How do I regularly handle my ball if he's always hiding?

So I've had my ball python for several months now... In the beginning when I saw him out roaming his tank I would take him out and handle him, since most the literature I've read recommends handling him regularly. Within the last few weeks (4 or so) all he ever does is hide in his coark log. He's out in the middle of the night, because I catch him sometimes if I'm up for some reason at midnight. Feeding isn't a worry, because I just take out his log and put the entire log in his special feeding tank. Eventually he comes out to investigate and when he does I feed him without problem. I don't think he's going into shed because he just did that about 6 weeks ago. He's not been exposed to other reptiles, and there's barely any foot traffic around the tank all day since we're all at work.
So experts what do you suggest? Should I take away his little log (but he clearly loves it so much) so that he's more accessible? I really don't want to wait up until midnight every other night or so just to try and catch him. By the way, he has A LOT of other hide options, and temp/humidity is correct.
If he's doing normal snakey stuff, and I shouldn't worry about trying to build a handling relationship with him, no problem. I just want to know if it's normal, or what you recommend I try...
Thank you ahead of time!

BPs hide. A lot. It's a good sign. If you want to handle him, take him out of his hide.

Edit: Ok, so I should have read your whole post.

There is no reason to have a special feeding tank. I'm sure the pet store told you about "cage aggression". While some species may exhibit it, BPs do not. He will be much happier if you feed him in his cage - and will eat more readily.

I'll bet your cork hide is one of those half hide things. BPs really like enclosed spaces, and those things aren't the best. Fortunately, there are some great (and cheap) alternatives that will serve his needs much better. I'd suggest posting some pics of your setup. Also, if I'm right about the pet store advice, what are you feeding him? I ask because the Petsmart associates I spoke with when I bought my first BP gave me way bad advice as far as feeding and general husbandry go.

The coark hide is actually a true hollowed out, full circumfrence little log... he wedges himself in it, which is why I can't exactly get him out of it. He also has an entirely enclosed cave that he can hide in if he wishes, among other hides. I've seen him use it very rarely, mostly after he's eaten.

As far as what he is eating, it's live. The breeder had said he was on F/T, but he didn't eat that for quite a few weeks after I got him, so the breeder suggested a live mouse, and he's been eating that pretty regularly. I plan to try to convert him back, if he can. And don't worry, I do all the right things you're supposed to do when feeding live...

I'm guessing he's probably exhibiting perfectly normal behavior. Should I be concerned if I'm not really handling him except when feeding (and even then it's only to move him).

And yes... sadly those Petsmart guys aren't that knowledgeable.

I would remove his log and just buy 2 identical hides you can get him out of.

Also, he might not have been taking ft because you were removing him from his comfort zone to eat. Try feeding him ft in his enclosure, I bet he takes it!

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I'm not a huge fan of enclosed spaces, but I'm not the one that has to clean it. Also, if your BP has a regurg or poops inside a hide, you'd never know...until the smell hit.

Not handling your BP is fine, I promise he prefers it that way. If you plan on switching back to f/t, I maintain that you will be more successful feeding him in his enclosure.