Gov. Ivey calls on Alabamians to get out, enjoy God’s country; celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day, Public Lands Day

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Special to the News

 

Yesterday Gov. Kay Ivey encouraged all Alabamians to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day and National Public Lands Day on Saturday, September 26, by participating in outdoor recreation on public lands located throughout the state, including wildlife management areas (WMAs), state public fishing lakes, Forever Wild lands, state parks, and along Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

“Some of the finest hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation anywhere in the world can be found right here in our own backyard,” said Gov. Ivey. “We are blessed to call God’s country home, so I encourage Alabamians to put down the phones, get outdoors and enjoy all we are blessed with. Better yet, take the kids or grandkids along and pass our great Alabama outdoor traditions on to the next generation.”

Since 1972, the fourth Saturday in September has been designated as National Hunting and Fishing Day to highlight the vital role that hunting, fishing and shooting sports play in conservation efforts in the United States. It is also proclaimed by Gov. Ivey annually.

Established in 1994, National Public Lands Day celebrates the importance of public lands like Alabama State Parks, wildlife management areas and Forever Wild lands. The day also promotes the important role volunteers play in supporting access to outdoor recreation for everyone.

“Having quality access to outdoor recreation is a vital aspect of improving the quality of life for all Alabamians,” said Outgoing Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “I am honored that Gov. Ivey has made outdoor recreation, habitat restoration and wildlife conservation priorities during her administration. We look forward to continuing our efforts to increase access to public lands and outdoor recreation throughout the state.”

Alabama is an outdoor recreation paradise with more than one million acres of public hunting land, 21 state parks, 23 state public fishing lakes, 12 public shooting ranges, 20 community archery parks, nearly 300,000 acres of Forever Wild lands, excellent bass fishing, and the largest artificial reef program in the world that supports a robust fishery along the state’s Gulf Coast.

Since 2017, ADCNR, under Ivey’s leadership, has invested more than $525 million in outdoor recreation improvements in Alabama, including more than $350 million in state park enhancements such as new lodge hotels at Gulf and Cheaha state parks; more than 100 miles of new hiking, biking and kayaking trails; $76 million in beach renourishment along the state’s coast; more than 50 boating access improvement projects throughout the state; and major artificial reef enhancements, including the recent reefing of the Argosy VI casino boat 23 miles south of Orange Beach.

From the Gulf of Mexico Security Act (GOMESA), Ivey and Commissioner Blankenship have steered more than $318 million to fund 143 projects in Mobile and Baldwin counties. On behalf of Ivey, Commissioner Blankenship and his team that manage the restoration and recovery from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, there has been more than $1.27 billion in oil spill recovery projects completed, underway or approved in Coastal Alabama.

ADCNR has also partnered with several conservation organizations to acquire more than 110,000 acres of land in Alabama for public access at state parks, state forests, WMAs, and Forever Wild tracts. These acres protect sensitive coastal habitats, mitigate impacts to endangered species, provide waterfront access to Alabamians and visitors, and secure public hunting and fishing opportunities throughout the state.

Hunting, fishing and shooting sports fund the majority of conservation efforts in Alabama through the purchase of recreational licenses and excise taxes collected on specific hunting and fishing equipment. License dollars are federally matched nearly three to one through the Wildlife Restoration and Sport Fish Restoration acts to fund the management of the state’s wildlife and fisheries for the benefit of all Alabamians.

This year, the Ivey Administration also completed a major modernization of Alabama’s hunting and fishing license system.

In August, ADCNR launched the new My Outdoor Alabama system, replacing a platform that had served the state for nearly two decades and making it easier for hunters and anglers to purchase and manage licenses online.

In addition to supporting the conservation of popular game species like white-tailed deer, wild turkey and largemouth bass, the purchase of a hunting or fishing license benefits a wide variety of nongame and protected species through wildlife and habitat management, including the red-cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoise and Eastern indigo snake, as well as native plants, bats and songbirds.

Outdoor recreation is also a major driver of the state’s economy through jobs in the hunting, fishing, firearms, and ecotourism industries.

“Outdoor recreation and ecotourism are an important part of our state’s economy,” said Ivey. “Hunting, fishing, shooting sports, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling create jobs for thousands of Alabamians. When folks take part in these activities they are creating a more prosperous future for us all.”

“Alabama’s great outdoors is part of our way of life and, increasingly, our economic success,” added Ivey. “These time-honored traditions support our jobs, strengthen our communities and bring people from near and far to Alabama. We have invested big in our outdoors, and I am proud we are leaving it better than we found it.”

For Alabamians with limited outdoors experience, ADCNR offers beginner courses in hunting, fishing and firearms safety taught by skilled instructors. To learn more about these programs, as well as a variety of other outdoor recreation opportunities, visit www.outdooralabama.com.