SKYLINE WMA
This 28,176-acre wildlife management area in Jackson County near Scottsboro has operated since the 1960s. Being a WMA, it has an area manager in charge to oversee its improved greenfields.

The only public site in the state with Cumberland Plateau terrain and -- so scenic that it makes you want to take photos -- Skyline contains flattop ridges with deep hollows called "coves." But be aware: It'll also test your conditioning if you walk through it.

Entirely devoid of the pine plantations so prevalent at many other Bama WMAs, Skyline is forested primarily with hardwood stands and thus attracts many bowhunters. Typically, the WMA holds four stalk hunts, a primitive weapons hunt and a youth hunt. The Birmingham North Archery Club spends a large amount of time in the trees at Skyline, and its members take quite a few deer there.

"Although there are a good number of hunters at Skyline, the area isn't crowded," Guyse said. "The WMA has good numbers of deer, the herd is in good condition, and you will find many nice bucks there."

For the most part, Skyline WMA hunters take deer by two methods: top hunting and bottom hunting. Those favoring the former target the flat tops of the high ridges, while partisans of the latter stay down in the coves between the mountains.

"Hunters usually have to choose either one or the other style of hunting, because moving from the tops of the mountains to the bottom just isn't practical," Guyse noted.

Guyse has observed that top-of-the-hill hunters tend to take more deer than do those in the coves. When the hunters go into the coves, they often get the deer moving, and the bucks flee to the mountaintops. The hunters up there often have the deer coming to them, while the cove hunters usually see whitetails moving away from them. Still, both groups usually meet with their share of success each season.

LAUDERDALE WMA
This area has lost a large amount of land in recent years, resulting in frequently changing boundaries, but it still contains 14,581 acres. Some landowners have pulled their properties out of this public hunting area, while others have added to it. The state has also purchased some land for the WMA.

Overseen by a wildlife manager, this tract has improved greenfields planted throughout its acres. Lying in the northwestern corner of Alabama on the Tennessee River, Lauderdale WMA's hilly terrain isn't as steep as Skyline's. The area features a good mix of hardwoods and pines.

Lauderdale's deer herd is stable and at a healthy level and contains some bucks with nice racks and bulky body weights. This WMA in particular has avoided the overpopulation that often causes the quality of a herd to decline.

No major metropolitan areas are close to Lauderdale, so it doesn't attract crowds for any of its hunts, and hunting pressure is correspondingly low.

Forested, and boasting a good road system enabling access to most sections, the Lauderdale tract belongs in substantial part to the Tennessee Valley Authority. Guyse recommends Lauderdale WMA to anyone who wants to get away from the crowd and onto public land without much hunting pressure.