While Bankhead consists of mountainous terrain, a hunter doesn't have to be a rock climber. Many of the trails are easy to walk, and staying on them is enough to make most hunts successful. The trails typically follow the ridges and other lines of least resistance. However, it is still big, rugged country, and disappearing into it to follow a gobbler going in the other direction can cause a hunter to become disoriented. A map and a compass or GPS unit are essential when heading deep into the forest.

There are numerous amenities hunters can use to their advantage. There are several recreation areas within Bankhead NF offering camping, drinking water, RV hookups, sanitary facilities and a shooting range for hunters who want to test-fire a few shotgun patterns.

Primitive campsites are located at Brushy Lake, Clear Creek and Owl Creek recreation areas. Camping for a fee is available at Corinth and Houston recreation areas. Drinking water is available at Bushy Lake, Corinth, Houston, Clear Creek and Sipsey River recreation areas. Trailer spaces are available at Brushy Lake, Corinth, Houston and Clear Creek recreation areas.

For those who want a better map of the area that has much more detail than the map printed on the Black Warrior WMA permit, there is such a map available. The Bankhead National Forest map, which costs $5, is published by the Forest Service and is available at the Bankhead NF Ranger District office or can be ordered online.

For more information, call the Bankhead National Forest Ranger District office (205) 489-5111 or visit the Web site. Find more about Alabama fishing and hunting at: AlabamaGameandFish.com