Outdoor Alabama Newsletter | September 2018

Outdoor Alabama Newsletter | September 2018

2018-19 Hunting And Fishing Licenses On Sale Now

Did you know that the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries receives no funding through the state’s General Fund to support its conservation efforts? That funding comes directly from hunters and anglers through the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses.

Expanded boating access like the recently renovated boat ramp at Smith Lake Park in Cullman, Ala., is just one of the benefits of purchasing an annual freshwater fishing license. Every $1 spent in Alabama on fishing licenses is federally matched three-to-one with Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to help cover the cost of projects like this one.

If you purchase a license today, it is valid until August 31, 2019. You can purchase a new license by visiting any local license agent including probate offices, sporting goods retailers, and many bait/tackle shops.

You can also purchase your license online at outdooralabama.com.

Wetumpka Community Archery Park Opens September 5

Alabama’s 15th community archery park will hold its grand opening at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, in Wetumpka, Ala. The Wetumpka Community Archery Park is located in the Wetumpka Sports Complex at 2350 Coosa River Parkway, Wetumpka, Ala. The public and media are invited to attend the grand opening ceremony.

Gulf State Park Lodge Scheduled To Open Later This Year

The lodge will accommodate up to 1,000 people for conferences and conventions with a 350-room hotel that includes 20 suites. The beach-view ballroom is 12,160 square feet with an adjacent 7,500-square-foot outdoor terrace, and several other smaller meeting and conference rooms are available. A Gulf-front pool will have a pool bar and grill, while a Gulf-front restaurant will have terrace seating and a private dining room that will serve house-prepared dishes sourced from regional suppliers, including fresh Alabama Gulf Seafood.

Becoming An Outdoors-Woman Workshop October 5-7

Registration is now open for the next Alabama Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources sponsored event takes place at the 4-H Center near Columbiana, Ala., on October 5-7, 2018. 

Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Now Open

The Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest is now accepting entries through October 31, 2018. The contest is a joint project between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the Alabama Tourism Department and the Alabama Bicentennial Commission. The photo contest is open to state residents and visitors alike, but qualifying photos must have been taken in Alabama.

Download The New And Improved OA App Today

The new Outdoor AL app is now available in the Android and Apple app stores. Download it today for easy access to hunting, fishing, license information, and Game Check. 

Alabama State Lands Canoe Trails

Fall is the perfect time to paddle. Visit the Alabama State Lands Canoe Trails website and plan your next adventure on the Perdido River or Bartram canoe trails. 

No Need for Wildlife Rescue

If you find a fawn this time of year it may appear lost or abandoned, but its mother’s absence is purposeful. She avoids spending time in the fawn’s location to decrease attracting predators to the fawn. While the mother is feeding nearby, the fawn avoids detection by hiding motionless in a grassy area. If you find a fawn like this, the best thing to do is just leave it alone.

If a fawn is found with serious injuries or confirmed to be orphaned, contact the nearest wildlife rehabilitator permitted to handle deer. For a list of rehabilitators permitted by WFF, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Watch this video to learn more.