A new bill moving through the Alabama Legislature has sparked a public disagreement between lawmakers and the state’s top conservation officials over a simple but contentious question: Who owns Alabama’s deer? HB509, introduced by State Rep. Jeff Sorrells (R-Hartford) would classify deer held by licensed game breeders as the personal property of the licensee — […]

Beachgoers got an unexpected surprise this week when a striking but stinging visitor appeared on the shoreline—a Portuguese man o’ war. The jellyfish look-alike was spotted stranded on the sands of Orange Beach, as reported by the City of Orange Beach Coastal Resources Division on Facebook. Though often mistaken for a jellyfish, the Portuguese man […]

State officials rooted in Coastal Alabama understand the importance of Mobile Bay’s Jubilees. This naturally occurring phenomenon happens in only two locations in the world: The Mobile Bay in Alabama and the Tokyo Bay in Japan. During which, large numbers of fish and crustaceans are forced into shallow water because of low dissolved oxygen in […]

Despite not being able to use decoys for the first 10 days of the season, Alabama turkey hunters continue to take far more birds during the first week of the season than any other week. “Opening day is opening day, no matter if it’s March 25 or April 25,” said Chuck Sykes, the Alabama Department […]

Chad Davis began working as a seasonal employee for Alabama State Parks as a 19-year-old college student at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville. Now, more than twenty years later, Davis is the new Deputy Director for Alabama State Parks, making him the second-highest-ranking executive in the State Parks System. “I am extremely humbled to be selected […]

In late October 2018, Jacob Wall and his father, Steven, loaded their 1995 Nitro onto a trailer and set off on a 38-hour road trip. The younger Wall had qualified for the Toyota Series Championship on Lake Guntersville that year, which necessitated quite the commute from their Southern Oregon home. They didn’t just make the journey so […]

Alabama has a diverse and expanding trail system. From greenways and natural surface trails to gravel and paved roads, Alabama trails cater to hikers, cyclists, equestrians, and outdoor enthusiasts. Now more than ever, it is imperative to establish a comprehensive and interconnected trail network that supports communities, stimulates local economies, and enhances overall quality of […]

The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is again sponsoring its Big Gobbler Photo Contest. Hunters can submit their best turkey hunting photos for a chance to win a prize package. The 13th annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest is designed to further educate the public on the abundance of natural resources found in Alabama’s 23-county […]

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently terminated the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service office lease in Fairhope, Alabama. The lease, covering a 5,132 square foot space, had an annual cost of $176,859. The termination is effective as of March 3, 2025, and is projected to save taxpayers approximately $707,922. The decision to terminate the […]

A Troy University student is working with the United States Forest Service to help grow a rare and endangered species of pitcher plants only found in four Southeastern locations. He’s also part of a team tracking the turtles at Mullis Pond at the Troy University Arboretum. Fisher Parrish, a senior biological sciences major from Dothan, Alabama, is […]

Modern technology is aiding wildlife biologists and researchers in numerous ways, including a tool that is in its infancy in Alabama. The Motus Wildlife Tracking System program erects tracking stations throughout the Americas, Canada, Europe, and Australia to detect wildlife (mainly bird) movements, according to Mercedes Maddox, Nongame Wildlife Biologist with the Alabama Department of […]

There are few sights as majestic as a bald eagle soaring above shimmering blue waters, wings outstretched in flight. The chance to glimpse these magnificent raptors is among the many reasons that nature lovers head to Alabama Power-managed lakes. Twelve company reservoirs serve as host and habitat to the once-endangered species. Lake Mitchell, which spreads across Chilton […]

When Baldwin County resident Ashley Ammons learned about the Alabama Black Belt Adventures’ Best Sporting Dog Contest, she immediately knew the photo she wanted to submit. The photo – showing Fancy, Ammons’ Boykin spaniel, carrying a pheasant during a pheasant shoot sponsored by the Central Alabama Shooting Dog Association (CASDA) in the heart of Alabama’s […]

Alabama State Parks has launched a way for park enthusiasts to promote the 21 state parks by providing photos, videos and more to be featured on social media platforms. Known as the Alabama State Parks Ambassador Program, it’s designed to attract park regulars, hikers, bikers, photographers, and adventure lovers of all kinds who want to showcase […]

The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board recently voted unanimously to approve the state Marine Resources Division’s (MRD) proposal to expand the state’s 2025 red snapper season.   The changes should be great news for those who love to fish for Alabama’s signature saltwater species. State and federal waters will open to private and state-licensed charter vessel anglers for red […]

At the first Alabama Conservation Advisory Board meeting of 2025, held last weekend in Montgomery, Board members heard a state of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) report from Conservation Commissioner Chris Blankenship as well as proposed tweaks to the white-tailed deer daily bag limit and changes to the red snapper season. […]

Alabama State Parks has launched a new way for park enthusiasts to promote the 21 state parks by providing photos, videos, and more to be featured on social media platforms. Known as the Alabama State Parks Ambassador Program, it’s designed to attract park regulars, hikers, bikers, photographers, and adventure lovers of all kinds who want to […]

The State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is currently working on one of its most anticipated projects in years: a new lodge at Cheaha State Park atop Cheaha Mountain in Delta, Alabama. “We are very excited to announce the new Cheaha State Park Lodge as well as a […]

Alabama wildland firefighters faced an unprecedented challenge this week as they battled 181 wildfires statewide, setting a new single-day response record for the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC). The previous record of 106 wildfires in a day, set in 2016, was shattered as gusty winds and low humidity created perfect conditions for fast-spreading fires. Fires burned […]

Spring breakers often flock to beaches along the Alabama Gulf Coast in search of sand and sun, landing them on the sugar-white beaches at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores. But did you know other Alabama State Parks, including Oak Mountain State Park near Birmingham, Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Wind Creek State Park on […]

Alabama’s rich outdoor recreation scene took center stage on February 27, 2025, as the Alabama Tourism Department officially launched the Year of Alabama Trails campaign at Vulcan Park. The initiative, which will run through 2026, highlights the state’s diverse trail systems and their impact on tourism, conservation, and economic growth. Attendees gathered at Birmingham’s iconic […]

Most people are aware of the stunning natural beauty, the hiking and biking trails, and upgraded accommodations at the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Alabama State Parks, but some Alabamians and visitors may not be aware of one of the recreational opportunities at three of the system’s parks. Golf Courses at Oak […]

To say 2024 was an outstanding year for the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) would border on an understatement, and plans for 2025 will continue that trend, according to ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. Through a variety of funding sources, ADCNR has used more than $218 million for Alabama State Parks improvements, has facilitated the investment of […]

Jacks Benton, a 5-year-old hunter from the Salem community in Lee County, squeezed the trigger on his .243 Remington rifle to fire at the buck standing about 40 yards away. The 10-point buck didn’t run. “No, he flopped,” Jacks said. Just like that, Jacks harvested his first buck while hunting on a 20-acre plot of […]