Alabama’s rich hunting tradition offers sportsmen a diverse array of game and experiences. From white-tailed deer to wild turkey and waterfowl, the state’s varied landscapes provide ample opportunities for hunters of all skill levels. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources manages hunting regulations and licenses, ensuring sustainable practices and wildlife conservation.

Prospective hunters must obtain the appropriate licenses and permits before venturing into Alabama’s woods and wetlands. The state offers various license options for residents and non-residents, including annual all-game and small game licenses. Hunter education courses are mandatory for most hunters born after August 1, 1977, promoting safety and ethical hunting practices.

Alabama’s hunting seasons vary by species and region, with specific dates and bag limits set each year. Popular hunting areas include wildlife management areas, national forests, and private lands enrolled in the state’s hunting programs. Hunters should familiarize themselves with local regulations and property boundaries to ensure a legal and enjoyable experience.

Alabama Hunting Regulations Overview

Alabama’s hunting regulations establish guidelines for licenses, seasons, bag limits, and special hunting areas. These rules aim to manage wildlife populations and ensure safe, sustainable hunting practices across the state.

License Requirements

All hunters in Alabama must possess a valid hunting license. Residents born on or after August 1, 1977, must complete an approved hunter education course before purchasing a license. Non-residents can obtain licenses for varying durations.

A deer and turkey harvest record is mandatory for all hunters pursuing these species. This can be in paper form or through a mobile app. Licenses and harvest records must be carried while hunting.

Special licenses are available for youth, seniors, and disabled hunters. Some public lands may require additional permits or management area licenses.

Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits

Alabama’s hunting seasons vary by species and region. Deer season typically runs from mid-November to early February, with specific dates for archery, gun, and primitive weapons. Turkey season generally occurs in spring.

Bag limits for deer allow 3 antlered bucks per season, with one required to have 4 points on one side. Antlerless deer limits vary by region and management practices.

Small game seasons, including squirrel and rabbit, often have longer durations. Waterfowl seasons align with federal migratory bird frameworks.

Hunters must adhere to daily and seasonal bag limits for each species. These limits help maintain healthy wildlife populations.

Special Hunting Regulations

Hunters must wear hunter orange during gun deer season on public lands and while hunting on private lands. This safety measure applies to all hunters except those pursuing turkeys or migratory birds.

Legal hunting hours are typically 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Some species, like alligators, have specific hunting times.

Baiting regulations vary by region and species. Hunters should consult current regulations for specific rules on feed and bait use.

Certain weapons and ammunition are restricted for different game species. Hunters must use appropriate firearms or archery equipment as specified in the regulations.

Wildlife Management Areas and Special Opportunity Areas

Alabama offers numerous Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for public hunting. These areas may have specific regulations, season dates, and bag limits that differ from statewide rules.

Special Opportunity Areas provide unique hunting experiences through limited quota hunts. Hunters must apply for permits to access these areas during designated seasons.

WMAs and Special Opportunity Areas often require a management area permit in addition to a regular hunting license. Some may have specific check-in procedures or reporting requirements.

Hunters should review area-specific rules before hunting on public lands, as regulations can vary significantly between different management areas.

Hunter Education and Safety

Alabama prioritizes hunter education and safety to promote responsible hunting practices. Proper training and precautions help ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all hunters in the state.

Hunter Education Requirements

Alabama mandates hunter education for anyone born on or after August 1, 1977. This requirement applies to hunters seeking to purchase a hunting license. The state offers several options for completing hunter education:

Online courses provide comprehensive instruction in hunting safety. These courses cover essential topics like firearm handling, wildlife conservation, and hunting ethics.

In-person classes are available for those who prefer hands-on learning. These classes often include practical demonstrations and field exercises.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources oversees the hunter education program. They ensure all courses meet state standards for hunting safety education.

Safety Precautions

Hunters must prioritize safety in the field. Wearing hunter orange is a crucial safety measure. Alabama law requires hunters to wear a minimum of 144 square inches of solid hunter orange or full-pattern hunter orange during certain seasons.

Proper firearm handling is essential. Hunters should always treat firearms as if they are loaded and keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction.

Identifying targets clearly before shooting is critical. Hunters must be certain of their target and what lies beyond it.

Tree stand safety is also important. Hunters should use a safety harness and check stands for stability before use.

Being aware of weather conditions and terrain helps prevent accidents. Hunters should prepare for changing weather and challenging landscapes.

Game Species of Alabama

Alabama offers diverse hunting opportunities with a variety of game species. Hunters can pursue big game, migratory birds, small game, and furbearers throughout the state’s varied habitats.

Big Game Hunting

White-tailed deer reign as Alabama’s most popular big game species. Over 180,000 deer hunters spend more than 4 million days afield annually. The deer harvest typically exceeds 300,000 animals each year.

Wild turkeys are the second most sought-after big game animal. Alabama’s spring turkey season lasts 4-6 weeks, one of the longest in the nation. Hunters devote around 500,000 days to pursuing these wily birds.

Feral hogs, while not native, provide year-round hunting opportunities. These invasive animals cause significant agricultural damage, so hunting helps control their populations.

Migratory Game Birds

Dove hunting kicks off each fall season. Mourning doves are abundant and offer fast-paced shooting for hunters of all skill levels.

Waterfowl hunting is popular in Alabama’s wetlands and coastal areas. Species include:

• Mallards
• Wood ducks
• Gadwall
• Teal

Other migratory game birds include woodcock, rails, and snipe.

Small Game Hunting

Squirrels and rabbits provide excellent small game hunting opportunities. Gray and fox squirrels are found statewide in wooded areas. Cottontail and swamp rabbits inhabit brushy areas and offer challenging hunting.

Bobwhite quail, once abundant, have declined due to habitat loss. However, some areas still support huntable populations. Efforts are underway to restore quail habitat and boost numbers.

Furbearer and Trapping

Alabama allows trapping and hunting of various furbearer species, including:

• Raccoon
• Opossum
• Bobcat
• Coyote
• Beaver

Trapping seasons typically run from November through February. Proper licensing and adherence to regulations are crucial for ethical furbearer management.

Deer Hunting in Alabama

Alabama offers diverse deer hunting opportunities across its varied landscapes. Hunters can pursue whitetail deer in hardwood bottoms, pine forests, and agricultural areas throughout the state.

Season Dates and Hunting Zones

Alabama divides its deer hunting season into zones to manage populations effectively. Zone A covers most of the state, while Zone B includes parts of southwestern Alabama.

The archery season typically starts in mid-October. Gun season begins in November and runs through January or early February, depending on the zone.

Hunters should check the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website for exact dates, as they may vary slightly each year.

Special youth hunts are often scheduled before the regular season opens, providing young hunters with early opportunities.

Deer Bag Limits

Alabama sets bag limits to maintain healthy deer populations. The state allows hunters to take three antlered bucks per season.

Antlerless deer limits vary by zone and county. Some areas permit unlimited antlerless harvest, while others restrict it to specific days or quotas.

Hunters must report their harvest within 48 hours through Alabama’s Game Check system. This helps wildlife biologists monitor deer populations and adjust management strategies.

Antlered Buck Regulations

Alabama implements antler restrictions to improve buck age structure. In most areas, one of the three allowed bucks must have at least four points on one side.

Some counties have stricter regulations, requiring all harvested bucks to have a minimum outside spread or main beam length.

Hunters should familiarize themselves with the specific antler requirements for their hunting area. These rules aim to protect young bucks and increase the number of mature deer in the population.

Properly identifying legal bucks before shooting is crucial. Hunters are encouraged to use binoculars or spotting scopes to assess antlers carefully.

Turkey Hunting

Alabama offers excellent opportunities for turkey hunting, with a focus on the Eastern wild turkey subspecies. Hunters can pursue these challenging game birds during designated seasons, subject to specific bag limits and regulations.

Eastern Wild Turkey Seasons

Turkey hunting seasons in Alabama typically occur in the spring. The season usually starts in mid-March and runs through early May. Exact dates may vary by region within the state. Some areas have special youth-only hunting days before the regular season opens. Hunters must obtain proper licenses and permits before participating in the hunt.

Spring is the prime time for turkey hunting as male birds are more vocal and active during their mating season. This increases the chances of a successful hunt. Fall turkey hunting is not permitted in Alabama to help maintain healthy population levels.

Turkey Bag Limits

Alabama imposes strict bag limits for turkey hunting to ensure sustainable populations. The daily bag limit is one gobbler per day. The season limit is typically set at five gobblers per hunter.

Jakes, which are immature male turkeys, count towards the bag limit. Hunters are not allowed to take hens (female turkeys) to protect breeding populations. It’s crucial for hunters to properly identify their targets before shooting.

Hunters must report their turkey harvests through Alabama’s Game Check system within 48 hours. This helps wildlife officials monitor populations and adjust management strategies as needed.

Waterfowl Hunting

Alabama offers diverse waterfowl hunting opportunities across its wetlands, lakes, and coastal areas. Hunters can pursue ducks, geese, and sandhill cranes during specific seasons, with regulations in place to ensure sustainable populations.

Duck Hunting

Duck hunting is popular in Alabama, with species like wood ducks, mallards, and mottled ducks available. The season typically runs from late November to late January. Hunters must obtain proper licenses and follow bag limits.

Wood ducks are abundant in wooded wetlands and swamps. Mallards frequent large lakes and flooded agricultural fields. Mottled ducks can be found in coastal marshes.

Hunters should scout locations, use decoys, and practice effective calling techniques. Blinds or natural cover help conceal hunters from wary ducks.

Goose Hunting

Alabama’s goose hunting season coincides with duck season. Hunters can pursue both dark geese (Canada geese) and light geese (snow geese and Ross’s geese).

Canada geese are common in fields and near water bodies. Snow geese are more prevalent during migration periods.

Goose hunting often involves setting up large decoy spreads in agricultural fields or near water. Electronic calls are permitted for light geese during the Conservation Order season.

Hunters should be aware of specific bag limits for different goose species.

Special Teal Season

Alabama offers a special early teal season in September, typically lasting 16 days. This season targets blue-winged and green-winged teal before they migrate further south.

Teal prefer shallow wetlands and flooded fields. Hunters should focus on areas with abundant aquatic vegetation and insects.

The special season allows hunters to pursue these fast-flying ducks before the regular waterfowl season begins. Daily bag limits are specific to teal species during this time.

Sandhill Crane Hunting

Sandhill crane hunting is a relatively new opportunity in Alabama, with a limited season running from December to January. Hunters must obtain a special permit through a drawing system.

These large birds are found in agricultural areas and wetlands. Successful hunting requires scouting to locate feeding and roosting areas.

Hunters use decoys and calls to attract sandhill cranes. Proper identification is crucial to avoid mistaking them for protected whooping cranes.

The sandhill crane season has specific harvest quotas and reporting requirements to monitor populations.

Hunting Licenses and Permits

Alabama requires hunters to obtain proper licenses and permits before engaging in any hunting activities. These documents ensure legal compliance and support wildlife conservation efforts across the state.

Resident and Non-Resident Licenses

Alabama offers various hunting licenses for residents and non-residents. Resident hunters aged 16-64 must purchase an annual hunting license, which costs $28.20 including issuance fees. Non-residents pay $330.15 for an all-game annual license.

Alabama residents over 65 qualify for a lifetime hunting license at a reduced rate. Youth hunters under 16 can obtain a free license with adult supervision.

The state also provides short-term options. A 3-day non-resident license costs $142.90, while residents can purchase a 7-day commercial fowl hunting preserve license for $10.00.

Special Permits and Harvest Records

Certain game species require additional permits beyond the basic hunting license. Turkey and waterfowl hunters must obtain harvest records to track and report their kills.

Deer hunters need an antlered deer harvest record, which is included with most license types. For hunting on wildlife management areas, a $20 permit is mandatory.

Hunters pursuing migratory birds like doves or ducks must acquire a free Harvest Information Program (HIP) permit. This helps wildlife officials monitor and manage bird populations effectively.

Alabama’s generous bag limits and long seasons make these permits essential for sustainable wildlife management.

Youth Hunting in Alabama

Alabama offers special opportunities for young hunters to learn and practice hunting safely. Youth hunting programs aim to introduce the next generation to responsible outdoor recreation while teaching important conservation principles.

Youth Hunting Opportunities

Alabama provides several youth-only hunting days throughout the year. These events allow young hunters to gain experience without competing with adult hunters. Youth dove hunts take place on select Saturdays in the fall. Special youth waterfowl hunting days occur on November 23, 2024, and February 8, 2025.

During youth dove hunts, supervising adults may also hunt. For waterfowl hunts, regular season regulations apply, including bag limits and legal arms. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources organizes these events to promote safe hunting practices.

Age Requirements and Regulations

Youth hunters in Alabama must meet specific age and education requirements. Hunters born on or after August 1, 1977, must complete an approved hunter education program before hunting. Alabama offers two options: a traditional course with a written test or an online course.

For youth hunts, participants must be 15 years old or younger. A supervising adult at least 21 years old or a parent must accompany the youth hunter. The adult needs a valid Alabama hunting license. Youth hunters under 16 do not need a hunting license, but those 16 and older must purchase the appropriate license for their age group.

Public Hunting Lands

Alabama offers extensive public hunting opportunities through wildlife management areas and other public lands. Hunters can access diverse habitats and game species across the state’s managed properties.

Wildlife Management Areas

Alabama’s Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries manages over 750,000 acres of land for public hunting. These wildlife management areas (WMAs) provide habitats for various game species including deer, turkey, and small game. Some WMAs offer specialized hunts like dog deer hunts and dove hunts.

The Mulberry Fork WMA spans 35,520 acres in central Alabama. It features mountainous terrain, wooded areas, springs, and rocky bluffs. Hunters can pursue deer, turkey, and other wildlife in this diverse landscape.

Wheeler Wildlife Refuge in north Alabama is another notable public hunting area. It provides multiple options for hunters to spend time afield pursuing game.

Public Hunting Lands Access

Accessing public hunting lands in Alabama requires proper permits and knowledge of regulations. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources offers an interactive map showing state properties available for hunting.

This map includes WMAs, Special Opportunity Hunting Areas, and Forever Wild lands. Hunters can use it to locate public hunting grounds and plan their trips.

Some areas may have specific permit requirements. For example, hunting permits for Alabama River properties are issued through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office in Hayneville.

Hunters should always check current regulations and obtain necessary permits before accessing public lands. This ensures compliance and helps maintain sustainable wildlife populations.

Hunting Ethics and Conservation

Responsible hunting practices in Alabama contribute to wildlife management and conservation efforts. Ethical hunters play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance while adhering to regulations set by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Hunting Ethics

Ethical hunting involves respecting wildlife, fellow hunters, and landowners. Hunters in Alabama are expected to follow fair chase principles, which prohibit the use of unfair advantages over game animals. This includes avoiding the use of vehicles, aircraft, or electronic devices to locate or pursue wildlife.

Hunters must obtain proper licenses and permits before engaging in any hunting activities. They should also familiarize themselves with bag limits and seasonal restrictions for different species. Responsible hunters practice firearm safety at all times and take only clean, ethical shots to minimize animal suffering.

Trespassing is strictly prohibited. Hunters must obtain permission from landowners before entering private property. Respecting property boundaries and leaving no trace are essential aspects of ethical hunting behavior.

Conservation Efforts

Alabama’s hunters contribute significantly to conservation through license fees and excise taxes on hunting equipment. These funds support habitat restoration, wildlife research, and management programs conducted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Hunters actively participate in conservation by reporting harvests, which helps biologists monitor wildlife populations. Many hunters also volunteer for habitat improvement projects, such as planting food plots or removing invasive species.

The state’s wildlife management areas provide opportunities for hunting while preserving critical habitats. Hunters who practice selective harvesting help maintain healthy, balanced wildlife populations. By following regulations and reporting poaching, ethical hunters ensure the sustainability of Alabama’s diverse ecosystems for future generations.