I currently attend the University of Alabama. I grew up hunting my whole life but then moved here for school, and not a day goes by I don't crave a backstrap. I was at WalMart and was told Oakmulgee WMA was maybe 20 minutes away. Is this WMA any good? I grew up hunting public land so will jump at the chance if this ends up being a descent place to hunt. I'll most likely be bow hunting. Just want some experience from those who've hunted here before I drop more money to hunt

Yea WMA's can be some good bow hunting. You also have the national forest 30 min south of Tuscaloosa. Weekdays are less crowded and the further you are willing to walk, the more luck you will have. Go scout it out and give it a shot. I really enjoy hunting them. I feel like I am hunting out west or something with all the land that is available for me to roam.

Any areas you could give me advice to scout on Oakmulgee? Not asking for your honey hole, just a general area to start. Looks like a lot of timber with a few clearings.

I don't know the WMA, but this is what I'd do. find hardwoods preferably near thicker cutover area and find some white oaks dropping with deer crap under them and hunt it during bow season. Google maps is a great place to start.

I'm looking at it now on google maps near the Grimes cemetary. what about the National Forest with it being 30 minutes away

All the deer are in the WMA, there's not any left in the NF.

May want to get further south in National forest that place is wrapped up since they ran the deer factory article years ago. Maybe 1 out of the 2000 can get a decent deer mostly locals and private landowners feeding deer nearby. Good place to get some exercise and look at nature and kill a little time anyhow.

I hadn't hunted it a lot but the kill stats always showing it being one of the better WMAs in the state. You can google Outdoor Alabama, Alabama Outdoor News or Ala Game and Fish to see some of that. I spent a weekend turkey hunting it a few years ago. Only problem I saw was a lot of it looks alike. I think I would gave a hard time narrowing down on THE spot to hunt. That said, I saw a deer or 2 on side of road in thinned pines when I was there.
I think rut is a week or 2 either side of Christmas and some really nice bucks have come off the area over the years.
Also, I like the Payne Lake campground.

It can be good hunting if you put in the time and find the right place.

From y'alls honest opinion, will the out of state license be worth it. It would be about $320 to hunt the public land.

absolutely, there is literally thousand of public acres to hunt in Alabama. It will be some tough hunting but you will learn a lot. If you can kill em here consistently you can do it anywhere. Put in the boot leather and patience and it can pay off. It can be tough though. Good luck!

Not for me, it wouldn't. Are you sure you have to have an out of State license, since you're a student?

I'm unsure about the student license. It would be amazing if it wasn't so expensive

You may want to check into that. I bet you're able to buy a resident license. If so, it's worth it.

I sent them an email, hopefully it will work out. Anybody know if im allowed to go on the WMA to look around/scout for free?

I believe the license is based off a driver's license, so one would need an in-state DL for a resident hunting license. I think a student exception would be smart of them to do, but I can't remember there being one.

There probably isn't, be nice if there was with the large amount of money it brings to Alabama

I beleive you can go scout but must have the WMA Map/Permit in your possession.

All you need to get an Alabama Residence license is an Alabama drivers license. Should be able to get one since you are living in Alabama. Then go get you a lifetime hunting license. You will be good to go for life to hunt in Alabama. Yes you can scout for free nothing is required to walk around if you aren't hunting.

If you have a local address and a utility bill or such, you can get an Al DL, you know since you lost yours....Just saying