Some of the WMA's are having early gun hunts in Bow season.
I called District 2 office and ask. They said it was new for this year.

CHOCCOLOCCO Special Opportunity Hunt (Zone A & B) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov.6-8 One antlered buck per day; *Antlered Buck Restrictions Apply.

Yep. I got that Friday off so I'll migrate down for the hunt. Ought to be one or two good ones killed off the WMA if the weather cooperates.

I expect low attendance numbers.

Which WMAs are having the special opportunity hunts?

I don't think the special opportunity hunts mean gun hunting in bow season. It has to stand for something else. Yall look at Lowndes dates. Only one weekend is a gun hunt the WHOLE SEASON. Then it has other weekends listed as "special opportunity". Can someone that knows for sure chime in and clarify this?

[quote=akbejeepin]I expect low attendance numbers. [/quot
Might have been but word is out now.

Bankhead and Choccolocco are two that I know of. The WMA's can set their own seasons, thus gun hunting before the rest of the state. Choccolocco should be fun to hunt since the rut starts getting cranked up that early. I'd assume Bankhead may have some behemoths pulled out of there on that first gun hunt.

Special opportunity hunt (AKA)- Early gun hunt to get folks in the woods on these areas when deer are hopefully beginning to rut. These hunts are prior to regular gun season. We are trying some new things and hopefully will increase man days on the WMA system and get folks interested in public lands again.

Believe it or not we do listen when people make suggestions that we can back up with data. Win win...

Ahh heck - why even have a bow season Mr state employee? Just take everything bow hunters have left!

I figured that's what it was. I used to enjoy muzzleloader season at choccolocco, always had pretty good luck and no crowd. I bow hunt mostly now though so doesn't matter as much. I'm a little anxious about all this though since qdma took over seems like their changing things a lot. Hope they know what they're doing.

Great point. Maybe the DCNR and CAB will take this under consideration.

Open "deer season" on Oct. 15 or Oct. 1 and end it on Feb. 15. Open season, no weapons restrictions. Zones? Fine. WMA special seasons? Fine.

Who said you couldn't bow there big boy??? It isn't closed to bow hunting. When was the last time you set foot on public land anyway

You know me, I am a bow hunter first and foremost but I think it is a good idea to get folks on public land again.

Can't speak to it in my professional role... but you know there are special interest groups that would never let that happen.

DEER: (Youth) Zone A & B Stalk Hunting Hunters� Choice (except spotted fawns): Nov. 14-15 (Two deer per day - one unantlered deer and one antlered buck).
(Gun)
Special Opportunity Hunt (Zone A & B) Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov.6-8 One antlered buck per day; *Antlered Buck Restrictions Apply.
Zone A Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 27-30; Dec.17-20 One antlered buck per day; *Antlered Buck Restrictions Apply.
Zone B Stalk Hunting Antlered Bucks Only: Nov. 21-23; Dec.10-13 One antlered buck per day; *Antlered Buck Restrictions Apply.
(Primitive Weapons) Zones A & B Stalk Hunting Hunter�s Choice (except spotted fawns): Nov. 16-20 (Two deer per day - one unantlered deer and one antlered buck);
*Antlered Buck Restrictions Apply


Sorry for letting the cat out of the bag AC870. But with the limited amount of hunts this year. I felt it was worth letting everyone know.

That season recommendation sounds GREAT!

Are you referring to my new special interest group - the No Rifle Association. I call it the NRA!

I want a "handgun only" season from December 10-17 every year. Only handguns - nothing else, period. No bows, no crossbows, no rifles or old guns or flintlocks or anvils or spears. Just handguns.

Will be good for the deer to give them a little break and will help the handgun hunters enjoy some time in the woods ... like the bowhunters get, for a month.

Clem - you should probably know that - in a former life - mr state employee and myself worked together, and I enjoy giving him heck when opportunities arrive. Don't want my comments to get you too fired up.

I do bow hunt only theses days, but I'm only 43% serious, 72% of the time.

Pretty much...