they became wildlife management areas. The state replanted them in “The economic impact of hunting and fishing in the Black Belt native hardwoods. Both properties consist primarily of swampy flat Region is about $1 billion a year to the state,” Swanner says. “People bottomlands rich in hardwood trees. Deer thrive in such habitats. “A lot of lands in the Black Belt offer just as good or better deer who come to Alabama to hunt must buy licenses. In addition, they hunting opportunities as anywhere in the state,” Cook says. “David buy food, gasoline, supplies and souvenirs. They eat in restaurants. They might stay at one of the hunting lodges in the Black Belt or in K. Nelson and Lowndes WMAs both offer excellent hunting. Bara motel in town. In addition, many sportsmen bring their families bour WMA on the fringes of the Black Belt is another good deer hunting property. Barbour is one of our older WMAs and produces who enjoy other attractions the area has to offer.” Although the 23 Black Belt counties comprise about one-third of better than average quality deer.” In the transition zone between the Black Belt Region and the the state, the region contains more than 80 percent of the hunting lodges found in Alabama. About 56 percent of all Alabama sports- coastal plain in southeastern Alabama, Barbour WMA covers men hunt in the Black Belt each year. About 69 percent of all out- 28,199 acres of Barbour and Bullock counties near Clayton. The of-state sportsmen who come to hunt in Alabama visit the Black area consists mostly of mixed pine forests with some hardwoods Belt Region. About 80 percent of those non-resident sportsmen strands. Field and Stream magazine once named the property one spend at least one night in the Black Belt Region. In all, sportsmen of the top whitetail destinations in the nation. The state manages spend about 3.9 million days hunting in the Black Belt and another the area for trophy deer with antler restrictions on buck harvests. “With the antler restriction, we wanted more bucks to move into 3.3 million days fishing in the region each year, Swanner says. To keep those sportsmen coming into the state, Black Belt Ad- the 2.5-year old and older age class on Barbour WMA,” Cook says. ventures promotes the region as an outdoors destination. When “Because of the antler restriction, the age structure of the deer herd someone calls about planning a hunting or fishing adventure, the is better on Barbour than most WMAs. It has a good blend of numBBA staff help match up sportsmen with lodges that can accom- bers and big deer. In 2012, the area produced more deer exceeding modate their wishes or make suggestions about other places to visit. 200 pounds live weight than anyone can recall ever seeing. Along To better promote the region, the nonprofit marketing organiza- with that, the antler quality has also steadily improved.” tion enlisted the help of two prominent Black Belt natives, Jackie Bushman, founder of Buckmasters, and Ray Scott, founder of the Other game, recreation activities abound While many people come to the Black Belt Region to hunt deer Bass Anglers Sportsman’s Society. These two legendary sportsmen help carry the message about the great hunting, fishing and facilities or turkeys, the area offers much more in outdoors recreation. Many sportsmen also visit the region to hunt squirfound here through various public and media rels, rabbits, quail, doves, ducks and other appearances across the country. game. In addition, many outdoors enthusiasts “Jackie Bushman and Ray Scott grew up also enjoy canoeing, horseback riding, bird hunting and fishing in the Black Belt,” Swanwatching, hiking and other activities. ner says. “They created two internationally “There are a lot of big private hunting lodgknown sporting organizations and have been es in the Black Belt Region,” Cook says. “The very supportive of this initiative from the beBlack Belt is well known for its deer hunting, ginning. Our main objective is to collectively but the area also has a lot of good turkey huntmarket the region as an outdoor destination, ing. Along the river drainages, people can find not promote any specific lodges. When people some good squirrel hunting. Some areas offer call to inquire about hunting opportunities, good rabbit hunting opportunities.” we try to determine their needs and send out The region also offers more than outdoors that information to various lodges that meet adventures. Rich in history, the region also their requirements. We promote more than just contains many places connected to the Civil the lodges. We also represent the public lands War and civil rights struggle. Visitors can also available in the Black Belt Region.” explore many historical homes or enjoy the While the lodges of the Black Belt Region diverse sports, musical and art legacy of the Alabama’s Black offer excellent hunting, not all sportsmen can region. afford to stay at such places or hire guides. The Belt Region “The Black Belt Region is a great resource Black Belt also offers some public lands for the for the state,” Swanner says. “We are beginning do-it-yourself sportsman. Two public areas in the Black Belt really stand out for deer hunting -- David K. Nelson Wildlife Manage- to see some success from our efforts in promoting the region. The ment Area and Lowndes WMA, Cook says. Near the confluence of cultural heritage of this region is as rich as the soil. We want people the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway and the Black Warrior River, to come to Alabama, spend their money and have a good time doDavid K. Nelson WMA covers 8,308 acres of mostly bottomland ing whatever they enjoy doing.” For more information on Black Belt Adventures, call 334-649hardwood habitat in Sumter, Hale, Marengo and Greene counties near Demopolis. Along the Alabama River, Lowndes covers 13,962 3788. To see a list of the lodges in the Black Belt Region and other things the region can offer the traveler, see www.alabamablackacres in Lowndes County near White Hall. Both owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lowndes and beltadventures.org. For information on hunting in Alabama, see David K. Nelson WMAs were primarily agricultural lands before outdooralabama.com. A
Economic impact tops $1 billion annually
Alabama Living
SEPTEMBER 2013 13