So what time frame was there not any deer in Alabama that caused the restocking program? I'm sure those times weren't the good ole days. I feel like I've heard stories on here of folks saying they never even saw deer growing up.
There was one year I hunted a place in Georgia and I seen one deer. But you know what the deer hunting is no better now there. I always hunted in south AL. And I seen plenty of deer. Killed plenty also. But I liked to hunt the Hogs more then I'd hunt from Homerville Georgia down to almost Tampa Florida up into the delta. Had some Fine sight catch Bulldogs Smart dogs. I think a lot of the restocking was a little up from where I hunted. I think some of you guys will see it really poor. They have let people from 500 miles away tell you how to raise Deer in your area. It don't work like that things are different where I hunt than where someone up in the mountain hunts. I told The QDMA in 2002 that if they kept telling everyone in the Deep southern part of the states to kill every doe standing in 20 years won't be any deer to hunt. And we are here now! But some places can take it I guess just not here. The biggest differences were Hunters used less "Science" and "Proven" tactics to grow "Trophy Bucks" I guess we were just dumb rednecks that never thought leases would be 15-25$ a acre and become a team sport. Lol
Re: 40 year in the woods
[Re: jlbuc10]
#1653548 02/16/1603:06 AM02/16/1603:06 AM
So what time frame was there not any deer in Alabama that caused the restocking program? I'm sure those times weren't the good ole days. I feel like I've heard stories on here of folks saying they never even saw deer growing up.
I have heard similar stories from family members and guys i work with. They said for years they never saw a deer. I found this article from 2004 on the forestry site. Deer Restocking
According to this article in the 1930's and 1940's many counties in Al didnt have deer. Major state sponsored restocking efforts began around 1950 it looks like. Pretty interesting read. Around the time it was written it appears the deer population in AL was booming. I was living in GA then. Seems like the population today, at least in my area, is on the decline again.
My papaw has some good hunting stories from growing up around oak ridge Tennessee. When I go visit him and hunt with him he still seems to know everybody and thanks to some good hearted folks we get to experience a little bit of the old days of being able to hunt with different folks on different land all over that area.
we've got many, many deer here in S Montgomery Co., but I know old timers that still talk about the first deer track and first deer they ever saw in this neck of the woods
I started in '73 in Paint Rock Valley. There were only about 5-6 groups of folks hunted the whole valley. Rarely ever heard a shot, never saw anyone that wasn't in your group. If you killed a spike it was a good season, a 120" 8 pt was a jaw dropper. Now there's folks on every ridge and bench, and they drag some grown-uns out there.
All these folks on here talk about not having any deer now. Hunting the mountains of upper PRV in the early 70s would have been traumatic for them. Just happy to see 6-8 a season of hard hunting.
So what time frame was there not any deer in Alabama that caused the restocking program? I'm sure those times weren't the good ole days. I feel like I've heard stories on here of folks saying they never even saw deer growing up.
I have heard similar stories from family members and guys i work with. They said for years they never saw a deer. I found this article from 2004 on the forestry site. Deer Restocking
According to this article in the 1930's and 1940's many counties in Al didnt have deer. Major state sponsored restocking efforts began around 1950 it looks like. Pretty interesting read. Around the time it was written it appears the deer population in AL was booming. I was living in GA then. Seems like the population today, at least in my area, is on the decline again.
My papaw has some good hunting stories from growing up around oak ridge Tennessee. When I go visit him and hunt with him he still seems to know everybody and thanks to some good hearted folks we get to experience a little bit of the old days of being able to hunt with different folks on different land all over that area.
Originally Posted By: Hogwild
Most of the guys my father's age and older (mid-70's) remember not only the 1st deer they ever saw, but even the 1st deer tracks!
But, they say that you cannot kill them out.......
Originally Posted By: ronfromramer
we've got many, many deer here in S Montgomery Co., but I know old timers that still talk about the first deer track and first deer they ever saw in this neck of the woods
Thanks fellas that's what I'm talking about. The old timers complain about how hunting is today, but some how forget that there were hardly any deer in this state 50- 60 years ago. I would argue that even though you can't hunt every bit of other peoples that you want any more and public land might be "crowded" the deer herd and deer hunting is way better than it was when all you old farts were kids.
I've seen many a big buck killed on public or permit land in the last five years. I don't know whether the hunting was better 40 years ago or not. I'm not that old. I'm just saying what I've seen.
I tracked deer this year in Macon, Bullock, Barbour, Russell, Lee, Chambers, Montgomery, Crenshaw, Pike, Tallapoosa, Coosa, Talledega, and Bibb counties. I don’t know about the rest of the state, but none of the properties I went to looked like they were lacking of deer. I think as time goes by, the old days have a way of always seeming to be better than what they actually were at the time. I know there are some isolated areas that need some changes to happen but I don’t think we’re nearly as bad off as what it may seem like from the internet chatter.
Last edited by CNC; 02/16/1610:01 AM.
We dont rent pigs
Re: 40 year in the woods
[Re: Hogwild]
#1654131 02/16/1612:06 PM02/16/1612:06 PM
I will turn 50 soon and this "deer hunting is way better than it was when all you old farts were kids" simply is NOT true.
Sorry.
It all depends on where you grew up and were able to hunt. As an example, I grew up in the Birmingham and north section of the State and ran around in the hills and hollows of Cullman County in the 60's, 70's & 80's and yes it was extremely rare to see deer tracks, much less a deer in that area. Now, there is a very good huntable deer population in that area, so hunting is much better now. All depends where you grew up. However, I would agree about hunting in much of the "Blackbelt area". That is where most people that deer hunted went from the areas I grew up in.
"After all, it is not the killing that brings satisfaction; it is the contest of skill and cunning. The true hunter counts his achievement in proportion to the effort involved and the fairness of the sport." Dr. Saxton Pope
Re: 40 year in the woods
[Re: Hogwild]
#1654165 02/16/1601:10 PM02/16/1601:10 PM
some of u guys got it wrong. Its not about how many deer you kill or see its about the experience of hunting and fellowship. You are right I did not see as many deer than as I do today but I enjoyed hunting more than. One guy asked why Alabama had to restock, its was around the depression time when everyone was poor and going to the store sometimes took all your money so u had to have other sources of meat and it was deer or turkey. Bout wiped them out. When u need to feed family hunting at night or shoot everything you see was a way to feed your family.
I get that the fellowship aspect is great. But I've been at it over 30 years, and it's not even enjoyable anymore for me. If I get up at 5a.m. and sit in a stand all day, I want to see deer. The quantity of deer compared to even 10 or 12 years ago, just isn't there. I hunt with a great group of guys. Great club where everybody gets along, but the desire to grow the quantity of deer isn't there for about 90 percent of the members. If they see 1 deer every four hunts and kill a 60lb doe, they're good with it. As for the experience, that is being lowered by habitat modification, that most hunters have no control over. I hope something changes or happens where kids today, or their kids can experience hunting the way it was when I was a kid.
Been hunting 40 years as well.Got my start in good old Coosa county. Got several hundred deer under my belt. Stopped counting. I as well have seen lots of changes. Used to get them cheap Union Camp, Hammer mill and Kimberly Clark permits and thought we had the world to ourselves. Sometimes we hunted properties that few people ever ventured on. And Coosa County was crawling in deer. I can assure you Coosa county deer numbers aren't a fraction of yesteryear . But not all is bad. And I don't want to be a pessimistic old geezer ! I however am a realist. I have hunted pretty much all over the state and there are still good places to hunt. But what we have now are isolated good areas. And a lot of what is considered good is in the eye of the beholder. If you are older like me and some of the others on the forum and have hunted some Milk and Honey lands, then you have some pretty high standards as to what is "Good Hunting". A lot of guys now are looking for a real good place to hunt and I see their ads saying please find me some cream of the crop hunting , I am willing to pay dearly. But you can't always buy it. Nonetheless demand is high and there are a lot of dissatisfied hunters across the state. But here is the bottom line. And hold on before you post " But my place is just full of deer and big old bucks". Your place may be and if it is it is not the norm across the state.There are plenty other places that are not worth the gas it takes to get there. Our state needs an overhaul in the deer dept. If you want to hunt the land of Milk and Honey it comes at a price.You can't shoot everything you see, stay in the woods for 3 months, then squall about substandard hunting. And change is hard. We that were brought up under a buck a day and all the does you want to shoot have had bad scoolmasters. Alabama hunts very hard and aggressive. In the area of Illinois where our hunting lease is they hunt 7 gun days a year. And the deer aren't dumb but they will get on their feet a whole lot more in the daylight. I am not saying we need only 7 days but I do think our gun season is too long. Also getting our hunters out of the "If it's brown it's down " syndrome has got to go.
Re: 40 year in the woods
[Re: Dw0229]
#1655146 02/17/1610:19 AM02/17/1610:19 AM
Been hunting 40 years as well.Got my start in good old Coosa county. Got several hundred deer under my belt. Stopped counting. I as well have seen lots of changes. Used to get them cheap Union Camp, Hammer mill and Kimberly Clark permits and thought we had the world to ourselves. Sometimes we hunted properties that few people ever ventured on. And Coosa County was crawling in deer. I can assure you Coosa county deer numbers aren't a fraction of yesteryear . But not all is bad. And I don't want to be a pessimistic old geezer ! I however am a realist. I have hunted pretty much all over the state and there are still good places to hunt. But what we have now are isolated good areas. And a lot of what is considered good is in the eye of the beholder. If you are older like me and some of the others on the forum and have hunted some Milk and Honey lands, then you have some pretty high standards as to what is "Good Hunting". A lot of guys now are looking for a real good place to hunt and I see their ads saying please find me some cream of the crop hunting , I am willing to pay dearly. But you can't always buy it. Nonetheless demand is high and there are a lot of dissatisfied hunters across the state. But here is the bottom line. And hold on before you post " But my place is just full of deer and big old bucks". Your place may be and if it is it is not the norm across the state.There are plenty other places that are not worth the gas it takes to get there. Our state needs an overhaul in the deer dept. If you want to hunt the land of Milk and Honey it comes at a price.You can't shoot everything you see, stay in the woods for 3 months, then squall about substandard hunting. And change is hard. We that were brought up under a buck a day and all the does you want to shoot have had bad scoolmasters. Alabama hunts very hard and aggressive. In the area of Illinois where our hunting lease is they hunt 7 gun days a year. And the deer aren't dumb but they will get on their feet a whole lot more in the daylight. I am not saying we need only 7 days but I do think our gun season is too long. Also getting our hunters out of the "If it's brown it's down " syndrome has got to go.
I agree! I used to hunt the old hit and miss hunting club near portland landing. I remember one opening day, (which used to be a Friday), we killed 30 bucks. Oh, and we actually managed deer back then, so most of these were good bucks. Lots of soy beans, corn, etc.. and very few hunting clubs across the state. Deer were a lot heavier as well.
some of u guys got it wrong. Its not about how many deer you kill or see its about the experience of hunting and fellowship. You are right I did not see as many deer than as I do today but I enjoyed hunting more than. One guy asked why Alabama had to restock, its was around the depression time when everyone was poor and going to the store sometimes took all your money so u had to have other sources of meat and it was deer or turkey. Bout wiped them out. When u need to feed family hunting at night or shoot everything you see was a way to feed your family.
Deerman, please don't take personal offense, I'm not pointing at you.... I just get so tired of hearing this "sentimental rhetoric" of "it's not about the kill, it's about the experience and fellowship." I just flatly disagree. Those things are incidental to hunting, but I can do those anywhere, any time, and a heckuva lot easier and cheaper than by hunting. The actual intent of "hunting" is "killing". If all I wanted was time in the woods around friends, I'd just take up trail running or camping. I care NOTHING about hunting if I am not there to KILL a critter. Actually, in the last few years, 99% of my hunting has been alone, and frankly I've been WAAAY more successful.
We were on the edge of Eternia, when the power of Greyskull began to take hold.
I'm with you on this one, exciteman. ikill in the screenname is a giveaway. Most people go through stages in their hunting career. In the early stages, the kill may be the main focus, but for most, but for most hunters it changes over time. I've been hunting for close to 60 years and my view and focus sure aren't the same as when I started. Now, for me, it's a year round process that starts with planning, then spring planting, planting chufa in the summer, beginning prep for planting fall plots in Aug. and planting them in the fall. Hunting is just a step in the process. I didn't even kill a doe this year, although I averaged seeing 12-15 every day and went hunting just about every day during the season. I haven't killed a buck in 4 years and passed on 4-5 mature bucks including a 130" 4 1/2 yr old. I did manage to help my grandson take his first buck, a nice 3 yr old 8 pt. All that said, I enjoyed the season as much as I ever have(except for those 75 degree afternoons). I'm not saying who is wrong or right, but there are always different ways to look at every situation. I'm getting old and don't get around like I used to, but I just thank the Good Lord I can still do what I enjoy and I'll do it as long as I can. If I get a crack at a monster buck, I'll probably take it, but I really don't care much if I kill another one or not.
Re: 40 year in the woods
[Re: ikillbux]
#1657396 02/19/1605:57 AM02/19/1605:57 AM
some of u guys got it wrong. Its not about how many deer you kill or see its about the experience of hunting and fellowship. You are right I did not see as many deer than as I do today but I enjoyed hunting more than. One guy asked why Alabama had to restock, its was around the depression time when everyone was poor and going to the store sometimes took all your money so u had to have other sources of meat and it was deer or turkey. Bout wiped them out. When u need to feed family hunting at night or shoot everything you see was a way to feed your family.
Deerman, please don't take personal offense, I'm not pointing at you.... I just get so tired of hearing this "sentimental rhetoric" of "it's not about the kill, it's about the experience and fellowship." I just flatly disagree. Those things are incidental to hunting, but I can do those anywhere, any time, and a heckuva lot easier and cheaper than by hunting. The actual intent of "hunting" is "killing". If all I wanted was time in the woods around friends, I'd just take up trail running or camping. I care NOTHING about hunting if I am not there to KILL a critter. Actually, in the last few years, 99% of my hunting has been alone, and frankly I've been WAAAY more successful.
Wow. So I guess you're miserable most days?
I'd go hunt without a gun, and sometimes do, just to see the wildlife and enjoy God's creation.
(Custom).JPG)
