The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
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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...
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....
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...
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...
