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Lauderdale County · Forever Wild tract
Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild), Alabama hunting
A 2026-27 guide to the Forever Wild nature preserve and recreation area in Lauderdale County (60 acres).
Photo: Antony-22 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Getting to Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Parking, trailheads and gates near Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
- Parking areaParking · 2.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.2 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Boat rampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
- First Creek Boat RampBoat ramp · 3.3 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Forever Wild rules for Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Forever Wild asks for two things on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild): a valid hunting license and its free permit map; the county regulations set the rest. 1 Forever Wild tract make up the permit area, led by FW 9 – Blowing Springs Cave Tract (60 acres). Read the 2025-2026 permit map, or its replacement. No baiting: the ADCNR rule on public lands (WMA, SOA, USFWS, USFS, TVA, Corps) applies to Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild).
| Tract | Size | Added |
|---|---|---|
| FW 9 – Blowing Springs Cave Tract | 60 | April 15, 1998 |
Sources: Forever Wild permit map, Forever Wild hunting regulations. Checked November 1, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Zones and county rules around Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
| Topic | Lauderdale County |
|---|---|
| Deer zone | CMZ |
| CWD zone | High risk |
| Turkey zone | 2 |
| Fall turkey | Closed |
| Dove zone | North |
| Dog deer | Stalk only |
| Waterfowl zone | Statewide |
| Alligator area | None |
| Turkeys, 2025 | 209-296 |
| WFF district | I |
Named-zone list: the CWD Management Zone. The rest of the county falls in Zone A or B. The CWD Management Zone covers Lauderdale County; whole carcasses may not leave it and feeding is banned. Lauderdale County appears on the stalk-only list. Lauderdale County fell in the 209-296 class of 2025 reported gobblers. There is no county deer harvest figure from ADCNR.
ADCNR deer zones, turkey zones, dove zones, dog deer rules, CWD rules and the 2025 Alabama Wild Turkey Report; checked November 1, 2026.
Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) on paper
Lauderdale County holds the 60 acres of Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) (the Forever Wild tract layer). Rank by size in Lauderdale County: 5th of 5. The State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust) of ADCNR looks after it in WFF District I. The record files it under the Forever Wild Land Trust tracts with hunting provisions (Nature Preserves and Recreation Areas).
The county total for public land is 31,909 acres (Lauderdale County).
Game listed for Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild): Small game.
From the agency record (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust)); checked November 1, 2026.
Other public land a short drive from Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Within 50 miles of Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) there are 8 more public places, about 142,612 acres between them; Mallard-Fox Creek WMA is closest.
| Area | Type | Acres | County | Straight line | Which way |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallard-Fox Creek WMA | WMA | 1,742 | Lawrence, Morgan | 18 mi | southeast |
| Shoal Creek Nature Preserve Tract (Forever Wild) | Forever Wild tract | 303 | Lauderdale | 18 mi | west |
| Swan Creek WMA | WMA | 8,870 | Limestone | 23 mi | southeast |
| Seven-Mile Island WMA | WMA | 4,685 | Lauderdale | 26 mi | west |
| Key Cave NWR | Wildlife refuge | 1,079 | Lauderdale | 28 mi | west |
| Wheeler NWR | Wildlife refuge | 34,427 | Limestone, Morgan | 31 mi | southeast |
| Black Warrior WMA | WMA | 91,263 | Lawrence, Winston | 38 mi | south |
| Cherokee PDHA | PDHA | 242 | Colbert | 38 mi | west |
Points: ADCNR Forever Wild Tracts layer (tracts whose PMapLink is this permit map) (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Statewide public land map.
Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) dates for 2026-27
Rows trimmed to the game and land type of Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild).
| Species | Window | Covers | Begins | Through | Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobwhite quail | Bobwhite quail | Statewide | Nov 7, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Rabbits | Rabbits | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Squirrels | Squirrels | Statewide | Sep 12, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the ADCNR seasons and bag limits, the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest and the 2026-27 Waterfowl Hunting Guide; checked November 1, 2026. All Alabama seasons.
Towns within reach of Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Hillsboro, 17 mi off, is the closest town with a page here. Florence is the largest of these towns, with 42,716 people in 2024. ADCNR handles Lauderdale County from Tanner; call (256) 353-2634.
| Town | County | Pop. 2024 | Miles off | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | Lawrence | 404 | 17 mi | southeast |
| Florence | Lauderdale | 42,716 | 20 mi | west |
| Athens | Limestone | 32,587 | 21 mi | east |
| Sheffield | Colbert | 9,335 | 24 mi | west |
| Tuscumbia | Colbert | 9,222 | 25 mi | southwest |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024); offices and businesses from services.json (ADCNR offices and business listings, chain stores left out); straight-line miles. Checked November 1, 2026.
Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) hunters: public range and clubs
From Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild), 22 miles separates hunters from Swan Creek WMA Range, the closest ADCNR range. Other ranges within 30 miles fill the next cards.
From ADCNR’s range directory and range pages, operators’ pages and directory listings, checked November 1, 2026.
Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) photo row
When shooting light starts in Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Deer, turkey and other resident game may be hunted from 30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset; ducks, geese and doves stop at sunset.
| Date | Opener or close | Sunrise | Sunset | Deer | Migratory |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 15, 2026 | Archery opens, A and C | 6:55 a.m. | 6:17 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:47 p.m. | 6:25 a.m. to 6:17 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Gun deer, A-C | 6:30 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:00 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Nov 27, 2026 | Ducks open | 6:36 a.m. | 4:41 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 5:11 p.m. | 6:06 a.m. to 4:41 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 6:54 a.m. | 4:43 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 6:24 a.m. to 4:43 p.m. |
| Jan 15, 2027 | Mid-January | 6:58 a.m. | 5:01 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 6:28 a.m. to 5:01 p.m. |
| Feb 10, 2027 | Deer close, A-C | 6:42 a.m. | 5:27 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:57 p.m. | 6:12 a.m. to 5:27 p.m. |
| Mar 20, 2027 | Turkey opener | 6:56 a.m. | 7:02 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:32 p.m. | 6:26 a.m. to 7:02 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location (NOAA solar formula, Central Time), checked against the Digest’s Birmingham table; checked November 1, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Before you ask about Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
What about hunter orange or pink on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
During gun deer dates, 144 square inches of orange or fluorescent pink above the waist, or a full-size orange or pink cap.
What public land is near Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Nearest on our list: Mallard-Fox Creek WMA, 18 mi. 9 more lie within 50 miles.
How do I place Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) on a map?
WFF District I covers it: Lauderdale County. Hillsboro is the closest town with a page here, about 17 mi away.
When does legal light start on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
6:00 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. on November 21, 2026, for deer and other game.
What license lets me hunt Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Forever Wild asks for a license and its free permit map.
How large is Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
The Forever Wild tract layer gives 60 acres.
May I run hounds for deer on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Stalk only in Lauderdale County, under the county list.
Is Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild) in Zone A, B, C, D or E?
ADCNR text puts its county in the CWD Management Zone.
What game is open on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Game on file: small game.
Does the Bait Privilege License work on Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Not allowed. The bait license covers private or leased land only. CMZ rules ban feed as well.
Which office handles Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)?
Management sits with Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State Lands Division (Forever Wild Land Trust). Nearest ADCNR desk: Tanner.
Before the drive to Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild)
Report deer and turkey through Game Check (Outdoor Alabama app) within 48 hours, and carry your harvest record while hunting Blowing Springs Cave Tract (Forever Wild).
Sources: source · source · source; regulations from the 2026-2027 Alabama Hunting and Fishing Digest. Checked November 1, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Kevin Stephenson (CC BY 2.0); formulanone (CC BY-SA 2.0); btrentler (CC BY 2.0).