State announces mandatory testing in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties for Chronic Wasting Disease
On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced that under Alabama’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone Regulation (220-2-.167), all deer harvested in Lauderdale and Colbert Counties during specific weekends of the 2023-2024 white-tailed deer season must have samples submitted for CWD testing. The mandatory sampling weekends in the High-Risk Zone of the CMZ are November 18-19 and December 2-3, 2023. The mandatory sampling weekends in the Buffer Zone of the CMZ are November 18-19, 2023, and January 6-7, 2024. The mandatory CWD sampling weekends apply to all of Lauderdale and Colbert counties in northwest Alabama. To find the sampling locations within the CMZ, visit ADCNR’s webpage. The dates of the mandatory weekends for the High-Risk Zone and Buffer Zone were selected because they correspond with peaks in Alabama’s deer harvest. Nov. 18-19 is the opening weekend of Alabama’s deer season in Northwest Alabama. The selection of Jan 6-7 is timed with the rut in northwest Alabama. The rut is when the most does (female deer) are most likely to be in estrus; thus, the deer are focused on mating and are less cautious about possible threats – like hunters. Outside those weekends, hunters are encouraged to voluntarily drop off samples for testing at the self-service freezers in the appropriate CMZ zone. All deer harvested by hunters on public land in the CMZ must be sampled throughout the season. Those public lands include the Freedom Hills WMA, Lauderdale WMA, Seven-Mile Island WMA, Cherokee Physically Disabled Hunting Area, and Riverton Community Hunting Area. To prevent the spread of CWD, there are also restrictions in place under the CWD regulation that prohibit the transport of deer carcasses and deer parts in the CMZ. Deer harvested within the High-Risk Zone must remain and be disposed of within the High-Risk Zone. Deer harvested within the Buffer Zone must remain and be disposed of within the CMZ. Deboned meat, cleaned skull plates, and raw hides with no visible brain or spinal cord tissue may be taken outside of these zones. Transporting deer carcasses out of the management zone can potentially spread CWD to currently unaffected areas. To hunt deer in any part of Alabama requires being in possession of a valid hunting license. There are also reporting requirements under Game Check in place statewide. CWD is a contagious neurological disease of white-tailed deer and other deer species such as elk, axis deer, mule deer, etc. CWD is a transmissible spongiform encephalopathy disease similar to scrapie in sheep and mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy – BSE) in cattle. The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. Chronic Wasting Disease is 100% fatal in white-tailed deer. The prions accumulate in the brain, leading to the onset of symptoms that grow progressively worse over time. Based on the experience with BSE in Great Britain, there is a potential risk to humans who consume the prion-contaminated meats. For this reason, it is not recommended that anyone consume the brain or spinal cord tissue of any deer. The carcass of a known CWD-positive deer should also not be consumed as a precaution. To date, there has not been any known instance of a human becoming sick from CWD. The first CWD-positive deer in Alabama’s deer herd was detected in Lauderdale County in January 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gulf State Park Pier renovations begin on November 13
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Monday that Gulf State Park Pier will close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2023, so that work can begin to repair the damage caused to the pier by Hurricane Sally in 2020. The pier, a popular destination for fisherman and sightseers. will remain closed during the renovation process. Chris Blankenship is the Commissioner of ADCNR. “We are excited to announce this project to restore Gulf State Park Pier,” said Commissioner Blankenship. “The pier provides quality recreational fishing for thousands of anglers each year. Once the work is completed, anglers and other park visitors will have full access to one of the premier fishing and sightseeing destinations on the Gulf Coast.” M.D. Thomas Construction in Orange Beach, Alabama, was awarded the contract to perform the repairs which will include rebuilding a 200-foot section of the pier that collapsed during the storm. The pier is scheduled to reopen to the public in the summer of 2024. On September 16, 2020, Hurricane Sally hit Alabama’s Gulf Coast as a category two storm. Prior to Sally’s formation and landfall, the pier had been scheduled to reopen after the completion of a $2.4 million renovation. The newly renovated pier was devastated by the storm. Greg Lein is the Director of ADCNR’s State Parks Division. “The pier partially reopened to fishing and sightseeing in 2021,” said Director Lein. “Since then, visitors have had access to half of the pier. We look forward to welcoming anglers and sightseers back to the full pier next summer.” Species of fish commonly harvested at the pier include sheepshead, red drum, Spanish mackerel, flounder, Florida pompano, king mackerel, whiting, and more. The pier also is a site where birders can see numerous coastal birds including seagulls and pelicans. ADCNR is encouraging anglers to check out other fishing locations along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, including Gulf State Park’s Alabama Point, Romar Beach and Cotton Bayou (wheelchair accessible), and the Steve McMillan Fishing Pier and Boat Ramp at Fort Morgan during the closure. The state had hoped to do the repairs to the pier in 2022, but when that was bid out, the winning bid was $12 million, so the state elected to not proceed with repairs in May 2022. Alabama is a sportsmen’s dream, with year-round opportunities for saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, and hunting. Alabama residents and nonresidents alike can purchase a license from the state. License fees are used to protect the state’s natural resources and promote sound conservation practices. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Anglers out of Orange Beach land a potentially record-breaking blue marlin
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reported that the Orange Beach boat “Best Trait” landed a huge blue marlin that could be a new Gulf of Mexico record. The 55-foot Viking sportfishing vessel is owned by Scott Crump of Jasper and captained by Chris Mowad. After a delay to ensure it was weighed on certified scales, the blue marlin officially weighed 1,145.6 pounds. This is potentially both an Alabama and Gulf of Mexico record. The marlin was 145 inches long, much bigger than the current Alabama state record of 851.9 pounds caught in 2020 by Ginger Myers. The Gulf record was set in 2002 in Mississippi by Barry Carr at 1,054 pounds. The Best Trait fish is over 90 pounds heavier. The marlin must go through the certification process by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Marine Resources Division to become an official record. Scott “Scooter” Anderson, a 32-year-old friend of the family from Houston, was the angler who reeled in the fish. It took two hours. “It still really hasn’t sunk in yet,” said Anderson. Anderson said he has been fishing his entire life. “The trip really wasn’t going our way,” Anderson said. “We jumped off two fish, probably in the 500-pound class. The bite had slowed down that afternoon.” They moved to another oil rig after a pod of dolphins moved into the. “When we got to the rig, Capt. Chris marked a couple of fish in the first 20 minutes we were there, and everything looked right,” Anderson said. “After Chris marked the fish, we deployed a couple of live baits (blackfin tuna). Chris was able to track the bait on the sonar and watched the marlin eat the tuna, and the rest is history.” Marlin are known for their acrobatic jumps. “She came completely out twice,” Anderson said. “The only thing is she was jumping toward the rig. We were afraid she was going to get into the rig.” Mowad maneuvered the boat to keep the marlin out of the rig while Anderson settled into the fighting chair for the long battle. An hour into the fight, the big marlin died and began sinking. Anderson has traveled to the Azores, Cape Verde, and Australia to pursue marlin and is a very experienced fisherman. “We had to tighten down the drag and winch it up,” Anderson said. “I was fighting dead weight. It was definitely tough. I don’t know if that’s unusual for a fish to die that quickly because I’ve never caught one that big.” The combination of Mowad’s boat maneuvering with Anderson’s winching on the Shimano Tiagra 130 reel finally got the big fish to the surface. “When it jumped, I was thinking it was 600 or 700 pounds,” Mowad said. “When we finally saw it behind the boat, I thought, ‘Whoa, that’s a big fish.’” “We were shocked when we pulled it up,” Anderson said. “We had no idea it was that big. We knew she was big but not that big.” The fish was so big the crew had to phone for help to get it in the boat. The boat owner, Crump, was not on the trip. Crump used to be a Toyota dealer in Jasper. “I told my dad and doctor I was going to sell out, retire, and enjoy life,” he said. Since the Viking was christened in May, the boat has caught 74 marlin. “We’ve burned a lot of fuel, but we’ve had a ball,” Crump said. “We’ve put 800 hours on the boat. We keep the boat at Sportsman’s-Harbor Marina. When you keep the boat at their marina, you can buy fuel at their cost.” Crump credits Captain Mowad and mate Addison Gilley for the boat’s successful angling adventures. “Capt. Chris is a solid fisherman,” Crump said. “He doesn’t just run around and throw stuff out. He studies the current, studies the wind, studies the weather, and he’s really good with the sonar on the boat. Our mate, Addison, is as good as they come.” Sport fishing for big marlin is just one of the many outdoor pursuits available in Alabama. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
State offers firearms training
The recent mass shooting event in Lewistown, Maine, and the terrorist attacks on the people of Israel by Hamas are sad reminders that we live in dangerous times in a very dangerous world. Violence can occur at any time and place, often without warning. These tragic events serve as unpleasant reminders that we are all responsible for our own self-defense and must proactively protect ourselves and our families from the threat of violence. While self-defense classes can have a role to play in that, as do alarm systems, guard dogs, fencing, deadbolts, and security cameras, sometimes the only effective defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. The Alabama Legislature understands that all Americans have a Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. The state has put very few barriers in place to keep its citizens from being armed. In fact, the state will even train citizens to use their guns for sport and, if necessary, for self-defense. Alabama has permitless carry and open carry, so there are no barriers to citizens being armed at virtually all times so that they can respond to any threat of attack with deadly force if and when necessary. An armed public, sadly, is perhaps the realistic defense against being a victim in a mass shooter event. Alabamians may carry openly or concealed legally with a concealed carry permit. Be aware that businesses and private property owners have a right to refuse service to gunowners and can lawfully ask them to leave. Other places, such as schools, power plants, courthouses, stadiums, police stations, banks, etc., have rules against carrying firearms. The state of Alabama also provides citizens with 12 public shooting ranges, where citizens and families can work on improving their ability to handle and operate different firearms. Any skill requires hours of practice to become proficient, and practice is necessary to maintain proficiency. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) maintains family-friendly ranges so that Alabamians can practice and improve their firearm skills while providing a controlled environment that the whole family can enjoy. Many Alabamians learned to shoot from their fathers or grandfathers, but those lessons were a long time ago, and they may need a refresher course before they purchase or start carrying a gun. Others may have grown up in a home where there was no firearms training at all, and their schools and churches failed to provide them with that. In those cases, a firearms training course is recommended. ADCNR now offers an introduction to handguns class focusing on firearm safety and marksmanship in a low-stress, family-friendly environment. The Introduction to Handguns class is perfect for those who want to learn more about handguns, target shooting, and firearm safety in a controlled environment. The class is taught by firearms instructors from the Law Enforcement Section of ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Endangered bats found living in Coastal Alabama
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) reported on Wednesday that it has discovered a breeding population of endangered northern long-eared bats in Coastal Alabama. The ADCNR reports that biologists with the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and the Alabama Bat Working Group (ABWG) discovered a breeding population of the endangered bats during the ABWG’s annual Bat Blitz – an event held in a different location of the state each year to inventory the local bat populations. This year’s Bat Blitz took place in Baldwin and Mobile counties in May 2023. On the last day of the event, one male and two pregnant female northern long-eared bats were captured and released on a Forever Wild Land Trust tract within the Perdido River Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Baldwin County. Prior to the 2023 Bat Blitz, the species had never before been documented in southwest Alabama. Chris Blankenship is the ADCNR Commissioner and the Chairman of the Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees. “The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been intentional about acquiring land along the Perdido River corridor to add to the land that currently encompasses the Perdido WMA,” said Commissioner Blankenship. “The discovery of this endangered species in the area we are working to protect is further evidence of the importance of this land in eastern Baldwin County.” Discovering the bats surprised the scientists. Nick Sharp is Alabama’s bat biologist. “We focused our efforts in coastal Alabama after the discovery of northern long-eared bats in coastal North Carolina and South Carolina,” said Sharp. “This discovery is significant as there are no caves in these locations and the bats apparently do not hibernate. Rather, they are active year-round and therefore not exposed to white-nose syndrome.” The small bats (.2-.4 ounces) prey on insects. Coastal Alabama is unique in that it is so warm that the bats insect can survive and be active virtually year round. In more northern areas of the country and Canada the bats have nothing to prey on in the colder months leading to them having to hibernate in caves. The northern long-eared bat has a medium-sized body measuring 3 to 3.7 inches in length and a wingspan of just 9 to 10 inches. It’s back fur is medium to dark brown and the fur on its underside is tawny to pale-brown. Compared to other bats in the genus Myotis, this bat is distinguished by its long ears. White-nose syndrome (WNS) has been devastating for bat populations. Northern long-eared bats were once one of the most common bats in eastern North America but the species has been decimated by WNS – a deadly fungal disease that affects hibernating bats. According to the USFWS, WNS has caused declines of 97 to 100 percent in affected northern long-eared bat populations. Due to extreme population declines, the northern long-eared bats were listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act in 2022. In June 2023, a second effort was made to catch additional northern long-eared bats at the Perdido River WMA with the goal of locating a maternity colony. This attempt resulted in the capture of another male and a lactating female, indicating the female had given birth in the area. “The bats were fitted with radio-tags in an attempt to track them to their daytime roost, but the effort was unsuccessful,” Sharp said. “However, the ability to return to the site and catch more northern long-eared bats substantiates a resident, breeding population in the area. Coastal Alabama can be added to the list of locations where these bats may survive white-nose syndrome.” As the norther long-eared bats are federally protected it is illegal to kill, capture, or interfere with the bats’ activities in any way. Alabama’s bats are insectivores and provide a great economic benefit to the people of Alabama, consuming millions of crop pests each evening. Scientists estimate the pest control services provided by bats in the United States exceed $3 billion a year. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama Power volunteers support annual coastal cleanup; Renew Our Rivers, Mobile River event coming up
Alabama Power volunteers in the Mobile area recently joined with volunteers from Airbus to do their part to keep Alabama’s coastal waters clean as part of the annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup. Volunteers with the Mobile and Plant Barry chapters of the Alabama Power Service Organization (APSO) participated in the cleanup and also helped sponsor the event. They were paired with Airbus volunteers, and together they helped clean sections of Meaher State Park in Spanish Fort and along the Mobile Causeway. Touted as the state’s largest annual volunteer event, more than 108,000 volunteers have participated since Alabama joined the International Coastal Cleanup initiative in 1987. Multiple organizations, businesses, and individual volunteers took part in the cleanup on Sept. 16 at more than two dozen sites along the Gulf Coast and Mobile Bay. The sites included neighborhoods, parks, riverbanks, and shoreline areas in Baldwin and Mobile counties. APSO is a repeat volunteer partner in the Coastal Cleanup. “I love to serve others in our community, and APSO provides an outlet for me to do just that,” said Sara Taylor, the APSO member who led the group’s cleanup effort. “Keeping our hometown environment clean is one of the best ways I know to give back,” Taylor added. “There are so many needs right here in our community, and we all need each other. Being a member of APSO has afforded me the opportunity to join with others to do something good.” Alabama Power and other Mobile-area partners will be conducting a cleanup along the Mobile River October 4-5 as part of the Renew Our Rivers campaign. Since it began in 2000 with a community cleanup along the Coosa River, Renew Our Rivers has grown to become one of the largest volunteer river cleanup initiatives in the Southeast. Learn more about Renew Our Rivers and see the latest schedule of cleanups here. The Alabama Coastal Cleanup is coordinated through the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and Alabama People Against A Littered State (PALS). Recycling efforts connected to the cleanup are conducted in coordination with the Osprey Initiative, a local environmental contractor. Learn more about community volunteerism by Alabama Power employees and retirees at powerofgood.com. for more information about the company’s environmental stewardship efforts, click here. Republished with the permission of
Red snapper season closes on September 4
If you plan on fishing for red snapper this year, you have just ten days left. The Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Friday that the 2023 private angler red snapper fishing season will close at 11:59 p.m. on Monday, September 4. The federal government is limiting Alabama to 591,185 pounds of Red Snapper in 2023. It is anticipated that that quota will be caught by the time of the announced season-end date. Scott Bannon is the Director of the MRD. “Weather is generally the primary factor in the duration of the red snapper season in Alabama,” said Director Bannon. “Other than multiple days of excessive heat, the weather was very favorable for offshore fishing this year. Having a red snapper season that runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend is much better than the 3, 7, and 9-day seasons we had prior to states having the opportunity to manage their quotas. We thank anglers for continuing to report their red snapper, greater amberjack, and triggerfish catches through Snapper Check. It’s an important tool that helps provide increased access to these fisheries.” MRD anticipates that Alabama will be granted an increase to the Alabama quota for the 2024 season based on a rule to be approved by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce in late 2023. Chris Blankenship is the ADCNR Commissioner. “It has been a good, long red snapper season in Alabama this year,” said Commissioner Blankenship. “Under state management, we were able to have red snapper season open during the prime months for offshore fishing. It was exciting to see anglers steadily reeling in red snapper throughout the summer. ADCNR will continue working to ensure our citizens and visitors have access to the incredible red snapper fishery off the coast of Alabama.” Alabama did not reach the quota in 2022. According to Red Snapper landing information from the 2021-2023 seasons, the state is very close to the federal quota. Red snapper management and the number of fish that live in the Gulf of Mexico has been a point of contention between the state and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Division. Anglers are reminded that the daily bag limit is two red snapper per person per day, with a minimum size limit of 16 inches in total length. To take any fish beyond the two-fish limit or any red snapper smaller than 16 inches is strictly illegal. To lawfully fish for red snapper – or any other saltwater fish – you must have a valid Alabama Saltwater Fishing License. License requirements, harvest requirements, reporting, and daily bag limits still apply during jubilees. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Visitors asked to take precautions with fire at select State Parks
Ahead of Labor Day weekend, the State Parks Division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has announced that visitors to select State Parks in the southern portion of the state should take extra fire precautions because of dry conditions. The five state parks are Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper, and Frank Jackson. Visitors and overnight guests are asked to take extra precautions with campfires and barbecue grills. Greg Lein is the Director of ADCNR’s State Parks Division. “As park guests plan for the upcoming Labor Day holiday, we ask that they keep the recent hot and dry conditions in mind when it comes to campfires and grilling,” said Director Lein. “Those conditions have increased the risk for wildfires at state parks in south Alabama. We encourage park visitors and overnight guests to be very cautious with campfires and grills during this period until we get some much-needed rain and the temperatures moderate.” The additional fire precautions at Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper, and Frank Jackson state parks include the following: · No campfires outside of designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas. · Barbecue grills and gas-fueled stoves are permitted only in designated day-use picnic areas, campgrounds, or developed recreational areas. · Do not use barbecue grills or gas stoves in areas that can scorch, burn, or damage lawns or picnic tables. · Place barbecue grills a minimum of 15 feet away from any flammable material such as grass, weeds, wood chips, brush, or park facilities. · Do not leave a campfire or grill unattended. · Completely extinguish all burning fuel, such as wood or charcoal, before disposing of it in an existing fireplace, fire pit, or barbecue grill. If you have questions about the additional fire precautions at Gulf, Meaher, Bladon Springs, Roland Cooper, and Frank Jackson state parks, please contact the main offices of the individual parks. The recent forest fire in Maui, Hawaii, has the highest death toll from a forest fire in American history, and bodies are still being found. Park visitors should also monitor each state park’s social media accounts for updates on fire precautions and restrictions. Visitors should also be aware that there have been two human cases of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in Baldwin County recently, including one where a little girl died. Since EEE is spread by mosquitos, the Alabama Department of Public Health is advising everyone to take precautions against mosquito bites. Wear chemical repellants and always wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Florida deer tests positive for chronic wasting disease
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that a road-killed 4.5-year-old female white-tailed deer in Holmes County sampled during routine surveillance activities has tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is the first known case of CWD in Florida, a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is fatal to deer. The first case of CWD in North America was discovered in mule deer in Colorado in 1967. Mississippi and Lauderdale County in Northwest Alabama were already CWD positive. Florida is the most recent of 31 states to detect the disease. It has also been confirmed in four Canadian provinces, Finland, Norway, Sweden, and South Korea. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Thursday that this state will be increasing chronic wasting disease (CWD) sampling surveillance efforts in southeast Alabama after the Florida announcement. ADCNR’s Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division will deploy additional self-service, drop-off CWD sampling freezer locations throughout southeast Alabama and increase CWD surveillance efforts, as outlined in Alabama’s CWD Surveillance and Response Plan. “With the continued support of Governor [Ron] DeSantis, the Florida Legislature, and hunters across the state, we have taken significant steps to prevent the spread of CWD,” said FWC Executive Director Roger Young. “Working with FDACS and our other partners, I’m hopeful that our combined efforts will limit the effects this will have on Florida’s deer population and preserve our exceptional hunting opportunities for future generations statewide.” “We take very seriously our responsibility to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health issues in Florida – all to safeguard our agriculture industry and our world-renowned wildlife and natural resources,” said FDACS Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “Ensuring the health of Florida’s deer population is a team effort, and we will continue to work diligently with our state and federal partners to respond.” Among deer, CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior due to microscopic changes in the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. In later stages of the disease, it is a wasting disease where the animal’s weight drops. Symptoms include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. CWD is similar to Mad Cow Disease in cattle and scrapie in deer. It is caused by the ingestion of prions that build up in the brain over the animal’s life rather than from some sort of living infectious disease vector like a bacteria, protozoa, worm, or virus. There is no scientific evidence that CWD can be transmitted to humans or livestock under natural conditions. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention do not recommend consuming meat from animals that test positive for CWD or from any sick animal. For more information about CWD sampling and a map of self-service, drop-off CWD sampling locations statewide, visit the Outdoor Alabama website. During deer season, hunters throughout the state are encouraged to provide deer heads for CWD sampling. The public is also encouraged to report roadkill deer and deer displaying unusual behavior to their local WFF District Office. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Alabama shuts down all state waters for shrimping
On Monday, the Marine Resources Division (MRD) of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced that all inside waters of Alabama will close for commercial and recreational shrimp harvesting. This is an annual occurrence to allow the young shrimp time to grow. All inside waters, not permanently closed by law or regulation, will reopen to shrimp harvesting on Thursday, June 1, 2023, at 6:00 a.m. Shrimp are often used as bait for other marine species, such as fish. This applies to licensed live bait dealers as well. The taking of live bait north of a line beginning at the northern shore of East Fowl River running along the northern edge of the Fowl River Channel to marker number two in the Fowl River Channel, then southeasterly to Middle Bay Light and then northeasterly to Great Point Clear is prohibited during this closure. Special permit holders in the Special Permit Area in the Mobile Ship Channel are still allowed to harvest shrimp. Recreational shrimp vessels possessing a Special Live Bait Permit, however, are limited to only taking one gallon of shrimp per boat per day. Special Live Bait Area Permits may be purchased only at the MRD office on Dauphin Island. For more information, call (251) 861-2882. Shrimp, crabs, lobsters, and crayfish, are a species of invertebrates known as decapods. There are about 2,000 species of shrimp in the world. Numerous fish and wildlife species feed on shrimp. There are 15 to 22 species of shrimp in Alabama waters. Three of these are harvested by humans. The brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus), the white shrimp (P. setiferus), and the pink shrimp (P. duorarum). The brown shrimp is by far the most abundant. The pink shrimp is the least abundant of the three. Alabamians harvest approximately 20.5 million pounds of shrimp with an estimated dockside value of $45 million. Alabama is a sportsmen’s paradise with harvestable quantities of shrimp, oysters, crayfish, croaker, flounder, red snapper, drum, whiting, sea bass, deer, squirrel, rabbit, turkey, crappie, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, nutria, hogs, coyotes, crows, alligators, cranes, ducks, geese, raccoons, and much more. Alabama residents and guests from outside the state can purchase saltwater, freshwater, and hunting licenses. All proceeds from the sale of the licenses go toward wildlife conservation. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management, and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail voted best in the nation
USA Today announced that readers have voted the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail as the best recreational trail in the country. The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail is at Gulf State Park in Baldwin County. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey said on Twitter Tuesday. “Congratulations to the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail for being voted the best recreational trail in the nation! From our rolling hills to our sandy shores, Alabama’s natural beauty holds a multitude of recreational opportunities for Alabamians and our visitors near and far.” Innovate Alabama tweeted, “We are excited to see Alabama’s very own Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail voted as the #1 recreational trail in the country by @USATODAY’s 10Best. We want the world to know about the natural beauty and recreational opportunities they can find in Alabama.” The trail was voted as the top recreational trail in the country in the 2023 USA TODAY 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The south Alabama trail took first place over nine other trails located throughout the U.S., including Missouri’s 240-mile Katy Bike Trail – one of the longest Rails-to-Trails projects in the country – and the Great Allegheny Passage that connects Cumberland, Maryland, to downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The awards were announced on Friday. Greg Lein, Director of the Alabama State Parks, stated, “We are excited for the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail to receive this award,” said Director Lein. “We’ve worked together with our partners in Orange Beach and Gulf Shores to offer access to some of the most unique habitats and recreational opportunities along the Gulf Coast. Thank you to everyone who voted for the Backcountry Trail as the best recreational trail in the country.” The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail was established in 2003 as a multi-use recreational trail connecting Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and Gulf State Park. The trail is a system of paved and unpaved paths and boardwalks providing trail users with access to several distinct ecosystems and outdoor recreational opportunities. The trail was named in honor of Hugh Branyon, who served as superintendent of Gulf State Park for more than 30 years. The Backcountry Trail system features 29 miles of trails that are located within the park. Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), stated, “This recognition from USA Today puts a spotlight on just how important recreational trails are to our communities. Trails like the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail help connect cities and residents with the natural environment and provide recreational opportunities that are important to our well-being and economy.” Bobcats, alligators, sea turtles, ospreys, and dozens of species of birds are just some of the wildlife trail users might see along the trail. An estimated 44 million people use hiking trails each year in the U.S. each year. For more information about the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail at Gulf State Park, visit The Alabama State Parks website. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
A third deer with Chronic Wasting Disease confirmed in Lauderdale County
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Thursday that a third case of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in a hunter-harvested, white-tailed deer has been confirmed in Lauderdale County in northwest Alabama. All of Lauderdale and Colbert counties have been designated as a CWD Management Zone (CMZ). Samples were collected from more than 3,500 white-tailed deer harvested statewide, with over 1,100 of those samples collected within the CMZ during the 2022-2023 hunting season. More than 98% of all samples collected within the CMZ have been tested by the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, and the results have been received by ADCNR. At this point, this latest Lauderdale deer has been the only one positive detected this season. A hunter voluntarily submitted that sample as part of ADCNR’s ongoing CWD monitoring efforts. Chris Blankenship is the Commissioner of ADCNR. “I would like to thank hunters for their overwhelming support by providing a robust number of samples submitted for CWD testing this season,” said Blankenship. “As they have been in the past few years, hunters will continue to be our most important partners in the management of this disease as we move forward with future deer seasons. We also thank the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries for their continued partnership with statewide CWD monitoring. Their assistance testing the samples allows us to better serve our constituents by providing them with timely information on the distribution and extent of CWD in Alabama.” CWD is a member of the group of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Among cervids, CWD is a progressive, fatal disease that commonly results in altered behavior due to microscopic changes made to the brain of affected animals. An animal may carry the disease for years without outward indication. In latter stages of the disease, signs may include listlessness, lowering of the head, weight loss, repetitive walking in set patterns, and a lack of responsiveness. The disease is caused by a mutated protein called a prion. It is always fatal for white-tailed deer. The best-known prion disease is mad cow disease. Prions accumulate in the brain from being ingested in the environment. It is not a living disease organism, so the disease can’t be killed and will remain in the soil for decades. Unlike Mad Cow Disease, there is no known case of CWD infecting humans who consume infected animals; however, avoid consuming the brain or spinal cord tissue of any deer as a precaution. Under Alabama’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone Regulation (220-2-.167), all deer harvested in the High-Risk Zone and the Buffer Zone of the state’s CWD Management Zone (CMZ) were required to be submitted for CWD testing during specific weekends of the 2022-2023 white-tailed deer season. The first case of CWD in Alabama’s deer herd was detected in Lauderdale County in January 2022. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
