MONTGOMERY-In honor of the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, Lake Guntersville State Park, the Alabama Wildlife Center and Bassmaster Classic have partnered to release a raptor, either a red-tailed hawk or owl, from the upper terrace of the lodge at Lake Guntersville State Park. The event will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 
February 22, 2014. The event is open to the public and photographs will be allowed.
The bird that will be released was rehabilitated at the Alabama Wildlife Center located at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. The Alabama Wildlife Center is the largest wildlife rehabilitation center in the state. Since opening in 1977, the center has cared for more than 50,000 injured and orphaned birds. To learn more about the center, visit www.awrc.org or call 205-663-7930.
According to Lake Guntersville State Park Naturalist Patti Donnellan, Lake Guntersville and the surrounding area provide the perfect habitat for the release. “We are proud to be chosen as the site for this event,” she said.
In addition to the bird release and the 2014 Bassmaster Classic on February 22, Lake Guntersville State Park will offer 
several programs, field trips, entertainment and games for families. The public is welcome to attend any and all events hosted by the park.
The park lodge is also offering a three-night four-day Bassmaster’s stay package. The package includes a standard lodge room with double occupancy and breakfast for two each morning. Round-trip transportation to the Bastmaster “blast off” site is also available each morning with complimentary coffee or hot cocoa. For more details, visit www.alapark.com or call 256-571-5440.
For more information about the 2014 Bassmaster Classic, visit www.bassmaster.com/classic.
MEDIA RELEASE/ALABAMA DEPARTMET OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES/KENNY JOHNSON
