Hunting The Deep South

In the Deep South, there is a divers mixture of woodlands, bottom lands, swamps, mountains, hills, plains, fields and waterways. Where woods are abundant, there is a mixture of hardwoods and piney woods with planted pine and hardwood plantations mixed in.

Underbrush, weeds and vines flourish where there is adequate sunshine and moisture. Sometimes this growth forms an almost impenetrable barrier along roadways, fields and fences unless fence lines are cleaned and/or sprayed regularly. Weeds, underbrush and vines are very quick to take over clearings and fields, where they are allowed to go unchecked for a few years, and can become largely impenetrable as well.

Clearcuts or select cuts, where the timber companies and others either completely cut the woodlands down or only cut down the most mature trees, will shortly grow up in weeds and brush. Most of the time, clearcuts are sprayed to prevent this, which renders the land contained in the clearcut a place animals largely avoid for 1-2 years after spraying. When these clearcuts have been replanted and again are growing numerous species of grasses and weeds, game animals are again attracted to them both because of the browse they contain and the cover they afford.

The abundant waterways and flooded farmlands make duck hunting really good. In the years where there is plenty of fall rains, sloughs and other naturally occurring waterways along with flooded timber make duck hunting quite possible just about everywhere. Farmers sometimes flood their fields after their crops are harvested and offer paid duck hunting. Ever heard of Stuttgart, AR?

These things combined often makes hunting the Deep South a challenge, but it also can make hunting rewarding when done right. Deer, turkey, wild hogs, small game and furbearing animals are all abundant in the Deep South. Several species of migratory birds go and come through the Deep South by the millions yearly. Bear, alligators, elk and other game is making a comeback in areas where they were almost killed out, with hunting this game already possible in certain areas.

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