The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will close the Gordon Public Boat Ramp on the Chattahoochee River in Houston County for repairs on Monday, September 8, 2025. The boat ramp is located just off Boat Landing Road near Gordon, Alabama. During the closure Houston County will repair erosion damage to the boat landing area. The facility will also be repaved after the erosion repairs are completed. The improveme...
Preparation for deer season is in full swing. Just check out any of your favorite groups or people on social media and you’ll see that we’re all doing the same thing. Checking stands and cameras. Making food plots. Shooting bows and guns. Gathering clothes, boots, and other gear. It’s all happening right now. In some places the season will open in a few days. In others, it’s just around the corner. And nothing brings a greater sense of peace than being prepared before the season gets here. The r...
For decades, landowners and hunters across Alabama have dreamed of restoring the bobwhite quail to its former glory. Once a staple of Southern upland hunting, the cheerful whistle of the bobwhite has grown increasingly rare. In response, many have tried to repopulate their land by releasing pen-raised quail. But despite good intentions and significant investment, the results have been overwhelmingly disappointing. The truth is clear: stocking quail doesn't work-not if the goal is to rebuild...
Aug. 27, 2025 - FLORIDA - The recreational harvest season for snook starts Sept. 1 in all east coast (Southeast, Indian River Lagoon and Northeast) and most west coast (Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay) management regions. This includes all Florida state and inland waters within each management region. The harvest season in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay management regions will remain open through Nov. 30. The harvest season in the Southeast, Indian River...
As summer fades and the first hints of autumn settle over Alabama's fields and woodlands, hunters across the state are gearing up for one of the most anticipated traditions in southern sporting culture: dove season. With its social atmosphere, fast-paced action, and ties to family and community, dove hunting marks the unofficial start of fall for many Alabamians. This year's season opens in early September, and the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has released...
As summer fades into fall along the Alabama coast, savvy anglers know it's prime time for one of the Gulf's most elusive and delicious catches: the tripletail, also known as blackfish. With their odd shape, floating habits, and powerful fight, tripletail offer a unique challenge-and a rewarding payoff-for those willing to hunt them down. What Makes Tripletail Special? Tripletail get their name from their extended dorsal and anal fins, which give the illusion of three tails. They're ambush...
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Buckmasters, the renowned outdoors organization that started in Montgomery, is celebrating milestones that include the 30th Buckmasters Expo, founder and CEO Jackie Bushman's 70th birthday this fall and the organization's 40th birthday in January. The 30th Expo at the Montgomery Convention Center attracted massive crowds for its three-day run last weekend. Not only did plenty of Alabamians enjoy the show – archery competition, loads of v...
Alabama, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic waterways, offers anglers a wide variety of fishing opportunities-from largemouth bass in Lake Guntersville to catfish in the Alabama River. But tucked quietly among these popular pursuits is a species often overlooked: the common carp. Long dismissed as a "trash fish" by some, carp are now gaining recognition among sport anglers for their size, strength, and the challenge they present. In Alabama, carp fishing is not just possible-it's a...
From the tangled vines of kudzu to the creeping spread of Chinese privet, invasive plant species are transforming the landscape of South Alabama-often with devastating ecological and economic consequences. These non-native plants, introduced intentionally or accidentally, now threaten native biodiversity, disrupt water systems, and complicate land management across the central Gulf Coast. One of the most aggressive offenders is cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica), a federally listed noxious weed...
Coyotes are among the most adaptable predators in North America, and Alabama is no exception. Once rare in the Southeast, coyotes now inhabit every county in the state, thriving in forests, farmland, and even suburban edges. For landowners, farmers, and wildlife managers, coyote hunting isn't just sport-it's stewardship. Whether you're protecting livestock, managing deer populations, or simply pursuing a challenging hunt, Alabama offers one of the most permissive and practical environments for c...
I was cleaning out my hunting vehicle as I do every year after the deer and turkey seasons. This time, however, I done a more thorough cleaning. I found licenses from several years back and from different states. A long time ago, I thought I would keep a license from every state I’ve hunted in. But I didn’t. I figured they would only remind me of all the times I came home empty handed. The other reason is they are all pretty much the same. The colors or size may be different, but they all contai...
August 6, 2025 - MOODY, AL - Alabama's Gulf Coast fishing community is set to benefit from a new emergency rule issued by NOAA Fisheries that increases red grouper catch limits and extends the recreational fishing season through the end of 2025. The move follows an updated stock assessment showing red grouper populations are healthy enough to support expanded harvests while maintaining sustainability. "This emergency rule means more time on the water catching more red grouper, and it is good...
Educators are expanding their education this summer in a rather unusual class setting – Alabama State Parks. The Teacher-Educator Workshop Adventures series takes 25 educators on a first-come basis to visit State Parks in the five different districts in the state to learn about the wealth of outdoor educational opportunities. The 2025 workshop series, titled Teaching Outside the Walls: Alabama's Ecology in Action, focuses on themes from Southern Wonder: Alabama's Surprising Biodiversity, a b...
If you've traveled to Dauphin Island in the past two years, you've obviously noticed all the work that's ongoing along the Dauphin Island Causeway. Rows of riprap, piles of dredge material and heavy equipment dot the east side of the roadway for more than 3 miles. The Dauphin Island Causeway Shoreline Restoration Project is being done in three phases to enhance and protect the only access road from Dauphin Island to the Mobile County mainland. Phase 1 included building segmented breakwaters...
Florida's 2025 recreational bay scallop season is set to open August 16 in the Gulf County Zone, which includes all of St. Joseph Bay. The season will run through September 24, offering residents and visitors a chance to harvest these prized shellfish under regulated guidelines designed to protect marine habitats and ensure safety. Where You Can Harvest The Gulf County Zone covers all state waters from the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County to the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Frankli...
August 1, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has reaffirmed and expanded its restrictions on the possession, sale, importation, and release of certain non-native animals and fish, citing ecological risks and public safety concerns. Under Rule 220-2-.26, it is now unlawful for individuals or entities to bring into Alabama a wide range of exotic species, including invasive fish, venomous reptiles, and non-native mammals. The regulation aims to...
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces a new shooting sports event series that will take place at four ADCNR public shooting ranges starting in August 2025. The first event in the John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge will run from 8 a.m. until noon at the Etowah Public Shooting Range on Saturday, August 9. The range is located approximately 5 miles north of Gadsden, Alabama, on Owl's Hollow Road in Etowah County. "The John H. Wallace Pistol Challenge is the...
July 31, 2025 - TALLAHASSEE, FL - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Seatrout Symposium, taking place August 27, 2025, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida. Event Registration This is a free, full-day event that is open to the public. Registration is required for each attendee. Space is limited, so we encourage early registration to secure your spot. Register now at...
The 2025 recreational season for gray triggerfish in Gulf state and federal waters will open Aug. 1. The season is scheduled to close on Jan. 1, 2026. If you plan to fish for gray triggerfish or other specific reef fish species in Gulf state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up for the State Reef Fish Angler Designation. As a State Reef Fish Angler, you could be selected to receive a mail survey component of the State Reef Fish Survey. By participating in the...
One of the goals for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is to use Alabama-sourced materials as much as possible for construction projects, especially for the $228 million in expenditures to upgrade, renovate and enhance its 21 State Parks around the state. The use of ductile iron pipe manufactured in Alabama in those projects was celebrated last month at Lakepoint State Park on the banks of Lake Eufaula in southeast Alabama. Conservation Commissioner Chris...
A native son was honored Monday when the Christopher Blankenship Eco-Tourism Area & Kayak Launch was unveiled to the public on Dauphin Island at Aloe Bay. The honoree was reared on Dauphin Island and started work as a deck hand on Capt. Mike Thierry's Lady Ann charter boat as a teenager. He continued his Dauphin Island connection as an enforcement officer with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD). In 2017, Alabama Governor Kay...
Alabama's sweltering summers may send some anglers indoors, but for those in the know, the warm months offer prime opportunities to reel in two of the state's most beloved freshwater species: crappie and bream. From the winding channels of the Tennessee River to the quiet coves of Lake Jordan, Alabama's diverse aquatic landscape provides a bounty of fishing spots where these panfish thrive-even when the mercury rises. Why Summer Fishing Still Shines While spring is traditionally hailed as the...
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has reopened the Bay Watch Public Boat Ramp in Baldwin County. The facility was temporarily closed for parking area upgrades in May 2025. The ramp is located adjacent to the U.S. Highway 98 bridge at the mouth of the Fish River. "The improvements at Bay Watch will benefit anglers, boaters and visitors to Weeks Bay Reserve for decades to come," said Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner. "We've been upgrading public boat ramps...
Even though it’s only July, the deer hunters are getting prepared for another season. While it may be several weeks until the season opens, there is much to do to be ready for opening day – especially if you hunt with bow and arrow. Right now, I’m checking trail cameras, hanging tree stands and trying to figure out where the deer are likely to be early in the season. And it is not always where one might think. I am reminded of an Alabama hunt several years ago. I was with a friend on a piece of...
Many years ago, when I first started Outdoor Truths, I wanted to be connected with some hunting and fishing companies. I felt like any association would help me grow the influence I wanted to have. I was not only able to get some sponsorships, but I actually became a pro-staff member for a few of those companies as well. Even now, I hesitate to even mention the name “pro-staff” because it involves the word “pro.” And if there is any word that I should never be associated with, it’s the word...
