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Turkey Season Opens Saturday, March 21, in Most Alabama Counties; Prescribed Burn Set for Oak Mountain State Park

From the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Turkey Season Opens Saturday, March 21, in Most Alabama Counties

Hunters Reminded that Harvest Reporting is Mandatory

Spring turkey season will open March 21 and close May 3, 2020, for most Alabama counties. The season will be delayed for research purposes on the following Wildlife Management Areas: Barbour, J.D. Martin-Skyline, Hollins, Oakmulgee, Lowndes, Choccolocco, and Perdido River. The delayed season will run March 28 to May 3.

Special youth turkey hunts are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday the week prior to the opening of spring season. For more information about Alabama’s spring turkey season, including a hunting zone map, visit www.outdooralabama.com/turkey-season.

Hunters are also reminded that all turkey harvests must be reported through Alabama’s Game Check system. The data collected through Game Check is used by Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) biologists to better understand harvest trends and set seasons and bag limits.

“It is very important that hunters understand how harvest reporting has the potential to affect turkey management decisions,” said Chuck Sykes, WFF Director. “Turkey harvests have been consistently underreported. If that trend continues it could alter season dates and bag limits. We strongly encourage hunters to report their turkey harvests during this year’s spring and fall seasons.”

Turkey harvests can be reported online at www.outdooralabama.com or through the Outdoor AL mobile app. The mobile app is available from the Apple and Android app stores or www.outdooralabama.com/contact-us/mobile-apps.

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 learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Photo by Gary Mitchell

Prescribed Fire Planned at Oak Mountain State Park in March

Part of Long-term Longleaf Pine Restoration

Prescribed burns of two longleaf pine tree zones at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, Alabama, are planned for March 2020, weather permitting. The burns will take place in two locations within the park: approximately 168 acres near the upper fishing lakes and approximately 130 acres near the campground.

Every effort will be made to ensure proper smoke management and safety of the surrounding areas during the burn period. The City of Pelham Fire Department has been notified and will be on standby if needed.

The longleaf management program at Oak Mountain is a partnership between Alabama State Parks, the Alabama Forestry Commission and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Alabama. TNC will provide trained personnel, ATV equipment and logistics expertise to assist with the controlled burns.

“We are proud to partner with Alabama State Parks and the Alabama Forestry Commission to protect and preserve Alabama’s great natural places,” said Keith Tassin, Director of Conservation for TNC in Alabama. “Oak Mountain is one of our state’s iconic landscapes and these controlled burns will help maintain this land as a healthy ecosystem for its native species and visitors to this incredible longleaf pine forest.”

Prescribed fire is an effective way to reduce wildfire risk, enhance wildlife habitat, and maintain a healthy forest ecosystem. For more information about the benefits of prescribed fire, visit www.outdooralabama.com/wildlife-management-programs/prescribed-fire-alabama.

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 learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com.

Photo by Billy Pope, ADCNR