Alright guys a few of us have gotten our heads together and are starting to plan a DIY camp/hunt in Northern Alabama. A few years ago we did something very similar and it was enjoyed by all. A few specifics first:

Date: December 8 9 10 2017
While the majority of folks will be there Fri-Sunday getting there a day early or staying a day late is up to you

Location: Bankhead National Forrest
https://www.bing.com/maps?&ty=18&q=William%20B%20Bankhead%20National%20Forest%2c%20AL&vdpid=5482940333098532865&mb=34.39312~-87.766144~33.87355~-86.750519&ppois=34.1333351135254_-87.2583312988281_William%20B%20Bankhead%20National%20Forest%2c%20AL_~&cp=34.133335~-87.258331&v=2&sV=1&FORM=MIRE&qpvt=bankhead+national+forest

https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/bankinfo.htm

The terrain is about as steep and rough as it gets for Alabama, Deer and Hogs are present, this area doesn't have the deer density that other parts of Alabama does, but there tends to be more older better racked bucks in the area due to the rough terrain and lower hunting pressure.

We will camp at a primitive campsite that hasn't been nailed down for sure yet. Last time the place we stayed at had a vault outhouse and that was it. About a 20 minute drive to the closest city for water/food. We shared a huge campfire and shared meals as campfire members tend to do.
McDougle campground is where we stayed last time here is some info on it:

https://freecampsites.net/#!4426&query=sitedetails


You can find a long thread about the 2013 hunt here:
https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/8686097/1

Life happened and a lot of folks missed out last time. Hoping a few more can show up and we make a good go of it this time around.

Will add more information as it comes right now the for sure list is:

Myself 334-296-2784 if anyone needs to reach me
HugAJackass- yup good old Mark

A buddy and I scouted this area a few years ago. It is a beautiful place and would be a blast to hunt. The folks in the area are really nice too!

Hope you guys have a blast while y'all are here. The northern part of Bankhead is 10 minutes from my house. Best of luck and I hope y'all can get a good one. Oh and kill all the pigs you see

Up to verify this is still in the works....

I’m also interested in this. Long time lurker here, thought I might join in on the fun.

Yup still on and time to start working on details and such.

Cool

Any of you guys spend any time near jasper or cullman? We could plan to meet for lunch and make a plan and get a list of needed supplies nailed down.

Jay tipped me off to this hunt. I'd like to join in if I may.

Hey guys been super busy with life sorry to just be now checking back in. Here are a few details that I can remember from doing this a few years ago. The hunt camp is a first come first serve deal, last time there were like 10 spots in our camp, there are a few camp areas similar to the one we used. Its a bring your own tent kinda deal with a few spots you can back a small camper into if you have it. There is an outhouse but no running water that I remember.

Showing up a week prior to scout both the camp site and to familiarize ourselves with the hunting area would be a good idea. We can also figure out meals and other logistics.

I'm thinking Dec 2 or 3 for a scouting trip, any of you fellas want to meet up?

A monster taken last season from the area we will be hunting

https://www.facebook.com/nick.gilbert.14/posts/1641003075956001

I have requested these days for vacation days. Hoping to make his trip.

Awesome look forward to meeting everyone.

I will be coming up. The cost of out of state hunting license being what it is, I probably won't hunt though. I already have a freezer full of Antelope and Venison. Always fun to get out of Florida, and to meet some more 'campfire folks.

Alright, time to bump this up. Hoping to get some details nailed down. I’ve got the days off and my 16 daughter wants to come along.

I will be there for sure Thursday through Sunday. I will be available to scout the camp and hunting area Sunday dec 3, anyone else wanna meet up?

I’m off work that Sunday the 3rd also. As far as the trip goes we can arrive early Friday morning and if we have places in mind o hunt then set up camp after that first Friday morning hunt.

Good luck to you boys! That is a really cool area to hunt. Someone is going to shoot a nice deer!

I plan on being there Sunday the 3rd to familiarize myself with where the camp is and where the hunting lands are maybe doing a little actual scouting. I will arrive Thursday mid day to setup and mark camp for those coming in. It’s been about four years since I’ve been up that way and my memory is a bit fuzzy.

Matt, mark me a camp spot for my Friday arrival. Do you have any info on the roads? Can you drive to the camp site without 4 wheel drive?
And an address for gps to get me there, I’m only about 45 minute drive from the general area.

Camp site is off a main paved road can drive there in a 2wd truck no problem. I’ll have to look at some maps to refresh my memory exactly where it is.

Matt, are you interested in hunting Sunday the 3rd? We could meet up there anytime and hunt/ scout . Might get lucky and fill a one of the 3 buck limit a week before. Or I’d be as happy to kill some pigs.

Not sure if I will make it on the 3rd. My daughter has a concert. If I do I will probably show up at daylight and only be there a few hours.

Matt, I plan to be there Thursday the 7th. I have no idea of where to meet y'all. I have a basic forest map off the internet. What camp spot are you looking at using?

McDougle it what we used last time and I plan on it again as it’s decent size. There is a Jacks close I can meet ya at. I plan on marking the turn off to the campsite with orange reflective tape as it was hard to see from the road iirc.

Also just had some family stuff come up that may prevent me from scouting on the 3Rd, will report back later on that to confirm. For sure I will be there early to mid day Thursday the 7th to set up camp and help folks find the place.

Sam Directions to McDougle camp site can be found at this link:
https://freecampsites.net/#!4426&query=sitedetails
https://www.google.com/maps/dir//34.338001,-87.346001/@34.3381485,-87.3486877,17z/data=!3m1!4b1

One thing I can remember from the last time is firewood, the more the better. So if anyone can help with that aspect it would be good. Also there is no running water fyi.

Black Warrior WMA Zone A will be open bucks only a copy of the map can be found here:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/sites/default/files/Black%20Warrior%20Final.pdf

I'd like to get a list going of members that will for sure be there. I'll start it with my name and you fellas can just copy and paste adding to the list, phone numbers encouraged to help with communication. Four years ago cell phone service was about non existant out there.



444Matt Matt Pair 334-296-2784 will be there Thursday through Sunday

thanks Matt. I can find it from that map. I had it almost right from my research. I have an ATT phone and a Verizon phone. Maybe one will work. Verizon is 352-262-4070
Will be coming up from Birmingham/ Hayden Thursday AM. Will try to buy wood locally. I see that the NF does not like out of area wood brought in.
I am not going to hunt. Will drive around and explore some, and can provide transportation/support to the nimrods.

Just checked the extended forecast, while it’s still very early looks like rain/snow mix isn’t out of the question fellas. Just a FYI

I’ll be happy to chip in on the cost of wood. Have no way to bring any though. If y’all want to start a group text so when we are traveling and don’t have internet access. 2053886730

Chris (outback Man) Friday morning way early till Sunday last light.

I will pack my truck and fill every free space with wood, I have a good bit at the house. Really enjoy sitting around a fire as I’m sure most here do. I hope to do mirage243 proud as he had blazing fires each night for us all last time.

Confirmed list

444matt Matt Pair 334-296-2784
Mannlicher Sam 352-262-4070
Outbackman Chris 205-388-6730

Matt, when you get an idea of when you are going this coming Sunday let me know. I’m free all day. Wouldn’t mind
Hunting a good bit

Chris right now not sure when I’ll be up that weekend. Shuffling a few things around I’ll know tomorrow for sure which day I can come up.

10/4 No big deal if we don’t make it. I’m usually never off weekends so I’m a little over excited i guess

If I understand correctly, hunting will for Zone A on 12/7, 12/8, and 12/9 for bucks only. Sunday 12/10 would not be a hunting day. These dates would make a difference for anyone coming from out of state and purchasing a 3 day license.

I think a state hunting license (cost depends on residency, and duration - link below), a WMA license ($17.70 for both resident and non), and a WMA permit (free) are required.

Details for in-state license:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/resident-hunting-license-information-and-application-packets

Details for out of state license:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/non-resident-hunting-license-information-and-application-packets

But the Bankhead National Forest that is not part of the Black Warrior WMA will be open bucks only.

Good to know, I was only looking at the WMA part, I'm not familiar with NF requirements/etc. Thanks!

Yup the National Forest section is open but bucks only those dates. I need to study the map more to figure out just where the WMA area is inside of the National Forest.

So other than my state license and management area license do i need anything else? And if so where and how to get it?

State and WMA license is all you need

Hopefully this works...
Here is a link to the WMA with my pen markings

https://imgur.com/gallery/A39VV

The camp is circled off 33 just south before 67
Zone A that we can hunt is everything to the left (west) of 33

Hopefully this helps

Map is great. Thanks

I spoke to the Ranger station today. Lass confirmed that the camp is in good shape, but has NO WATER. It does have a 'chemical toilet'. She told me that I CAN bring commercially prepared out of state wood, if it is in the original bags. otherwise, bring a chain saw, and just cut up whatever you find that is down and dead.
For ease of planning and packing, I am going to provide my own food/water/cooking.

Roger that Sam. I will cover dinner for the group one evening. Nothing fancy just some pulled pork bbq sandwiches and chips. Provide your own drinks. Just need a good head count, will smoke the butts and vacuum seal this weekend

Updated list


444matt Matt Pair 334-296-2784
Mannlicher Sam 352-262-4070
Outbackman Chris 205-388-6730
JCMCUBIC Jay (phone number)
tjm10025 Tom (Phone Number)

Among my list to bring will be some rolls of tp, hand wipes, will bring a couple cases of bottled water, couple gallons of sweet tea
also.

Glad to see tjm10025's name again. Good guy! Tell him I said hello!

I’m ready to get there. Really looking forward to hanging out and meeting everyone. And hopefully someon
kills one of them Bankhead monsters.

Me too! I’ve been studying some topo maps and doing some research on Aldeer.com I’ll setup camp by midday Thursday and have the turn off of 33 marked with chemlights for those arriving at dark.

I’m declaring whitetail war. Just hit one with the wife’s suv going about 50 mph. Little button head buck. Guy living there came out and shot it. Busted up the bumpers pretty good.

Some folks who let me hunt have encouraged me to "kill them all" this year. Couple months ago they hit a deer. While car is being repaired they hit another deer with the rental. All within a couple hundred yards of their driveway. I've never seen anyone as mad at deer as they are.

This is the 4th deer for our family. 1st was $3500 worth and this will likely be more. Bumpers will have to be replaced completely.
I am fortunate to be able to hunt where we live. Just would rather use a rifle.

Dang Chris hate to hear that, maybe we can put a dent in them next weekend!

If anyone downloads the app HuntStand I can share the map I’ve created for the area. It’s a fabulous hunting app I recently found.n

Downloaded

Ok pm me your email and ill add you as a friend and send my map map to you.

Man I’m really sorry I can’t make this it sure sounds like a lot of fun I hope you guys have a great time good luck!

Hey there's always next year. I'm going to make this an annual hunt for the campfire. Plenty of room and I'm all about using the public lands we are so blessed to have.

I hope this a learning experience for me and my daughter. First time really camping since i was a teenager. I’m slowly building a supply list and organizing gear etc.

Awesome I forgot you were bringing your daughter, pack some warm clothes looks like we will have some good cold nights!

I bought a buddy heater last night and 4 propane bottles. May need more. Looks like 20s at night.

Gonna be a big temperature change starting mid-week. Should get things moving....

That’s what I’m hoping Jay. I may poke around the National Forest Thursday afternoon just because of that.

looks like it's gonna be damn cold! 27F on Thursday and Friday nights, lol I had to re think my clothes and tent gear.

lol....yeah, it will be cold. Ice may last a little longer than usual in the cooler.....

I’d much rather camp with it freezing than hot.

was colder than that in Oct when I was hunting out in Wyoming. I'll get by. Extra blanket maybe. lol
Seriously, I did not take my little Buddy heater out west, but I'll bring it to North Alabama.

I bought 2 sleeping bags on clearance last summer for 8 bucks each. They were like $60 each and never sold kept getting marked down
They are rated below 0 i believe. Those should come in handy

Anyone care to share their gear list for the trip? I’ve made a list and spent a small fortune on supplies. As long as i have warm clothes and my rifle and bullets and water i can survive. But I’d rather not look like a goon for not being preparedish at least.

Well, my standard car camping gear. I'm tossing in a small splitting axe and hatchet for making kindling. A new fire extinguisher because I used my old one putting out a rather large gasoline fire in the campsite next to me over the summer. (You never know with some people.) For food, I'm using up some nearly expired Mountain House, and going minimalist with a JetBoil. Tent, cot with air mattress for insulation, 20-degree down bag, folding chairs, whisky for medicinal purposes. Abundant cold weather clothing. Two headlamps and a really neat battery-powered lantern from Streamlight.

For those who've hunted the area before and considered the weather report, what do you feel is the likelihood of rain? Makes a difference as to which rifle I bring.

Accuweather is showing no rain for the time period. Projected temps are Th: 46 high, 25 low Fri: 48 high, 28 low Sat: 47 High, 28 low. Sunday: High 51, low 23F

I will be using my 6 man Eureka Tent, cot, foam mattress and blankets. I have that Mr Buddy heater. Should have adequate cold weather clothing. Food will be MRE and Mountain House, along with snacks. I'll bring some of my hot sauce. I have a saw, two axes. Will bring a fire grill. I'll bring what wood I can stuff in the truck. I have chairs, a folding table and whiskey. I think I'm set.
Not sure yet if I'll hunt, but I will bring contact info for getting a 'bama license, as well as a rifle.

I’ll be in a small 4 man tent on a cot with sleeping bags rated for worse than temps we will see. Bringing a folding table or two, Coleman stove Coleman personal size heater, lantern, and torch plus extra propane tanks, mountain house freeze dried food. I will have pulled pork sandwiches for everyone we can eat Friday or Saturday night. Bag chair for around the fire, small axe and hatchet. Case of bottle water 5gallon water jug, all the firewood I can cram into my truck plus a bottle of hooch to sip on at night around the fire. Suggest bringing heavy duty garbage bags for what can’t be burned.

Plan to set up camp around noon on Thursday, look for the turn off of 33 to be marked with chem lights and reflecting orange tape. Once camp is set up I might drive around a bit to familiarize myself with places I’ve marked on the map.

Right now doesn’t look like rain, I’m holding off until Tuesday or Wednesday before I make my mind up on rsinn gear. Too early to know for sure. I’ll say this from experience it gets cold in those mountains at night!

Is anyone bringing a small chain saw?

I can bring my Echo if no one else has one.

If Tom's bringing the extinguisher, I guess I should bring the gas.

I can throw a chainsaw in.

good. That will save me from driving 800 miles with a saw and gas in the back of the truck. lol

Thanks Jay. I’ll have a First Aid kit as well since we are being all safe and stuff

I’ll have a big bottle of Tylenol for sore feet and backs. I plan on walking a lot

Matt, it seems we're well supplied with axes, hatchets and whisky, so a good first aid kit seems prudent.

Hahaha you’re right! So glad you guys are going to make the hunt this year.

Sam, I have a spare North Face Cats Meow bag that was rated to 20 degrees when new. I'll throw that in the car in case your Florida bones get chilled.

I’m gonna go tomorrow and try to find it so i want be lost next Thursday/ Friday morning Anyone know what’s available for hunting there tomorrow may do some walking and scouting.

Google Bankhead National Forest. You can hunt any part of the National Forest that isn’t WMA land. National Forest land will be marked with red spray paint on trees.

Chris if you look at the map I linked via imgur, the non shaded areas are national forest land and huntable any day.

Thanks. I forgot about that map. I guess from my house I’m gonna go straight up 195 to double springs and hit 33.

Worked on sighting in a few rifle options today. I may be bringing a ruger american all weather stainless 308. It was the easiest rifle to get dialed in that I’ve ever shot. And it’s very light compared to my other rifles. Nikon prostaff 3x9x40 Got my daughters howa 7mm08 shooting great also and she has killed several critters with it already. But it’s heavy. I may let her bring the ruger and I’ll stick to my xbolt 270. It’s a snipers dream.

Those Ruger Americans are nice and light, I’ll be toting a Tikka T3 myself the lighter the better. I like Howa/Vanguard rifle’s but like you said they are chunky and would not be my choice for a rifle I had to hand carry much.

thanks Tim, I just can't sleep in a bag. Old bones and joints means I toss and turn all night long. I do well on the cot with a wool blanket.

Road up to see the camp ground and sniff around a little. Camp ground is pretty full of campers. Talked to a nice older couple. Our hunt is across the road from the camp ground. Only Thursday Friday and Saturday. Went down to the ranger station and got maps. We asked about hogs for Sunday he said they have had no hog sightings but the locals seem to think the hogs are deep in the wilderness part. Ranger did say that the crowds have been minimal since thanksgiving. Also saw a lot of clear cut land and logging trails.

Ok there was a hunt on side B this weekend I believe that may explain the campers at McDougle. Hopefully they will be cleared out by next week.

Correct B side hunt goes thru today i believe. The ranger said most of the people there were bow hunters. But they looked like they had been there awhile and weren’t moving on anytime soon. Little bumper pull campers parked around the circle. They were certainly set up nice.

So with no deer hunt Sunday is anyone sticking around for pigs?

Sunday I may or may not hunt some of the National Forest land. I have a spot picked out, just will depend on how I’m feeling and if I’ve kilked anything.

Killing a big one would be a game changer for sure. I know a really good processor about 35 minute drive away. I’m bringing an extra big cooler to pack a quarter deer into. Ranger did mention also that zone A has no restriction on antlers as long as the nubs are at least an inch long.

They are in there just have to work for them. I will enjoy the camping and scenery, it’s realky pretty up there. Filling a cooler with Meat will be icing on the cake.

I was just reading a story of a big 8 point killed there. Dec 6th. Man said they were just beginning the chase stage and this buck followed in a does foot steps about 830am Gets my blood pumping. I’d really like my daughter to kill a bragging rights buck.

It would be awesome for her to get one!

They are calling for snow here on Friday and I'm not 80 miles from where you're hunting. You boys are gonna be mighty chilly.

Yeah...I'm pumped about that weather coming in for the hunting. Not to excited about sleeping in it though, especially after being used to ~70 degree days....I'm a candy-azz...

when the going gets tough, the tough get going. A little snow would be a plus

Accuweather says 20 degrees Friday night. I’m ready!

If anyone needs an extra sleeping bag let me know I have one or two I can bring better to have it than be cold!

Floridian gonna freeze us out.....grin...

Would be great to hunt in a winter wonderland but in the mountainous AL county I live in (I'm assuming Bankhead is similar) there is little to no road treatment for ice/snow and it's hard to find a stretch of road that is straight and has no elevation change. With a temp switching between freezing/thawing roads get ugly. Maybe they have more salt trucks though.

Yeah I wouldn’t hold my breath on the salt trucks... hoping the precipitation holds off. I think there is a chance for some on Friday afternoon into Saturday.

I was going to drive up in my old 4Runner, but it has an 'iffy' heater, no defrost, has trouble starting in cold weather and has auto shift problems when freezing. My lad offered me his 2017 Nissan Frontier pick up. It has heated leather seats. lol. 4X4 as well.
The only issue I foresee is breaking camp if all is wet or icy. I hate packing a frozen wet tent. I have two big bag of firewood. Do I need to bring the fire grill? Cast iron skillets?

Fire grill and cast iron not a bad idea. I’ll have a rack or two of wood in my truck, two wheel drive but I don’t think we will get enough rain/sleet/snow to mess up too bad. I’ve been pouring over maps and google earth have a few idea and places figured out. Between the Wood we bring and the chain saw we will be ok on the fire. I’ll also have a two burner propane stove with plenty of tanks.

Weather Channel for nearby Russellville indicates slightly warmer temperatures during the hunt than they were saying a few days ago. Sunny and warm(er) by Sunday afternoon for the drive out.

I’ve been comparing Accuweather and weather channel using Moulton as the city, it’s gonna be cold no doubt and ime its always a bit colder in the mountains.

I have loaded the truck. I use a list, and check things off as I load. I always forget something. lol

Wonder how much propane the buddy heater will use? I have 4 bottles.

I am bringing 4 bottles as well. To be honest, I don't know how much it uses. I have had the heater for several years, but have not used it, other than to turn it on.
Packed the folding grill, two cast iron skillets, spatula and tongs. I am bringing a pound of bacon I had in the fridge. I won't be using the things, but anyone else can.

I’m guessing about 4 hours on a one pound tank depending on how you have it set.

Wish I could join you guys if only to have a libation; I am less than 90 minutes away. But, could not hunt last weekend and maybe the next one due to moving mom to independent living. So; I need to hit this cold front hard at my place in SW Alabama this week. It has been a stupid warm early season and the first good cold front gets them really moving down there.
Salt trucks in rural Alabama; don't hold your breath.
Good luck; there are big ones up there.

Partially packed but fully ready. I’m am jacked about this trip. If it snowed axel deep to a Ferris wheel I’d be freaking thrilled. I love hunting in the snow.
I can’t find my bone saw guess I’m gonna have to make a purchase

I’m bringing one Chris if you want to avoid the purchase. I’m loading the truck tonight and like you I’m way too excited.

Looks like some snow on Saturday but not a lot. I’m packing wet weather gear to be safe.

Hadn’t really thought about hanging a deer up either.

I’ll have some rope. I plan on quartering/gutless method in field if I get one.

My favorite method also. I’m bringing an extra cooler and ice

Riained like hell yesterday from Alexander City to Birmingham, and most of the night. Accuweather is not showing more for now. A lot of my gear got soaked riding in the bed of the truck. 😱
If the forecast changes to more rain, I will be iffy. At worst, I will drive up for the day Thursday and visit.

A little more rain today then I think we are clear for the weekend at least that’s what the forecasts are showing right now. I’ve held off packing my truck bc of the rain, will pack a few things this afternoon then the rest tomorrow morning on my way out.

Shows 0% precipitation for Moulton through Monday.

THU
DEC 7
Cloudy
48°-25°
0% NNW 8 mph

FRI
DEC 8
Cloudy
42°-25°
0% NNW 5 mph

SAT
DEC 9
Mostly Sunny
49°-24°
0% W 13 mph

SUN
DEC 10
Sunny
47°-29°
0% WNW 5 mph

Yep. Looking better. The cold is nor an issue, but I really breaking camp, and loading up in rain. 😜

I have to work until 10pm Thursday sadly. But I’m thinking about coming on as soon as i get home. Probably can be at the camping site my midnight. I want to be able to get straight into hunting as soon as posslible Friday morning.

I’ll have it marked Well enough Chris stay safe come when you can.

Will do. I can’t wait to find a trail and start walking. Plan on going far and deep and spending a lot of time in the woods.

Leaving earlier than expected. Was asked to trade shifts with someone. Now working 7/5. Should be at the camp site by 9/10 pm.

Don't what it's like there, but it just turned on here. I saw several bucks this morning chasing tail and another nice buck with his nose to the ground around 2pm in the middle of a field.

Awesome, I’m not sure about the rut in north Alabama hoping it is similar to yours due to closeness. This big shift in weather will at least have them up and moving around. Going to cover some ground on foot but also have a few ridges picked out to sit and glass on.

Chris glad you’ll be able to get in earlier! Four years ago cell phone reception was weak in the area hoping that has improved some.

Oh and for identification I’ll be in a two tone blue old square body GMC.

Sunday we noticed cell service was in and out. I have read the the area rut starts around first of December. Matter of fact one of the campers i talked to Sunday said they were ready to bust loose any day.

Solid white Hyundai suv with pink auburn tag on the front.

I hope you boys knock down a monster or two. I wish I was there! Beautiful country to hunt! Keep us posted.

Black Nissan Frontier truck. Should be there before noon.

For those already there, how’s the crowd looking? And how’s cell service?

Good luck guys I hope all of you kill a big one!

Should be fresh tracks in the white stuff in the morning, good time to play Larry Benoit 😀

Well, it was cold. 14F this morning. At least all the snow stayed South of us. As of this morning, no deer taken. Great bunch of campers though. I really enjoyed meeting so many 'fire members. The Bankhead NF is one beautiful place.

I had a great time. Matt, the food was great!! I’m proud of the memories and new friendships that we all made. Damn that’s a ruff place to hunt. You are either on a road or in a deep hollow. Didn’t see a single deer. I plan on trying to spend more time learning the place so maybe next year we can do it again.

2017 Alabama 24hourcampfire Deer Hunt.....


What can I say, no deer were harmed in the execution of this event. lol

The weather was harsh, temps at night dipping into the low teens and the terrain was tough to hunt. Other than a few does no deer were seen by our members. Lots of sign, just not in the right place at the right time.


Getting to meet everyone in person was outstanding! Sharing a camp with Jay, Sam, Mark, Tom, Chris, and Randy was an absolute blast. Many laughs, fine food and drink and few tall stories were shared around the campfire. In my opinion that is the heart of what this group is about. Good people enjoying the great outdoors. I can't say thank you enough to every member that took time out of their life's to join me on the adventure. I got to try Sam's awesome hot sauces something I've wanted to do for a while. Mark introduced me to Black Rifle Coffee and I might just be hooked, it was good stuff and I'm not a regular coffee drinker.


Some locals that were more familiar with area had more success. A 11yr old girl shot a really nice 9pt Saturday evening and big bodied 4pt this morning. The smile on her face as pictures were being taken was priceless! I'll be adding pics to this post as I have time, members from the hunt please share your photos as well.

I may have missed this. What was the hunting pressure like?

Thursday and Friday very little. Saturday there were a good bit of folks but they were concentrated in a general area, there was still plenty of no pressure area to piddle around in.

Thanks for posting pics, looks like a nice area wish I could have made it. Were the bucks killed by the locals chasing does?

As far as pressure goes looked like to me all the locals that hunt there just park and hunt right off the roads. We found a spot at a dead end gate that was a huge oak flat. Tons of sign. Fresh rubs and scrapes all down a old logging road. I think the deeper you are willing to go the less the pressure is. No doubt if we had more time that spot would have produced a nice buck. Seen no evidence that any one had been there

Yes they were. Apparently the rut was over on the northern section of the WMA but further spun on the National Forest lands they were in full rut.

I'm glad to hear that you boys had a great time. I knew you would!!! I hope to joint you all on one of these some day. Did you see any hogs?

No hogs and no hog sign. It appears the trapping has been very successful in reducing the whole population in the area.

It was a good time and I enjoyed getting to sit around the fire with good folks. Want to say thanks to Matt for putting it together and especially for the BBQ and breakfast!

Another favorite for me from the get together was getting test out new gear of mine and play with stuff others brought. Got to try Black Rifle Coffee and loved it, finally got my hands on a Savage 99F and boy what a difference from the EG model I owned, and I got to handle Jay’s Barrett Fieldcraft and play with the Tract scope. Really impressed with the Tract’s glass and features.

Had a great time. Some I'd met before and some I hadn't. Great bunch of guys to sit around a campfire with, which we did a lot of. Strangely, though, for this type of gathering, not a lot of alcohol was consumed, so the political conversations lacked some of the emotional heat you sometimes get when like-minded people are discussing current events. Sober reflection, and lots of it.

Matt, thanks again for your organization, some fine eating, your generous contribution to the actual, not virtual, campfire that warmed our toes. Mark, you make a great cup of coffee!

The locals who shared our camping ground were fascinating with their personal and generational knowledge of every square foot of hunting ground in the area, not to mention the genetic history and regional peculiarities of deer behavior within a 30-mile radius. Personally, I can't tell the difference between a white oak and a red oak and I learned over the weekend that this would have been a useful thing for me to know.

Like the rest of the guys, I was humbled by an 11-year-old girl who looked even younger than that, who shot one of the biggest bucks for the area, with one round of .223 at what we were told was 85 yards. She then, with the help of a 9-year-old boy (her cousin?) muscled the field dressed buck on a game cart up a trail of unknown distance to get to the truck (her dad told us). She's being raised right.

Next year, I'd like to hire her dad to guide me, and leave her home. (grin)

Red oaks have leaves with pointy ends like an Indian arrow, white oak leaves have more rounded ends like a white man’s rounded bullet. I was told this as a kid and it stuck with me, not sure how accurate it is....

Man, that weather was brutal huh? That's the stuff memories are made of though.

Paul, 10 degrees warmer with the snow that fell further south would have been a lot more memorable.

Love that Eureka Timberline 4 I have one exactly like it; Lord willing one of these years I’ll bring it down that looks like a great time!

I heard that a cow elk was killed in Bankhead this week. I do know it was taken to a local processor in cullman Alabama. I have not be able to confirm but i have a picture of the elk at the processors shop. Also on a side note, Matt I used some of your bbq sauce on some johnsonville cheddar brats and boy was it good!

A cow elk? That’s nuts!

Glad you are enjoying the sauce!

Wow, I'm pretty surprised at that. We scouted that area a little more than three years ago and we ran into a fair amount of hog sign.

Same when I was there 4 years ago, seems the trapping has been very effective on reducing the numbers.