Hey Guys,

I am trying to figure out a location for me to hunt in Oct. I am not familiar with either of the locations and there is no where for me to hunt around my area. Both of these areas the wma's, are 70-80 miles from me and thats kinda hard to go scope out but I wanted to know your opinion of the population in each WMA to increase my odds.

Again, I am new to all hunting and this will be my first ever.

Cahaba is tough hunting and every few years when I'd go back to scout the woods I had hunted l, they were gone....most have been cut. Lots of pines and gas wells. Some good deer but not a high density and a good number of hunters with it being so close to Birmingham. Do lots of scouting and have several backup plans for when the crowd shows.

If the distance is the same, I'd go to the TDF and Choc. If your going to hunt a bunch before rifle season, don't overlook the forest itself.

Honestly, neither

I'm open to suggestions about where to hunt but I don't have much knowledge of where I can hunt and not get in trouble since I might or might not be on public land.

What's tdf?

I would lease or join a club but not money to put into a lease.

Tdf= talladega national forest aka steep ass barren hardwoods devoid of wildlife except deer dogs

Well that's great news, ya I was looking at google earth of parts of cahaba last night and sat a lot of it is cut which is really sad. Choc looks like heavy woods, I also took a look at mulberry but it didn't seem like much was happening there. I wish I knew of state owned land around me to hunt on or someone local that I could hunt on thier land but that's not the case.

I do however plan to go scout both cahaba and choc before the season starts to know where to go and what the setup will be. I will be bow hunting all season.

I can't argue that a lot of it looks like that. But, when I worked areas on the northern fringes of the forest, I would find good looking places to hunt all the time. The key is to look for private land adjoining the forest with bedding ground, and focus on edges.

I'm not gonna say more than that, because there's folks that have learned that stuff over time with good map work. But I know they produce early season. Just don't expect results without some real work.

Been almost 20 years since I hunted Choccolocco but if I was to go back I would start up around Coleman lake on the north end. Lot's of good woods but its steep too.

I live within 5 minutes of Cahaba. The Helena side of Cahaba is better walking but it gets the most pressure from Birmingham and surrounding areas because its close and not very hilly. The west blocton side is less hunted but its full of clear cuts, gas wells and high walls that would make you question any shot if you had to drag him out. You can find good spots on either end, you just have to work really hard at it.

I like the words of encouragement about the two wma,s I'm going to try my best to get far enough away from others but not so far if I am able to kill one.

I grew up hunting Choccolocco. It takes time to learn the woods, but it can be productive. Here's a few general tips to get you started if you decide to hunt Choccolocco.

1.) Use the map to identify areas where you can get away from others. As stated before, you will need to find areas of low pressure. The closer you are to the areas of greater population, the more pressure it gets.

2.) Look for places that discourage other hunters from hunting. There's steep terrain there but if you put in the leg work, you can find nice spots to hunt where others won't put in the effort.

3.) The food plots get hammered with pressure, even the ones off the road.

4.) Invest in a game cart. It will help if you connect with one and it goes somewhere steep.

5.) Early season is when your chances are best. Once the first gun hunt goes down, the deer get very wary.

As a side note, don't overlook the national forest. Before dog season comes in, it should be relatively unpressured. The Cleburne County side doesn't have the pressure from the deer dogs even during gun season. It is tough terrain, but it allows you more territory to get away from others.

How do I go abut getting a permit for the forest? Is it included in the wma from choc

No permit needed for the forest.

Alright guys thanks for all the info. where do I go to get into the forest to hunt but I want to scout out some parts this weekend.

if I go to the camp coleman part of the forest, do I need to have a WMA license.

If you are talking about Coleman Lake, you don't need a permit right now to scout. Heck, they haven't printed permits yet. When season comes in you can pick up a permit at one of the local gas stations, one of the check stations, or print it online.

For the national forest, Hwy 281 runs right down the middle of it in Calhoun and Cleburne county all the way to Cheaha. There are a few different roads that run into the forest in Talladega county. The forestry service has a map available for purchase online.

The WMA has multiple places to go access the place. The easiest is right off of Hwy 9 in White Plains. It isn't the quickest way to Coleman Lake but it is easy to find. Some of the gas stations around there still have the old permits which is a complete map of the road system there. I'm sure you can find an old map on outdoor Alabama's site too. Good luck, wear good hiking boots, and watch your step out there.

I know of a trophy club between Asheville and Ragland. 7 members, 3000 acres. $2500 dues, no turkey rights.

I wish I had that kind of money.

I have hunted public land for years. Its a little overwhelming at first but I enjoy it. Granted I only bowhunt and my job allows me time during the week to be off, which is great for public land.