Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Serious Deer Talk Forum Coosa WMA

Does anyone know anything about the hunting in this area?

There are some new cutovers, new select cut and plenty of hills.

I heard the the timber company is pulling a huge section out of the WMA this year. And that it is to be leased to hunting clubs. Anyone know anything about this?

The management area lost several thousand acres about 3 years ago. 10,000 acres of the management area is now forever wild. They are cutting every tree off of the forever wild land. There is a lot of graphite exploration going on right now. Lots of test drilling. Coosa has some of the thickest crap you will find. Lots of pines at different stages of growth. The hog population is getting bad.

Sounds like some GREAT Mgt by our ever-so-wise and all-knowing ALDCNR!!!

Our Public Lands are some of the WORST managed properties in the State!

Can't blame anyone for the timber being cut on the Forever Wild land - they bought the land but not the timber. Timber company has until 2015 to finish cutting their timber, then it will all be planted in longleaf.

I went fishing down that way today. Saw a lot of hog sign, but the deer population is not what it used to be. I haven't heard about a block being leased out of it, but I wouldn't be surprised if it is. It seems to get smaller every year. I think it may eventually get to the point that the Forever Wild land is all that will be left.

And neither the state nor timber company owns the mineral rights - a mining company owns a 40,000 acre block and are planning to mine graphite. So far, they haven't kept any of their publicly released schedules. I'm starting to doubt they are ever gonna do it.

Man agree 100% !

I don't want to start an argument or finger pointing session at anyone here, but how would you do it differently.

When I was at Soterra we were constantly told how other people managed better than us but they just didn't seem to get that the money to do all that management had to come from somewhere...

I don't want to get into a deep discussion but in the reading and research I have done, I have seen nothing to support that hog dogging would help decrease population numbers like a "good" trapping program. The dog guys can jump all they want but the only one I've seen that even supports it came from Hawaii and they only had a couple of trap locations. Trapping is the way to go IMO.

So planting and seeing a GW is your issues. Not exactly what I would call worst managed... I expected other issues I guess. I really do want to understand where you are coming from, it's why I asked.

Better Work ethics of some would help .. !

I hope you know them if you are getting on their work ethic and character, you never know who was pulling the strings in years past.

I will say this, keep in mind that there is new leadership in place and I expect you will see some things change.

Everybody knows how easy it is to control hogs. Obviously, fall planting some tiny food plots is the key to deer management. Also, I agree, game wardens should check that property like they do private lands - I get checked every time I hunt. And my gosh, why should any timber company that acquired land or timber rights for any reason be expected to ever get a return on investment.

Dadgum Nighthunter - get with it.

Yep, it is VERY obvious that the current methods are working just great!!!!!!

Don't want to get into a deep one either....BUT, Public lands in AL hold some of the largest hog populations. And, they are the only places in the State that it is ILLEGAL to hog hunt with dogs.
Not saying that traps don't work. BUT, it does cost MONEY and MANPOWER (which is money AND time away other duties). I guess it makes sense though for a Govt agency to throw money at a problem while inhibiting Public access.......

Never know until you TRY, huh?

And mighty hard to Research something that HAS NOT BEEN DONE!

Maybe the state could sell hog trapping and dog hunting permits. That way they could make more money to put back in to WMAs. I would buy a Night Vision hog hunting permit for state land. I bet others would buy a dog hunting permit to WMAs. I never hunt WMAs because of all the nut jobs! But i like to hunt hogs in the summer time so i would pay a small fee to Night Vision hunt WMAs.

I'll just go ahead and say it.....

MONEY is a big part of the problem!

Who is going to be more vocal? have the most influence??
A User-Group who is looking to sell Traps/Trapping Services and get paid to guide hunters as a business for profit?
Or, a User-Group made up of individuals who simply enjoy hunting and the ability to utilize our Resources while helping remove animals?

Follow the money!!!

The squeaky wheel gets the grease! Why not make some money AND open up some new summer time hog trapping, dog running, and Night Vision hunting? Their is no need for people in alabama to be so CHEAP! Look at other states= higher lincences prices, more divide seasons, and buying tags for specices a person wants to hunt. I NEVER hunt WMAs, but would concider hunting hogs with Night Vision IF you could buy a permit or tag and do it in the summer months.

Me too!!!

But, I am afraid that the Public Sector is not even being figured into the equation!!!
So, that will probably never be an option.

I also think that all users (hunters and non-hunters) of a WMA should have to pay not just the deer and turkey hunters.

I agree with both of you! Just look at Skyline WMA. People come from miles away to ride horses and 4 wheelers. I dont believe they should be able to ride during hunting seson, but during the summer why not charge them. Last year I bought a WMA licence just in case i decide to go own the WMA. I never did. But if I have to pay for a WMA hunting license to be on the WMA to hunt why should THEY not have to pay to ride? Why not charge horse and 4 wheeler riders a daily or summer time access fee?

I agree.....Land Use is Land Use!!!!