The 2009 John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest is a Birder’s Paradise

Each fall south Alabama becomes a birding hot spot as hundreds of species flock to the state’s Gulf Coast. To experience this natural wonder, birders of all experience levels should make plans to attend the 2009 John L. Borom Alabama Coastal BirdFest on Oct. 15-18. The BirdFest takes place during the Trans-Gulf Migration of hundreds of bird species that travel between the U.S. Gulf Coast and the Yucatan Peninsula in southeastern Mexico. With 21 tours/events to choose from, BirdFest has become a birder’s paradise. The tours and events will be held at several unique locations throughout the coastal region including Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, the 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, and Dauphin Island, which is considered to be one of the 10 most important sites for bird migration in the world. For more information and a complete list of BirdFest tours and events visit, http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/coastalBirdfest.cfm.

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Artists Invited to Enter 2010 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp Art Contest

Alabama artists still have a few months to create artwork for the 2010 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp art contest sponsored by the ADCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. The winning artwork will be featured on the 2011-12 Alabama Waterfowl Stamp, which is required to be purchased when hunting migratory waterfowl. Entries will be accepted from Jan. 1 - Feb. 16, 2010. The judging criteria will emphasize uncluttered design suitable for printing as a stamp, anatomical accuracy of the illustrated species, and artistic rendering. Close attention must be given to tone and detail, since those aspects are prerequisites for printing artwork as a stamp. Wing and feather construction must be particularly well defined. Entries may be drawn or painted in any medium. For more contest information and entry forms visit, http://www.outdooralabama.com/programs/announce/.

Above image: Northern pintail drake painted in acrylic by Clarence Stewart of Brewton, Ala., winner of the 2009 contest.

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Eight “Must Know” Treestand Safety Tips

Hunting is easily one of the safest outdoor recreational activities. However, each season accidents happen that could have been easily avoided. Hunters are encouraged to follow a few simple treestand safety precautions in order to have a safe and hopefully successful season. Below are eight treestand safety tips that will keep you hunting safely.

1. Use a full body harness from the time you leave the ground until you come back down.
2. Choose a straight, healthy tree in which to place the stand.
3. Inspect your treestand at the beginning of the season and before each use.
4. Make sure your stand is fastened to the tree securely and that the tree is the right size.
5. Test your treestand slightly off the ground to make sure it is safe.
6. Unload your gun prior to pulling it up with a strong cord or rope.
7. Avoid excessive movement that could cause you to lose your balance.
8. Clear away obstructive branches before shooting from a stand.

The hunting accident rate has been improving over past decades. In fact, the past few hunting seasons have been the safest on record. Improved hunter awareness coupled with mandatory hunter education has made a safe activity even safer.

For more treestand safety tips including video, visit http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/safety.cfm.

Now is the Perfect Time to Renew Your Hunting License

Fall is here and hunting season is just around the corner. Make sure you have a license and your Antlered Buck and Turkey Harvest record with you while hunting. There are several convenient renewal options available. Licenses can be purchased at each of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries District Offices, city and county probate offices, various retail outlets, and over the phone 24 hours a day by calling 1-888-848-6887.

To purchase a hunting license online, or to find more information about where to hunt in Alabama, hunter education, residency requirements and much more visit the hunting section of the ADCNR Web site, http://www.outdooralabama.com.

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Photographers Focus on the 2010 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest
Amateur photographers with an eye for Alabama’s diverse natural heritage are encouraged to submit their images to Outdoor Alabama magazine’s 2010 Photo Contest. The annual contest is open to any amateur photographer living in Alabama, who is not an employee of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. All photos must have been taken in Alabama within the past two years and must be of species native to the state. Categories include: state parks, nature-based activities, scenic/pictorial, wild flora, birds, mammals, reptiles/amphibians, other native wildlife, and student snapshots. Winning entries will be published in the February 2010 issue of the magazine and be featured in a touring photo exhibition. To see the 2009 winners and view a complete list contest rules click here.

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