The Alabama State Lands Division announces a series of "open-gate weekends" on four Forever Wild Land Trust properties. These open-gate weekends are designed to increase access to hunting on public lands. During the weekends, the internal woods-roads gates will be opened to allow for easier access to hunting on the properties.

The properties listed below are open-permit public lands. Unlike hunting on private land or Wildlife Management Areas (WMA), the hunter only needs a hunting license to hunt the properties. All other hunting rules and regulations apply and the tracts will be patrolled and monitored by conservation enforcement officers.

http://alabamaforeverwild.com/LandTract.aspx/Red-Hills-">Red Hills Tract - Monroe County
• October 31-November 1, 2014
• December 13-14, 2014
• January 10-11, 2015
• February 14-15, 2015

http://alabamaforeverwild.com/LandTract.aspx/Lillian-Swamp">Lillian Swamp Tract - Baldwin County
• December 13-14, 2014
• January 10-11, 2015
• February 14-15, 2015

http://alabamaforeverwild.com/LandTract.aspx/Splinter-Hill-Bog">Splinter Hill Bog Tract - Baldwin County
• December 13-14, 2014
• January 10-11, 2015
• February 14-15, 2015

http://alabamaforeverwild.com/LandTract.aspx/Old-Cahawba">Old Cahawba Tract - Dallas County
• December 13-14, 2014
• January 10-11, 2015
• February 14-15, 2015

During the open-gate weekends, the entire tract will be open to hunting and hunters are encouraged to practice hunter safety. More information about hunting safely can be found in the hunter education section of outdooralabama.com. All published rules and regulations for these specific tracts remain the same during the open-gate weekends.

For other periods of the hunting season, the tracts remain open under the routine designated means of access -- public roads and parking area points of entry. For more information about hunting provisions on Forever Wild properties, visithttp://alabamaforeverwild.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FW-tracts-hunting-provisions-2014-2015.pdf.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama's natural resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries.