Sure, I can agree with that but that’s not what we’re discussing. We’re talking about Alabama WMAs which are not “full nilly willy gun areas”. Most have a 3 points on one main beam rule, limited rifle hunts and typically only one either sex weekend rifle hunt.

On the scenario I described, it’s a fact that the refuge isn’t a better quality hunting experience than the rest of the WMA.

I bet there are a bunch of meat eaters and dog hunters keeping those deer cleaned out too from the nearby leased land and accessible public. With corn now being used, probably just got worse.

I for one enjoy the SOA hunts. I also think that there should be public areas as well. We all know of public land that is crazy hard to hunt and only dedicated hunters are successful. These areas should never be used as an SOA. There is plenty of land in Alabama to have both. Incentivize large corporate land owners such as Alabama Power and U.S. Steel to allow the use some of their land for SOA hunts. Note that I said incentivize. I do not believe in government forcing their way into the private sector. Theyve proven that they are not business savy. Heck, the SOAs now need more funding. Its a shame that I go scout a 450 acre section on Portland Landing and there is only one food plot planted. I dont blame the local guys. Like most things, the problem is in Montgomery.

I compare hunting on Alabama’s typical Wma’s to having a colonoscopy. You don’t want to do it but you have to. I look forward to the few trips out of state I get to take every year. The quality of hunt is 10 times what it is here. I got drawn for an SOA hunt that I am very excited about this year. The SOA’s offer a better quality hunt right here in Alabama. Don’t make them like the rest of the crap land that we have to hunt where does get whacked by the dozens and every 1.5 year old 6 takes a ride in a side by side.

Can someone explain what goes on at these SOA blocks of land when they aren’t having a special hunt?

In theory, nothing should be going on other than whatever possible management projects are on the books IF they claim the area is "special" enough that hunters are paying for "an experience" via limited draws.

In reality, you're probably having some quiet hunting done by "special friends" who need to be stroked for some possible future gain. Pete Politician is on The Critical Committee and taking him out deer hunting or turkey hunting "to show him how good this is" likely happens. That's a cynical viewpoint but I have zero doubt that's what goes on sometimes.

I do

But they should open some of these bigger wmas like statewide private land like most other states do

Tennessee proved years ago that pressure goes down when you do that.

Emailed my district rep.

Him and Chucky had a good laugh about it over a cup of coffee at Portland Landing before heading out to their favorite spot I'm sure

I will preface that by saying that I think very highly of Rich Wingo. Doesn't mean that him and everyone else in Montgomery aren't out watching the edge of the cotton field on unit 6 this morning.

They took Choctaw wildlife refuge and made it an soa. Pretty sure you could bow hung it before that….

You can still bow hunt it. They just gave a couple days to muzzleloader hunt it.

That’s surprising.