Alabama Little River WMA

[Hughesjr60]

We are pulling our camper down and staying at Desoto State Park. It's a family trip when the kids are on spring break but my wife just sprung onto me Monday, "If you want to you can get a turkey license and hunt" of course I do! I live in Indiana so this will allow me to hunt a month before I normally can even though it's not a lot of time to prepare. I don't want anyone's spots but I was just curious. What are turkeys like early season in Alabama? What's the pressure like? Is it easy to get to the kiosk to sign in? Do you park there or drive into the wma? I'll be down that first week of season with a 3 day tag. Looking at Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. What's the terrain like? I have hunted with my brother in southern Ohio the last 2 years, is it comparable to that? Thanks guys.

[aclawrence]

I hunt Alabama but I'm not familiar with that WMA. Are you going in the middle of March or April?  In general Alabama public land is fairly tough. I started April 1st last year and many of the gobblers were with hens at that time. Where I hunt is big hardwoods and planted pines and cut overs.


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[davisd9]

I hunted private land in Pickens Co, Alabama which is west central Alabama second week of opener in 2014.  The birds gobbled well but kind of quieted on the ground.  It seemed they were still following hens that were not quite receptive yet.  We also had a cold spell that came in and that toughened up hunting a bit. 

[Hughesjr60]

I expect it to be hard, especially with limited time, scouting, and from everything I've heard, it's Alabama lol. I'm hunting I am hunting March 23,24,25

[Prospector]

Never Turkey hunted there but we camp in DSP once or twice a year.... if the Forest is like the Park it's fairly steep and mountainous but the woods and ridges are gorgeous. Have seen hens along the road on several occasions. Wish I could tell you more but it sounds like fun

[Hughesjr60]

No I appreciate the info. I'm looking forward to going. I talked to Mike Pentecost and said we could check out the shop while we are down too. I thought the kids would like that as would I. I've heard the park is pretty so I'm looking forward to it and of course getting out and turkey hunting. As long as I got a chance I'm in the game! I actually lived outside Troy, Alabama when I was 15. My sophomore year of high school but man that was 23 years ago! First time I ever deer hunted was there.

[Jfowler82]

Alabama can be tough especially early season but the weather will dictate a lot . Some years they are farther along and the action is better.  Good luck !

[Roost 1]

As mentioned above the weather is important factor. Those birds like it when it's warm 70 degrees or better. Temps in the 30s and they dont say much. Completely opposite of what I'm used too...

[Spitten and drummen]

Like any state's public land. It will be alot of folks hunting it. Does not matter if weekend or weekday. Down in the South people flood here to hunt and one reason is earlier season. Have fun and goodluck.

[Hughesjr60]

I figured opening week would be busy. Yeah weather is always a factor. I'll go any weather but lightening but you can't predict that. I appreciate the info. I'm really looking forward to going.

[dublelung]

You'll be doing yourself a favor hunting Mon-Wed. Yes there will still be hunters there but not nearly as many as the weekend warriors. I'd be doing some heavy aerial research and pick out a few places where you can walk a good distance away from easy access points. Best of luck to you!

[Hughesjr60]

Thanks. Yeah I signed up another email address of mine with onX maps over the weekend and started scouting that way for now. Can you just pull off the side of the road and walk in to hunt there or do you have to park at the kiosk or a parking lot?

[ozarktroutbum]

I have heard a lot of gobbling on by the second weekend of march when it was well into the 30's and below. I have usually found that little cold snaps during the season when it's clear and calm usually results in lots of gobbling.

What will be the biggest challenge for you is being able to really work a bird right off the roost since they are usually covered up in hens the first part of the season. Gobbling can shut off a lot of times after fly down and seem to not turn on again until the next day.

You'll have the advantage of being down there before they have been over pressured too much, though. Gobbler/Jake decoys can work well especially at the first of the season.

[Hughesjr60]

Solid info ozark! I appreciate it. Everyday that passes I just keep getting more and more amped up!