Ok, I have never been hunting in. Ankhead, but have driven through there and noticed the terrain. I hunt some land similar to Bankhead and just need some advice on terrain features to look for. I know about saddles but where do the deer like to hang? Up top, in the bottoms, sides of ridges, etc? Just need some help trying to learn how to hunt this terrain as well as the lower deer density

I hunt Winston county near bankhead and the terrain is almost identical. I've found a few funnels on top of ridges that have really produced. One of the main areas that I hunt is an area that is only about 100 yards wide in some pines, and has pretty severe drop off on either side that are hardwood bottoms. I've rarely sat in that spot and not had something come through. So I guess to answer your question, then my experience would be top of ridges.

I would just put some boot leather down until you found good sign in the thick areas.

I grew up hunting Choccolocco and the national forest around Cheaha. I like to hunt about 3/4 of the way up a ridge. I look for ridges that are thick on the top. In my experience deer will travel in and out of the thick stuff but positioning yourself along a travel route just below that thickness allows you to catch deer moving normally without disturbing the area too much. Secondary ridges that come off the main ridge makes for a good ambush point as well.

In Choccolocco one of my best spots is a low ridge that has such a thicket on it you can’t walk through it. But that’s the perfect spot to set up to catch deer moving to safety when the gun hunts are taking place. On public ground you need to be aware of what the pressure will do to the deer and where they will feel safe when the pressure is on. Terrain will dictate where they feel safe as well. Go where the others aren’t.

I have always had luck in thickets near bluff edges, where water is not too far away...