Forever Wild Opens New Horse Trail in the Freedom Hills WMA
The Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust has recently opened a new horse trail in the Freedom Hills Wildlife Management Area (WMA) located in Colbert County, 5 miles south of Highway 72 near Barton and Cherokee, Ala. The Freedom Hills trail opened March 1 and will be open year-round with the exception of spring turkey hunting season (currently underway) and the fall hunting season. The new horse trail expands the number of public horse riding trails on Forever Wild lands to five.
The 15-mile trail system offers diverse landscapes and conditions for trail riding. Riders have the option of the 6.5-mile main loop that begins and ends at the trailhead parking area located off of County Road 33, near the community of Newsome Springs, and three additional loops that extend from the main trail and provide riders with alternate durations of the riding experience. Read more here.
This Spring Experience the Longest Pier on the Gulf Coast
Currently the longest pier on the Gulf Coast, the Gulf State Park Pier is impressive to say the least. At 1,540 feet long, 20 feet wide and boasting 2,448 feet of fishing space along the rails, there is ample room for anglers to hook their catch. The pier also has an indoor concession-area and retail space for tackle and souvenirs, mid-pier comfort stations, and wheelchair accessible rail fishing. The fishing is just as impressive as the structure itself. Anglers routinely reel in nice sized king mackerel, bull redfish, flounder, bluefish, slot redfish, ground mullet and sheepshead.
Gulf State Park offers multiple recreational opportunities in addition to the pier including camping and cabin rentals, golf, hiking trails and more. Take some time to explore the park. You’ll be glad you did. Learn more about Gulf State Park and the new pier here.
Boating Safely Saves Lives
Spring is here and the water is warming up. With 1.3 million acres of recreational waters, Alabama is a boater’s paradise. Unfortunately, each year there are a few easily preventable boating deaths and injuries that occur. In 2009 there were 13 fatalities on Alabama waterways. Each person lost was a tragedy that could have been prevented with proper boating safety. Below is a brief checklist boaters should go through before hitting the water. Doing so could be a lifesaver.
Boat Maintenance: Make sure your boat is in good working order before taking it out for the first time.
Safety Equipment: Make sure all required safety equipment, including life jackets, are on the boat and in good working order
Take a Boating Class: An informed boater is a safe boater, and in Alabama if you drive a boat you must have an operator's license.
Courtesy on the Water: Remember the golden rule while on the water.
Be a Weather Watcher: Keep an eye to the sky; it could save your life.
Don't Drink and Drive: Just like on the highway, drinking and operating a boat is against the law; and on the water it can be even more dangerous.
For these and more boating safety tips and online boating courses visit the Boating Section of the ADCNR Web site.
2010 Archery in the Schools Alabama State Championship to be Held in Birmingham
The largest youth archery competition in Alabama, the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Championship, will be held Thursday, April 22, 2010 at the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center in Birmingham. Flight times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. More than 1,000 young archers in Grades 4-12 from schools across the state will be competing in the event with hopes that their team will advance to the United States Invitational Championship on May 7, in Louisville, Kentucky.
The NASP is a joint venture between the Alabama ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division and the Alabama Department of Education. The NASP promotes student education and participation in the lifelong sport of archery as part of a school’s physical education course and after school programs. Scoring is based on Olympic style, target archery in three divisions – elementary, middle and high school. Competition is on team and individual levels. For more information click here.
An American Wigeon to be featured on the 2011 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp
An American wigeon painted in acrylic by David Nix of Cottondale, Ala., is the winner of the 2010 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest. The winning artwork will adorn the 2011-2012 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp. Nix also won the 2006 contest with a painting of a blue-winged teal. The first runner-up was a cinnamon teal painted by Eddie LeRoy of Eufaula. A redhead painted by Steven Burney of Town Creek, and an American wigeon painted by Bill Stem of Madison tied for the second runner-up spot. Fourth runner-up was by Wayne Gautney of Mobile, who painted a blue-winged teal.
The funds from stamp sales are used to procure and manage wetland habitats for waterfowl. All licensed waterfowl hunters are required to be in possession of state and federal migratory waterfowl stamps signed in ink across the face. Like the federal stamps, state issued stamps are popular with collectors. The artwork competition for the Alabama Migratory Waterfowl Stamp design is held each year in February and is open to Alabama residents only. Read more here.
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Help Support Alabama’s Nongame Wildlife Program in 2010
If you enjoy watching wildlife, here is your chance to lend it a helping hand. Alabama’s Nongame Wildlife Program provides citizens concerned about the welfare of nongame wildlife a way to donate all or a portion of their state tax refunds for the benefit of nongame wildlife. These donations are matched with federal funds, so even the smallest donation is valuable. To read more click here.
Hike an Alabama State Park
After a long, wet and dreary winter it’s time to get outdoors and hit the trails. Alabama offers a broad range of hiking experiences. From flat easy treks near the Gulf Coast to rugged mountain climbs, Alabama has it all. Experience the expansive trail diversity of an Alabama State Park today! A complete trails overview can be found here.
Plan Your Outdoor Adventure Today
Alabama State Parks are a fun and affordable way to shake off the chill of winter. If you are looking for a day trip, weekend getaway or extended staycation you find just what you need on the State Park’s Events Page.
Sims Named NWTF Alabama Enforcement Officer of the Year
Sergeant Jon Sims has been named the National Wild Turkey Federation’s (NWTF) Alabama State Chapter Officer of the Year. Sims was recognized for the award during the Federation's 34th Annual Convention and Sport Show Awards Banquet in Nashville on February 20, 2010. The NWTF is a national conservation organization dedicated to the improvement of critical wildlife habitat and increased access to public hunting land. Read more here.
WFF District Reorganization Compete
The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division has completed its district realignment, a move expected to save $650,000 annually. Under the realignment, the Prattville District Office was closed, and the former District IV counties have been absorbed by the remaining five districts. The updated district map and contact information can be found here.
Looking for a unique gift for the hunter, angler, or nature lover in your life?
The Outdoor Alabama Nature Shop has the answer. Stocked with conservation-related gifts for purchase online, the OA Nature Shop has something for everyone. To highlight the spring turkey season, this month’s featured item is the handcrafted pewter turkey pin; a great gift for your favorite turkey hunter.
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