Martin!

Link: Click here to read our July 2008 edition in its entirety

Thanks LM!! Being a DYE-HARD AU fan forever, I enjoyed the cover story very much.

How can someone lose his pants and all that personal info.,and not know it ????

And not remember anything about it!!

Pat must have had to leave that spot in a hurry, and no time to put his pants on, And don`t want to remember. lol.

say "that's my story and I'm stickin' to it"! Pants? What pants?

The page turning display is cute technology but not legible. You have to download the pdf file to actually read it. That works fine. Thanks for putting it up!

Thanks for your comments!

Actually, to zoom in on the text in the digital edition, just hover your mouse over the page, and click to zoom in. It will take about 5 - 10 seconds to rasterize, but then everything will be zoomed in to much larger type. From that point, just move your mouse around (without clicking) and you can scroll through the whole page as you reading.

It's incredible technology - and we're so lucky to have a product like it available to our readers. It allows us to have unlimited circulation to people all over the world! You can also send it to your friends through the 'send to a friend' feature at the bottom of the edition!

Link: July 2008 Lake Magazine online

I am new to the forum and noticed the concerns about the goats on goat island having ticks. Our office is applying monthly external parasite medication to the goats for this problem. It is done monthly. Because of the warm weather the tick population turns over rather quickly, that is why we treat the goats monthly. Also, it has come to my attention that many people are feeding the goats a variety of delicasies. Since John Falkner is feeding them goat ration on a regular basis, this is best. Treats of fruit & vegetables are fine and I know the goats love to see them coming. However, it would be best if large 50pound bags of feed were NOT left on the island for the goats to engorge themselves on as this can cause a variety of gastrointestinal problems ie rumenitis and diarrhea. We, [as do everyone else] want to keep the goats as healthy as possible. It has been great reading all the wonderful feed back & knowing everyone is enjoying seeing them again on goat island.
Thanks,
Dr. Michelle Mitchell

A sincere thank you for your efforts and support. I hope someone puts up camera traps this winter in an effort to catch anyone wishing to do harm to the goats.

The goats have always done well enough on the island dealing with the variety of healthy/unhealthy foods brought to them by visitors.

None of them have ever done well when the idiots begin shooting. There is no way to protect them from a bullet, but cameras would give us a chance to send the trash to prison. I would gladly contribute if an effort is organized.

That is very genorous Catherine. I did a quick Google on Game Camera's and it seem you can get them from $89 up to about $350. But while I was looking I thought about remote web cams also. They may be even cheaper, but of course need to feed to someones PC. Also, I can't imagine that just one would be enough. I am not real familiar with the roads in that area so I am not sure how many would be needed to provide adequate surveilance. I did read on here that the Game Warden felt that they had been shot from the mainland. Who owns that property? I hope somebody runs with the idea though.

...saying everything you just did in your post.

A sign on the island will do way more good than a post to 10 or 12 people here.

Thanks for your hard work on this project. My girls absolutly love riding by and seeing the goats. We did feed them just a few table scraps but it sounds like that may not be such a good idea.

I think my girls expect to feed them everytime we go now...so I need to get something healthy for them to eat.

Thanks again.

Thank you very, very much Dr. Mitchell. That is great news to hear. Hope everyone passes the info on to friends and neighbors.

Thanks Dr. Mitchell.

To all:
Everyone wants to help. But, for the love of the goats, don't love them with overfeeding and incorrect diets. You're doing far more harm than good. Just enjoy them from a distance. Hopefully the morons with the guns will be caught and dealt with.
Charles P. Hutchison, DVM

We went by late yesterday afternoon to show some friends the goats and were surprised to see quite a few deer (at least 6 or 7) on the island. The deer were in the same area as the goats but were keeping their distance from them. A couple of the deer were right down by the water and didn't seem to be bothered by us. They seemed to be bothered more by the goats than the 3 boats that were sitting there watching them.The other deer were moving around up towards the top of the island. Has anyone else seen them?

Just had a call from a friend of mine riding by Goat Island and he reported that a white goat was dead just north of the lean to. He wanted me to put this out on the forum and hope that the goatkeeper would see it and check on the others as well as see what happened to the dead goat. We all love looking at the goats and hope that nothing happend to them.

We're not sure what happened to her. Yesterday evening she was slow getting up and did'n't want to follow the rest of the group. Today we got the call that she had been spotted. We picked her up this afternoon and took care of her. Thanks to everyone watching out for them. We hope not to have to repeat today any time soon, but we're trying to learn and work with Mother Nature as best we can. Thanks again for caring.

A neighbor said she took the kids to feed them yesterday evening and saw her with her face in the water... She got out and moved her away from the edge as well as she could with 2 small children with her but said she saw no signs of an injury...

Saw an article about a local "goat fund" to feed and care for the goats on Goat Island in Lake Magazine's "Lake Weekend" paper yesterday. Seems like a good cause and wanted to make folks aware of it. Article said they'd collected $60 by mid-July. Don't know how much sweet feed and veterinary care that buys. Wish we had link to contribute via PayPal, etc. My daughter loves those goats!

Paypal is a great idea. Very simple to set up and I would bet Bruce would be willing to place a link somewhere on the lakemartin.org site to accept donations.

Link on the home page under Business called Goat Island Donations with a link to Paypal. Bruce??

Absolutely, and obviously on the Goat Island page too. I'll call Laura and talk with her about it in the morning.

Link: Goat Island

Outstanding!! Thanks much!

On Thursday,while the weather was still mild,I went with John Falkner to Goat Island. We took sweet feed and hay to feed the goats, and also dewormed them and put a dose of insecticide on them. They look great. All eight came flying across the top of the hill when they heard the boat motor. They came down on the beach and are still very tame and eager to see people.

There is a shelter on the island but the roof is just plywood. John has gotten a donation of roofing material ( felt and squares of roofing) but we are looking for some assistance when this weather warms up. we need a couple of guys to help roof the shelter or some funds to hire someone.

We are also running low on funds for feed, ( the kitty stayed pretty full during the summer months ). There is still a collection box at Green Valley Market and Cafe in Red Hill on 229. We had talked to the Webmaster about setting up a PAYPAL account, but not sure how to do this, or if folks would participate.PLease let usknow what you think. And if you have a chance, drop by Green Valley and make a donation. We'll keep taking feed out there and checking on them, and hope they survive the winter to greet us all when spring arrives.

Thanks to all who have helped keep Goat Island populated!!

Hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving.

Thanks for the update. Will be dropping by the store next time I am over that way in a week or so.

How about an address so we can mail a donation?

I'll second the mailing address motion.

2415 Red Hill Rd
Eclectic, AL 36024
(334) 857-3663

Do you know when they are open?

Who can we send a check to - and to what address?

Thanks for doing this for the goats and for all of us. Who do we make a check out to?

In order to set up a PayPal account to accept donations you will first have to establish a PayPal business account (need a checking account) and then PayPal will need to verify the account through making a small deposit into the account. Then you will have to go back to PayPal and tell them how much the deposited into the account in order to verfiy such back to PayPal.

I would suggest setting up a separate bank account for donations so if the IRS comes knocking one day all such funds are segregated from your personal finances, etc.

Then once you have the PayPal account established and verified you can begin accepting donations via PayPal.

Also I would say in order to get the word out you will need to have a link to your PayPal donation account on such sites as LakeMartin.com, HOBOs, LMRA, Outlook, Lake Magazine, etc etc etc.

I would have to say if you set such up and get the word out the funding for the goats would be more than enough to support them for years to come.

I would be happy to assist in the shelter roof, along with my 18 yr old child labor. When would you like for this project to begin?

I also will assist with my 16 year old helper - out to save the world
Better do it befor we winterize the boat

When & Where

I will be glad to help. What can we do about the predators with the water dropping?

The winter levels should have no bearing on any predators being able to get to the island. Last year, with water levels the lowest they have been in decades, there was still plenty of water between Goat Island and the nearest land. That "you can walk to Goat Island in the winter" is just another one of those Lake Martin myths. (Sorry for intruding on your domain, Mythbuster.)

The human predators who bring their dogs to the island are another matter.

Are there babies on Goat Island yet?

who should I write the check payable to ?

Thanks for all your responses. Checks can be made out to Laura Perry and mailed to Green Valley Market and Cafe 2415 Red Hill Road, Eclectic, Alabama 36024. Laura and her husband Cody helped wrangle some of the goats and transport them to the island. John Falkner and his son Justin make regular trips to the island to feed and check on them. We'll check into the seperate account and the PAYPAL details and will also try to coordinate a work day soon. I'll post as soon as I can.

As for the predator comments, I don't know what we can do about the four-legged ones. If the two-legged ones will leave them alone and keep their dogs off the island, I think we'll be ahead of the game.

Thanks again for all your kind offers to help.

Hi! I haven't much to add regarding your post concerns and Goat Island. I simply wanted to wish you and yours a happy and most pheasant Thanksgiving! It's been a lng time between bytes I hope all is well at the lake. Happy Thanksgiving all!

I went by there on Thanksgiving. The seemed pretty hungry. Is there a place to leave feed on the Island?

I have seen a lot of posts about the goats on this island. How did the goats get there? If everyone is so concerned about them, why not work to get them off the island rather than just bring them food that will last for just a short period of time?

Give a goat a fish, feed him for a day...
Teach a goat to fish, and he will eat all your empty beer cans (learn to recycle) then vote Republican...

Do a serach with the word GOAT and begin reading the first thread dated June 8, 2008. There are a few threads after that date that fills in other details, Bahhhhh Bahhhhhh!!!!!!!

so ba aaa aad.........

The goats were partying, they rented a pontoon boat and crashed it into the island. They can't get off the island because they owe for the ruined pontoon boat, they have no money and a civil suit is pending. As long as they stay on Alabama Power property they are immune from all charges. They were ordering take out on a regular basis but now that the lake is down, no one can get out to them. Also, their credit card company cut them off for non-payment. I've heard rumors that the lean-to may be headed for foreclosure.


Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Well done! Still laughing.

Oh my!! This thread got de-railed in a hurry...LOL

Best explanation i have heard so far. :)

Did WaterWatcher really think that Tallulahhound had a good explaination? Maybe WW should pay A LOT more attention to the Hound's explainations! There might be something to be learned from the Hound!

Maybe the goats should ask congress for a baaaa iilll out!!!!

Those of us in the Birmingham area can also help – Mayor Langford has said that the digital divide is responsible for most of the goats’ ills, and has started a non-profit organization to help. His plan is to provide each goat with his own XO computer and arrange for APC to provide internet service from the dam. All of this will be done at no cost to the goats, and the hope is that they will be able to make money on EBay; helping them out of this temporary downturn in the economy. Donations will be accepted and can be dropped off at the Jefferson County Jail.

Yep.

Your right. Dumb question

I heard the Goats went to the Island in that pontoon boat looking for Alan Jackson, they heard a rumor that he bought that Island and they wanted to see if he would let them use it for a party place. I guess they were just "looking for a good time" like Alan.

that the Goats were living on an APC leased lot back in 1999 in a small goat house at the water's edge. They were told that they either had to buy the lot or move out.
So, they pooled all of their 401K retirement plan funds, invested it in HealthSouth stock, bought Goat Island and moved there. Life was good.
The rest is history. We now worry about their food supply.

All right ... i read that someone was trying to repopulate the island with goats since the others died. My question is WHY? Since the first ones died, their is obviously not enough food ... why do this. It is only hurting the animals.

They died because someone kilt 'em. This is the best excuse for gun control ( use both hands to hold your gun to get a steadier aim when shooting the lowlife that shot them)!!

Try to leave food on the southwest side of the island. Around their a-frame shelter is a good landmark. Thanks

Just put it in the pantry for when the chef comes to cook their meals.

I would like to put " " on my ignore list, but it will not allow me to click on " "... I think that the " " should be removed.........

UPDATE ON THE GOATS - THEY ARE CURRNETLY BEING FED AND CHECKED ON ON A MULTI-WEEKLY BASIS. EARLIER THIS MONTH, THEY WERE TREATED FOR WORMS USING A TOPICAL APPLICATION.

THERE IS STILL THE GOAT FUND LOCATED AT GREEN VALLEY MARKET AND CAFE ON HWY 229. 100% OF ALL THE PROCEEDS GO TO TAKE CARE OF AND FEED THE GOATS. DONATIONS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED!!

IF ANYONE IS INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING TO HELP WITH THE FEEDING SCHEDULE, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

jfalk34@hotmail.com

Look Back at 2008
- Historically low water Levels
- Gas prices on Lake around $5.00 per gallon
- Boat Ban Enforcement Begins (Sorry Cat and others but this was part of 2008 History)
- Goats are returned to Goat Island
- A Tropical storm that raised the lake level by 5 feet almost overnight
- More memories of friends and family lake events that will last a lifetime (Some of mine my Fathers 80th Birthday Party with 36 of his closets relative and their families and my daughter learning to slalom ski)
- Meeting new lake friends and neighbors
- The passing of our dear loved ones, may god rest their souls.
- Tragic boating accident on the lake
- Property values decline
- Russell Lands begins construction of Crossroads

A Look Forward at 2009
- More cherished lifetime lake memories
- Meeting more lake friends and neighbors

Maybe,,,, Just MAYBE I can bring my new Skater to the Lake one time, buy everyone lunch at Chucks and then enjoy a day on Lake Martin. But then again, there are economic issues at stake. "Bling it on".

Sounds like a plan CAT. May even have to do another river trip.

Cat, let me know when this lunch takes place - I will buy your lunch and your fuel for the day. I owe you, and appreciate your efforts towards the 3 lakes law. I most likely will have already moved to Lake Cumberland but will return for this event. It's a shame people will not pull together to fight such an outlandish ruling. A boat load of people owe you that's for sure.

Merry Christmas!

BRF and CG giving me and mine a "man overboard" demonstration.

LMAO.....Merry Christmas to everyone and Happy New Year.

2008 was a very interesting year.......It was great meeting some Lake Martin forum members on the water, great memories for sure, looking forward to 2009 and more boating fun... peace and be safe.

Looking forward in 2009.

Hopefully "L T L " will return to this lame duck forum and bring back the excitement. Although the fishing forumj has picked up, thanks to Stripernut.

I am letting everyone know that the goats are no longer on Goat Island. Upon arriving to feed them recently, two wild dogs were discovered on the island. Unfortunately, the dogs had killed all but one of the goats. The lone goat was rescued and delivered to a safe home. The other goats were taken off the island and disposed of.

We are deeply saddened by this act of nature, but our hopes remain optimistic, that there will one day be goats back on the island.

Thanks for your support,
The Goat Island Project group

I was afraid that would happen when the water went down. Any ideas how they can be stopped?

Very sad, but unrelated to low water. The water level was lower in 2007, yet it was still deep enough that no dog could walk to the island. And the lower levels don't make the swim from land to island appreciably shorter, at least not short enough for any dog to notice or take advantage of.

Well, this will probably upset some of you forum posters but whoever found the wild dogs should have shot the dogs. I hope they did... and I for one love dogs, have a dog, but have no tolerance for wild destructive dogs or whatever. Could have been someone's child, etc.

That is very sad ... but what seems more sad is to put the goats on the island in the first place. How is that humane? They do not have enough food, wild dogs kill them, they have no where to go.

It seems someone is doing this for human enjoyment and not because it will be good for the goats.

Oh how sad. Lighting a candle in memory of the goats that brought smiles to so many faces.

That is very sad. My girls loved the goats. It was a regular stop this past summer.

...(especially the goats) and absolutely do not put goats back on that island.

There is no sense in it other than entertainment for humans....and that makes no sense.

So, no...there is zero sense in it.

and as much as I applaud your efforts to repopulate the island with goats, it doesn't seem like the best thing to do. This isn't their natural habitat, they have no natural means to support themselves (aka food, shelter, etc.), and they are at the mercies of nature (animal and weather).

I know I may get dissed for saying this, but putting defenseless animals on that island is just not humane in my opinion.

What if forum members exchanged gifts each year?
Here are a few "wishes" I have for forum regulars:

For Catherine, a social membership to Willow Point
GoneFishin, a caribou hunting trip with Sarah Palin
water_watcher, a 700 billion dollar pickup basketball game with Barack Obama
BamaBob3, a trip to Las Vegas with money from the dirty dozen
BigFoot, remote access to computer so Mrs. Bigfoot does not have to post the "mindless babble"
Catboat, a zoom lens for web pictures of the "boats"
PC AL, a large pier mirror that says "Depths appear deeper than they are"
Gunner, a tall bulletproof fence for goat island
John C, a 2009 sale for every informative 2008 post
Swimmer27, one wrong opinion
nautiminded, trainer shoes
Feb & LTL, a position together in Obama's "Team of Rivals"
Webmaster, the wisdom of Solomon

Sorry to slight anyone but that is all I can afford in a slow economy.

P.S. Thanks to all forum members for a great source of entertainment and information.

Help! I have been upstaged!!That was hilarious lakngulf.....the '08 Forum Awards ...better known as the end of year "mindless babble" will post here in a couple of days.....

We all look forward to the BigFoot '08 Forum Awards. That's entertainment!

great job. Merry Christmas.

if I stay awake maybe I can still squeeze in a couple hundred more posts before 1-1-09! Ha! Thanks!

In return, for you I would give the gift of having bragging rights on the nicest deer taken this season.

ha ha... funny.

In place of the mirrow, let's just do a little more dredging this year.

Just took a ride down the lake from North of the Riverbridge. My newphew and a friend came in from Atlanta and wanted to jump off Chimmney Rock and afterwards we went around Goat Island. Saw them near the feeding area. Good to see them again. Heard the were all gone but, someone must have taken some back over there.

See ya

Burg

I went by last weekend and saw none so it must have been this week they put them back on.

If in fact the goats are back, some one needs to find a way to put a donkey on the island...

Not for the kids to pet and feed but they (KILL DOGS!) I am not making a plug but I do know of a donkey that may end up "no more" if no one takes him. The problem is winter feeding. :(

Link: http://spookeaymarine.info/

There is an article about it in this month's "Lake Magazine".

Here is a link:

Link: New Goats

...I know someone else is thinking it.
But why on Earth would someone go and put the goats back on the island?

Per the article the goats will be removed from the island and housed at a home for the Winter.

Goats have always mysteriously died in the winter months.

What's the mystery??? No food = dead goats

From previous posts, it had not been lack of food, but rather lack of kevlar that caused their demise.

I am sure many enjoy the outdoors experience. I got my fill of it while in the military.

Campers should either camp on their on property, with written permission of the property owner or in public approved camping areas.

Camping around the Lake willy nilly without one of the above approved categories should be not be allowed and should be enforced as an illegal activity.

Some will say well it is not posted, but you are not allowed to hunt on property without it being in one of the above categories. Why not the same rule for camping?

I am posting this in reaction to the Goat Island ordeal, and the many other complaints posted on the Forum over the years about litter, nose, fires, and other abuses of priviledges.

I could not agree more Feb. If they can't afford a lot on the lake let them seek out a public campground. I personally don't like seeing them in their little tents with their fires and nappy children running around throwing their juice boxes in our lake. I mean who do they think they are.

We need to have the MP's round up these people and get them off our lake. It would also cut down on the wake pollution by removing their little Bass Boats and 2 stroke PWC's. I hope you are well...see you for Martinis at Springhouse? If you get a chance get by Catherines for the Ahi...it looked great as I grabbed the eggs benedict there this morning on the way to take the Range Rover to Birminham for service...ciao

Bob

I would have figured that you would have had one of the staff take the Range Rover in for service - the loaner cars they give you are just not appropriate for a man of your stature. ;-) And unless I am mistaken FEB – APCO does allow camping on their land, Russell does not, but as long as we have those PUBLIC boat ramps, we will just not be able to enjoy the lake in a way that is fitting for us.

I do believe that the lake is for everyone....my concern is camping abuse. We have an area near Paces Ramp Road that seems to have turned into a popular "unauthorized" spot. There are no "facilities" and occassionally we get direspectful tenants (i.e vulgar noise, litter, etc ). I think camping should be restricted to areas that have the appropriate accomodations to prevent litter and unsanitary conditions.

I think the Lake is public, and all should have the opportunity to enjoy it.

There are probably far to few boat ramps, but they are expensive to maintain. Therefore, it seems they get little if any attention. In many States I have lived in public boat ramps require a fee for launching which helps maintain their use and clean-up.

If I am incorrect, then I stand corrected. Are the public areas around the Lake (whoever owns them, either AL Power or Russell) announced as open to camping - then I am wrong. Is this the case?

I do not see our Lake set-up to facilitate public camping. I could be wrong. We do not seem to have Park Rangers or the similar available to patrol such areas.

I am willing to listen and learn; therefore stand corrected.

My 1998 Ford F-150 can be maintained locally. I have to say it requires very little care. LOL

I first enjoyed the Lake at six years of age, and my parents did not own or could they afford to have property on the Lake.

What are "nappy children"?

this is a response to Bob - We camped out at Goat Island for approximately 13 years. During that time, we fed the goats. fed a raccoon that visited our campsite every night we stayed. It is not only the campers that might be leaving trash or harming the animals, but also the day people who live on the lake. We always left the campsite (Goat Island), in better shape than when we found it. To put all campers in one basket is wrong, as one bad apple will spoil the whole barrel. Why don't you stay at your place, never get out on the lake,and everyone will be better off. I do own a place on the lake and enjoy it very much. The lake is for everyone, not just a select few.

FEB have you asked any of the campers if they had permission to camp? It could be that everyone has the appropriate permission. I hate to see the shoreline trashed but that may be just an accident. There will always be a few that do not follow proper camping rules but for the most part I have found campers to be very nice people.
Jump down off that perch of yours and vist with a few, I'm sure after a short visit with you, they will gladly show you their permission.
Have a nice lake day!!

Could not agree with you more. Maybe, I need to listen and learn from you. I am actully surprised that your and my opinions seem to vary since I have never detected it that way.

Where do they get their written approval from? I did not know it was a requirement or in effect.

You and I are in the same pew in the church. I also agree they should have the right to enjoy with responsibility. I bet the vast majority are nice and good folks.

I have to say there is very little if any camping in my sector of the Lake. I must be nieve to say the least.

Actually there are few if any public boat ramps in our sector of the Lake. I do see a lot of evidence of shore line fishing and sometimes the trash left behind of such. This means bottles, cans, and worm tubs.

It just goes to show we can not control responsibility and good citizenship.

Glad you agree with me on this one. I think that is a plus for you and an indication that you ARE listening and learning from me. Atta Boy for you FEB. I am not sure if the campers have written permission or not because like you, I have never asked any of them. I do know that I owned a motorhome for several years and I met some of the nicest people and I would bet that if I spent time with some of the campers around the lake I would like them as well. I would do eveything possible to teach them to leave nothing but foot prints when they left. If I can be of help teaching you anything else...just ask. Have a great afternoon and remember I'm here for you.

I have learned anything from you. I simply think we are in agreement on most issues.

Now, where are you coming off with your superior than thou attitude?

I did not take you for such. You and I both could possibly learn from one another.

Just let me know when you want to meet and the lessons begin. First lesson is a less than superior attitude. I am beginning to think I have little if anything to learn from your attitude. I hope I am wrong.

What is there in your credendials I should learn from? Share some of your background.




Hope I am wrong.

Feb I do not have an inappropriate attitude, I was just kidding around with you and I think you must have taken it the wrong way. Sorry about that. You often come across as the one with the superior attitude (and I don't think you even realize it) so I was just having some fun. Now for the meeting part, that sounds like a threat, I have a place at the lake and if you will e-mail me I'll be glad to share the address with you. You are welcome to come and teach me anything you wish but I request that you leave the attitude you've shown in your reply somewhere else. As for my background, I retired from the medical field at age 50 and after a couple of years of retirement I got bored and went back to work part time. All this happened before my wife and I bought a place at the lake (might have been different if we had bought first). I am rich with friends and have the most wonderful wife anyone could hope for but I'm never ever too old to learn, so start teaching me if it will make you feel better. You may want to take a chill pill and and reflect on how short a fuse you have first.

The liter is not just campers, try watching folks on the lake, on the beaches, they throw there crap in our lake every-weekend, even "those" with the Big Boats that own their own lot on the lake, what are you folks that think you are better than everyone
else going to do in 2013 when they open all that land from DARE park around to Sandy Creek for public use, hope you all sell and leave the lake, the lake is for all, that is why we have "PUBLIC"
access areas here. The better thing to do is pick up trash when you stop to swim at an island, stop and pick up that can or bottle floating in the lake instead of passing it by I most always r4eturn with more can's and bottles than I leave with......... Now ya'll are going to make Heather feel bad since she does not own on the lake and often camps on Young’s island. Camping is acceptable and has been doing for a very long time, anyone that try’s to stop it should be ran off the lake permanently. Just my 3 pennies worth.............

you can twist anything I have to post.

Have fun at it DJ.

I really do not have a problem in my sector of the Lake.

My response and thread started was based upon activity reported in many sectors of the Lake.

You and I agree on one thing, the entire Lake needs to be available and enjoyed by everyone.

Come visit me sometime. You might actually like me, and I you.

No, it's not hurting my feelings. BTW I camp on the boat but just off shore of young's not on the Island. Thats not the point.

I think you can camp on Alabama Power Land, I think..... Most APCO lakes you can camp unless posted specifically that you cant. I worked for APCO for a few years and this is where I get this idea.

I know for a fact RL will not let you and the Game Warde's are active in running people off RL. The thing is, when campers clean up and do what they should do,no one thinks about it. They left it as good or better than when they got there. But you have the ones that trash everything and you see it, it brings the problem to mind and blankets every one with the bad behavior. It's like the sand beach on Woods Island, I go over there in the morning and start the gas grill and make breakfast and coffee for dad and I. Most mornings I pick up a fill 30 gallon trash bag of junk and trash. We are going home about that time so I chunk it in the cabin and empty it at Wind Creek park as we head home. It's the few bad that will destroy it for the rest. That being said. I do not disagree with any of the comments made here. I hate to be swimming and see a cigarette but or water bottle float by. Or pull up into some of the out of the way coves and see piles and piles of trash at the end that has washed over the years.

What to do about camping on the lake? Who knows, My part is and has been cleaning up when I come across something I can clean up and shaking my head over the things I cant. That's about it.

Just an FYI, camping is permitted on APCo property on a kind of don't ask, don't tell basis. Private property rules vary, and Woods Island and Young's Islands are both private property.

Each year a Renew Our Rivers Clean Up is held by the Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership on a designated and advertised Saturday. During my clean up experience, we have seen very few, if any, part time owners or campers participate in the clean up. The past three years we have cleaned Woods Island until this spring we could declare it vastly improved from three years ago. Literally tons of trash has been removed, mostly stuff left by campers.

We need help all year cleaning the lake, but we especially need the folks on this forum to help on MTCMP Clean Up day. If you love the lake, let's prove it.

I doubt it is campers that are killing the goats on Goat Island.

Like any other group, I'm sure there are responsible campers who clean up after their campsite and leave it at least as good as they found it. There are also people that don't. But, I have to say, that I would prefer that people camp in designated areas where there is sanitary facilities to be used. I don't think that makes me a bad person -- just like many of you, I have a personal investment in this lake and I would prefer that it stay a place of natural beauty and not trashed.

I wonder why it is that everytime someone expresses a view, there are people that prefer to turn it into a name-calling session or someone feels compelled to post a sarcastic comment about the poster. In this particular case, several people felt that had to take Feb down a peg, and yes, he is my DH -- but it's not just Feb, it's other people too. You can disagree without making it personal. Reminds me of a bunch of male dogs having to run around and pee on the trees to mark their territory. No one will think you are not the biggest baddest dog on the block if you disagree without making it personal.

I have no idea who or what is killing the goats, but if it is "humans" I hope they are caught and punished. I too want the lake to remain beautiful and have and will continue to do my part to make sure that happens.
Now forgive me. :-) That running around and peeing on trees is not all it is cracked up to be. I know because...picture this... I just went out back and hiked my leg as high as I could and peed on a large oak tree and for some reason I sure did not feel the biggest or the badest. I must be doing something wrong 'cause I felt a little silly. Did I mention it was my neighbors tree? And I sure hope DH stands for Dearest Husband or something equal or better.
Good night and may God bless.

Hmm. Should have known a male would take it literally.
Actually it is a metaphor for my long term observations about testosterone driven male behavior. Every time I've told it to another woman, they always get it right away.

I guess your neighbor's dog is going to be puzzling about that tree for a long time. LOL.

I was told by the former stocker of goats (years ago) that the problem was dogs scaring the goats into the lake and the goats drowning.

Research online says goats can swim if they have to but they hate getting wet, so would only do so to save their skins. I've observed more than one instance where a mammal has either gone into the lake or fell into the lake and could not get out because the bank was steep. Years ago our neighbors had some visitors and early one morning I found a Boston Bulldog floating legs-up in the water. All we could figure is he fell into the lake at night and drowned. Many animals are not going to have the smarts to swim 50 feet around the seawall to find the gental slope. They will eventually tire trying to climb the bank or wall. Same could happen with goats.

In my opinion, I think what is happening is people have good intentions visiting the goats. They take their dogs with them (as many lake goers do), not realizing the consequences. There's no telling how many times someone has watched their precious Fido bark goats into the water only to watch in horror as goats drown. Which obviously goes unreported... I bet there is guilt felt too. It's a problem of nature that was setup by man. Much of the bank on Goat Island is steep.

I know there was at least one incident years ago where goats were shot. That is why there are "No Firearms" signs on the island that Alabama Power placed there. I only mention this, but most of the time drowning was the suspected cause.

I have an old Lake Martin map (circa 1950) that calls that island "Sheep Island"... Makes me wonder if people used to put sheep on the island.

As far as other lakes, I find "Goat Island" all over the place. At least 103 times in my data of the United States (6 in Alabama). For some reason, putting goats on islands is a popular thing to do, not just at Lake Martin. Not to judge the ethicalness... I only report what I see.

Bruce

Here's the rule according to the game warden. Most, but not all, land above full pool shoreline is private property. But, anything below full pool shoreline is APCO property. I'm one of those campers that camp on Woods Island. We bring weed-eaters to cut grass, sweep up the grass and pine straw, clean up trash already there, sweep the beach area and old fireplaces with broken bottles and glass. And that's before we unload any camping gear. When we leave it's always much cleaner than when we arrived. Through the years I've noticed it IS the daytime beach-goers that leave drunk and a big mess behind. Mostly a younger crowd, not local. The older ones know better. Feb, if you go back and read your first post I bet you would wish you had worded it differently. If not then I can understand the response you got.

Sorry if there was something in my thread starter that bothered anyone.

I did type it once and lost it, and I had to go back and re-type again. Maybe, I came across wrong in someway. I regret it if I did.

My inital point was, I had to camp our (so to speak) and sleep on the ground and/or under-ground for a year and many other times while I was in the Army. I never really felt the desire to do so after all those ever so pleasant periods in my life.

I would actually appreciate you and other to spell out for me what and how I came across as negative or opposed to anyone enjoying nature. I don't want to seem negative or judgemental.

I do apprecate your personal efforts, and I am sure others make to keep our Lake beautiful. It is for all our benefit.

I try to clean-up as much as possible. My spouse and I have done as much as we can to make our Lake place (our full-time home) fit in with the setting of the Lake. It is our neighborhood. We will join all of you in this endeavor.

It is not only the Lake but the roads leading to the Lake which are trashed by actual litter and terrible sign posting all over the place on the public right of ways. It is horrible. People would never tolerate it on their city streets.

I would say it is sad we have such a huge expanse of wonderful nature without designated areas (with some few ammenities) for campers to best enjoy what belongs to all of us. It took me close to 50 years before I could even consider owning property on the Lake.

Feb - Your post was fine. No need to apologize.

Your post makes me feel better, and I appreciate it.

I have re-read my post several times and even tried to read between the lines.

A written communications is the responsibility of the writer more so than the reader in order to communicate clearly.

For the record

1. I do camp with permission from APCO.

2. I'm a friend of nature and animals, I do them no harm.

3. I always leave the site as though no one was there.

4. People that trash the lake tick me off too.

5. Cant we all get along?

The entertainment of Lazerous aka Swimmer27 aka LTL

You may be a majority of one.

interesting comment from an alias only 6 weeks old......and who might you really be?

Anyway, like most problems with our lake "campers" are not the issue; inconsiderate people are the issue. The term "campers" could be replaced with many other folks who enjoy Lake Martin.

So the real question is "how do you get folks to be responsible with their actions" when it comes to activities from camping, boat operation, lake property ownership, fishing, forum etiquette and more?

....I don't have an answer, and I don't believe there is an "exact" answer.

I completely agree with you. The level of consideration of others is the issue. Part of the problem of "public" and free is that some people don't share with us a sense of responsibility for the lake. To me, it is a treasure. Not infinite, but vulnerable. And it is distressing to sit by helplessly as its pristine, natural beauty is destroyed by garbage, noise, fuel, exhaust, and development. If you look to older countries, you notice that sooner or later people realize that their water and their land are not expendable; so they take action to keep the idiots off it. We may not live to see it here in Alabama, but it will happen. I wish we could voluntarily de-idiot-ify the lake sooner rather than later. By no means do I think campers are the source of the problem. It's folks with a mentality to kill a goose or a goat or to mindlessly and noisily destroy something beautiful just for a thrill. People who are doing that kind of thing should be fined and kicked to the curb. Those of us who do feel some sense of responsibility for our lake need to take a stand against the "anything goes" attitude that some bring to this lake.
ps--we'll know in a minute if that dude is ltl

HA YOU caught me!

...but you ani't him.....lol.

Thank You lakeplumber for your efforts to help keep our Lake pristine.

Please inform all of us how you obtain a permit from APCO for camping. I think it is something many of us are unaware of (I plead ignorance) and also needs to be broadcast to those who desire to camp.

I bet your fellow campers with good etiquette would appreciate a better reputation as opposed to being identified as goat killers and trashers of the Lake. Just like good hunters would appreciate and normally deserve the same respect.

Still saying... all you geese lovers... you will sooooo regret protecting them and loving them... they will make a mess of everything and drive off all the ducks that we love! Give them a year after they arrive! Promise!

Link: ...

I have some hunting geese decoys along with weights if anyone wants to borrow them this Fall to hunt over. It has been a few years since I used them (like about 25 years ago).

My dogs do keep them away from our place; although they have zippo chance of catching one. They best hope they don't since geese can be pretty vicious.

Pretty easy. Ask them (not sure if my brother being an APCO executive helps or not).

...have you enen asked them, assuming that you are interested in camping?

No, I have not. Like I stated in an earlier post I have no desire to camp again the remainder of my life. LOL

I thought your knowledge would be helpful to those wanting permission to camp. Do you ask the same folks who are in Dadeville and handle building permits?

I am new to this forum so I guess a hello is in order. I would like to comment about the trash left in the lake. Seems as if it is not so much a camper or boater issue as it is a not caring issue. The lake is like anywhere else in the world. Those that care will have to clean up after those that do not. No escaping it. Can't force them to care and you will only get into an argument for trying. There is no getting along with that type of person. They simply have to be tolerated. There will always be trash left in or near the lake. Like always, the responsible people will have to continue being responsible. And you can bet that those that are irresponsible will continue with that as well.

Rob

Since all my work is in Elmore county (except some repairs not requiring permits), I neither ask anyone in Tallapoosa nor Coosa for any permits. If I were to do a job requiring a permit in Tallapoosa county, I would indeed apply for the permit.

I was referring to Al Power Company permits for building seawalls, docks and boat houses on Lake land.

There is an APCO group in Dadeville on HWY 49 that receives, reviews and makes approval decissions on these request.

I was wondering if this was who you obtained your camping permit.

By the way, my Brother just retired as an engineer a couple of years ago from APCO/Southern Company.

Well I have yet to build any seawall or dock, so no permit needed for that (for me anyway).

Although permits for these items (piers, seawalls, docks or any such structure that goes beyond the full pool line into the water) are made to APCO, the approval has to come from the USACOE. All such items has to meet their specifications and have their approval or it is a no go.

With all due respect, I do not thing the Corps of Engineers are consulted on these matters on Lake Martin. I know they are the authority on Corps of Engineer controlled lakes.

My seawall, pier and boat house were all approved by Alabama Power. Trust me, it is not always an easy process. They can be rather subjective, but it maybe for the good of the Lake and dealt with on a case by case basis.

I was simply wondering if this was the Alabama Power Company office as the source for your camping approval? It seems you must of obtained your approval from a different office.

I simply asked my brother if I could camp at a site (across from Dixie SBC under power lines. He said yes, gave me his key and oof we went.

...readress the building permit issue with David (my brother). It is possible that you might be correct about the APCO being the sole party involved in the permitting and approval process. (We actually had this discussion about a year ago, and I don't remember every detail. I do know that he mentioned the COE being involved in some decisions affecting the waterway shorelines.

I don't think that Martin is a CoE lake. Believe APCO is king.

Might be correct. The gray matter doesn't keep too accurate records. And it probably doesn't really matter. The bottom line is that APCO (with or without COE say so) pretty much have jurisdiction on LM and much of the surrounding land.

It is good they are now overseeing the building and etc.

In my personal opinion there are some dangerous construction areas around the Lake prior to APCO controlling it.

There are also some places where structures have hampered the view of the Lake for other property owners. They will no longer allow enclosed boat houses for example.

APCO now seems to have a significant concern about these issues and also the issue of enclosing water which does not allow access for boaters and fishermen. They now restrict the sq. ft. of pier/dock, boathouses in total a single home owner can have. I am now maxed out.

I do wish they would publish guidelines which spell out the rules "so to speak".

Go to www.alabamapower.com, look up shoreline management, Lake Martin and all the rules are there. Here are the dock rules.

FLOATING DOCK (S): Floating dock(s) attached to a stationary pier should not exceed 12 feet beyond the stationary pier and no more than 290 square feet. If the floating dock is to be built with a walkway instead of a stationary pier, the dimensions will fall under the stationary pier category. Must use approved flotation (see below). Certain restrictions may apply according to seasonable water levels.
BOATHOUSES/WETSLIPS/BOATSLIPS: Should not exceed 800 sq. feet. Must be open and cannot be walled or enclosed; however, a portion of one exterior side may be walled for the placement/construction of an approved storage area. Sketch should show if covered (roofed), and dimensions. Non reflective materials must be used. No habitable fixtures are allowed in boathouses. Wet slips are uncovered boat mooring attached to a pier or a walkway. Boat slips are constructed by excavating into the shoreline and covering the excavated area with a boathouse structure. There are specific requirements you must discuss with Alabama Power Company concerning this type of construction prior to commencing any work. The boat mooring area (open water) can not exceed 12 feet in width and 28 feet in length.
** With regard to the construction of and remodeling of floating structures, flotation shall be encased or closed cell (extruded) expanded polystyrene of good quality and manufactured for marine use which will not become waterlogged or sink when punctured. All beaded foam material being replaced shall be removed from the reservoir and properly disposed of.

I noticed on an old Alabama Power company map that Goat Island used to be named Sheep Island. For you oldtimers, did there used to be sheep there?

As we were leaving Goat Island a few weeks ago...my 2 year old nephew said "ok..now lets go to cow island!" I'm still looking for it!

I know where that is..

Went there with a friend in 1979...in a 13 foot Boston Whaler with an old 50 horse johnson. As we got ready to return to Long Beach the battery went dead....Thank the good Lord that the little piece of cord was still firmly nestled in the bonnet. One mighty pull and it fired off and we held our breath for 9 miles (or however far) until we got back to the boat ramp.

did you see the buffalo

Sheep Island is still there, Long Beach and Yaupon Beach have merged and are now known as Oak Island. Unfortunately, the area has been discovered/

Thought cow island is where the chicks hung out that could not fill out a bikini right.

The 1970 map says Goat Island.

The 1960s map says Sheep Island.

The 1950s map says Andrews Island.

I'm really glad we got that cleared up!

So was Coley point named after your family?

Coley Point that is west of Kowaliga Bridge in Elmore Co. My best guess is that is a typo because all of the roads and other landmarks around there are CoLLey not Coley. Plus none of my people (to my knowledge) ever lived there. Tallapoosa County only.

Some relatives did live in the Coley Creek area north of the River Bridge in Alex City, and had a farm there before the Civil War, hence the name of the creek and the road.

We need a controversy! Has Russell Lands done anything new to take control of the lake? Has Alabama Power mismanaged the amount of rainfall, and water level? Has the Marine Police been rude to anyone? Loud music at Anchor Bay? Any dogs on goat island?

I think the Aquapalooza authorities put some "get along" pills in the Kowalgia water. They will wear off sooner or later.

No nicie-nice over there.

We had a canoe moored out in Cherekee slough facing Goat Island, which must have blown away during the storm last weekend. The canoe is red fiberglass, recently repainted, and has sentimental value. If you find it , please call 334 857 2738 this weekend, or 706 322 2808 if found later. There is no ID on the canoe, and we're hoping someone rescued it and is holding it for us. Thanks. sleeper

Is there a trick to seeing the goats on goat island? I have looked all summer an not seen them.

Yes

Here we go again with the dam@ goats!!!!

your beer goggles to see them now.

there are no goats on the island. all have been killed by dogs or humans. Sad, very sad.

Last Sunday I saw 2 big dogs swimming from Goat Island to the mainland, so it is very difficult to keep goats on the island if the dogs want to get them

They are tasty if cooked right.

they're hiding behind the zebras

just before the BBQ.