Alabama Hunting News February 2017

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

February 2017

Small Game and Spring Turkey Season

Deer season is over, but there are still plenty of small game hunting opportunities and the upcoming spring turkey season, which opens March 15 for most Alabama counties. 

New for 2017, hunters are required to report their turkey harvest via Game Check. 

Small game seasons closing soon:

• Bobwhite quail season closes February 28.
• Rabbit and Squirrel seasons close March 5.

For complete seasons and bag limits, visit outdooralabama.com/hunting.

Photo by Richard Curtian

Spring Turkey Hunting Tips

Very few outdoor experiences can compare with spring turkey hunting. The sport can, to say the least, be challenging, exciting and in some cases almost addictive. When a gobbler sounds off up close, or he’s strutting just out of range, even the most experienced hunter’s heart tends to pound uncontrollably. 

More

How to Clean and Cook a Wild Turkey

There are many ways to clean a wild turkey. There may not be a right or wrong way, but here is an easy way for a beginning turkey hunter. First, flip the turkey onto its back, grab the beard as close to the turkey's body as possible and pull it away from the breast; with a knife, cut it loose. You should leave some skin around the base of the beard to hold it together. Depending on whether you are interested in eating the whole turkey or just the breast, there are a couple of options at this point.

More

Modern Trapping More About Predator Control

At one time trapping was almost as common in the Alabama outdoors as hunting deer, turkeys and quail. Through the years, as fur prices declined and the animal rights movement grew, trapping became stigmatized. The result was the number of trappers dwindled to almost nothing. Lately, there has been an uptick in trapping participation but not for the same reasons our fathers and grandfathers did it. The trapping market is now driven more by wildlife management rather than fur production.

More

Conservation Advisory Board Meeting, March 4

The Alabama Conservation Advisory Board will hold its second scheduled meeting of 2017 on Saturday, March 4, in Guntersville, Ala. The meeting will take place at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge, 1155 Lodge Dr., Guntersville, Ala., 35976. Registration for those wishing to address the board will be from 8-8:30 a.m. The meeting will begin promptly at 9 a.m. Attendees with printed information they wish to share with CAB members are encouraged to bring 16 copies of the material for distribution.

Wild Recipes

• Squirrel
• Rabbit (and other wild game)
• Quail
• Turkey

The Vest: A Turkey Hunter's Toolbox

Turkey hunting vests come in several shapes and sizes. While picking the right one for you is a matter of personal taste, keeping your vest well-stocked and organized could make the difference between a successful hunt and a nice day in the woods. In this video, we walk you through some turkey hunting vest essentials.