The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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One of the best places to put up a tree stand or blind is in a funnel. A funnel is a small area where two or more ridges run out or down into a small hollow or trail. If you can imagine the dip between two crests, you will understand what a funnel is. It is basically the easiest route for deer, or any other animal, to travel. And like you and I, most animals look for what takes the least effort and expends the least amount of energy. Not only does this apply to travel routes, but it also...
As the leaves begin to turn and the morning air grows crisp, thousands of Alabama hunters prepare for one of the most anticipated times of the year: the opening of bow season. Starting October 15 in most zones-and as early as October 1 in Zones D and E-archery season marks the beginning of Alabama's long and storied deer hunting calendar, blending tradition, wildlife management, and community engagement across the state's diverse landscapes. A Season Rooted in Heritage For many Alabamians, bow...
As the heat of summer fades and the Gulf breezes turn crisp, mid-October ushers in one of the most exciting windows for inshore fishing along Alabama's coast. Locals call it Red October-a nod to the explosive run of redfish that floods the surf zones, marsh pockets, and tidal creeks from Gulf Shores to Dauphin Island. For landowners, youth programs, and weekend anglers alike, this season offers a golden opportunity to connect with the water, the community, and the rhythms of Southern coastal...
The recreational and commercial stone crab harvest season starts Oct. 15 and will remain open through May 1, closing May 2. The minimum claw size limit is 2 7/8 inches. As a reminder, an unobstructed escape ring measuring 2 3/16 inches in diameter must be located within a vertical exterior trap wall for all recreational and commercial plastic or wood stone crab traps. Recreational Trap Registration Recreational harvesters who are age 16 and older (including those normally exempt from needing a...
September 30, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, AL - The State Lands Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announces the youth deer and duck hunt schedules for the M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area (FWFTA) in Hale County. The hunts will take place late November 2025 through February 2026. Registration opens October 1 and runs until October 13, 2025. "I am thrilled that we can share the great deer and duck hunting on this Forever Wild property with a new...
With a planned opening in the first half of 2026, the new Gulf State Park Campground will make many campers happy with its extra space. a little more privacy and an abundance of amenities. The new campground will be built in two phases on the park's former golf course. A new entrance will provide convenient access to the campground from State Road 180 (Canal Road) near the new Beach Express bridge in Gulf Shores. "There will be two phases, based on current funding levels; the first phase will...
October 7, 2025 - MOUNDVILLE, AL - The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will temporarily close the Moundville Public Boat Ramp for renovations on Monday, October 13, 2025. The facility provides boating and fishing access to the Warrior River 1 mile north of Moundville, Alabama. During the closure the launching slab will be replaced. The new launching slab will be reoriented to allow for easier loading and unl...
The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) invites the public to take part in a derelict crab trap cleanup on Mobile Bay October 24-25, 2025. The derelict traps will be marked on Friday and removed on Saturday. There will be a post-event social at Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort on Saturday, October 25, at approximately 1 p.m. This Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program event is a coordinated effort between MRD and the Gulf of Americ...
Lt. Michael Bloxom of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division handed control of the Hunter Education Program to WFF's R3 staff on September 1 this year, but as he heads toward retirement, Bloxom highlighted the effectiveness of hunter education with a milestone achievement during the 2024-2025 season. "We actually had a record low number of accidents last season," said Bloxom, who will retire at the end of the year....
One solution for invasive spotted lanternflies? Your dog, study finds The latest tool to stop the spread of invasive spotted lanternflies isn’t a powerful pesticide or a cutting-edge machine—it’s a good boy with an insatiable nose and a knack for tricks, Atmos reports. A new study published in the journal “PeerJ” found that pet dogs can detect spotted lanternfly eggs, which can be removed and destroyed to help prevent the species’ spread. Detection dogs have been employed to spot the invasiv...
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 will open certain areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 6, 2025, at 7 a.m. Harvesters can view their locations and the open harvest areas with Alabama's Oyster Management Station (OMS) Oyster Grid Map. A link to the map is available at https://www.outdooralabama.com/oysterharves...
Squirrel hunting in Alabama is far more than simply a pastime-it's a venerable Southern tradition, a means of connecting with nature, and a gateway for new generations of hunters. Steeped in history and embraced by both rural and suburban communities, the pursuit of squirrels through Alabama's forests and fields weaves together elements of skill, patience, conservation, and the timeless bond between hunter and land. The Heritage of Squirrel Hunting in Alabama The roots of squirrel hunting run...
September 19, 2025 - MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama's Gulf Coast seafood industry may soon see new opportunities for growth, following NOAA's designation of 13 Aquaculture Opportunity Areas (AOAs) in U.S. federal waters. The announcement includes three prime locations off the Texas coast in the Gulf of Mexico, totaling 4,500 acres, and ten sites off Southern California. These zones are part of a national strategy to boost domestic seafood production, reduce reliance on imports, and create...
Tony Diliberto has always been drawn to the outdoors, and he is now sharing his love of the outdoors with others. What started by chance a few years ago has become a ministry of sorts for Diliberto, who uses Alabama State Parks to introduce families to the wonders of nature, the joy of being outdoors and away from distractions. It began with just a few dads and kids and now has grown into an annual event he calls the Dads and Kids Weekend with as many as 25 participating. Diliberto, who was born...
Oysters are breathing life into the Chesapeake Bay It would be a quiet and peaceful morning at the edge of the Choptank River in Cambridge, Maryland, if not for the forklifts racing around the pier, scraping 5-foot-tall metal cages along the ground as they go. It’s early May and the sun is just beginning to burn off the mid-morning haze, but the crew has been at it since dawn. Everyone is energized despite the early start, and rightfully so, because the cages are brimming with oysters bound f...
AUBURN, AL. — September 17, 2025 - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has released a draft of its 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP), a comprehensive roadmap for protecting Alabama’s most vulnerable species. The plan, updated every ten years, is now available for public review at OutdoorAlabama.com, with comments accepted through September 29. What Is SWAP and Why It Matters Mandated by Congress, SWAP ensures Alabama remains eligible for critical federal funding that supports conservation efforts sta...
Alabama's Alligator Season Closes: Conservation, Culture, and Control September 17, 2025 - As the sun sets on Alabama's 2025 alligator hunting season, wildlife officials and hunters alike are reflecting on a year marked by strong participation, steady harvests, and renewed attention to the balance between conservation and nuisance control. The season, which ran across five designated Alligator Management Areas (AMAs), officially closed this week. Hunts were conducted by special permit only,...
A couple of welcome cool fronts have moved through Alabama recently, increasing the hope that the state's waterfowl seasons will start with a bang when the early teal season opens Saturday, September 13, and runs through September 21. Several reports have indicated that blue-winged teal are on the move with the changing weather patterns. Unfortunately, the most recent survey from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) indicates the teal numbers have not rebounded as hoped, and another...
September 6, 2025 - MOODY, AL - As the sun rises over Alabama's wetlands, lakes, and agricultural fields, hunters across the state are gearing up for the start of the 2025–2026 goose hunting season, which officially opens today. For many, this marks the beginning of a cherished tradition-one that blends conservation, camaraderie, and the thrill of early-morning action in the blind. 📅 Season Structure & Regulations The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has laid out a genero...
August 21, 2025 - ORANGE BEACH, AL - After years of erosion, storm damage, and lingering impacts from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Alabama's Lower Perdido Islands-Robinson and Walker-are undergoing a major restoration to protect wildlife habitat and strengthen natural defenses for coastal communities. 🌊 A Fragile Refuge Reimagined Nestled near Orange Beach, the Lower Perdido Islands have long served as a haven for birds, fish, and boaters drawn to their clear waters and white sand. But ye...
When Trade Desk, a 60-foot Hatteras, left Orange Beach for three days of catch-and-release billfishing, hooking a swordfish was just an afterthought, one that would stress all their resources as well as enter the Alabama Saltwater Record Book. Robert Fritze, his dad (Ron) and four buddies (Harold Wells, Jamie Boyd, Wes Hagler, Robert Parks) had scheduled the trip a while back for August 14-16 with the main goal of finding marlin and sailfish. "We saw where people were having success catching...
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...
