Flounder Limit of 10 Fish Enacted in Alabama

September 29, 2008

For the first time, Alabama anglers are now restricted in the number of flounder allowed in the daily creel limit. Barnett Lawley, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, signed the new saltwater fishing regulations, which contains a 10-fish daily creel limit on flounder, as well as increases in the minimum size limits on triggerfish and amberjack.

Before, there was a 12-inch minimum size limit on flounder but no creel limit.

“For a variety of reasons, there has been a shift in fishing effort from offshore species to inshore,” said Vernon Minton, Director of the Marine Resources Division. “To ensure flounder are not overfished, especially during the vulnerable times when the fish are migrating in and out of Mobile Bay, we felt a creel limit was the appropriate measure. A 10-flounder limit is still a liberal creel.”

The regulations also increased the minimum size on triggerfish to 14 inches fork length and on amberjack to 30 inches fork length to comply with federal regulations that went into effect Aug. 5.

Commissioner Lawley also signed a regulation that removes the prohibition of the use of nets to catch mullet in Mobile Bay and Bon Secour Bay north of the Intracoastal Waterway from the day after Labor Day to Oct. 31.

“In years past, the food value for mullet wasn’t worth much,” said Chris Blankenship, Acting Chief of Enforcement at Marine Resources. “Now, the price of food mullet is about equal to roe mullet. The removal of this restriction allows net fishermen more access to mullet for the food market.”

Blankenship also reminds anglers that all fishing licenses expired on Aug. 31. Fishing licenses for the 2008-2009 season went on sale Aug. 27.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

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Dates and Registration Guidelines Announced for Four Archery Hunts to Control Deer Numbers in Oak Mountain State Park

September 23, 2008

For the fifth consecutive year, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) will conduct regulated archery hunts to continue reducing deer numbers at Oak Mountain State Park. In an effort to streamline and increase efficiency, four single-day hunts are planned for December 10, 2008, December 17, 2008, January 20, 2009 and January 27, 2009. In lieu of an online registration and computer selection by ADCNR, a cooperative relationship with Bowhunters of Alabama (BHA) has been formed to provide hunters directly through their organization’s membership base and contacts. Hunters wishing to participate in the scheduled hunts can reach BHA by visiting their Web site at www.alabamabowhunter.com for registration and membership information.

Conservation officials have made several changes to facilitate hunt goals and increase overall deer harvest. Rules for this year’s hunts include the following:

Hunt registration through Bowhunters of Alabama will begin September 24, 2008.
Hunters may participate in each of the four hunts, but no more than 80 hunters will be selected per hunt.
A $10 registration fee payable by cash or check will be collected at the hunter check-in station in the park the morning of each hunt. This fee will offset the costs associated with conducting the hunts.
Hunter maps with regulation information will be provided by BHA prior to the hunt dates.
Selected hunters must hold a valid Alabama hunting license and complete a proficiency test conducted by BHA prior to the hunts.
Oak Mountain State Park will be closed during the four hunt days except for the golf course, which will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Persons wishing to play during that time frame may schedule a tee time in advance of the hunt days (first come, first served) by calling 205-620-2522.

Hunters have harvested 184 deer at Oak Mountain State Park since the regulated hunts began in 2004. Commissioner M. Barnett Lawley recognizes the important role hunters play in helping control deer populations. “Bowhunters who participate in these hunts realize that helping reduce deer numbers within Oak Mountain State Park will, over time, help improve herd health and vegetative habitat not only for deer but for other wildlife in the park,” said Lawley.

Alabama’s largest park, Oak Mountain provides 9,940 acres of pine-studded ridges and green hardwood bottoms. Wildlife experts point to Oak Mountain State Park as a textbook case of how deer tend to multiply in numbers greater than their habitat can support unless controlled through regulated hunting. Oak Mountain State Park has suffered damaging effects of a deer herd that up until 2004 went unregulated. Scientific data provided by herd health checks and necropsy confirmed the presence of parasites and disease due to overpopulation. After consulting with state wildlife biologists and in consideration of research data, Commissioner Lawley determined that a regulated archery hunt was the most appropriate control measure for the Oak Mountain State Park herd.

Surveys conducted in 1999, 2000 and 2003 found serious vegetative impact on developing wildflower growth, trees and shrubs as a result of deer grazing. In turn, populations of small mammals and nesting birds were negatively effected. Additionally, disease, parasites and malnutrition can result when deer numbers exceed the vegetative carrying capacity of the land.

Currently, short-term gains in certain plant survivability, ground-nesting bird activity and general deer weights appear to be more positive.
Hunters may donate harvested deer to the Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH) program, which distributes processed venison to local food banks. In the 2007 hunting season, 51,029 pounds of venison were donated by Alabama hunters to the HHH program.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.

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Wind Creek Hosts Vintage Car Show September 13

September 8, 2008

Wind Creek State Park, located near Alexander City, will host the Fourth Annual Lake Martin Car Show on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008. A variety of vintage cars and trucks ranging from antiques to street rods will be on display.

According to State Parks Promotions Director Randy Jinks, Wind Creek State Park provides a wonderful setting for the car show. “It’s really something special when you see all the antique vehicles parked under tall pine trees surrounded by beautiful Lake Martin,” he said.

Door prizes will be given away along with drawings for $1,200 in prize money. This year the car show will honor Ms. Ella Gray, a popular citizen of the Alexander City area and owner of Mama Ella’s Diner. The dash plates given to the first 100 entries and the T-shirts that sold at the event will honor Ms. Ella with a design showing Ford, Chevy and Chrysler cars in front of a diner called “Ella’s Diner.” Ms. Ella will be on hand to select her favorite car, and the owner will be presented with an awards plaque entitled “Mama Ella’s Choice.”

In addition, the “Mayor’s Choice Award” will once again be presented by Alexander City Mayor Barbara Young to the car of her choice.

For additional information, call Randy Jinks at 256-454-0963 or 334-353-4125.

The car show will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Pre-registration is $10 and will be $15 the day of the event. Registration forms can be picked up at Wind Creek or downloaded from www.alapark.com. Admission to the park is $3.

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Fisheries Biologist Coauthors Book on Freshwater Mussels

September 8, 2008

After almost 13 years of work and research, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Fisheries Biologist Jeff Garner finally can see the reality of having his hard work pay off in the form of a new book titled Freshwater Mussels of Alabama and the Mobile Basin in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

The book, sponsored by ADCNR and coauthored with James D. Williams and Arthur E. Bogan, with foreword by E.O. Wilson, is a 908-page publication offering in-depth information on each of the 178 species that make up Alabama’s extraordinarily diverse freshwater mussel fauna. The book’s publisher, The University of Alabama Press, hails the book as must-have for educational and research purposes since Alabama’s rivers and waterways are home to the largest and most diverse population of freshwater mussel species in the nation. The book also covers reaches of the Mobile Basin that lie in Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee. However, many of these mussel species have been significantly depleted in the last century due to habitat alteration (river damming, channelization, siltation), pollution, and invasive species, and many more are in imminent danger of extinction. Freshwater mussels serve as natural water filters and their presence may indicate a healthy aquatic ecosystem.

Garner is a malacologist and has been with ADCNR’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries for 14 years. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of North Alabama and a master’s degree in biology from The University of Alabama Huntsville. “Work on this volume has consumed a large portion of my time over the past 12 or so years,” said Garner. “It has been a terrific learning experience and I owe my coauthors, Jim Williams and Art Bogan, a debt of gratitude for involving me with this project. Its completion leaves me with a great sense of accomplishment and even greater admiration for the creatures that I have chosen to study.” Garner also co-edited Alabama Wildlife (Vol 2): Imperiled Aquatic Mollusks and Fishes and Alabama Wildlife (Vol 4): Conservation and Management Recommendations for Imperiled Wildlife.

James D. Williams is a research associate at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville, Fla. and coauthor of The National Audubon Society Field Guide to Fishes, Non-indigenous Fishes Introduced into Inland Waters of the United States, Vanishing Fish of North America, and The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Fishes, Whales, and Dolphins.

Arthur E. Bogan is Research Curator of Aquatic Invertebrates for the North Carolina State Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, N.C., and works as Adjunct Professor of Zoology at North Carolina State University, in addition to being coauthor of Freshwater Mussels of Tennessee.

Freshwater Mussels of Alabama and the Mobile Basin in Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee contains 773 black-and-white and color illustrations and sells for $70. It may be ordered online at www.uapress.ua.edu or by calling 800-621-2736.

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Alabama Continues ‘Liberal’ Waterfowl Seasons

August 26, 2008

$Alabama Continues \'Liberal\' Waterfowl Seasons$ Alabama’s waterfowl hunters will again enjoy waterfowl seasons under the “liberal” designation from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The 60-day regular duck, coot and merganser season will run Nov. 27 through Jan. 25 with a six-duck bag limit.

The daily limit can consist of no more than four mallards (no more than two of which may be female), three wood ducks, three mottled ducks, one black duck, two redhead and one pintail. The scaup (bluebill) bag limit will be one bird from Nov. 27 through Jan. 5 and then increase to two birds per day from Jan. 6-25. The harvest of canvasback is prohibited because of a significant reduction in the USFWS’ breeding population count.

The bag limit for mergansers is five per day, only two of which may be hooded mergansers. The bag limit on coots is 15 per day. The possession limit on coots and mergansers is twice the daily bag limit.

Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, except during regular duck season in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. In the area north of Battleship Parkway, west of Alabama Highway 225, south of CSX Railroad tracks, and east of the west bank of the Mobile River: Monday through Thursday shooting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to 12:00 noon; Friday through Sunday shooting hours shall be one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The special teal season is scheduled for Sept. 6-21 with a daily bag limit of four and possession limit of eight.

A special early Canada goose season is set from Sept. 1-15 with a daily bag limit of five with a possession limit of 10.

The regular goose season – statewide, including the Southern James Bay Population Zone – is Sept. 27 through Oct. 6 and Nov. 27-Jan. 25.

The daily bag limit of five shall not include more than two Canada geese or two white-fronted geese. The possession limit of five shall include no more than four Canada geese and white-fronted geese in aggregate. Shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

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Hiking, Backpacking Seminars Set for 5 Rivers In Alabama

August 8, 2008

Author and renowned outdoors enthusiast Joe Cuhaj of the Alabama Hiking Trail Society will conduct a series of hiking and backpacking seminars at 5 Rivers – Alabama’s Delta Resource Center in Spanish Fort.

Daphne’s Cuhaj, who penned “Hiking Alabama” and co-authored “Paddling Alabama,” will offer advice and discuss hiking opportunities in Alabama for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

The series begins on August 23 at scenic 5 Rivers. Admission is free and registration is not required. The workshops, which begin at 1 p.m., are one-hour long with the exception of Backpacking 101, which will last two hours.

The seminar schedule is:
August 23 - Hiking in Alabama: Spectacular Destinations
September 13 - Essentials of Day Hiking
October 11 - Backpacking 101
November 15 - Backpack Cooking
January 10, 2009 - Hiking with Children (and the Dog)
February 7, 2009 - Trail Safety

The Alabama Hiking Trail Society will hold its annual convention March 6-7, 2009 at 5 Rivers. Visit www.Alabama5Rivers.com for more information on scenic 5 Rivers.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Parks, State Lands, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To learn more about ADCNR visit www.outdooralabama.com.

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Alabama Conservation Department Receives National Awards

August 1, 2008

The Association of Conservation Information recently honored the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources with four awards. ACI, a national organization of communicators who promote conservation, presented the awards at their annual meeting in Nashville, Tenn. in July.

A first place in the brochure category was awarded to the Department for “Eastern Indigo Snake in Alabama: Past, Present and Future.” The brochure was created to educate people about this rare species. In addition to information about habitat, life history and diet, the brochure focuses on identification of similar species. To receive a copy of the brochure, call 800-262-3151 or email media [at] dcnr [dot] alabama [dot] gov.

Additional awards included a third place in the television show category for “Outdoor Alabama.” Although the show is no longer in production, episodes may be viewed online at www.myoutdoortv.com.

Battle of the Bulls: Big Reds on Dixey Bar,” which appeared in the July 2007 issue of Outdoor Alabama magazine, received a third place award in the Magazine Fisheries Article category. The article, written by David Rainer, can be read online at www.outdooralabama.com.

A photo of WeissLake in northeast Alabama also received a third place in the Photography category. Department photographer Billy Pope took the photo, which features a sunrise over a dock.

We are extremely proud to have received these awards from our peers in ACI,” said Kim Nix, Information and Education Section Chief for the Department. “When you see all of the informational products created by agencies across the nation, to be recognized in this way is truly an honor.”

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New Records and Recognition Program For White-tailed Deer

July 28, 2008

The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has developed a new records and recognition program for white-tailed deer taken in Alabama – the Records of Alabama’s White-tailed Deer (RAWD).

The demand for information on the largest bucks harvested in Alabama led to the development of the new program. The program will allow Alabama’s deer hunters to have their deer scored by trained wildlife personnel. By providing Alabama’s deer hunters a program to have their deer’s antlers measured and recognized, the RAWD program will be able to showcase the many exceptional deer produced in the state each year. The hunters also can compare deer taken in their region to deer from other areas of Alabama, as well as other states in the Southeast.

The RAWD program is open to antlers from all free-ranging bucks legally taken or found dead in Alabama, regardless of the year the deer was taken or found. The antler scoring system used for the RAWD program is identical to that used by the Boone & Crockett Club. The minimum scores for the program are 140 Typical (net) and 165 Non-Typical (net). The minimum entry scores are high, but that is by design. The RAWD program was set up to recognize the exceptional bucks taken in Alabama.

The first scoring sessions for the RAWD program will be held this summer. If a deer has been officially scored for Boone & Crockett, Pope & Young, or Longhunter’s purposes, sportsmen can bring the official score sheet with their mount to a RAWD scoring session. Scoring sessions are scheduled for the following dates and locations:

Date:   August 9th         Time: 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location:   District IV ADWFF Office
1820 Glynwood Drive, Suite C
Prattville, Alabama
Information:   (334) 358-0035

Date:   August 23rd       Time: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location:   Southern Deer & Turkey Expo
National Peanut Festival Fairgrounds
US Highway 231 South
Dothan, Alabama
Information:   (334) 347-1298

Visit http://www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/harvest/rawd/ to learn more about the Records of Alabama’s White-tailed Deer program, obtain score sheets, or locate the next available scoring session.

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New Chance to Support Wildlife in Alabama

June 6, 2008

For over a half century, Alabama hunters have paid for the majority of the management of wildlife species through their purchases of hunting licenses and hunting related merchandise. Now there is an opportunity for non-hunters such as bird watchers, hikers and canoeists to support wildlife by purchasing Alabama’s new Wildlife Heritage License. Through matching funds from the federal government, each $10 license can generate additional matching federal funds for wildlife management. A lifetime option is also available for $200.

In one easy step, outdoor lovers can purchase a Wildlife Heritage License from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at www.outdooralabama.com/licenses or at any of the many locations that sell hunting and fishing licenses. Although the license includes some hunting and fishing privileges, it was designed to give outdoor enthusiasts a way to help improve Alabama’s abundant wildlife and conserve our state’s rich natural heritage.

This new program will help generate funds for outdoor programs throughout the state, such as needed wildlife research; surveying and monitoring wildlife populations; funding outdoor education programs; and developing additional areas for the public to enjoy wildlife.

Alabama is one of the most popular places for the national pastime of wildlife observation, out our back doors and away from home, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s 2006 national survey. In addition, Alabama is the second most bio-diverse state in the country, meaning its plant and animal life is extremely varied.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has numerous successful programs that benefit nongame species–wildlife species that are not hunted. The Department has also developed areas that directly benefit bird watching enthusiasts. A few examples include:

Bald Eagle—Alabama began a bald eagle restoration program in 1984, and eagles now nest in many parts of the state. Surveys show they have increased every year since their re-introduction and now exceed 100 nests statewide. The successful restoration, along with that of other states, led to the bald eagle being removed from the federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.

Red-cockaded Woodpecker—The Safe Harbor Program gives landowners who have suitable habitat for this endangered species an assurance that if they continue to manage their property for mature pine timber and attract red-cockaded woodpeckers, no restrictions will be placed on management practices. Also, if they currently have woodpeckers on their property, they will not be subject to further restrictions if the population increases. Recently, the first red-cockaded woodpeckers were relocated to private lands to increase populations of the bird in our state.

North Alabama Birding Trail—The trail consists of a series of 50 birding stops in 11 north Alabama counties. Interpretive signs help birdwatchers know what species frequent the area and describe visible habitat types. Visit www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com for more details.

Conservation Commissioner Barnett Lawley encourages birders and others to make the $10 purchase. “I’m often asked by people who don’t hunt or fish what they can do to help conservation in Alabama. Purchasing the Wildlife Heritage License is the perfect way for them to show their support. The great thing is the three-to-one match we get for each dollar. That makes their donation even more valuable,” he said.

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