Considering it’s the Year of Alabama Food, the third annual Wetumpka Wildlife Arts Festival (WEWA) is amping up its flavor game as it again celebrates the beauty of wildlife and one of the South’s most historic pastimes—field sports—through the arts. What began as an idea between the Smoot Harris family, which has deep roots in […]

Alabama hunters are apparently more aware of the safety aspects of climbing a tree during hunting season. During the 2023-2024 season, only six treestand accidents were reported, down significantly from the average. Unfortunately, Alabama’s two years without a hunting fatality ended with two this past season. Michael Bloxom, Hunter Education Coordinator with the Alabama Department […]

The Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association (AMLA) announced the recipients of the 2024 PEAK Awards. The program, held at the Jackson Center in Huntsville last week, pays tribute to tourism leaders, attractions, festivals and organizations that set the bar for North Alabama’s $4.7 billion tourism industry. Representing the highest achievement in North Alabama tourism, the […]

Damage and flooding from Hurricane Helene has caused the final St. Croix Open, presented by SEVIIN to be moved from South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell to Lake Martin, Alabama. The event will be the first time since 2018 that the 44,000-acre reservoir found on the Tallapoosa River has hosted a major B.A.S.S event. Bassmaster released a […]

While the Alabama Gulf Coast continues trying to reason with hurricane season, that tropical weather aspect of living on the Gulf Coast was a point of fascination during the recent National Association of State Parks Directors (NASPD) Conference at The Lodge at Gulf State Park. Almost every state in the U.S. was represented at the […]

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 (ADCNR) will open certain areas of public oyster bottoms for weekday harvest beginning on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harvesters can view their […]

Although anglers and sightseers have been enjoying the facility for several weeks, the newly repaired and renovated Gulf State Park Pier was officially opened last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the completion of a multi-year, $13.6 million project. As rainy skies from the outer bands of Hurricane Francine disappeared and sunshine prevailed, Alabama […]

Governor Kay Ivey signed a proclamation celebrating National Hunting and Fishing Day in Alabama, set to take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The day marked been held annually on every 4th Saturday of September since 1972 to celebrate the impact that hunting, fishing and shooting sports have in the United States with regards to […]

Local, state, community an business leaders gathered to cut a ceremonial ribbon and celebrate the re-opening of iconic Gulf State Park Pier last Friday. The pier underwent an extensive renovation and re-opened to the public last month, and Friday’s event allowed community leaders to show their appreciation for the Gulf Coast landmark. “If you want […]

The path that Greg Lein and Matthew Capps shared with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks Division is now diverging. Lein, the State Parks Director for the past 12 years is retiring, and Matthew Capps, former Deputy Director, has been promoted to State Parks Director. While preparing for the National […]

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Lake Martin Life — your new go-to destination for everything happening around the beautiful Lake Martin community. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, our platform is designed to keep you connected and informed about all things Lake Martin.  Lake Martin Life is working to be […]

Although overall duck numbers are up in the latest Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, those waterfowlers who hunt the special teal season better plan to take full advantage of this year’s early season of 16 days, set for September 14-29. Seth Maddox of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and […]

When Anna Stanley snapped a photo of her 1-year-old daughter, Avery, with the Good Shepherd Statue, a roadside attraction in the north Tuscaloosa County community of Samantha, she planned to submit the photo into the inaugural Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association’s Road Trip Photo Contest. Stanley also had another motive: She wanted to raise awareness about The Little Closet Community Food […]

Bike sharing is back—and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama has made it easier than ever to explore three major Alabama cities by bike. The Blue Bikes bike share program, with bikes offered by Tandem Mobility, now has bike-sharing stations in Huntsville, Decatur, and Montgomery. Bike sharing aims to provide a mobility solution as […]

Sweet Tater Festival If you love sweet potatoes, you will want to be in Cullman for the Sweet Tater Festival Sept 1-2 at Smith Lake Park. Holiday festivities will be filled with live entertainment, food vendors, arts and crafts vendors and sweet taters. On Labor Day, the festival will have a car show from 9 […]

With the annual Buckmasters Expo in the rearview, Buckmasters founder and CEO Jackie Bushman is leading the organization into the modern era with numerous changes, including its address. Buckmasters headquarters moved from the eastern edge of Montgomery to the Sterling Centre on Carmichael Road about six weeks ago, indicating a significant shift in the organization’s […]

Big in stature, Big in influence and Big in promoting his beloved Alabama Black Belt, the late James “Big Daddy” Lawler was honored and remembered Tuesday at Roland Cooper State Park on the banks of Millers Ferry Lake on the Alabama River. Lawler, who died earlier this year after a short illness, was a champion […]

For those who didn’t grow up with hunting as part of their family experience, Alabama’s Adult Mentored Hunting (AMH) program teaches all the skills needed to put wild game on the dinner table and help start new traditions. Getting started in the AMH program is as simple as signing up for a Hunting 101 workshop. […]

Few Alabamians have dedicated their life to the great outdoors in the manner that the late James “Big Daddy” Lawler did. For decades, the Wilcox County native promoted the outdoor recreational activities available in Alabama’s Black Belt region. Lawler was well known for his popular radio and social media series “Gettin’ Outdoors With BDL.” To […]

The Gulf State Park Pier will re-open to sightseers and anglers as of today, August 19, as the renovation work that began in November 2023 has been completed. Reporters, photographers, and videographers are invited to visit the pier on Monday morning when a representative from Gulf State Park will be available for interviews beginning at […]

Although it took two tiebreakers, 12-year-old Bryson McGlynn of Opelika was once again crowned a champion for his age-defying culinary skills. Last December, McGlynn won the Gordon Ramsay Master Chef Junior competition, which aired on Fox in May. Last weekend, McGlynn was crowned champion of the Alabama Wildlife Federation’s Wild Game Cook-Off State Finals at […]

The 2025 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest will begin accepting entries at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3, 2024. The contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Tourism Department. The deadline to enter is October 31, 2024. The 2025 photo contest will focus on traditional […]

In July of last year, voters residing in unincorporated West Mobile voted overwhelmingly to be annexed by the Port City. While the move to reclassify the rural areas garnered support from many, some citizens were less than enthused over the change. Due to the annexation, the City of Mobile’s firearm ordinance applied to properties outside […]

For more than a decade, outdoorsmen have called for improvements to the Mount Vernon boat ramp and their wish has been granted. The ramp was set to close Monday for renovations expected to take about three months, according to the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Upgrades will include a new launching slab, new […]