Bent Creek Lodge, located in West Central Alabama, is home to some of America’s finest whitetail deer and eastern wild turkey. Owners Leo Allen and John Lanier have turned what was once family hunting land into one of the nation’s top-ranked custom hunting facilities. Started in 1982, Bent Creek Lodge now has over 30,000 acres of prime hunting land and is located in the Sunbelt where temperatures vary. Highs usually range from 60 degrees to 80 degrees and cold front temperatures can dip into the 20’s at night with daily highs of 30 degrees to 40 degrees. We suggest hunters layer thermals and outer hunting apparel. Guests provide their own firearms and gear which should include flashlights.

Bent Creek Lodge accommodates gun hunters and bow hunters. Spread out over the 30,000 acres are 200 green fields which are rotated to keep hunting pressure at a minimum and success to a maximum. To satisfy all types of hunters the land is divided into two areas. They are semi-trophy and trophy. Each day hunters choose which area they will hunt. You may call for specific details about each area. The trophy area includes over five miles of river front on the Tombigbee River known as Dean Swamp. Dean Swamp has always flourished with wildlife. Years ago, when wildlife was not plentiful elsewhere, game was trapped here to populate other areas of the state. None of the land has ever been open to the public.

Field transportation is provided by experienced guides in radio-equipped vehicles. Guides pick up, weigh and dress all game. Daily records are kept and guides check these records along with weather conditions and wind direction before each hunt to make sure hunters have the best chance of seeing game. Walk-in coolers are available to store game until departure. Morning stands are either 12 foot ladder stands or API Lock-on stands in strategic locations such as trails, creek crossings and acorn flats. Afternoon hunts are usually over one of the 200 green fields that Bent Creek plants with wheat, rye, clover or a combination of winter grasses. In the afternoon gun hunters shoot from weather-proofed ground blinds that are strategically placed for maximum coverage of the fields. Shots may range from 125 to 300 yards.

The deer season in Alabama is very generous. Bow season usually opens around October 15th and gun season opens in mid-November. Both seasons run until January 31st. The limit is one buck per day. In addition, hunters are allowed to harvest one doe.

From mid-March until late April Bent Creek offers the challenge of eastern wild turkey. The excellent habitat and professional wildlife management have helped Bent Creek maintain an above average turkey population. The turkey hunting guides at Bent Creek are truly among the best in the world. The guides are not only the best at calling spring gobblers, but are also experts in turkey hunting tactics. Guides are optional for afternoon hunts. A turkey hunt at Bent Creek is an experience you will never forget.

For those hunters who like wing shooting, Bent Creek Lodge offers custom quail hunts. Hunters can combine the hunt opportunities at Bent Creek Lodge with a morning quail hunt and an afternoon white tail hunt. (See price list.) Quail season runs November through March.