Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Dale County Hunting

Good morning fellas. I am new to the forum but wanted to reach out for some advice. I live in central Fl, hunted all my life and always been on leases in North Fl and also Southern Georgia. Ive got 3 young boys and wife and I decided were done paying wealthy people to pay to hunt there land. We were blessed with the opportunity to buy 50 acres of recent clearcut in Dale County at a great price. Rolling hills with a creek branch in back of property. I am very new to the southern alabama area and dont know much about the area. We have done a ton of research but nothing beats real experience. We are looking to eventually build a place on the 50 but main focus is going to be planting it in longleaf and designing it for hunting. Do yall have any information about ozark area, things to to with young kids, areas to avoid, certain land guys to avoid etc. im all ears and appreciate any feedback. - Joe

Id git in the middle of the fitty..an never leave

I own and live on 8o acres and own another 14 acre plot 1 mile from here. What part of Dale County are you talking about? My place is 1 1/2 miles south of the Barbour County line, north of Skipperville. Some good deer to be found (if you can find them!!) depending what you want to shoot.

Okay im not too far away. Im in Ozark. Do yall have a reference for who i could use
To do some controlled burns in the clearcut?

What is the proximity to Ft. Rucker? That may depend on if you want to live there due to air traffic.

I am 12 miles northeast of fort rucker. Is that going to be a pain?

Of course it is your property and plans but did your research really show you that longleaf was the best type of pines to plant?

No pines in general are not the optimal thing in my opinion for deer but longleaf is the only pine that the state EQIP program will assist with planting and the only type of pine that I can log down the road and make money off of if need be.

Thanks for link, i will look into the shortleafs

Contact the local NRCS office
They have all the info on planting pines

"No pines in general are not the optimal thing in my opinion for deer but longleaf is the only pine that the state EQIP program will assist with planting and the only type of pine that I can log down the road and make money off of if need be."

Don't know your age but, it takes a LONG time to log longleaf pines. Not the fastest growing of the pines.

Just my opinion as well, but in terms of transforming a recent clearcut into the best possible habitat, longleafs are probably the best thing for deer. You can burn it annually starting very early in their growth. Thin them once the canopy closes and you will have great habitat for decades. Yes, they are slow to grow, but they also don't get the beetles and disease that has wiped out so much of the other pines in that area. Put in a few food plots and you will be set.

As for things for kids to do, between Ozark, Dothan, and Enterprise you have about all the things any mid sized city offers. Plenty of restaurants etc. In the offseason Lake Eufaula is about 45 min to an hour from you for fishing, boating etc.

For the quality of deer, I would expect somewhat better than North FL deer but not by much. If you are used to the big agriculture areas in South GA, Dale County won't produce big bucks like there.

All of SE Alabama has helicopter traffic from Ft Rucker. It's not a huge deal and if anything is interesting to see all the military aircraft. I wouldn't worry about that.

To optimize burn schedules for longleaf pine versus shortleaf pine, consider the following guidelines:

Timing: Conduct burns in late winter or early spring for both species to promote growth.
Frequency: Longleaf pine benefits from burns every 2-3 years, while shortleaf can be burned every 3-5 years.
Intensity: Use low to moderate intensity burns for longleaf to protect seedlings; shortleaf can tolerate higher intensity.
Weather Conditions: Aim for low humidity and moderate winds to ensure safe and effective burns for both species.
Fuel Load: Monitor fuel loads; longleaf requires a buildup of litter for effective burning, while shortleaf can handle varied loads.
Post-Burn Assessment: Evaluate the effects of the burn on regeneration and adjust future schedules accordingly.

https://shortleafpine.org/growing-shortleaf-pine/stand-management/prescribed-fire

If I only wanted to hunt it, I would clear at least 2 acres for a food plot somewhere near the center. Build a shooting house that you can access without spooking the deer if they are on the plot. Put a feeder in the back of the plot about 25 yds, off the wood line and feed all year. Let it grow up in natural regeneration and leave it alone. Creeks usually have some hardwoods that will draw deer in the fall. Food, water, shelter and solitude. Plant hard and soft mast trees. I have been doing this on 55 acres for a long time, and it doesn't happen overnight' but it has worked well for me.

I have seen some good mixed shortleaf in south AL, but please dont plant shortleaf pine in Dale Co. It doesn't even sound right in my head just thinking it.

It has two existing small food plots on it and i just purchased shumard oaks, nuttall oaks, persimmons, mulberries, and crab apples to
Plant

My place is just west of Ozark on 27 and I have 300 acres I have been managing for deer/turkey for many years. In my immediate area, at least, genetics just suck, at least rack wise. There are a few good bucks around but few in comparison to mature six points, thin racked, short tined no brow junk. I can grow good bucks weight wise but few racks I would put on the wall. As far as numbers I have plenty of deer, to many really but I border almost 800 acres that is barely hunted. A lot will depend on what’s surrounding you. If it’s a lot of little properties like you trying to hunt four people hunting probably won’t be great. If you are surrounded by large well managed properties it could be very good, especially for the next few years before your pines get up and canopy. Deer could care less about the copters. Best thing you can do now is set up a couple of fairly large plots RIGHT. Stands off the plot far enough to get in and out without spooking deer, multiple stands to hunt wind correctly and one or two long shooting lanes through the thick stuff. And corn, lots and lots of corn lol.

If you don't mind me asking, where is your place located? If you don't want to say, I understand.