SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
I am asking you today to save the date of February 22, 2014!
Several of us have been in the planning stages of preparing
an event in Coosa County that would be a smaller scaled version of
BUCKMASTER’s. Of course there is no way
we can compete or even think of doing an event such as that, held yearly in
Montgomery, with a draw of outdoor enthusiasts from around the southeast. But we are definitely going to try to do
something which will reach out to all people in the Central Alabama area who
like and enjoy the great outdoors.
Our event is keeping in mind the vast resources we have in
our county. Coosa County, with a
population of around 11,000 is a store house for the outdoor enthusiast. With the several places for hunting, fishing,
canoeing, camping, boating, hiking and other outdoor activities, Coosa County
has much more to offer than some realize. What we lack in some areas we make up
for in the natural resources God has blessed us with.
The Coosa Wildlife Management Area is 32,624 acres in size,
located in the northwest corner of the county.
In the vast amount of pines and thick undergrowth, hunters find deer,
turkey, squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove.
There are good roads, four hunts a year, and a good place to spend a day
enjoying nature.
“Situated within the Coosa Wildlife
Management Area, one of Alabama’s oldest established public hunting areas, is
the Coosa WMA: Cahaba and Columbiana Tract.
It is 9,746 acres of Mountain Longleaf habitat share space with hardwood
drains of the Weogufka and Hatchet Creek watersheds. The property also host one of the last remaining
populations of the red-cockaded woodpeckers outside of Alabama’s National
Forest system.”
Up on Flagg Mountain is a four mile hiking trail that has
recently began to be noted, as several local people have become an integral
part of getting the word out. This is
the Flagg Mountain Loop Trail, located at the top of Flagg Mountain. Also going through the Flagg Mountain area is
the Pinhoti Trail, a 100 plus mile trail from Weogufka, Alabama to Blue Ridge,
Georgia. This trail includes road
sections, as well as wooded sections.
Flagg Mountain is the historic location for the fire tower
and some unique cabins. These are
created of native stone and hand-hewn longleaf pine timbers, dating back to the
1930’s by unemployed men put to work in the New Deal’s Civilian Conservation
Corps (“CCC boys”). At the top, there is
an unobstructed 360 degree panorama view of the vast green hills, the valleys
of the south and west, and the ridges of the north and east of the Appalachian
Mountains.
Some of Alabama’s most scenic floats lay within the
boundaries of Coosa County. Hatchet
Creek flows from the northwest corner of the county, down to where it enters
the Coosa River on Mitchell Lake. This
was the recent site of the Hatchet Creek Festival, which was a two day float
for canoes and kayakers, with a campout and several demonstrations. The event was held this May and will most
likely become an annual event and brought together some 80 plus individuals who
enjoyed a great weekend in the Coosa County outdoors.
There is also the Weogufka Creek, running almost parallel a
little further to the north, including the primitive section of the Coosa
WMA. Both creeks host beautiful
shorelines covered in mountain laurel and other flowering shrubs. Of course, the rare Cahaba lilies that bloom
in the shoals in late May are one of the most treasured attractions.
Additionally, there is water on the east and the west of the
county. Large bodies of water. Lake Mitchell is on the Coosa River, along with
Lay Lake and Lake Jordan. On the
Tallapoosa River is Lake Martin, one of the pristine prizes of Alabama. All of these bodies of waters afford boaters
and fishermen the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. This is why Coosa County is called the “Land
between the Lakes.”
Treasured as a mainstay for the county is the vast amount of
woodlands which allow for hunting turkey and deer. Within the county there are several places
which individuals and corporations have hunting clubs and lodges. There is Swamp Creek, Hatchet Creek, and the
Bama Hunting Club just the name a few.
In season, while traveling around the county, you will find people from
all over the southeast who come to Coosa County in hopes of capturing one more
trophy buck or a year’s supply of venison for the freezer. No one leaves disappointed.
Within the County are several places which are “best kept
secrets.” A famous radio personality
claims Coosa County as his “hunting destination,” just a few miles from my
office here in Rockford. During hunting
season he will talk about the big bucks, does, riding the property, having
friends down for the weekend, and a host of other things, which are all a part
of Coosa County.
Here we also have what is called a “world class member’s
only hunting resort,” which has been around since the 1919’s. Five Star Plantation serves its members needs
October through April with accommodations, hunts, and activities planned to
assist them in their obtaining the game they desire. Five Star welcomes guest from May through
September who are looking for a private, secluded getaway. The plantation includes a sporting clay
range, horseback riding, and fishing in five lakes.
Barton Ridge is a part of the Choctaw Wildlife
Services. A place developed as a premier
property offering high quality hunts for deer, turkey and quail on the 5,000
acres which is owned or leased by them.
It has been developed to be a family-oriented hunting operation.
With this in mind, the February 22, 2014 date seems most
appropriate as a time to showcase the best of Coosa County, and Central
Alabama. We have so much to offer the
hunters and fishermen, the canoes and kayakers, and anyone who enjoys outdoor
life. From one end of the county to the
other there is something for every member of the family in the fresh air and
among the song birds; we are talking family fun its best!
The Central Alabama Outdoor Expo will be an event for the
whole family. The event will be held at
the Rockford Elementary Gym (on Corner of School Street and Communications
Street, across from the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office) on Saturday February 22,
2014. There will be no admission charge,
but you are ask to donate a canned food item for the Jerusalem Missions (a food
pantry/clothes closet for those in need).
There will be displays for game, turkey calling contest,
demonstrations, and a keynote speaker (we are in the process of getting this
person lined up and will announce that soon).
There will be booths for those who have items or merchandise related to
hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. We
will have food and fellowship, as outdoor enthusiast have time to mingle and
compare stories.
There will also be plenty of door prizes, trophies and
awards, as well as a $250.00 gift card from Bass Pro Shops to be given
away. You will not want to miss this
huge event!
If you have any questions or comments, or would like to be
involved with your business hosting a booth, call Shannon Atkins (256-377-1077)
or Johnnie Schmidt (256-935-0076) and they will be happy to assist you.
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