Among the many sports that man indulges in, hunting is one of them. While people shown on the TV channels like “Discovery”, “National Geographic”, etc., are shown shooting with cameras, there are those who prefer to use the rifle. But even a man with a rifle is not satisfied with just something ordinary, he fancies indulging in something which offers a little more variety and something that he can boast of later to his circle of friends! Maybe he would be better off paying a visit to the hunting grounds of Alabama!

Yes, one does get to shoot extraordinary game in the hunting grounds of Alabama. Additionally, one is also aiding in keeping down the ever-growing population of some species, such as alligators and wild boars.

Where “alligators” are concerned, there were no regulations placed on their hunting in earlier years, as a result of which their population came down drastically. In fact, alligators were about to become extinct by the end of the 1930s! The only state to jump to their protection in 1938 was Alabama. The animal became a part of the “endangered species” list in 1967. The efforts of the state proved fruitful, and alligators were flourishing again by the year 1987. Even today, the animals enjoy federal protection, but are no longer considered an endangered species.

Unfortunately, with their population growing in leaps and bounds, there are too many alligators on the scene at the hunting grounds of Alabama. This has therefore led to government approval of annual hunting, but in a controlled manner.

To ensure that too many alligators are not struck down, specific companies with hired guides offer their services to the hunters.
The hunt is actually run by a lottery system utilized by all the guide companies. In simpler terms, it is run on a “first come, first served” basis. Sports hunters, especially those coming from out-of-state, better decide to book early if they want to take part in the hunt! There is competition among the guide companies too, to pick up the most lottery spots!

For those hungering for a more adventurous experience, there is the more dangerous “wild boar”. This animal is hidden in dense scrub, and chasing one through the hunting grounds of Alabama can mean risking one’s life! Yet, the experience is fascinating! At the end, one is rewarded with plenty of meat and a pair of tusks to decorate one’s walls.

A word of caution here—before consuming the meat, it has to be checked thoroughly for contaminants. The wild boar is a carrier for many diseases which can spread to livestock in surrounding farmlands near the hunting grounds of Alabama, and as everyone is well aware, livestock form a part of the human diet.

What most people may not be aware of is that many domestic and native animals lose their lives to the attacks of the wild boar. Soil gets eroded because of the animal’s habit of wallowing in watering holes.

Hence, farmers, and the environment itself, have good reasons to be grateful to the sports hunters visiting the hunting grounds of Alabama for the diminishment of the wild boar population!