Water Valley Lodge FAQs

01. What time should I arrive at Water Valley?
02. What can I expect when I arrive?
03. When is my hunt officially over?
04. Can I stay an extra night at Water Valley?
05. What kind of rifle should I bring?
06. What kind of terrain is hunted at Water Valley?
07. How much "orange" is needed to hunt in Alabama?
08. What equipment will I need?
09. What does my daily fee to hunt at Water Valley include?
10. What is an appropriate gratuity (tip) for my guide and lodge staff?
11. Can we hunt varmints at Water Valley?
12. How many deer can I take per day?
13. Do you charge for button bucks?
14. Can I bring non-hunters?
15. Can my non-hunting friend film / watch my hunt?
16. Do I have to share a room with other hunters?
17. My friend snores. Can I have a private room?
18. Can we hunt hogs too?
19. Will Water Valley pick guest up at nearby airports?
20. What is your refund/cancellation policy?
21. What about no-shows?

01. What time should I arrive at Water Valley?
You should arrive between 2 and 4 pm on the afternoon before your scheduled hunt.

02. What can I expect when I arrive?
Upon arrival, stop at the office to let us know you are here. We will check you in, settle your account, and get you settled into your rooms. Depending on the time you arrive, there may be a little time to kick back and watch some TV, play a game of pool or check out the morning's harvest in the skinning shed. At 4.00pm each afternoon, we head to the shooting range to site in your weapons. As soon as everyone is back from the shooting range, 5.00pm latest, we conduct a (mandatory) safety orientation. Relax! It's painless! And real important to remember ....safety first!

03. When is my hunt officially over?
Your hunt is over after dinner on the last day of your scheduled hunt. Generally the guides will pick you up shortly after dark.

04. Can I stay an extra night at Water Valley?
Yes. We charge an additional $50.00 per person if you wish to spend an extra night at Water Valley and leave the following morning. We ask however that you let us know in advance, if possible, upon check-in at the latest.

05. What kind of rifle should I bring?

• While many small calibers are sufficient, with some of our ranges we feel 243 caliber or better is best. We hunt from 50 yards to over 400 yards. However we encourage our hunters to only take shots they are comfortable with and know they can make. Almost all stands are ranged and your guide will be able to tell you what your maximum shot is before your hunt begins. Before you arrive at your stand, your guide will give you a full briefing on what you can expect. If there is anything that you are uncomfortable with, your guide can make an adjustment instantly with no trouble at all.
• Slug guns are welcome as are handguns.

06. What kind of terrain is hunted at Water Valley?

• At Water Valley we hunt over 30,000 acres. We hunt swamp bottoms, hill country, big open fields (pasture land), The terrain may be clear-cut, open, mixed timber, young pine plantations, thinned pine plantations, hardwood bottoms or hardwood hills.
• Almost every afternoon hunt will be near green fields.

07. How much "orange" is needed to hunt in Alabama?
Alabama law requires 144 square inches.

08. What equipment will I need?

• In Alabama, the winter temperatures can vary from bitter freezing in the morning to 70 degrees in the afternoon. It can be extremely wet or extremely dry and anywhere in between. For these reasons, it is best to bring plenty of layers so you can adjust your clothing as the weather demands.
• A rainsuit for wet mornings. We hunt even if it's raining as long as there are no electrical storms about.
• A backpack seems to be very popular amongst our guests.
• A good flashlight is a must for every hunter.
• Bring rubber boots (for the swamps).
• Bring a clean pair of shoes for wearing at the lodge while not hunting.
• A camera (for the big kill!)
• Plenty of extra batteries

09. What does my daily fee to hunt at Water Valley include?
It includes 3 meals, your room, on-site transportation, semi-guided service, retrieving, cleaning, quartering and packing of your kill on ice. It does not include your license fee or gratuity for your guide and lodge staff.

10. What is an appropriate gratuity (tip) for my guide and lodge staff?
We recommend 10-15%.

11. Can we hunt varmints at Water Valley?
Yes you may take varmints at no extra charge. There is no limit on varmints, coyotes or bobcat.

12. How many deer can I take per day?
You may take 1 buck per day - unlimited hogs - 1 doe per VISIT

13. Do you charge for button bucks?
Yes. The charge is $200.

14. Can I bring non-hunters?
Yes. We charge $150.00 per day for non-hunters. Non-hunters do not go on the hunt.

15. Can my non-hunting friend film / watch my hunt?
Yes. We charge $250.00 for spectators. Includes meals and lodging. No hunting included.

16. Do I have to share a room with other hunters?
At Water Valley we neither mix parties nor separate them. Generally you stay with your group.

17. My friend snores. Can I have a private room?
Private rooms are offered, depending upon availability. We charge an additional $75.00 per day for private rooms.

18. Can we hunt hogs too?
Yes, during deer season you may take a hog per day at no extra cost.

19. Will Water Valley pick guest up at nearby airports?
Yes. This service must be prearranged. Fees vary depending on the location of the airport. Call for details.

20. What is your refund/cancellation policy?
We do not offer refunds. However, we will work with you to reschedule your hunt within the same season. We do not carry over deposits from year to year.

21. What about no-shows?
No-shows will be held responsible for full balance due on hunt.