Do Something Wild!

With tax season in full swing, did you know that the Nongame Wildlife Checkoff on your income tax form helps provide funds for Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries to monitor and conserve Alabama’s rich diversity of nongame wildlife. Money from the Nongame Wildlife Checkoff is matched with federal funds from the Pittman-Robertson Act, a federal excise tax on sporting firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment, which make it possible for biologists to monitor and manage for our native wildlife in many ways. One great success that was partially funded thru the Nongame Wildlife Checkoff has been the reintroduction of bald eagles to the state. Through your help, bald eagles are now thriving across the state, and future generations will be able to enjoy seeing these majestic birds for years to come!

If you enjoy outdoor recreation that our natural resources provide in Alabama, from hunting and fishing to wildlife viewing, then Alabama, Do Something Wild! Check-off for wildlife on your Alabama State Income Tax.

To find out more about the tax check-off or other ways to contribute to Alabama’s wildlife, check out our website.

What if I don’t trap?

What if I don’t trap furbearers? Then nature will run its course. Populations will increase, eventually growing beyond levels the land can naturally support and potentially cause overpopulation issues or what is known as exceeding carrying capacity. Carrying capacity is a delicate balance that considers how many animals are in the environment along with the resources those animals need, which include food, water, space, and cover. When wildlife populations get too large, environmental factors like disease, territory conflicts, and starvation can become a problem. Overpopulation also leads to negative interactions between humans and wildlife such as raccoons move into attics or local coyotes carry off a family pet. These negative interactions with furbearing animal populations often lead to public outcry for management.

Furbearers are animals that fur can be consider as commercially profitable, and includes coyotes, beavers, nutria, muskrats, bobcats, foxes, opossum, and raccoons. High numbers of furbearers have contributed to nuisance problems across the state. One nuisance issue includes low recruitment of fawns and turkeys due to high numbers of predator furbearer species, like coyotes and raccoons. One way to effectively manage large populations of furbearers is by trapping to balance the overall furbearer population and promote huntable game species. Trapping of mink, muskrat, otter, and striped skunk may only be done during trapping season in Alabama. Special permits can be written outside of trapping season to alleviate nuisance issues.

Furbearers are often only as healthy as their food supply. If furbearers have high food resources then they breed prolifically, causing their resources to crash over time. Efforts like hunting and trapping, along with sound wildlife management principles, help keep populations in a health balance. If you’re interested in learning more about trapping and how trapping benefits wildlife, or would like to learn more about trapping workshops, check out the Trapping page on our website.

A spring peeper, is one of over 30 species of frogs found in Alabama

Peepers are singing their hearts out in February!

On warm, soggy February nights frog choruses can be heard throughout the state. One common frog that can be heard across the state but rarely seen, is the spring peeper. The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer crucifer) is a small tree frog that gets its name from the high-pitched whistle or “peep” produced by a singing male at a breeding site. This “peeping” sound can be repeated about 20 times per minute. Spring peepers have smooth skin that is tan, pinkish, or light brown with an X shaped pattern on their back, which makes them easy to identify when found. However, spring peepers are not found often, as their coloration provides great camouflage to blend in with tree bark or leaf litter. Peepers also have the ability to make themselves lighter or darker, further helping them blend perfectly into their surroundings. Spring peepers can be found around permanent or temporary ponds particularly near woodlands. Breeding occurs as early as January and through April, with the number of males singing gradually increasing during this time. If you are out at night and near a wetland, stop and listen for frogs singing their hearts out and see if you can pick out a spring peeper calling!

To learn more about the spring peeper visit Outdoor Alabama’s Watchable Wildlife website.

Program of the Month: The TREASURE Forest Program

The TREASURE Forest Program recognizes and awards landowners that are managing their forest land in such a manner that maximizes their natural resource contributions to Alabama and America. TREASURE is an acronym for Timber Recreation Environment Aesthetics Sustained Usable REsource. The program rewards landowners that use a multiple use mindset when it comes Timber, Wildlife, Recreation, and Aesthetics.

The TREASURE Forest Program was created by State Forester Bill Moody and endorsed by Alabama Forestry Planning Committee in 1973. The Alabama Forestry Planning Committee has since changed their name to the Alabama Natural Resource Council (ANRC), but still embraces this successful natural resource program.

As of January 2020, more than 1.7 million acres of Alabama’s Forest lands have been enrolled into the TREASURE Forest Program. The TREASURE Forest Program is unique to Alabama. The program is a nomination program and can only be awarded to Alabama forestland owners owning more than ten acres.. Once a landowner is nominated, a field visit is conducted by both a registered forester and wildlife biologist, to ensure the nominated property meets the program standards. Nominations then go before the TREASURE Forest Committee, consisting of natural resource professionals from cooperating members of the ANRC. Once a nomination is voted on and approved, an official TREASURE Forest sign is presented to the landowner at a designated field day. The TREAURE Forest sign signifies to other landowners that you as a landowner are doing your part to promote healthy and sustainable natural resource practices.

If you would like more information on the TREASURE Forest program, contact your local Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Technical Assistance Biologist.

A Surprising Encounter with Alabama’s Biodiversity

A local angler near the city of Vina had an extraordinary catch recently, hauling up from the bottom a “common mudpuppy.” Despite the name, this salamander is rare and scarcely encountered by people.
In Alabama we have a treasure of large, bizarre, aquatic salamanders including hellbenders, sirens, amphiumas, and mudpuppies.

Common mudpuppy is one of four recognized salamander species of the scientific genus Necturus, known as mudpuppies or waterdogs. These salamanders spend their entire lives in water and breathe through external gills. They eat aquatic insects, snails, worms, and small fish. The common mudpuppy is found in the Tennessee River and its tributaries.

Alabama ranks sixth among the states for the greatest number of amphibians due to our warm, humid climate, long geological history, and vast network of springs, streams, rivers and wetlands. These freshwater resources are also the reason Alabama is first among states in the number of freshwater mussels, fishes, snails, crayfish, and turtles. To learn more about the common mudpuppy and the rich biodiversity of Alabama, check out our watchable wildlife page.