The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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October 31,2024 - Under Alabama's Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone Regulation (220-2-.167), all deer harvested in the High-Risk Zone and the Buffer Zone of the state's CWD Management Zone (CMZ) must be submitted for CWD testing during specific weekends of the 2024-2025 white-tailed deer season. The mandatory sampling weekends in the High-Risk Zone of the CMZ are November 23-24 and December 7-8, 2024. The mandatory sampling weekends in the Buffer Zone of the CMZ are November 23-24,...
With landfills reaching capacity, what could be a better way to repurpose decommissioned equipment than using it to build habitat for Alabama's great offshore fisheries? Alabama Power Company recently teamed up with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) to take end-of-life concrete poles and tower segments to build a new reef in the (Conservation Commissioner) Christopher M. Blankenship Reef Zone that covers 65 miles of Gulf of...
The intersection of political leanings and hunting participation presents an interesting paradox in American culture. Based on research from the land-sharing marketplace for outdoor recreation, LandTrust, this article explores the top 10 liberal and liberal-leaning states with the highest number of hunters per capita and the top 10 conservative and conservative-leaning states with the least number of hunters per capita, challenging common stereotypes about hunting and political affiliations. Top...
Coyotes are not a friend of any farmer, rancher, or hunter. They are equal opportunity predators. They will pursue your cat or your cattle. They are satisfied with fish or fowl. And they love a young tasty fawn. Needless to say, every opportunity to get rid of one should be taken. The rest of creation will thank you. There are however some places that make it a sport to hunt these scavengers. Texas is one. I have had a few opportunities to go with those who know how to call in these critters to...
My ground blind leaks. Yours does too. Yeah, I know you have the top-of-the-line, largest, most cushy, made-of-the-best-waterproof-material-blind money can buy. I’m sure it’s nice. But it leaks. It may not leak as much as mine. It may not leak in the same places as mine. But it leaks. Those leaks may not show up until the hardest rain, but, you know, it leaks. I’m sorry. It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You can still claim superiority in ground blind wars. But it leaks. And sometimes those l...
Although overall duck numbers are up in the latest Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, those waterfowlers who hunt the special teal season better plan to take full advantage of this year's early season of 16 days, set for September 14-29. Seth Maddox of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division said this year's survey indicated a downturn in blue-winged teal numbers, and the 2025 special teal season will...
Since 1973, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has offered hunter education to anyone getting started on their hunting journey. Hunter education became mandatory in Alabama in 1993 for anyone born on or after August 1, 1977. The hunter education courses offered by ADCNR are designed for those with little to no hunting experience and emphasize hunter safety, hunting ethics and the important link between hunting and wildlife conservation. Alabama offers a variety...
The path that Greg Lein and Matthew Capps shared with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) State Parks Division is now diverging. Lein, the State Parks Director for the past 12 years is retiring, and Matthew Capps, former Deputy Director, has been promoted to State Parks Director. While preparing for the National Association of State Parks Directors Conference that is being held at Gulf State Park this week, Lein shared his vision of State Parks when he became...
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will temporarily close Claiborne Public Boat Ramp on the Alabama River off Highway 84 near Monroeville for renovations beginning Wednesday, September 25, 2024. During the closure a new two-lane launching slab will be installed. The parking lot will also be expanded by approximately three times its current size. The renovations are expected to be completed in approximately...
Are you looking for an opportunity to get outside with friends and family and do something that benefits your community and the environment? If so, you are encouraged to take part in the state's largest single-day volunteer cleanup event, the 37th Annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. The event will take place in Baldwin and Mobile counties on September 21, 2024, from 8 a.m. until noon. "Without volunteers and the event sponsors, Alabama's Coastal Cleanup would not be possible," said Chris Blankenship...
September 24, 2024 - Montgomery - Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will open certain areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harvesters can view their locations and the open harvest areas with Alabama's Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map (see attached graphic)....
Alabama hunters are apparently more aware of the safety aspects of climbing a tree during hunting season. During the 2023-2024 season, only six treestand accidents were reported, down significantly from the average. Unfortunately, Alabama's two years without a hunting fatality ended with two this past season. Michael Bloxom, Hunter Education Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, said the first...
I don’t how many times I have crossed a ridge thinking I was some place that I wasn’t. I don’t how many times I have crested a hill thinking I’ll be able to see something I didn’t. I don’t know how many times I have rounded a bend to discover an additional path to the place I was going. I recognize this truth weekly. One of my hobbies is cycling. I’ve been riding for several years, and sometimes the places I ride are difficult. As a result, I’m always looking around the corner thinking I have...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) will host public meetings in Florence, Nashville and online in August 2024 to discuss a pilot project designed to manage and prevent the spread of invasive carp within the Tennessee and Cumberland river basins and the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway. During the meetings, state and local officials and USACE representatives will be available to take questions about the proposed invasive carp deterrent projects. Alabama anglers, boaters and local residents are...
One of Alabama's most popular paddling destinations recently received a significant upgrade. State and local officials celebrated the opening of the renovated Garden City River Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 24. The renovations were made possible by a settlement against Tyson Farms for a wastewater spill into the Mulberry Fork of the Black Warrior River. The spill occurred in 2019 at Tyson Farms' River Valley chicken processing plant in Hanceville when a pipe/hose failed and dumped...
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will temporarily close Washington County Public Fishing Lake in southwest Alabama after the discovery of an invasive aquatic plant – giant salvinia – in the lake. The lake will be closed starting August 5, 2024. One of the most aggressive aquatic plants, giant salvinia is a fast-growing invasive species that has the potential to double in size every two to four days. The...
The rain in our area has been relentless. This coming week will be the first week in several where there is hardly any rain predicted. Everyone here is praying for the possibility of sunny days with temperatures to be in the 90’s. Yes, you read that right. We are praying for sunny days and sweltering humidity with highs in the mid 90’s. It’s funny how that works. Just a few weeks ago, I saw a sign on a church marquee that implored us to pray for rain. Now, if I were to go back by that churc...
The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will host an oyster meeting on Tuesday, August 27, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. at the Bayou La Batre Community and Senior Center located at 12745 Padgett Switch Rd. in Irvington, Alabama. The focus of the meeting will be to update the community about MRD activities related to the management of Alabama's oyster fisheries and to receive public input. During the meeting MRD representatives will:...
With more than $150 million available for renovations, repairs and construction, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) State Parks System is in the middle of major upgrades and enhancements to help State Parks' guests embrace and enjoy Alabama's natural beauty. State Parks Director Greg Lein said those projects span the entire state, with upgrades planned at many of the 21 Alabama State Parks. Lein gave updates on the projects from south to north, starting with th...
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces that the Mount Vernon Public Boat Ramp in Mobile County will close beginning the week of August 12, 2024. The boat landing and associated facilities will be closed for major facility upgrades. Upgrades will include a new launching slab, new access pier, expanded parking area, and a new tournament weigh-in pavilion. The facility is anticipated to be closed about...
The 2025 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest will begin accepting entries at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Tourism Department. The deadline to enter is October 31, 2024. The 2025 photo contest will focus on traditional photography techniques and the use of handheld cameras. No cellphone, smartphone, game camera, or drone photography will be chosen as winning photos for...
Although it took two tiebreakers, 12-year-old Bryson McGlynn of Opelika was once again crowned a champion for his age-defying culinary skills. Last December, McGlynn won the Gordon Ramsay Master Chef Junior competition, which aired on Fox in May. Last weekend, McGlynn was crowned champion of the Alabama Wildlife Federation's Wild Game Cook-Off State Finals at Millbrook. Cooking for the Loosen Your Black Belt Bunch team that advanced to the finals after winning the Tri-County regional competition...
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced today that extensive oyster restoration in Coastal Alabama will continue with funding through the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resources Damage Assessment Program (NRDA). ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship serves as the Lead Trustee for Alabama. ADCNR recently received approval of $7 million for oyster restoration under the NRDA Regionwide Trustee Implementation Group Restoration Plan I. These funds will be used for th...
For those who didn't grow up with hunting as part of their family experience, Alabama's Adult Mentored Hunting (AMH) program teaches all the skills needed to put wild game on the dinner table and help start new traditions. Getting started in the AMH program is as simple as signing up for a Hunting 101 workshop. Registration is currently open. The first workshop of the 2024-2025 season will take place near Birmingham at the William R. Ireland-Cahaba River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on...
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) provides several youth dove hunt opportunities throughout the state each fall. A simple hunting setup combined with a fun, family-friendly atmosphere makes WFF's youth dove hunts an ideal way to introduce young people to the outdoors. Registration for this year's hunts will open at 8 a.m. on August 26, 2024. Although the hunts are free, online registration is required....
