Tag: Outdoors
Nominations open for Eagle Awards to honor special contributors to Alabama...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Alabama State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has begun accepting applications for its prestigious Eagle...
WFF samples 356 deer for CWD on opening weekend
In a continuing effort to minimize the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the state, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’...
Van’s Sporting Goods celebrates grand opening of Leupold Optics ‘Shop in...
CULLMAN, Ala. - Van’s Sporting Goods in Cullman on Friday, Nov. 15, celebrated the grand opening of its Leupold Optics “Shop in Shop.” Van’s...
Fire Danger Advisory expands to all Alabama counties
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - With worsening drought conditions and no significant accumulation of rain in the long-range forecast, the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has placed all...
Hunters reminded to keep safety at forefront this fall
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama hunters are apparently more aware of the safety aspects of climbing a tree during hunting season. During the 2023-2024 season,...
Community leaders celebrate renovations at Gulf State Park Pier
GULF SHORES, Ala. - Local civic, business and community leaders gathered to cut a ceremonial ribbon and celebrate the re-opening of iconic Gulf State...
All or nothing: Managing white-tailed deer predators in the Southeast
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - Predators play an important role in wildlife ecosystems. You can think of them as nature’s own regulatory service. Without their...
Duck hunters should take advantage of this year’s special teal season
Although overall duck numbers are up in the latest Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey, those waterfowlers who hunt the special teal season better...
‘Chirding’ at Sportsman Lake: Third Sunday birding and worship event Sept....
CULLMAN, Ala. - On Sunday, Sept. 15, at 3 p.m., Sportsman Lake Park will host the Third Sunday Bird Sunday event, located at the...
ACES: Fall hummingbird feeder etiquette deters wasps and bees
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - The first hummingbird sighting in spring is cause for celebration, but keeping them around in the fall takes a little...
Gulf State Park Pier reopens to the public
GULF SHORES, Ala. - The renovated Gulf State Park Pier reopened on Monday, Aug.19, welcoming people to the iconic Gulf Coast landmark for the...
Alabama State Parks marks progress in major renovations
With more than $150 million available for renovations, repairs and construction, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) State Parks System is...
Mulberry Fork access upgraded at Garden City River Park
GARDEN CITY, Ala. - One of Alabama’s most popular paddling destinations recently received a significant upgrade. State and local officials celebrated the opening of...
91st ADSFR adds dock space, new categories
A new dock and boardwalk, a new live weigh-in category and a new species for catch and release are among the highlights for the...
Learn to manage wildlife conflicts at free workshop July 11
CULLMAN, Ala. - Farming often involves dealing with unwanted wildlife, which can cause significant damage to crops and livestock. To address these challenges, the...
Caring for garden pollinators during summer
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - Summer is an active season for pollinators, but it doesn’t mean humans should count on the garden to provide everything...
Alabama residents invited to provide input on master plan for statewide...
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Alabama residents are invited to help shape the future of the state's trail systems through public input on the Sweet Trails...
Protect yourself from tick bites – and what to do if...
A clever and effective public service message I recently saw advises “don’t get ticked” when outdoors, and with good reason. Tick-borne diseases and illnesses...
ACES: Watch out for ticks; treat them right
Tick populations are rising in Alabama. Ticks thrive in high humidity situations. The recent hot weather and heavy rainfall the state has received is...
The decline of the flowering dogwood
It can be disheartening to see a prized and beloved landscape tree or shrub be damaged, fall, decline in health, or die. Over the...
ACES: 4-H BIGGEST Catch contest featuring new categories for 2024
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. — The Alabama 4-H BIGGEST Catch contest is back for another year with some new competition categories. Emily Nichols, an Alabama...
ADCNR: Eastern indigo release adds 40 to Conecuh National Forest
A project to restore the Eastern indigo snake to Alabama is one step closer to its goal with the release of 40 indigos in...
Cullman’s Truth in Nature chapter calls for volunteer outdoorsmen to mentor...
CULLMAN, Ala. - Truth in Nature, a nationwide outdoor ministry, has a simple but powerful mission: to support young men from fatherless and single-parent...
ACES: Extension entomologist encourages families to get outside during cicada emergence
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - Generations of children living in the Southeast have long listened to the sound of a cicada’s song and collected their...
Cullman’s Wildflower Garden: A hidden utopia
CULLMAN, Ala. - Tucked away in the wooded area of Sportsman Lake Park is the Wildflower Garden, a beautiful collection of natural and native...
McCaleb crowned Grand Champion at Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt
Despite some challenging weather conditions, the Alabama Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt last week was another resounding success with numerous hunters from across the nation...
Public support of conservation efforts at State Parks improve natural habitats...
Smoke billows into the sky, visible to nearby residents and motorists as a sign that something is burning in the Alabama forest.
It’s a prescribed...
Sportsman Lake Park lands on Alabama Birding Trails
CULLMAN, Ala. - Sportsman Lake Park, with its expansive lake, acres of trees, wildflower and butterfly trail and arboretum, is a destination for nature...
Sneaky snakes: The good, the bad and the misconceptions
CULLMAN, Ala. - Spring is almost here, and that means that soon enough, the snakes inhabiting north Alabama will make their way back out...
New trail opens for mountain bikers, hikers at Oak Mountain State...
SHELBY COUNTY, Ala. - A new trail named Room Service at Oak Mountain State Park opened recently, as members of the Birmingham Urban Mountain...
ACES: 4 ways to participate in National Bird Feeding Month
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. - February is among one of the most important months for feeding birds in Alabama, as backyard songbirds have limited access...
Rainer: Shipp leaves lasting legacy in marine fisheries
When I reflect on my 30-plus years of covering the outdoors in Alabama, several people who influenced and contributed to my writing come to...
Begin 2024 with a First Day Hike at an Alabama State...
Alabama State Parks is hosting 11 First Day Hikes as part of a national program designed to celebrate the new year and the great...
Cullman’s Jake Burkey finds success as off-road vehicle titan
CULLMAN, Ala. - Sometimes finding the right career path means going off the beaten path – literally. That’s the lesson of Cullman, Alabama resident...
4-H Adventure Classes begin in January
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Cullman County Extension Office announced an exciting new set of educational courses for Cullman County’s 4-H program in 2024. Three...
Ivey issues statewide ‘No Burn Order’
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Governor Kay Ivey on Wednesday signed a statewide Drought Emergency Declaration – often referred to as a “No Burn Order” – prohibiting all...
ADCNR: Registration for 2023 youth dove hunts opens Aug. 21
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) provides several youth dove hunt...
Sheriff Gentry issues lake safety tips
CULLMAN, Ala. – With an increased number of incidents on the water this summer the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) wants the community to...
Zip in for some fun!
CULLMAN, Ala. – The ribbon was cut on the grand opening of Smith Lake Ziplines Friday, June 2, with representatives from the Cullman Area...
Cullman County parks summer events
CULLMAN, Ala. – Cullman County Parks and Recreation and the Cullman County Commission have many fun events planned for the public this summer. Cullman...
Editorial: Simple swaps toward sustainability
Today, April 22, is Earth Day! www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023
Sustainability can be a hot topic these days, and in a world as busy as ours, it's typically...
Voters overwhelmingly approve state parks amendment
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - By a wide margin, Alabama voters approved the amendment on last Tuesday’s ballot to provide as much as $80 million in...
Alabama’s forests: clearing the air
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – One of the world’s largest sources of carbon can likely be found in your backyard. In fact, trees are some...
Roads and parking areas at Lake Guntersville State Park paved with...
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. - Officials with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) and the Alabama Department of Environmental Management on Tuesday showed...
Research shows mosquitoes remember, avoid pesticide odors
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – No one likes dealing with mosquitoes. As potential vectors of diseases, controlling mosquito populations is an important aspect of human...
Black bear cubs collared in northeast Alabama
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - To say Traci Wood has a passion for bears would understate her love for the small black bear populations on opposite...
Don’t be stumped by the 2022 timber market
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Alabama timber industry is successfully healing after the COVID-19 pandemic’s temporary crippling of the market two years ago. The...
Cullman celebrates 34 years as Tree City USA
CULLMAN, Ala. - “This is a fun one!” Those were Cullman Mayor Woody Jacobs’ words as he prepared to open the 2022 Tree City...
Financial relief will soon be available to assist Alabama landowners adversely...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Administered by the Alabama Forestry Commission, the Cogongrass Mitigation Program is made possible through a grant from the USDA Animal &...
Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries announces special Youth, Veteran...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has designated Saturday, February 5, 2022, as the second of the 2021-2022...
All oyster harvest zones to close January 21, 2022
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Pursuant to Section 9-12-28, Code of Alabama 1975 as stated by Rule 220-3-.02, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’...
Cullman County Master Gardeners share 2022 initiative for feeding birds during...
CULLMAN, Ala. - The Alabama Master Gardeners are educators trained by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. During their last meeting, they discussed taking an...
Eagle Awareness Weekends in Guntersville planned for January and February
GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – Lake Guntersville State Park will host its popular Eagle Awareness Weekends starting in January 2022, through February 2022.
The events will feature...
National Wild Turkey Federation donates $122,000 for wildlife management
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Alabama Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) recently allocated $122,000 in Hunting Heritage Super Funds for wild turkey...
Begin deer season with food safety in mind
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—Withdeer season opening Oct. 15, Mark Smith, a wildlife scientist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, says hunters need a game plan to...
Tips and tricks to avoid picking up ticks
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Tick exposure can occur year-round, but ticks are most active during warmer months (April-September). Know which ticks are most common in your...
In Alabama, conservation Is for the birds
WASHINGTON D.C. - Whether called the Yellowhammer State or the Cotton State, an abundance of birds call the state of Alabama home. “Yellowhammer” in...
‘Truth in Nature is tight lines, steady aim and a cleansed...
CULLMAN, Ala. - Truth in Nature held an educational day for the young men of the Cullman chapter Saturday, June 26. The first half...
ATF promotes fireworks safety
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives wants the public to be safe during the Fourth of July. Understanding the...
Guest Editorial: Protecting Alabama’s waters requires more than lawsuits
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Recent heavy rains put the spotlight on one of the most common yet difficult to resolve environmental concerns – untreated or...
Editorial: Don’t feed the ducks
A few years ago, I was employed in an area which harbored a substantial feral cat colony, 20 or so, with kittens. I was...
Federal, state programs guarantee boating access
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Hank Weldon is a native Alabamian and a traveling man. As a director of student and junior tournaments for Bass Anglers...
Palomino RV Resort hits full capacity for Memorial Day
CULLMAN, Ala. - Cullman’s investment in the development of an RV park, the Palomino RV Resort, at the Burrow Farm site on County Road...
Go Fish, Alabama! teaches basics of fishing
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Have you ever wanted to learn the basics of fishing, but didn’t know where to begin? The Alabama Department of Conservation...
Duck River Reservoir boat ramps closing at 5 p.m. today
CULLMAN, Ala. - The City of Cullman has announced the temporary closure of its boat ramps at the Duck River Reservoir today, May 20...
Oak Mountain State Park Interpretive Center reopens May 22
PELHAM, Ala. - The Oak Mountain Interpretive Center (OMIC) at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama, will celebrate its reopening Saturday, May 22,...
Deer: Attract or deter?
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Deer in residential areas—homeowners either love the friendly visitors or wish they would leave plants alone. While hunting season has...
New license allows hunting of feral swine, coyotes at night
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - With Gov. Kay Ivey’s signature this week, new legislation will provide hunters in Alabama with another opportunity to harvest two specific...
Getting outside to enjoy spring weather
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—Spring is here once again. That means getting the family together and spending time outdoors. However, sometimes we need a boost to...
Alabama PALS kicks off 2021 “Don’t Drop It on Alabama” Spring...
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The 2021 statewide “Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Spring Cleanup will be held during the entire month of April. The cleanup...
Hawley wants to leave turkey hunting legacy
At the recent Alabama Conservation Advisory Board meeting in Montgomery, one of the people who took advantage of the opportunity to address the Board...
Hunting antler sheds
Late winter and early spring can often be a dull time for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts. Deer season is over, and turkey season has...
Avoid planting summer vegetables too early
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—In anticipation of enjoying summer vegetables, gardeners often plant too early causing them to struggle. In Alabama the often-warmer temperatures in late...
Controlled burns top tool for wildlife, land managers
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Social media has been filled with smoke and fire lately as many land managers, like the...
R3 campaign encourages Alabamians to get outdoors
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
With the social distancing requirements from COVID-19, many people have turned to the outdoors to escape...
Alabama hunters bagging big bucks this season
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Judging from the number of deer reported through the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division’s...
Winners of Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest announced
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The winners of the 2021 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest are listed below. As usual, the judges had a very difficult time...
Special Youth, Veteran and Active Military Personnel Waterfowl Hunting Day Feb....
The Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) has designated Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021 as the second of the 2020-2021 hunting season’s Special...
Woodcock monitoring program tracks migration routes
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Seth Maddox will head out in February with other Division biologists to do some woodcock hunting....
Alabama State Parks provided safe haven for Alabamians in 2020
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama State Parks found a new purpose during an eventful 2020.
State officials kept the parks open as a safe recreational option...
Black Belt Adventures urges hunters to donate venison
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Hunters Helping the Hungry has provided more than a half-million pounds of ground venison to those...
WFF reactivates 800 number for Game Check
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
The toll-free Game Check phone number, 1-800-888-7690, is back and better than ever. The Alabama Department...
CWD detected in 2 additional NE Mississippi counties
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) recently received “suspect positive” Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) test results for two...
Tips for hunting the rut in Alabama
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
While the white-tailed deer rut has come and gone in a few areas in Alabama, hunters...
Last-minute Christmas gifts for outdoors enthusiasts
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Buying Christmas gifts for those who love the outdoors can be a daunting task simply because...
Public land provides opportunities to hunt rut all season
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Most people think the rutting activity of white-tailed deer in Alabama occurs mostly in January and...
Venison recipes perfect for holidays
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
When that Thanksgiving turkey has been reduced to a discarded carcass, it’s time to break out...
With piers closed, Thornton takes to Alabama’s beautiful beaches
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
With a nickname like Pier Pounder, David Thornton of Mobile has seen his favorite pastime disappear...
Parks officials working to reopen portion of Gulf State Park Pier
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Gulf State Park on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast will be a beehive of activity now and...
Why do leaves change colors?
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – Crisp, cool mornings and long shadows signal that fall has truly set in. With a transition into cooler weather, comes...
Feral hog population in Alabama shows no decline
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Despite an increased effort to mitigate the impact of feral hogs in Alabama, the hog population...
Enjoying a fire pit, responsibly
CULLMAN, Ala. - Fall is a great time to gather around a backyard fire pit and enjoy the cooler weather. Cullman Fire Marshal Chris...
Wood duck mates determine migration routes
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
In the waterfowl world, Alabama’s most abundant species, the wood duck, is not known for migrating...
Don’t get complacent about hunter safety
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Although the number of hunting accidents has held steady for the last several years, Captain Marisa...
Gulf State Park section succumbs to Sally’s surge
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
One aspect of living on Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast is the realization that the best-laid plan...
Reintroduction of the Eastern indigo snake in the Southeast
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala. – The Eastern indigo snake, one of the longest snakes native to the United States, calls the Southeast home. Unfortunately, this...
What’s new for the 2020-2021 hunting seasons
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Deer hunters will find two new zones in the 2020-2021 Alabama Deer Zones...
Naturally Alabama: Plinking on the roof
Everyone is saying it: “This has been a crazy year.” The coronavirus has made its impact on human health and society around the world. ...
Alabama State Parks online campground reservation system now live
David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Ready for a camping trip to one – or several – of the beautiful Alabama State...
How technology is making fishing more appealing to young anglers in...
CULLMAN, Ala.
-- Fishing is a fun outdoor activity that is loved by many people in Cullman,
Alabama. And with Cullman being home to some of...
