There IS a ton of great public land actually. The Bankhead National Forest has great deer and some turkey. If you look back a few days youll see "got my mount back" post , or something like that, by MTEAGUE.
He shot a great buck there.
Theres great Hogs hunting there and at the Black Warrior WMA. I shot one there last year.

There is Skyline to your east as well. They have good deer and turkeys.
A bunch of the guys from here hunt boththem.

Theres a guy here called MattBrock whos the biologist at the Black warrior WMA in Moulton as well.
And there is the archery only area in Decatur/Tanner..Swan Creek etc.

Lots of prime public land like Casey (foldemup) stated.
Dont get discouraged. You should do good.

North Al private land is hard to find.