White Oak Plantation -- Part I
Take a look at this great Southern hunting
lodge
by Kevin Lee McIver
Most of us do the majority of our hunting
on public lands. Very seldom do we have the opportunity of a lifetime to
hunt at a professional, full-service hunting lodge.
Recently, I spent a few days at one of the
most well-known pay-to-hunt lodges in the South. White Oak Plantation,
located near Tuskegee, Alabama, is undoubtedly a model for other
commercial hunting establishments.
Trophy managed for many years, White Oak
consists of 16,000 acres of rolling hills, pine plantations, hardwoods and
wetlands. I must say, this is whitetail hunting at its finest. In three
days of hunting, I had 27 deer in my sights, including five big bucks.
Rarely do we "public land" hunters get this grand opportunity,
but that's the business they're in at White Oak, and they have it down to
a science.
White Oak Plantation is owned and operated
by Robert and Hilda Pitman, along with several family members lending a
hand. These are great folks, one and all, who enjoy hunting and believe in
game management. I envy all of them.
At White Oak, hunters are allowed to
harvest one buck during any 3- or 4-day hunt. Since it is trophy managed,
any buck harvested must be an 8-point or larger, or at a minimum, must
have a 16-inch instead spread. In addition to one buck, hunters can take
one doe per day, and there are ample opportunities!
Several deer hunting packages are available
to suit every hunter to include archery, rifle, pistol and blackpowder.
Hunts coincide with the Alabama deer season, and anyone familiar with this
great hunter's state knows the quality of the whitetail population there
is superb -- and at White Oak they make it even better.
If you happen to fill your tags early, or
just want to take a break, don't worry -- there are many additional
activities to keep you occupied. During the deer season, you can opt for
some rabbit or quail hunting on the side, or head behind the lodge and
fish for some lunker-head bass.
In addition to some of the best hunting
around, the services provided by the White Oak staff are incredible, to
include lodging and meals.
Costs for 3-day archery hunts go around
$900, and you will spend up to $1,500 for a 4-day gun hunt. Family
packages are also available, as are deer-quail hunt combinations.
If you're looking for a hunt of a lifetime,
combined with the best in Southern hospitality, then head to White Oak
Plantation. For more information telephone the Pitman's at (334) 727-9258.
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