and timber rattlesnake. Most of these are common throughout the state with the exception of the pygmy rattlesnake and eastern diamondback, which are described as being rare to uncommon and are believed to be declining in numbers. In any event a good rule of thumb is to give whatever animal you encounter a wide berth and leave it alone.
Alligators
Nothing adds to your camping adventure like spotting an alligator or two relaxing in the sun or floating along a river or bayou. Alligators can be found from the Gulf to Montgomery. Remember, alligators are naturally afraid of humans, but don’t feed them! Feeding them changes the pecking order, and they become reliant on people for food, and that could mean you or your dog.
Ticks
Ticks like to hang out in the brush that grows along trails, and while there are certain species of ticks that live in one region of the state or another, it is safe to say that ticks are common throughout Alabama.
Warm weather brings them out. Ticks are not insects but arachnids that need a host to continue their life cycle. The primary types of ticks are deer and dog ticks and are very small when they light upon you. It usually takes several hours for a tick to attach itself and transmit any diseases. The best strategy when you’re in the woods is to do a tick check every half hour or so, that is, visual inspections to make sure that you don’t have any unwanted hitchhikers on board. Do another check at camp and then again when you take a shower; be sure to check your entire body.
Ticks that haven’t latched on are easily removed but not easily killed. If you find one in the woods, it’s best to simply toss it aside. If you find one on your person, in the bathroom, you can flush it down the toilet. For ticks that have embedded, removal with tweezers is best.
CAMPGROUND ETIQUETTE
Here are a few tips on how to create good vibes with fellow campers and wildlife you encounter.
Make sure that you check in, pay your fee, and mark your site as directed. Don’t make the mistake of grabbing a seemingly empty site that looks more appealing than your site. It could be reserved. If you’re unhappy with the site you’ve selected, check with the campground host for other options.
Be sensitive to the ground beneath you. Place all garbage in designated receptacles or pack it out if none is available. No one likes to see the trash that someone else has left behind.
It’s common for animals to wander through campsites, where they may be accustomed to the presence of humans (and our food). An unannounced approach, a sudden movement, or a loud noise startles most animals. A surprised animal can be dangerous to you, to others, and to themselves. Give them plenty of space.
Plan ahead. Know your equipment, your ability, and the area where you are camping—and prepare accordingly. Be self-sufficient at all times; carry necessary supplies for changes in weather or other conditions. A well-executed trip is a satisfaction to you and to others.
Be courteous to other campers, hikers, bikers, and anyone else you encounter.
Strictly follow the campground’s rules regarding the building of fires. Never burn trash. Trash smoke smells horrible, and trash debris in a fire pit or grill is unsightly.
Everyone likes a fire, but bringing your own firewood from home is now frowned upon by most campground operators. Bringing in wood from out of the area could introduce pests that are harmful to the forest. Use deadfall found near your campsite or purchase wood at the camp store.
HAPPY CAMPING
There’s nothing worse than a bad camping trip, especially because it’s so easy to have a great time. To assist with making your outing a happy one, here are some pointers:
Reserve your site in advance, especially if it’s a weekend or a holiday, or if the campground is wildly popular. Many prime campgrounds require at least a six-month lead time on reservations. Check before you go.
Pick your camping buddies wisely. A family trip is pretty straightforward, but you may want to reconsider including grumpy Uncle Fred, who doesn’t like bugs, sunshine, or marshmallows. After you know who’s going, make sure that everyone is on the same page regarding expectations of difficulty (amenities or the lack thereof, physical exertion, and so on), sleeping arrangements, and food requirements.
Don’t duplicate equipment, such as cooking pots and lanterns, among campers in your party. Carry what you need to have a good time, but don’t turn the trip into a cross-country moving experience.
Dress for the season. Educate yourself on the temperature highs and lows of the specific part of the state you plan to visit. It may be warm at night in the summer in your backyard, but up in the mountains it will be quite chilly.
Pitch your tent on a level surface, preferably one covered with leaves, pine straw, or grass. Use a tarp or specially designed footprint to thwart ground moisture and to protect the tent floor. Do a little site maintenance, such as picking up the small rocks and sticks that can damage your tent floor and make sleep uncomfortable. If you have a separate tent rain fly but don’t think you’ll need it, keep it rolled up at the base of the tent in case it starts raining at midnight.
Consider taking a sleeping pad if the ground makes you uncomfortable. Choose a pad that is full-length and thicker than you think you might need. This will not only keep your hips from aching on hard ground, but it will also help keep you warm. A wide range of thin, light, or inflatable pads is available at camping stores today, and these are a much better choice than home air mattresses, which conduct heat away from the body and tend to deflate during the night.
If you are not hiking in to a primitive campsite, there is no real need to skimp on food due to weight. Plan tasty meals and bring everything you will need to prepare, cook, eat, and clean up.
If you tend to use the bathroom multiple times at night, you should plan ahead. Leaving a warm sleeping bag and stumbling around in the dark to find the restroom—whether it be a pit toilet, a fully plumbed comfort station, or just the woods—is not fun. Keep a flashlight and any other accoutrements you may need by the tent door and know exactly where to head in the dark.
Standing dead trees and storm-damaged living trees can pose a real hazard to tent campers (foresters call these widow-makers for obvious reasons.) These trees may have loose or broken limbs that could fall at any time. When choosing a campsite or even just a spot to rest during a hike, look up.
A WORD ABOUT BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
Following these guidelines will increase your chances for a pleasant, safe, and low-impact interaction with nature.
Adhere to the adages “Pack it in; pack it out” and “Take only pictures; leave only footprints.” Practice “leave no trace” camping ethics while in the backcountry.
In Alabama, open fires are permitted except during dry times when the US Forest Service may issue a fire ban. Backpacking stoves are strongly encouraged.
Hang food away from bears and other animals to prevent them from being introduced to (and becoming dependent on) human food. Yes, Alabama has bears. A growing number of black bears, as a matter of fact. Wildlife learns to associate backpacks and backpackers with easy food sources, thereby influencing its behavior.
Bury solid human waste in a hole at least 3 inches deep and at least 200 feet away from trails and water sources; a trowel is basic backpacking equipment. More and more often, however, the practice of burying human waste is being banned. Using a portable latrine (which comes in various incarnations, basically a glorified plastic bag, given out by park rangers) may seem unthinkable at first, but it’s really no big deal. Just bring an extra-large zip-top bag for extra insurance against structural failures.
VENTURING AWAY FROM THE CAMPGROUND