Garbo

My Father-In-Law has hunted "The Black Belt", the part of Alabama that is famed for producing the largest Whitetails in the State. He and I had a visit recently and he for years has taken a buck each year that scoredaround 130or overevery year, until about 6-7 years ago. He is of the opinion that Whitetail Bucks in Alabama are averaging smaller scores than years ago.

He feels that years ago there was alot more rowcropagriculture being grown in the state and a very large percentage of what was once rowcrop agriculture is now Planted Pines, and the deer don't have access to the major food sources that made "The Black Belt" famous for large antler deer.

I hunt the central part of the state, and havetaken my largest deer in thatarea,but don't have the years that my father-in-law has to compare to, but would like to know how others think. With exception to, Primetime Plantation which we all know has moremonster whitetails per acre than Milk River Montana, what do you guys think about Alabama Whitetails now vs. years ago?

DoneDeal2

DANG , NOW THATS FUNNY AS HELL! Pretty bad when Garbo gets on you.

NICHOLAS

The area we hunt near Greenville used to have huge soybean fields planted every year according to my Dad. Now it is all planted pines and cow fields. Now I can not say if the bucks are smaller, but according to him the area used to have some absolute monsters. I am sure some of you remember Butler Management and bloody 21.

Garbo

I'm not on blue hoo, he just has access to bucks that I don't. Out of all the nice bucks I have seen posted that he claims he wouldn't shoot, I have to feel that the place he hunts is covered up with em. I would love to see his photo album, it must be awesome. Blue Hoo,I dowish you wouldshow us some of the beasts.

But, I ain't on him, I don't have the experience to get on him.

Garbo

I have a feeling of what Bulter management is but what is Bloody 21? Explain.

one big one

Quote :Sir , 50 $ a day you can shoot a doe & watch my 190's walk, we can bass fish & i weigh uh 200 lbs & can take my dad. As far as the bucks give them a couple of years & they will be shooters.:letsdrink:letsdrink

you have to pay to play.

Garbo

The Alabama Record Typical is 194 6/8 P & Y, and that is P &Y not B & C which should make the score a lower net afterdeductions.

I don't think that 190's are walking around in herds, oreven in pairs,anywhere in the state of Alabama. McCallisters(sp)is a large acreageHigh Fencepropertyin Gordon Al. and Heprobablyhas the best herd I have everseen orheard about in Alabama, and he ain't got that kind of deer walking around.BTW $50 won't get you through his gate, I once knew the fees but would be afraid to post them as I am not sure, but you could go wayout ofstate alot cheaper.

Do some of you that Hunt Alabama think the Bucks antlers are smaller than years ago?

NICHOLAS

According to a few guys I know who used to hunt Butler Management in its prime there would be 10-20 rack bucks capped out after every hunt. That was in the late 70's early 80's I believe.



Bloody 21 was the nickname for hwy 21.



I was only a thought then so I can only speak from what I have been told.





As far as bucks being smaller in the entire state I can not say, however I can say that they have gotten bigger over the past 10 yrs on the land I hunt.

HeartofDixie

Well, as much as I hate to say it, you and your father-in-law are exactly right...AL's 'Black Belt' bucks have steadily decreased in size over the past 2-3 decades. Now don't get me wrong, there are some absolute monster bucks walking around in AL's 'Black Belt' right NOW...But, the number of high quality bucks has gone way down. Just so you know, my opinions and thoughts on this come from hunting AL and the 'Black Belt'my whole life.

Back in the 60's and 70's, it was nothing to bag <U>huge</U> rack bucks each year. Nowadays, you still have a better chance than other areas of AL, but you'd be lucky to even see a monster buck much less kill one a year.

You hit the nail on the head with your rowcrop theory, or lack there of. The 'Black Belt' with its extremely fertile soil used to be planted in soy beans and cotton...I mean lots and lots and lots of soy beans. Now, those farmlands have turned into timber land and money is made from trees, not soy beans and cotton. This means the deer have less nutrition than they used to have access to several decades ago. Less nutrients mean smaller racks and bodies.

I hunted and worked at a lodge in the 'Black Belt back in the 90's (just south of Selma, in Sardis, AL). The lodge has pictures and mounts from the 60's and 70's and impressive is an understatement. They used tohang 2-3 monster bucks on the wall each year. They haven't put a buck on the wall since 2002. So, I've seen the unfortunate decline as well, and the lack of monsters killed at the lodge now compared to 2-3 decades ago is proof enough for me.

Garbo

Did you work at Blackbelt Lodge in Sardis?