Has anyone on here ever hunted with an outfitter in Alabama? If so, what was your experience like. Good?Bad? And would you recommend a particular outfitter. Thanks!

I ain't paying to hunt in my own state

Heard that! I never have either but with baby on the way won’t be able to justify a full years lease. My season will be just a few days ha.

If I was in your shoes I would look at goin outta state you can find some stuff reasonable if you shop it around

You can find better out of state for the same prices.

A guy at work went to hurricane creek near Florence. Before he went, he said it really wasn’t his cup of tea but his buddy basically had a second spot paid for already so he tagged along. Afterwards he said it was actually really cool and a lot better than he would have thought. He said he’d actually pay his own money to go a second time.

The bigger outfitters in Alabama can only survive by booking as many people as possible during the season, which means the deer are under intense pressure.

I have hunted a few times at these places but not on my own dime. The hunting sucked on every trip. I would never waste a dollar of my own money on an Alabama outfitter.

Facts

Truth

I would not spend a dime to hunt in AL at any outfitter. There’s public ground in this state that is far superior. The problem with outfitters here is they run way too many hunters on the same acreages the entire season. Very few exceptions. Also, for the cost of a 3-5 day hunt in AL on over pressured ground you could easily lease a nice piece of dirt with a higher chance for success. I’d consider a small lease over an outfitter.

This. I got invited to go on one in Alabama for free by a customer and it sucked. As others stated, over hunted land and they wanted everyone to shoot does. A ripoff IMO. Nobody even saw a decent buck. I ain't paying a lot of $ to shoot a damn doe when I can go to Ohio, Kansas, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky for the same $ and have a legitimate chance at a bruiser.

There was 382 acres that just was on the lease section for $3k. Same price as an outfitter

You'd be better off signing up for one of the private school hunts than going with an outfitter in the state...assuming you're looking at free range deer.

They have a great time and kill some very nice deer at those.

Find a Charity deer hunt- just google it. you get to hunt private land, with groups that have a vested interest in you having a good time and taking deer. I would not spend any money on an Alabama Outfitter to deer hunt. intense pressure, unpredictable weather, etc. make it tough.

If only had a few days to hunt, I'd probably just weasel my way into guest hunting somewhere.

Had any experience with any of these or know anyone that has?

I hv heard the Wilcox deer hunt was very solid

I don’t remember what numbers were but somebody told me what was killed and it sounded pretty good - some of the deer where pretty good

I’ve been at the Pickens Academy hunt the last two years to collect CWD samples and although I didn’t go out and see any of the areas they were hunting, they brought in several real nice bucks. Had quite a few in the 120-130 range and I remember at least one 140”+. There may have been two. Everyone had a great time. Heard no complaining. People saw deer. Everybody had opportunities to kill something.

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That’s gone b a much better area/quality deer than what I mentioned

We hunted Westervelt Lodge a few times years ago as a get away with our kids. There was not a single deer killed by the kids on any of the hunts. I will never set foot on the property again. The lodge experience was great, food was fantastic, but the kids wanted to see deer and they did not see deer.

Buy your own place and hunt it like you want. It will be just as cheap in the long run. The Wilcox Academy Deer Hunt is something you may need to check into. I have a friend who really isnt a hunter kill a 140 there several years ago. I have never heard a bad word come from that hunt.