October 2015 Outdoor Alabama Newsletter

Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 10/01/2015 11:51 AM CDT

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Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

October 2015 Outdoor Alabama Newsletter

Archery Deer Season Opens in October

Alabama’s white-tailed deer season opens to bowhunters on Oct. 15 in Zone A and Oct. 25 in Zone B. Hunters are encouraged to review the deer zone hunting map for season dates and zone locations. A valid hunting license and harvest record are required when hunting white-tailed deer or Eastern wild turkey in Alabama. Hunters are also encouraged to report their harvest via Game Check and practice hunter safety.

Five State Parks to Close as a Result of Budget Cuts

Alabama State Parks is implementing a new contingency operations plan that will go into effect on October 1 as a result of the Legislative budget cuts for fiscal year 2015-16. Beginning October 15, the following five parks will be closed: Bladon Springs, Paul Grist, Chickasaw, Florala and Roland Cooper. The plan also includes a reduction in staff and operational hours at additional parks and park facilities, as well as a potential concession operation for one facility and other new approaches to serving the public. More

Retriever Dog Events at M. Barnett Lawley Forever Wild Field Trial Area

Now through Oct. 2 Hunting Retriever Championship International Fall Grand Hunt
Oct. 9-11 Montgomery Retriever Club Annual Field Trial

Don't miss the chance to see these dogs in action! For more information call the Alabama State Lands Division at 334-242-3484.

Claude Peteet Mariculture Center

Claude Peteet Mariculture Center is operated by the Alabama Marine Resources Division, and has been utilized for many activities since its construction in 1973. It was the first place to raise red snapper in a lab and is home to other basic and applied research into the intricacies of estuarine and marine ecology. An upgrade to the facilities has been recently completed.

Watch this video to learn more!

Mountain Bike Event at Dothan Forever Wild Tract on Oct. 3

The City of Dothan is hosting “Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day” at the soon-to-be-completed trailhead for the Dothan Forever Wild property on Oct.3. The first trail is 1.1 miles and is designed for use by families with children. The National Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day is sponsored by the Southeast Alabama Mountain Bikers and the Department of Leisure Services. It will begin at 9 a.m. on Oct. 3 at 384 Narcisse Drive, which is located off Flowers Chapel Road. More

Artificial Reef Coming to Eastern Shore

Recently, the Eastern Shore Fly Fishers (ESFF) procured a conservation grant to assist with an artificial reef program on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. Combined donations from the ESFF, the Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishing Clubs, and the International Federation of Fly Fishers bring a total of $4,000 to the effort. Alabama Marine Resources Division (AMRD) will spearhead the reef project off the shore of Point Clear, Ala. and the reef will use all natural materials with an estimated final cost of $370,000. Picture L to R: VP of Conservation for the International Federation of Fly Fishers Chuck Fisk, AMRD Director Chris Blankenship, and Eastern Shore Fly Fishers Representative Guy Lott.

Enter the OA Photo Contest Today

Have you taken any outdoors photos recently? If so, enter them in the 2016 Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest. Last year, James Hybart entered this shot of a bluebird and took home First Place in the Birds Category. We are currently accepting entries until Oct. 31.

Enter the 2016 contest!

Alabama State Park Events

Now is the perfect time to make outdoor plans for this weekend. Check the Alabama State Parks events page for an event near you! Oct. events include: Scarecrow trails at Frank Jackson and Lake Guntersville, Archery Classes and Tentsile camping at Oak Mountain, Spookapalooza at DeSoto, Halloween Festival at Wind Creek, trick-or-treating at various parks, and more!

For a complete list of state park events, click here.

Congressional Staffers Experience Alabama's Great Snapper Fishing

by David Rainer

Alabama Marine Resources Director Chris Blankenship has a point to make, but the audience he needs to reach is not on the Alabama Gulf Coast. Alabama’s saltwater anglers are well aware of the red snapper story, so Blankenship reached out to what is known as the Washington bubble, where outside information has a hard time gaining attention.

Fall Color is Coming to Alabama State Parks

Alabama's state parks are great places to view the changing of the seasons. For information about the state's Fall Color Trail, click here.

Photo of DeSoto State Park by Brad Lackey

Other News

Feral Swine Transport or Release Incurs $2,500 Fine

Tentsile Tree Camping Coming to Oak Mountain this Fall

Alabama State-Fish Art Contest Winners Recognized at National Expo

Herring Bust at Lewis Smith Lake Leads to Invasive Species Charges

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