Hunting the rut on both sides of the state line...

Georgia vs. Alabama

There exists a unique opportunity for those who live close to the Alabama/Georgia state line.  I have always considered myself an opportunist when it comes to hunting or fishing and I try to use current information when making decisions rather then rely upon previous successes.  That is often easier said then done.  Those proven deer stands and time tested honey holes have their place, don't get me wrong, but they should be your starting point rather then your preconceived destination.  That being said, a good hunter should always be looking for the next "hot spot" and anticipating what the deer will move to next.  That stand of woods next to camp nobody ever visits........It might just be the best spot on the whole property.

Back to my original topic:  An awesome opportunity exists for those of us who live a reasonable distance from Georgia, that we can hunt two separate ruts, in the same year.  Call it double dipping if you will.  I have been doing it for years and have enjoyed the excitement that comes with double the doe chasing action.  The deer in Georgia were restocked with Northern strain whitetails and as such, rut in the middle of November.  It is also noted that Georgia's deer season opens in the middle of September.  Alabama was restocked with Alabama strain whitetail deer and most notably, from North Alabama.  These southern strain deer rut from the end of December through January depending on what county you are from.   The Alabama season begins with bow season during the middle of October.

I usually start hunting in Georgia during the VERY hot bow season through the rut which normally ends around the beginning of December, and then swap to Alabama for pre/rut/post action.  I put a lot of preparation work into my duel season and it works like a charm.  I recommend taking advantage of these opportunities if you are as crazy about whitetails as I am.  I would also like to mention that I do not rent/lease land in Alabama because I hunt public land nearly 90% of the time.  Just because you don't have thousands of dollars to spend on hunting land doesn't mean you can't kill big deer consistently........if you don't mind the work.

My Georgia deer season so far...........

Its been a terrific year so far for me.  Between alligator season and deer season, I have a decent size taxidermy bill going.  For those of you who feel like you can't make it happen or your land doesn't produce "big deer," go back to the drawing board.  A lot of times, doing your homework when it comes to the land you hunt can make all the difference in the world.  A good example of this is the deer pictured above.  When it was hot and everyone else was heading back to the truck to find the AC button, I was in a cut-over in 90 degree heat.  That made all the difference.  When the weather got cool and the bucks started to get frisky, I knew exactly where to be.  Luck is where preparation and hard work meet.