Me and a buddy where thinking. We think we would like to go one weekend next year and hunt a different part of the state. we where thinking maybe an area with a December rut. We'd prefer a gun hunt but wouldn't mind archery. We want to be able to set up camp with tents some where close. we where thinking about maybe some where in the Talladega national forest or
chocolo WMA. Any suggestions/reccomendations?

If you want a December rut then the National Forest around Cheaha would be your best bet. You might catch it a little bit in Zone B of Choccolocco but the most rutting activity I have seen out there is usually right around Thanksgiving. Plenty of camping options around the National Forest with the state park right in the middle of it (definitely would want to figure out the property boundary so you aren’t hunting in the park) or there are privately owned campgrounds around Talladega or Oxford. If you go the National Forest route I’d suggest going during the doe days. There will be more folks out there which will push deer around as well as giving you a better chance at bringing home some meat. It’s not the easiest hunting in the world out there but there are deer if you get off the beaten path.

If you decide to hunt the WMA I’d go the first gun hunt on Zone A. Always had better luck there than Zone B. I’m going to try and get back for one of the Zone A gun hunts next season. It’s been a few years since I’ve been able to pull myself away from other obligations to make the trek back but judging by the pics I saw this year, the antler restrictions are paying off.

I have camped and hunted Oakmulgee WMA and the surrounding forest many times. Always a good time.I don't think the rut would coincide with the time frame you are planning to hunt though.

Skyline towards the end of December