Alabama is a hunter’s dream with its range of landscapes and plentiful wildlife. The state’s exciting landscape ranges from its northern rolling hills to its southern fertile plains. Both novices and veteran outdoorsmen will find the experience thrilling. But wait! Before packing your equipment, you need to know Alabama’s game rules, permits, and top spots. This all-inclusive guide will give you the necessary knowledge for a lawful, successful outdoor trip in Alabama during 2024.se

What months are hunting season in Alabama

Alabama offers various game opportunities depending on the location you’re in. Here’s a breakdown:

Deer by Zone

Zone A:

Archery: October 14th – February 10th (Either Sex)
Special Youth Gun: November 10th – 13th (Open to legal youth hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: November 13th – 17th (Either Sex)
Gun:
- November 18th – December 8th & December 9th – January 31st (Either Sex)
- November 18th – January 10th (Antlered Bucks Only during specific segments)

Zone B:

Archery:
- October 14th – 24th (Antlered Bucks Only)
- October 25th – February 10th (Either Sex)
Special Youth Gun: November 10th – 13th (Open to legal youth hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: November 13th – 17th (Either Sex)
Gun: Follows Zone A season structure (refer to Zone A details for dates and restrictions)

Zone C:

Archery: October 14th – February 10th (Either Sex)
Special Youth Gun: November 10th – 13th (Open to legal youth hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: November 13th – 17th (Either Sex)
Gun:
- November 18th – 26th & December 16th – 31st (Either Sex)
- November 27th – December 15th & January 1st – 15th (Antlered Bucks Only during specific segments)

Zone D:

Archery: January 16th – 27th (Antlered Bucks Only)
Special Youth Gun: October 27th – 30th (Open to legal youth hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: October 30th – November 3rd (Either Sex)
Gun:
- November 18th – 26th & December 16th – 31st (Either Sex)
- November 4th – 17th & November 27th – December 15th (Antlered Bucks Only during specific segments)
- January 1st – 27th (Either Sex)

Zone E:

Archery: January 16th – 27th (Antlered Bucks Only)
Special Youth Gun: October 27th – 30th (Open to legal youth hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: October 30th – November 3rd (Either Sex)
Gun:
- November 4th – January 15th (Either Sex)
- January 16th – 27th (Antlered Bucks Only)

CMZ Zones:

The CMZ Zones follow the same deer hunting structure as Zone A in Alabama. Here’s a breakdown of the archery, firearm, and muzzleloader seasons with key dates:

Archery: October 14th – February 10th (Either Sex)
Special Youth Gun: November 10th – 13th (Available to qualified young hunters)
Special Muzzleloader & Air Rifle: November 13th – 17th (Either Sex)
Gun:
- November 18th – December 8th & December 9th – January 31st (Either Sex)
- November 18th – January 10th (Antlered Bucks Only during designated periods)

Turkey

Zones 1 & 2: March 25th – May 8th (Decoys allowed April 4th – May 8th)
Zone 3:
- Fall: November 18th – November 26th (No decoys allowed)
- Spring: March 25th – May 8th (Decoys allowed April 4th – May 8th)

Additional Regulations:

Military & U.S. Forest Service: April 8th – May 8th (Daylight hours only until 1 pm)
National Forests & WMAs: April 1st – May 8th (Daylight hours only until 1 pm)
Special Youth Hunt: Saturday & Sunday before the Spring Season opener (Decoys allowed)
Special Disabled Hunt: Day before all regular season openers (Requirements apply, decoys allowed)

Alligator

Statewide:

Southwest Management Area: Second Thursday in August (Sunset) – Sunday following the Second Thursday in August (Sunrise)
Coastal Management Area: Second Thursday in August (Sunset) – Sunday following the Second Thursday in August (Sunrise)
Southeast Management Area: Second Saturday in August (Sunset) – First Monday of September (Sunrise)
West Central Management Area: Second Thursday in August (Sunset) – Sunday following the Second Thursday in August (Sunrise)
Lake Eufaula Management Area: Friday before the Third Saturday in August (Sunset) – Monday following the First Sunday in October (Sunrise)

Furbearer Hunting and Trapping

Open All Year Round (No Closed Season):

Bobcat: No limit
Coyote: No limit
Feral Swine (Daylight Hours Only): Huntable year-round with no bag limit.
Fox: No limit
Beaver: No limit
Nutria: No limit

Species with Specific Seasons:

Feral Swine (Nighttime Hunting):
- Private Lands Only (May 11th – August 31st): Allowed only at night with dogs.
- Private Lands Only (Varies): Nighttime hunting with dogs begins after the last day of gun deer season in a specific zone and ends 30 minutes before archery deer starts in that zone.
Squirrel: Runs from September 9th to March 3rd. Bag limit is 8 squirrels per day, with a possession limit of 8.
Rabbit: Runs from September 9th to March 3rd. Bag limit is 8 rabbits per day, with a possession limit of 8.
Raccoon: Is open year-round.
- Private Lands: No bag limit. Permits not required.
- Public Lands: Bag limit of 5 raccoons per party. Permits required.
Furbearers Requiring Trapping (Open Season):
- Mink, Muskrat, Otter, Striped Skunk: Trapping season starts October 28th and runs through February 29th.

Waterfowl & Migratory Bird

Ducks, Coots, and Mergansers:

Season 1: November 24th-25th (Daily Bag Limit: 6 ducks – specific restrictions apply, 15 coots, 5 Mergansers with a limit of 2 Hooded Mergansers)
Season 2: December 2nd – January 28th (Daily Bag Limit: Same as Season 1)

Teal

Statewide: September 9th – 24th (Daily Bag Limit: 6)

Geese:

Statewide (All Geese):
- September 2nd – October 1st (Daily Bag Limit: 5)
- October 14th – 28th (Daily Bag Limit: 5)
- November 24th-25th (Daily Bag Limit: 5)
- December 2nd – January 28th (Daily Bag Limit: 5)

Sandhill Crane:

Split 1: December 2nd – 7th (Daily Bag Limit: 3)
Split 2: January 15th – 30th (Daily Bag Limit: 3)

Other Migratory Birds:

Bobwhite Quail: November 4th – February 29th (Daily Bag Limit: 8)
Woodcock: December 15th – January 28th (Daily Bag Limit: 3)
Snipe: November 11th – February 25th (Daily Bag Limit: 8)
Rails and Gallinules:
- September 9th – 24th (Daily Bag Limit: 15 for King Rail, Clapper Rail, Virginia Rail, and Sora)
- November 25th – January 17th (Daily Bag Limit: Same as September season)

Dove:

North Zone (all counties except those listed in South Zone):

Early (Afternoon Only): September 2nd (Opens at noon and closes at sunset)
Main (All Day): September 3rd – October 22nd (Sunrise to sunset)
Late : November 18th – 26th (All Day)
Winter: December 16th – January 14th (All Day)

South Zone (Baldwin, Coffee, Covington, Dale, Escambia, Geneva, Henry, Houston, and Mobile counties):

Early (Afternoon Only): September 9th (Opens at noon and closes at sunset)
Main (All Day): September 10th – October 29th (Sunrise to sunset)
Late: November 18th – 26th (All Day)
Winter: December 16th – January 14th (All Day)

Youth Dove Hunts:

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) offers special Youth Dove Hunts in the fall to introduce young hunters (15 years old or younger) to the outdoors.

Registration: Online registration starts at 8:00 am on August 21st

Requirements:

Youth hunters must be accompanied by an adult at least 21 years old or a parent.
The accompanying adult must have a valid hunting license, Harvest Information Program (HIP) stamp, and a Conservation ID number.
Participants are encouraged to wear eye and ear protection for safety.

Demystifying Alabama’s Hunting Laws

Hunter Education: Alabama mandates hunter education for all first-time hunters born after August 1, 1977. You can fulfill this requirement by taking a certified course offered by the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division https://www.outdooralabama.com/.
Licensing: A valid license is mandatory for everyone above the age of 16 hunting in Alabama. Resident and non-resident licenses are available, with varying costs depending on the type of license and your residency status.
Bag Limits: Alabama establishes specific bag limits for each game species. These limits dictate the number of animals you can legally harvest per day or season. Always double-check the official regulations for the specific game you’re targeting.
Harvest Reporting: Hunters are required to report their harvest electronically through the WFF’s Game Check system within 48 hours of kill. This vital process helps wildlife biologists monitor populations and ensure sustainable game practices.

Pro Tip: Download the Alabama outdoor Digest, available online or at local probate offices, for detailed information on hunting laws, regulations, and bag limits.

How much does it cost to get a hunting license in Alabama

License/Permit	Residents	Non-Residents
State Hunting License	$32.55	$100.00
All Game Lifetime	$625.00	N/A
Small Game Lifetime	$425.00	N/A
Wildlife Management Area (WMA) Permit	$20.00 (varies by WMA)	$40.00 (varies by WMA)
Turkey Tag	$10.00	$20.00
Deer Tag	$10.00 (varies by zone)	$20.00 (varies by zone)
WMA Specific Permits (e.g., Elk Quota Hunt)	Varies	Varies

Remember: These are base prices. Additional fees may apply depending on specific licenses or permits.

Important Note: Always purchase your licenses and permits from authorized vendors, such as the WFF website, license agents, or county probate offices.

Where to Hunt in Alabama: Top Locations for Different Game

Alabama boasts a diverse landscape, offering a variety of habitats for various game species. Here’s a glimpse into some of the top hunting locations by game:

White-tailed Deer

William B. Bankhead National Forest: Encompassing over 166,000 acres, this sprawling forest offers excellent opportunities for deers, particularly during the bow season.
Talladega National Forest: With a mix of hardwood forests and open fields, Talladega provides diverse game opportunities for deer throughout the schedule.
White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA): This 10,000-acre WMA in Butler County is renowned for its healthy deer population and offers excellent public hunting opportunities.

Wild Turkey

Walter B. Jones National Forest: Located in south Alabama, this forest features longleaf pine forests and bottomland hardwoods, creating ideal habitat for wild turkeys.
Tuskegee National Forest: This national forest provides a mix of habitats for turkeys, with opportunities for both spring and fall seasons.
Coosa Pines WMA: This 150,000-acre WMA in Talladega County is a prime destination for turkeys, with a good mix of open fields and woodlands.

Waterfowl

Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge near Decatur offers excellent waterfowl opportunities, with habitats ranging from open water to bottomland hardwood forests.
Mobile-Tensaw Delta: This vast delta system provides diverse waterfowl opportunities, with habitats like tidal marshes, swamps, and open water.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge: Located on the Alabama-Georgia border, this refuge offers excellent waterfowl hunting for ducks, geese, and other migratory birds.

Small Game

State Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): Alabama has over 1.3 million acres of WMAs that provide excellent opportunities for small game like rabbits, squirrels, and quail. Popular WMAs for small game include Choccolocco WMA, Oakmulgee WMA, and Talladega WMA.
Private Lands: With permission from the landowner, hunting on private lands can be productive for small game, especially in areas with diverse agricultural fields and woodlots.

Bobwhite Quail

Sedgefield Wildlife Management Area (WMA): This 60,000-acre WMA in Talladega County is a haven for bobwhite quail, with plenty of managed fields and pine forests.
Lowndes WMA: Located in central Alabama, this WMA offers excellent opportunities for quails, with a focus on habitat restoration to benefit quail populations.
Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge: This refuge provides pockets of suitable habitat for bobwhite quail alongside other small game opportunities.

Feral Hogs

Feral hogs are abundant throughout Alabama and can be hunted year-round. Public Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) often provide good opportunities for hog hunting, as they tend to concentrate in these areas. Here are a few examples:

Dauphin Island WMA: This barrier island offers opportunities for feral hogs alongside other game species.
Tuskegee National Forest: With its dense understory and abundant food sources, Tuskegee National Forest can be a productive spot for feral hogs.
Clay County WMA: This WMA offers a mix of habitats suitable for feral hogs, with opportunities for both still and dog hunting.

Pro Tip: Utilize the WMA Finder tool on the WFF website https://www.outdooralabama.com/ to locate WMAs near you and explore their specific hunting opportunities.

Eric Hale

Author & Chief Editor at AskHunting.com

Eric Hale, a veteran hunter with more than a decade of experience, imparts his knowledge via AskHunting.com. He offers guidance for hunting, adding strategies, and delivers in-depth guides for the novice and the old hand. He loves family camping sessions, watching Marvel films with his spouse, and going on thrilling road journeys.

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