ALBBAA launches Big Gobbler Photo Contest for 2026 turkey season

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (March 20, 2026) – When the first thunderous gobble echoes through the hardwood bottoms and longleaf pines, hunters across the state know exactly what it means — spring turkey season has arrived in Alabama’s legendary Black Belt.

This is the season when longbeards fan their tails, puff their feathers and strut into history-making moments. And for the 14th straight year, the Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association (ALBBAA) is turning those unforgettable hunts into prize-winning memories with the annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest.

Think you harvested a trophy-worthy gobbler in Alabama’s Black Belt? Now’s your chance to show it off and win bragging rights in the Big Gobbler Photo Contest.

Hunters who harvest a gobbler in Alabama’s famed 23-county Black Belt are invited to submit their best turkey hunting photos for a chance to win an exciting prize package featuring a $100 gift card, Thermacel mosquito repellent, a gun-cleaning kit and a copy of Black Belt Bounty, a coffee table book filled with stunning images, wildlife essays, colorful stories on our hunting and fishing traditions, wild game recipes and more. In addition, the first-place winner will receive a Buckmasters prize pack that includes a hat, buck knife and 1-year subscription to Buckmasters Magazine.

“This is the 14th year for our Big Gobbler Contest, and it’s a wonderful way to further educate the public on all the natural resources found in Alabama’s 23-county Black Belt,” said ALBBAA director Pam Swanner. “Hunters flock to the Black Belt from all over the country to access our abundant hunting opportunities while also enjoying our area’s unique natural scenery, historical sites and local food and entertainment.”

The Alabama Black Belt has built a national reputation for:

· Healthy, thriving wild turkey populations

· Diverse hardwood bottoms and open fields perfect for spring setups

· Rich Southern heritage and historic sites

· Legendary hospitality, dining and small-town charm

It’s more than a hunt — it’s an experience.

Enter the 14th Annual Big Gobbler Photo Contest!

Submit your entry and start rallying votes here:

alabamablackbeltadventures.org/news-more/shoot-the-black-belt/big-gobbler-photo-contest/

The photo that earns the most online votes will be crowned the winner!

· Voting ends Sunday, May 10 at 11:59 p.m., giving supporters time to vote on gobblers harvested on the final days of the season.

· Visitors may vote once per day, per email address, per IP address.

Eligibility

To keep things fair and competitive:

· Previous winners from the past two years are not eligible.

· Only one entry per participant is allowed.

· All contest decisions made by ALBBAA officials are final.

Photo Guidelines

ALBBAA promotes Alabama’s hunting heritage and wildlife stewardship. To ensure the contest reflects those values, ALBBAA reserves the right to disqualify any photo. Photos may be disqualified if they:

· Depict unethical or disrespectful behavior

· Portray hunting or wildlife management in a negative light

· Involve voting violations or unfair advantages

· Show any violation of ADCNR regulations

Celebrate your hunt. Showcase your success. Share your Black Belt story.

Enter today and let the voting begin!

“It’s always rewarding to see the photos entered into the Big Gobbler Photo Contest every year,” Swanner said. “We know we have amazing turkey hunting available here in the Black Belt and what makes it truly special is seeing photos of young hunters bagging their first gobbler or father-and-son or mother-and-daughter hunting together. Those memories will surely last a lifetime.”

ALBBAA encourages hunters to comply with all Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) game regulations, including purchasing a valid hunting license.

The Black Belt includes the following 23 counties: Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Crenshaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lee, Lowndes, Macon, Marengo, Monroe, Montgomery, Perry, Pickens, Pike, Russell, Sumter, Tuscaloosa and Wilcox.

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The Alabama Black Belt Adventures Association is committed to promoting and enhancing outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities in the Black Belt in a manner that provides economic and ecological benefits to the region and its citizens. For information, go to www.alabamablackbeltadventures.org.