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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1430910
08/26/15 05:18 PM
08/26/15 05:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,502
Atoler
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 8,502
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There has been some discussion on this forum about the areas that seem to consistently produce trophy whitetails at a higher rate than other areas of the black belt.
Some of these "superior" areas mentioned have been Fitzpatrick, Portland Landing, Boligee, and etc. Are the soils and genetics in these areas that much better, or is there just a higher concentration of property in ideal habitat/management conditions? A higher concentration of large well managed plantations would in turn equal a higher percentage of well fed older age class bucks therefore making it seem as these areas are superior. There may be some areas that get an additional 5-10 inches because of the soils and genetics, but is the black belt really not that much different when comparing apples to apples? For example, Portland Landing area is a consistent top producer but there are a lot of big properties spending big dollars to get these results. Whereas in Lowndes, Montgomery etc. maybe there are not as many large plantations committed to maximum production on growing big bucks for one reason or another therefore making it seem less when really they don't have the concentration of large managed plantations like Portland area does. We have established that a good habitat and management plan would be the cornerstone to success anywhere, but aside from that is it really just a higher concentration large plantations in some areas (or no it's soil& genetics)? Thanks I think that true black belt soil is created equal. Or equal enough you won't notice a difference in deer. But a lot of people say their land is in the black belt, when it really isn't. I think that most hot spots are there for a reason and often it is due to a large amount of land that is managed for good bucks. It could be other factors, depending on the situation though.
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1430931
08/26/15 05:29 PM
08/26/15 05:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38,489
N. Bama
257wbymag
Boo Boo Head
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Boo Boo Head
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 38,489
N. Bama
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The black belt soil really ain't all its cracked up to be. I grew up in it. Now the Tn Valley. That's the most fertile area of the state. Large manageable tracts make the difference in the southern half of the state.
Last edited by 257wbymag; 08/26/15 05:29 PM.
Quietly killing turkeys where youre not!!!
My tank full of give a fraks been runnin on empty
I'm the paterfamilias
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1430942
08/26/15 05:35 PM
08/26/15 05:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,220
Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen
James
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,220
Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen
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The only thing I've noticed is body size is way bigger than places I've hunted before. I had a small tract north west of Grove hill and it flat out had some shonuff studs antler wise. And it's nothing but hills..
Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many!
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1430951
08/26/15 05:42 PM
08/26/15 05:42 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,380
Fayetteville TN Via Selma
jawbone
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,380
Fayetteville TN Via Selma
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Portland is in what is called the blackbelt, but it is not blackbelt soil. It is loamy river bottom. The same as the property I hunt on just up river from there. Soybeans are what created where we are. The soybeans are gone but most hunters and landowners in this area have continued the excellent hunting by good management practices.
Lord, please help us get our nation straightened out.
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1430979
08/26/15 06:06 PM
08/26/15 06:06 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,456
Harpersville, AL
tfd1224
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 8,456
Harpersville, AL
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Portland has some huge deer but the deer up in north alabama get bigger in my opinion. I think there are a lot of younger bucks killed down there now, more than when mossy oak had it. The one five year old buck I saw down there was huge, I feel horrible that I lost him. He would have probably made it to pope and young. There are just so dang many deer down there though. I have seen some 5 year olds harvested down there that may have topped out 110-115, some even smaller. I think the landowners down there are doing a good job of protecting the year and a half old deer but I have seen a lot of 2 and 3 year olds with really good potential killed. As was said in an earlier post, Portland not only has black belt soil, it is black belt river bottom soil. That dirt just grows a lot of good stuff for a lot of animals to eat. I wish I could have seen it when all the pines were soy beans.
Yeah c’mon. Daniel White
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431017
08/26/15 06:42 PM
08/26/15 06:42 PM
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,220
Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen
James
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,220
Gee's Bend/At The Hog Pen
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The same river system flows through the whole top half of Lowndes county but I never seem to here about the consistent harvesting of 150" deer like I do near the river in Dallas. Both areas are river bottom black belt so I wonder if Lowndes is just broken up into smaller pieces, less land management, genetics, different soil? I don't see why you couldn't grow the same bucks on the river in Lowndes as you can in Dallas? I know few folks that own properties in southern Dallas county. And they probably spend more money feeding deer(year round) than I make in 6 months. They also let immature 120s & 130s walk. I'm sure that helps 
Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many!
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: James]
#1431025
08/26/15 07:01 PM
08/26/15 07:01 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 242
Hope Hull
YAPER
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 242
Hope Hull
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The same river system flows through the whole top half of Lowndes county but I never seem to here about the consistent harvesting of 150" deer like I do near the river in Dallas. Both areas are river bottom black belt so I wonder if Lowndes is just broken up into smaller pieces, less land management, genetics, different soil? I don't see why you couldn't grow the same bucks on the river in Lowndes as you can in Dallas? I know few folks that own properties in southern Dallas county. And they probably spend more money feeding deer(year round) than I make in 6 months. They also let 120s & 130s walk. I'm sure that helps The very last sentence has a lot to do with it! A 2.5 will never be 5.5 if you shoot him as a 2.5.
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431111
08/27/15 02:12 AM
08/27/15 02:12 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 25,150
Awbarn, AL
CNC
Dances With Weeds
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Dances With Weeds
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 25,150
Awbarn, AL
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Its a combination of the things you mentioned. Places like Fitspatrick are where good soil meets large areas of, not only quality herd management, but also quality habitat management on a large scale. Bring those three factors together and it'll produce some good bucks.
Last edited by CNC; 08/27/15 02:12 AM.
“Buy the ticket, take the ride...And if it occasionally gets a little heavier than what you had in mind….well, maybe chalk it up to forced consciousness expansion…..Tune in, freak out, get beaten”....Hunter S. Thompson
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431122
08/27/15 02:26 AM
08/27/15 02:26 AM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,380
Fayetteville TN Via Selma
jawbone
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 27,380
Fayetteville TN Via Selma
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I'll agree with pretty much everyone has stated above. Key points are:
1. Not everywhere in the "blackbelt" counties is blackbelt soil.
2. Age and habitat management are more important than genetics. They are certainly easier to manipulate, but good genetics helps get the ball rolling on good management. Like someone said, you'll never know what a 5.5 year old buck will be if he is killed at 2.5. This is emphasized more in this area than in other parts of the state IMO, and contributes greatly to the blackbelts success. Not all clubs or property owners follow this philosophy, but most do and we've seen the difference it can make.
Lord, please help us get our nation straightened out.
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: James]
#1431143
08/27/15 02:47 AM
08/27/15 02:47 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 12,788
Thomasville, AL
Hogwild
Booner
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Booner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 12,788
Thomasville, AL
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The only thing I've noticed is body size is way bigger than places I've hunted before. I had a small tract north west of Grove hill and it flat out had some shonuff studs antler wise. And it's nothing but hills.. Ain't no big bucks around here.....quit all that silly talk!
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431159
08/27/15 02:59 AM
08/27/15 02:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,814
somewhere around 112.
slippinlipjr
I make Calds fer a livin
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I make Calds fer a livin
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,814
somewhere around 112.
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Too many deer....too many mouths to feed. The reason I am a deer hunter today, and so is my father, is because of a buck that my dad and grandfather jumped up in a swamp while attempting to shoot beavers. My dad still talks about that deer to this day. He said he had a bush on top of his head and points going everywhere and there's only a few bucks in the Alabama recordbook that could've beat him. This was river bottom soil in Dallas County.....not the blackbelt quickset concrete. Back then there were soybeans everywhere and not nearly the amount of deer in the area than there are now.
Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z
thesharkguard.com
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431275
08/27/15 04:42 AM
08/27/15 04:42 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,170
Montgomery
bamaeyedoc
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,170
Montgomery
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I always thought that it wasn't that it was the soil but what the soil could grow that made the black belt so popular. Back in the 80's when soybean and corn were everywhere in Lowndes and Dallas counties, they were killing sho nuff monsters over there. Back then, there was also less pressure and now there are 10x (at least) the hunters. Now those crops don't seem to be as prevalent. The black belt strip of AL will forever produce good numbers and good bucks but not like 25 years ago, IMO.
Dr. B
Last edited by bamaeyedoc; 08/27/15 06:45 AM.
AKA: “Dr. B”
Aldeer #121
8-3-2000
Proud alum of AUM, UAB, and UA
2023-2024 ALdeer Deer Contest Winners
2024-2025 Aldeer Deer Contest Winners
Glennis Jerome "Jerry" Harris
1938-2017
UGA Class of 1960
BS/MS Forestry
LTJG, USNR
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: bowhunt55]
#1431299
08/27/15 05:01 AM
08/27/15 05:01 AM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,095
Anniston, AL
ikillbux
ishootatbux
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ishootatbux
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,095
Anniston, AL
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Every year there are 150" - 190" (+,-) antlers taken literally everywhere in the state. Likewise there are deer killed that dress 200+ pounds everywhere in the state. I hunt a military base that's about 25K acres...it's mostly mixed timber, no supplemental feeding AT ALL, just native browse and mast. We'll kill 5+ yr old bucks every year that are 150" and 180lbs dressed, and 5+ yr olds that are 14" eight points and 140 dressed.
Take from that whatever you might.
We were on the edge of Eternia, when the power of Greyskull began to take hold.
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Re: Is the Black Belt really created equal after all?
[Re: 257wbymag]
#1431397
08/27/15 06:32 AM
08/27/15 06:32 AM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,050
Fayetteville, Tennessee
Bamabucks14
12 point
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12 point
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,050
Fayetteville, Tennessee
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The black belt soil really ain't all its cracked up to be. I grew up in it. Now the Tn Valley. That's the most fertile area of the state. Large manageable tracts make the difference in the southern half of the state. THIS
"Here, take this land mine and protect your property with it."
-Ron Swanson
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