Display Until 4/30/2016

FLOURISH

MARCH-APRIL

Good The Character Of The South

Grit

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For Alabamians, spring represents a change in cli-

mate, bringing about warmer temperatures and

fresh vegetation. With the onset of the spring

months, Alabama outdoorsmen (and women) are excited

for the dawn of turkey season. Of course, like any form of the

sport, turkey hunting is no easy game.

Preparation, knowledge, and patience

are all necessary when devising a suc-

cessful hunt. The wild turkey is a vig-

ilant, capricious bird. With the coming

spring season, new opportunities await

both experienced and inexperienced

hunters looking to bag a prized turkey.

In mid-March of each year, spring tur-

key season officially begins. Alabama has

been deemed by many a “turkey hunter’s

paradise,” having the second largest turkey population in the

country. Additionally, Alabamians benefit from one of the

longest turkey hunting seasons in North America. The state

currently boasts more wild turkeys than any other state in

the southeast, as Alabama’s climate makes it an ideal home

for them. However, the state’s widespread turkey population

was not always so strong. In the early 1900s, Alabama’s tur-

key population was estimated to be as low as 10,000. Subse-

quently, the state launched a conservation movement, which

ultimately assisted in the revival of the bird’s population. Al-

abama’s initiatives were a cornerstone of wild turkey renewal

efforts across North America. Restoration, species protection,

and extensive environmental research have allowed for the ex-

emplary hunting conditions of today.

Alabama is home to several hunting resorts that offer qual-

ity turkey hunting trips and lodging. One in particular that

TURKEY HUNTINGprioritizes creating a truly memorable experience, however,

is Hawkins Ridge Lodge. Nestled in the black belt region of

the south in Eufaula, Alabama, this 6,000-acre plot of land

caters to dedicated hunters in search of a full hunting adven-

ture. Hawkins Ridge offers hunts for Eastern Wild Turkey, as

well as Whitetail Deer, Mallard Ducks,

and Wild Hogs in their respective sea-

sons. This land is meticulously managed

for the production of quality trophy

game, and the dedicated staff at Haw-

kins Ridge is primarily focused on the

success of their visitors’ hunts.

Hawkins Ridge takes only a limited

number of hunters on turkey hunts per

day. As a result, each hunter is allotted

thousands of acres solely to themselves.

Moreover, they have maintained a very large population of

long-bearded gobblers, and hunters are permitted to take two

turkeys per hunt. Hawkins Ridge is proud of their turkey hunt

success ratio over the past several years, which is sitting at a

promising 90%. One could certainly plan to find success on a

Hawkins Ridge turkey hunt this spring.

All Hawkins Ridge hunting packages include field trans-

portation, lodging and accommodations, 3 hot meals per day,

daily maid service, a professional guide to assist in the hunt,

and game cleaning and taxidermy preparation. Whether you

are an expert hunter, or a novice looking for a challenging first

hunt, Alabama is a prime arena in which to plan your next

spring hunt. The state is proud of its efforts to keep the turkey

population sustained, and with the rich history of wild tur-

keys in Alabama, there’s no better place to contribute to the

sport of turkey hunting.

A L A B A M A ’ S F I N E S T S E A S O N

WORDS BY PEYTON CHANDLER

PHOTOS COURTESY OF BILLY POPE, TES RANDLE

JOLLY & ALABAMA BLACK BELT ADVENTURES

"Alabama’s initiatives were a cornerstone of wild tur-key renewal efforts across North America. Resto-ration, species protection, and extensive environmen-tal research have allowed for the exemplary hunting conditions of today."

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"For additional information on hunting the Black Belt region of Alabama visit www.alabamablackbeltadventures.org"