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Need help with a game plan

The last time I hunted this area was this same weekend but two years ago. It was hands down the most intense rut action I have ever seen in Alabama. I just don't have a ton of experience with trying to get right on top of one with a bow during the rut as by that time of year I usually have a rifle in my hand.
 
Since this is a special draw area on a wildlife sanctuary it will only get hunted a total of 8 weekends throughout the whole season (mid Oct - mid Feb) and the way they set up their sections they try to alternate them so my section may only get hunted three or four times before I get there. Now with that being said, the land bordering it to the south and east is private land and lord only knows how often it gets hunted.

Got ya - someone above made a great recommendation - I would not go in with any pre=determined locations - I would keep pressing until i found hot sign. IME having hunted several hunts like this - the mature deer know very well where the danger zones are. If there are no hunting portions, then you can bet they will know them and use them. I would go in and scout with wind in my face until I saw what i was looking for. You can eliminate a lot of area and focus on traditional doe bedding areas IMO
 
Oh yeh, Bring a doe decoy. Preferably a packable one - 2d folding one is cheap and can be set up in seconds
 
How large is the section you've been drawn for? Im curious because I just started applying for the SOA hunts this year(always had plenty of private land). I hate I didn't know before because it doesn't take an Alabamian long to realize those areas are basically never hunted=better than any of my private!! I put in for Portland Landing and Cedar Creek turkey hunts too which I believe allows you to take someone with you. What kind of guy would I be if I got drawn and didn't invite one of my fellow saddle hunters?!?! Goodluck and let us know how it goes
 
How large is the section you've been drawn for? Im curious because I just started applying for the SOA hunts this year(always had plenty of private land). I hate I didn't know before because it doesn't take an Alabamian long to realize those areas are basically never hunted=better than any of my private!! I put in for Portland Landing and Cedar Creek turkey hunts too which I believe allows you to take someone with you. What kind of guy would I be if I got drawn and didn't invite one of my fellow saddle hunters?!?! Goodluck and let us know how it goes

The sections are usually around 300-500 acres I believe. I've been lucky and have gotten drawn or known someone who got drawn every year since they started the program. Hunted Stimpson and Uchee creek both a couple of times. You can take a guest on both the deer and turkey hunts.
 
The sections are usually around 300-500 acres I believe. I've been lucky and have gotten drawn or known someone who got drawn every year since they started the program. Hunted Stimpson and Uchee creek both a couple of times. You can take a guest on both the deer and turkey hunts.
I sketched a line around my section and got 468 so I'd say your estimate is spot on. This was my first year to apply for the SOA and was lucky enough to get drawn. I was excited when I found out that you can bring a guest to hunt as well. A good friend of mine has had me out to his camp the past few years since I started hunting and though I haven't killed one on his lease it feels nice to be able to take him along with me.
 
I know this thread is old but thought I’d give it a shot. I got drawn for this hunt for late January 2022. I was wondering if anyone knew of a decent campground to bring my camper to close by this SOA.
 
Marked some saddles in blue and ridges in yellow. I’d stomp around and set up on hot sign. Parallel trails, intersecting trails or just a highway of a trail would be a good place to start! Or set up near the thickest suspected bedding stuff, especially on entry or exit trails. Goodluck!!! I hope to see a buck and hear a good tale to go with it!
 

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I know this thread is old but thought I’d give it a shot. I got drawn for this hunt for late January 2022. I was wondering if anyone knew of a decent campground to bring my camper to close by this SOA.
I hunted this two years back what section did you get. You can park your camper at the main check in but they don’t have water or electric hook up.
 
Let me know if you need a hunting partner... :)

I would hunt the south end of the hardwood bottom right on the transition.
 
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