Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division

06/23/2026

Alligator Season Registration is still open!

Click here to learn more and register for an opportunity for a limited number of harvest permits: https://www.outdooralabama.com/seasons-and-bag-limits/alligator-season

06/21/2026

ʍօʀɛ ✨PEAK CINEMA✨ for Father's Day!

This time from papa killdeer! Killdeer dads (and moms!) will lure potential predators away from their nest with this "hey I'm over here and I'm crippled and easy to catch" performance. It works on humans too! He'll fool you and lots of other critters into watching and chasing ʜɪᴍ while he draws you further and further away from his nest. Once he's got your attention and leads you far enough away, he'll fly off just fine! The killdeer in this video is feigning a broken wing - classic dad move! Gotta keep those chicks safe!

Killdeer often nest in rocky driveways, parking lots, or garden areas. If you see one acting hurt, look around and be careful where you step - you're close to their well-camouflaged ground nest. Take the hint and leave them be. Both male and female killdeer are nearly identical in appearance. Click here to learn more about them: https://www.outdooralabama.com/shorebirds/killdeer

06/21/2026

✨PEAK CINEMA✨ with these guys!

06/19/2026

With an endearing gait and an impressive schnoz, woodcocks have timberdoodled their way into our hearts. Click here to learn about some of the conservation work we do with this species: https://www.outdooralabama.com/articles/woodcock-monitoring-program-tracks-migration-routes

📍American Woodcock in Hoover
Photo Contest Category: Birds
Second Place Winner: Grace Simms

06/19/2026

Incredibly important!! The worst part of our Officers' jobs is dragging you up and telling your family. This is a serious concern and so easily remedied. Please Wear It!!!

Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, etc.) is more difficult than in a pool. You can get exhausted in a short amount of time and get into trouble due to waves, current, lack of experience, or your abilities have decreased. Even good swimmers can drown so !

06/17/2026

'Tis the season! 🐻👣
Black bears are on the move in Alabama and you could see them anywhere! Leave them alone, give them space, and ensure you're not encouraging them to linger due to attractants.

Bear Safety Tips: BE BEARWISE ON VACATION

* Enjoy bears from a distance and never approach them.
* Feeding bears (intentionally or unintentionally) trains them to approach homes and people for more food; you may be ticketed and fined.
* Bears may be defensive when people get too close.
* Secure your food, garbage, recyclables, coolers
* Clean and store your BBQ grill.
* Keep doors and windows closed.

If staying at a vacation rental, ask if they have bear-resistant trash containers. A bear-resistant rental will help prevent conflicts with bears while ensuring your family’s safety while on vacation.

Download the BearWise Vacation Tips Flyer and learn more about keeping bears wild.

bearwise.org/bear-safety-tips/vacation-rental-bear-safety

06/17/2026

We feel seen.

06/16/2026

🦃‼️

Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

06/15/2026

Let's not forget that the 🏆 WORLD RECORD ALLIGATOR 🏆was harvested right here in Alabama by the legendary Mandy Stokes and her team. If you are interested in alligator hunting, NOW IS THE TIME TO REGISTER for the opportunity for a limited number of harvest permits. If you are (randomly) selected for a harvest permit, you will have the option to purchase a second harvest permit which will allow you to take 2️⃣🐊🐊. Our public waters within the designated Alligator Management Areas have the potential to provide gators of all sizes. Click here to REGISTER FOR THE GATOR HUNT SELECTION: https://www.outdooralabama.com/seasons-and-bag-limits/alligator-season

And click here to learn more about Mandy's record-breaking harvest: https://fieldandstream.com/stories/hunting/predator-hunting/story-behind-sci-world-record-alligator

Discover the incredible story of Mandy Stokes, who caught a record-breaking alligator on her first hunt in Alabama.

06/13/2026

ICYMI:

Oh sure!! First they give it to you for free! But what they really want is for you to get hooked and keep coming back for more! Then before you know it, you're hanging out by the lake every weekend! You start to make different choices about how you spend your time! Now instead of watching TV and doing NOTHING you're out there catching those blasted fish! Your family misses you! "Just one more cast," you say! They try it too and next thing you know they're also hooked! Even the kids are affected!! The whole family is out there having fun and then you're filling the freezer with delicious filets! You need more gear and you start putting stickers on your truck and your new cooler! You're taking days off work for this and your whole lifestyle changes for the better! If you're not ready for these consequences then don't go!
NOT EVEN ONCE.