LINDEN &8212; For approximately 15 years Marengo Academy has hosted the &8220;Bama&8217;s Buck Belt&8221; hunt once a year on properties owned by school supporters to raise money for the institution.

This year the school is sponsoring a three-day hunt during peak rut season on prime hunting lands in the region Jan. 3-5. While the locations for the hunt and events surrounding it have changed over the years, academy headmaster John Holley said the hunt has become a tradition for many of the participants.

And while returning hunters isn&8217;t surprising to organizers, the lengths some hunters come to have a chance at prime hunting in the Black Belt can be. Holley said the hunt has seen groups from Illinois, Miami, Louisiana and a number from surrounding states. In fact he said it is more surprising to see hunters from the yellow-hammer state.

Out-of-state hunters are presented with non-resident licenses and all hunters receive souvenir caps. On top of the three days of hunts, participants will also have deer skinned and processed free and shipping at a nominal cost.

Hunters from other regions of the United States will also be privy to southern cuisine, as participants will be treated to a southern fish fry and a whole hog barbecue with barbecue chicken during their excursion.

The hunt, with a price tag of $1,000 a person, will enable the school to raise money for any improvements they deem necessary.