Although he may rank in the stratosphere among his peers after receiving the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Guy Bradley Award earlier this year, Michael “Matt” Weathers prefers to keep his feet firmly grounded in Alabama’s fertile soil. Weathers, the Law Enforcement Section Chief with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife […]

Buckmasters, a leading media marketing company dedicated to promoting the appreciation of wildlife and outdoor traditions, announced the relocation of its headquarters to The Sterling Centre on Carmichael Road in Montgomery. The new office space, located at 4121 Carmichael Road, Suites 301-302, Montgomery, AL 36106, features state-of-the-art facilities that will significantly enhance our capabilities in […]

When about 100 first graders from Brooks Elementary School in Lauderdale County excitedly stepped off three yellow school buses for an educational program at Joe Wheeler State Park in early May, they probably weren’t thinking about Teddy Roosevelt, but they were about to get an up-close experience with what America’s 26th president called “the wonder-book […]

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association announced its first-ever Black Belt Road Trip Photo Contest is now officially open to the public. The organization is asking participants to document their summer outdoor recreational activities in the Black Belt via camera. Those activities, according to the ABBAA, can include anything from fishing, hiking and bird watching […]

The inaugural class of the Alabama Turkey Hunters Hall of Fame was inducted last weekend during the World Championship Turkey Calling competition at the Mobile Convention Center, and the inductees should come as no surprise to those who call themselves a turkey hunter. Of the six inductees, only two are still living, Eddie Salter of […]

Innovate Alabama has launched SEEK AL, a digital campaign dedicated to showcasing the rich variety of outdoor recreational assets the state has to offer to its citizens and to innovators looking for a place to play, work, and put down roots. “Alabama is home to a wealth of natural beauty and outdoor recreation opportunities,” Innovate Alabama […]

Three swimmers, including two teenagers, were attacked by sharks in separate incidents at Walton County beaches on Friday, authorities say. A 45-year-old woman was bitten by a shark around 1:20 p.m. at Watersound Beach while swimming past a sandbar. She suffered significant midsection trauma, and part of her left arm was amputated. She is in […]

Outdoors professionals from around the country converged on Mobile and Riverview Plaza last week to brainstorm on recruitment, retention and reactivation (R3) of hunters, anglers and other outdoors enthusiasts. The 210 National R3 Symposium attendees from all over the U.S., as well as New Zealand and Guam, heard reports on hunting and fishing participation numbers, […]

Alabama’s annual Free Fishing Day, set for this Saturday, June 8 is almost here. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources wants to remind both Alabamians and visitors to the state of its rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water filled with almost 360 different species of fish. “Free Fishing Day is the perfect […]

The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) had a busy weekend recently.  They began their day May 18 with the second 2024 CAB meeting, where the 2024-2025 hunting and fishing regulations were approved, and then joined in the ribbon-cutting at the newly renovated Oak Mountain State Park Campground. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of […]

Two brothers from Smith Station are making statewide news after winning this year’s Alabama Black Belt Adventures Big Gobbler Photo Contest. Logan Warrick, 14, and Declan Warrick, 12, were announced as the winners of the competition after their photo drew over 1,000 votes, roughly twice as much as second place. “Our contest attracts entries every […]

Billions of cicadas have emerged across the southeastern United States this spring in a natural phenomenon often referred to as a “super brood.” The brood, known as the “Great Southern Brood” or Brood XIX, appears once every 13 years when soil temperatures reach approximately 64 degrees Fahrenheit. The insects function above ground for six to […]

Alabama’s wetlands and diverse ecosystems serve as a haven for a wide variety of waterfowl, encompassing diving ducks, puddle ducks, and tree ducks and geese among others. Understanding some of the distinct characteristics of waterfowl enhances the experience of both hunting and birdwatching in the state. Hunting waterfowl is a pastime enjoyed by a huge […]

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey joined in the celebration of Safe Boating Week at the Academy Sports + Outdoors store in Montgomery earlier this week as Academy donated $5,000 worth of life jackets to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR). “I am pleased to join you and our Conservation Enforcement Officers (CEOs) as […]

A well-known ecotourism expert has released a new report concluding that Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt region has everything needed to become a premier ecotourism destination. Ecotourism, which is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that protects nature and sustains the well-being of local people”, is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism […]

As Memorial Day approaches, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced the state is taking part in National Safe Boating Week to promote responsible and cautious behavior during the unofficial start of the summer boating season. The organization also elaborated on two new pieces of legislation that will help promote boater safety in the state. “The […]

A project to restore the Eastern indigo snake to Alabama is one step closer to its goal with the release of 40 indigos in the Conecuh National Forest last weekend. The reintroduction project aims to establish a viable population of this threatened species within its historic range along Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Representatives from the Alabama […]

As part of the SEC Softball Tournament last week at Auburn University, eight female Conservation Enforcement Officers (CEOs) from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources were honored during the tournament and with a shopping trip by Academy Sports + Outdoors at its Auburn location. Cody Reid, Academy’s Regional Marketing Specialist for Alabama, east […]

If you’re looking for a free day of fishing in Alabama, the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has some news that might interest you. The agency has recently announced that it has designated June 8 as this year’s Free Fishing Day in Alabama. During the day, most public waters, including both freshwater […]

A dish prepared with one of the tasty fish species that can be reeled in from Alabama’s beautiful beaches was crowned champion of the 9th annual Alabama Seafood Cook-Off at The Wharf in Orange Beach this week. Chef Kyle Ogden of Odette Restaurant in Florence, Ala., prepared his “Spring Tide” dish with pompano as the centerpiece, […]

A recent report revealed that Alabama’s Black Belt Region had a $3.8 billion statewide economic impact for 2023. That’s a $1.9 billion increase from 2020 just a few short years ago. Additionally, tourism in the area reportedly created an estimated 45,500 jobs during the same time frame. Pam Swanner, Director of the Alabama Black Belt […]

The reconstruction of the Gulf State Park Pier reached a milestone recently when the walkway to the octagon on the end was partially completed. Lamar Pendergrass, the South Region Operations Supervisor for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division, said missing pilings and decking components have been replaced all the […]

The annual Exceptional Anglers event, Gone Fishin’, Not Just Wishin’, returns to Oak Mountain State Park next week, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced. The occasion is set for May 8-10 and will teach basic fishing skills to students with disabilities from the Alabaster City, Pelham City, Shelby County, and Jefferson County […]

As saltwater fishing for 2024 heads into the peak seasons, a look back at 2023 reveals another record-breaking year for those who fish Alabama’s coastal waters and the Gulf of Mexico. The catch that went viral with news agencies around the world picking up the story was the giant blue marlin caught by “Best Trait,” […]