I'm about 5 years out from retirement and me and the wife are starting to make plans on where we may move to. I have lived all my 46yrs here in South Alabama and we have decided we would enjoy a mountain view for a while... the only kicker is we don't want to get to far away from our Bama roots. So if you were limited to TN, North Georgia, or one of the Carolina's from a hunting angle for deer, turkey, and other game birds and fresh water fishing which area would you choose and why? Thanks DD

I don't know what the georgia mountains are like, but South Carolina has an unholy amount of deer you can shoot, and north carolina you can bag 6.

Lots of trout in NC, and turkey as well.

Might want to consider Virginia as well. The limit in most of the state is 2-per-day. Even in the non-overrun areas, you can take 5. Plenty of turkey (3 per year). Excellent waterfowl on the Bay and Tidewater, but upland birds are few and far between or on private shooting preserves. Freshwater fishing is excellent.

Both NC and VA have excellent bear hunting. TN has boar, as so some very limited areas in the Smokies in NC. SC has boar in the lowlands, I believe. SC, NC, and VA have coastal fishing and hunting opportunities as well.

If you look at the mountains of both Carolinas, TN, North Georgia, and Virginia, you're not going to go far wrong.

You've got 5 years. Start taking some road trips on long weekends and some vacation time off to visit places and see for yourself.

AL has a lot going for it regarding deer and turkey. I live in the NE corner and it's mountains so you don't have to leave AL for mountains. I hunt the mountains in NW GA as well. Haven't hunted the NE side of GA though.

I live in western NC, near the TN border, west of Asheville. The woods around here are in general pretty mature, not supporting a lot of deer. Turkey and bear and trout in abundance.

Going thru the reverse thought process that you are , deciding on SC or AL for retirement and possibly Georgia none in a mountain area . If you like taxes then by all means move to NC . I was up in Boone last weekend and I think everyone that lives up there is tired of the 2014 and 2015 winter I can tell you that.

We will probably keep a place down here also, I am just trying to get an idea in which direction to push the Mrs., we have traveled through and like most the areas but just didn't know which area most thought would be kinda the best all around from just an outdoors point of view. I have been on several different state forums reading just to get ideas....Thanks again and keep the ideas a flowing.

SC low country!

Deer season: Aug. 15 - Jan. 1 (no limit on buck deer, 3 inches of visible antler is legal definition of a buck.)

Turkey season: March 15 - May 1 (5 gobbler limit)

Hogs: No closed season

Lots of fishing opportunities too.

How are the taxes in SC?

I have a friend in the mountains of NC and he goes to AL to deer hunt 3 or 4 time a year. You may already be in the sweet spot.

+1

Where I hunt now the season last till Feb. 10th, I would probably come home and spend the last couple weeks of the season here in South AL. Kinda hoping for the best of both worlds. I guess if you live your whole life on the sandy beach then for at least a while you just feel like a little change of pace might be nice.... More of a duel residence... Thanks again

In that case the mountains would be fine. Al,TN,SC,NC and GA have nice places for that. Just be aware of the different states cost of living and tax structures.

Very true on taxes and cost of living... have a lot to look into, thanks again

Consider going a little west too. The Ozarks in south MO and north AR are awesome and depending where you are in AL may not be much further than VA.

I live just south of Knoxville and can see the smokys from my deck and be there in 30 mins or less. East Tennessee is beautiful. Taxes are the lowest I've ever seen - no state income tax.

The downside - deer/turkey hunting sucks. The fishing is very good if you like bass and trout. Throw in a striper or two and you won't be bored.

If it were me, I'd live in east Tennessee and plan on traveling to AL to deer/turkey hunt. You'll be retired so you'll have the time to do that.

If you're interested in TN drop me a pm and we'll discuss. I moved here 7 years ago and plan to die here.

As to the"winter" do a google search on Meadville Pa and get back to me on winter in NC or TN

Not speaking about winter in TN no experience with it but Boone is a college town that has the traffice of Manhattan and yet is filled with Retirees from Florida go Figure.

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/meadville/pennsylvania/united-states/uspa1020

http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/boone/north-carolina/united-states/usnc0072

TENNESSE!!!!!! I highly recommend it! I moved here from NY 3 years ago. I moved here for the fishing and hunting and have not been disappointed.

TN could also have some tax benefits.

Deputydad
My son a LEO in So. CA. is on about the same schedule to retirement and he has bought land in SC, Aiken Co. I believe. Plans on building in next couple of years. I told him when he is settled in he needs to fix me up with a turkey hunt. Good luck in your choice. Cheers NC

Kentucky has big deer, and elk!

I'm also curious about the hunting opportunities especially deer in the Carolinas.
I've got adult/married kids living in North and South Carolina and the wife would like to be closer. I'm not so keen on moving.

I'm typing as the rare snow is falling outside and 10 deer are feeding behind my house. I've got plenty of places to hunt and fish around here, a lifetime hunting and fishing license and I'm a one-day drive from elk country. I kind of hate starting over and putting another 1000 miles between me and Wyoming.

Is hunting in SC and NC mainly private land? Hunting leases? Public land?

I might be better off just getting the wife a monthly plane ticket.

I've gone on some of the state hunting forums and seen folks speaking of hunting Clubs on private owned timber land, bout like we have here in South AL. I'm sure that's what I will have to do once I get there at least for a year or two while I meet other hunters and make some connections...

I move to Crestview, Florida for the weather and beaches. Then head northwest to hunt mulies in South Dakota in the Fall.

TR

I live 20 minutes North of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach and with most my family living here I have the beach covered even if we move towards the mountains.... Who knows, the Mts may get old pretty quick but every time we go up and stay it just feels right.

Florida is growing up around me. By the time I retire, It wil be terrible. I'm thinking of buying property now and moving to Alabama when I retire. The grass is always greener I guess.

Lot of private land leasing and gun clubs mostly , public land is heavily pressured except in some locales. Most leases in my area are not actively looking for new members. I saw a lease yesterday on Craigslist 85 acres for 40 dollars an acre .

Heck, come up and explore around Guntersville, Scottsboro, Ft Payne, etc...not much need to leave the state....for anything you've mentioned.

Lived in VA most of my life. Miss it, really. I filled trucks with deer and turkey, with a few bears for extra points. Still return every hunting season to hunt the farm and with family and friends. Definitely will retire there.

Most areas that have a decent population will also qualify for DMAP. Most years I took 8 to 10 deer at a minimum. If you put a steak beside a piece of venison at my house, my children will eat the venison every time. Close enough to the coast for surf or deep sea fishing, with rivers, lakes and streams for everything from LM Bass to trout.