The
Magic of the Black Belt
What is known as the
Black Belt is a crescent shaped region extending some 300 miles across
central Alabama, northeastern Mississippi, and into Tennessee. A
relatively flat, fertile plain, it ranges in width from 20 to 25 miles
wide throughout most of its length. The name "Black
Belt" is derived from the dark-colored soils, which are made up of
heavy clays that vary greatly in color. The high fertility of
Black Belt soils produces nutrient-rich vegetation higher in
quality than native vegetation found in most areas across Alabama.
This makes the Black Belt one of the most important areas for producing
high quality habitat for some wildlife species, including white-tailed
deer.
Because of the high
fertility of the soil, sportsmen and wildlife managers recognize it as
an area that consistently produces greater weights and better antler
characteristics in white-tailed deer than most areas of the state.
The number of record book bucks harvested in the Black Belt far exceeds
those taken from any other area of Alabama.
The
Herd
Wilcox County is in the area of the state
that has the highest deer densities. It is estimated that there
are well over 30 deer per square mile in the county. Hunters enjoy not
only the chance of taking a quality buck but also the opportunity to see
a lot of deer while on the stand.
Hunting
Methods
All rifle hunting is done from permanent
stands---either covered shooting houses, ladder stands, or tripod
stands. We hunt winter food plots, acorns, and deer
crossings.
